IRONSHORE, St James – RECORDING artiste Noddy Virtue tied the knot on the weekend with New Yorker Gillian Francis at a colourful ceremony witnessed by close friends and family members at the Dream Castle Villa in Ironshore, St James.

The couple’s wedding was brought to life with the careful planning of businesswoman and owner of the Dream Castle Villa, Gwen Williams.

The ceremony commenced with the arrival of the groom at the gazebo, accompanied by the bridesmaids and the groomsmen, who were nattily attired in suits.

Minutes later, guests, who were seated under a white tent, were on their feet to welcome the bride who stunned in an elegant white A-line gown with embroidered detail.

With her father by her side, she graciously made her way to join the bridal party.

Pastor of the Montego Bay -based Faith Christian Fellowship, Orton Deans, who officiated the ceremony, urged the couple to make the marriage “nothing other than a happy union”.

” When you get married you are stepping on God’s property so don’t ever, ever, tamper with God’s property. It must remain a happy union,” he told the couple.

The reception followed at the beautifully decorated poolside, shortly after the exchange of vows and the signing of the marriage register.

Master of ceremonies Ewan Simpson skilfully guided the proceedings, which included the unveiling of the wedding cake and several toasts.

Broadcaster Barrington ‘Barry G’ Gordon gave a toast to the groom, while New York radio personality Tony Cobb toasted the bride’s parents.

Virtue’s manager Gladstone Wright toasted the groom’s parents and Marion Eubanks Smith, the chief bridesmaid, toasted the bride.

Other guests at the wedding included New York radio personality Ken Williams, Walt Crooks, Jerome Francis, Andrae Francis, Josett Gordon, Virtue’s mother Lavern Powell, Michael James and Leslie Jarrett, manager, Dream Castle Restaurant.

Meanwhile, Virtue, a 36-year-old native of St Elizabeth who was a runner-up in the televised talent show Digicel Rising Stars in 2005, told the Observer West that his second album is scheduled to be released next month.

“The album will be released for Christmas and there are 17 very nice cover songs on it. These include Glass House by Peter Tosh, Remember Me done by Lucky Dube from South Africa; I need you made popular by Marc Anthony, Broke Arrow done by Rod Stewart…,” said Virtue.

The album, he said, will be named Addiction.

Known for his rich, throaty and clear sound, Virtue’s debut album, Just Believe, which was released in 2009, did fairly well both locally and internationally.

On the weekend, he expressed confidence that his upcoming 17-track album will do even better.

“I am confident that Addiction will do very well. I have put a lot of work in it and so I am expecting the people to support the project. Already some of the songs on the album are getting heavy rotation on a number of radio stations,” said Virtue.

The St Elizabeth native told the Observer West that he is booked for a number of overseas shows in Canada, St Lucia and New York next month.

He is also scheduled to appear on several local shows in December.