What are the odds of meeting your future husband in the middle of a crowded dance floor? Pretty good, is the response of newly-weds Shakara Foster-Brown, physiotherapist at the University Hospital of the West Indies, and Courtney Brown, operations engineer at Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd. Their chance encounter at a party in 2008 led them to the altar. Vows shares the love story.

Chance luck…

Six years ago, Shakara Foster, a student at the University of the West Indies, had no idea of Cupid’s intentions as she enjoyed a Friday night out with friends at a Bacchanal event held at Mas Camp. Somehow, in spite of the crowd, Foster ended up standing right in Brown’s immediate field of vision. Brown, of course, noticed her and made his move. “Can I join your gym?” were Brown’s exact first words to the slim stranger who would later become his wife, according to Foster. The two hung out for the first time that night and, having felt an immediate connection, made plans to see each other again. Before they knew it, they’d been dating for two years; Foster by this time had completed her university degree and the relationship reached another milestone when Brown asked her to move in with him.

The Engagement…

After a six-year courtship, Brown decided to pop the big question. So last year, he whisked his girlfriend away to Montego Bay for a romantic weekend at the Riu Hotel. There, he waited until after sunset to surprise her with a ring and a confident “Will you marry me?” inside their hotel room. The answer, of course, was yes.

Here Comes the Bride…

The big day came on August 23, 2014, when friends and family of Shakara Foster and Courtney Brown were invited to Caymanas Golf and Country Club to witness and celebrate the couple’s nuptials. The wedding ceremony took place on the lush grass of the beautiful garden gazebo overlooking the heart-shaped pool and the St Catherine hills. The ring bearer, who was the bride’s nephew, carried the wedding rings on a cushion while simultaneously holding a sign for the groom, announcing the arrival of the bride. The bride was stunning in a Mori Lee Bridal gown with beaded embroidery on alençon lace, complete with ruffled tulle from the Petals and Promises 2014/2015 collection. The groom complemented his lovely bride in a dashing, fitted two-piece tuxedo by Spokes Apparel. The bridesmaids chose hot pink while the maid of honour wore purple. The groomsmen followed the pattern with pink ties and a purple tie for the best man.

It was a family affair as the groom’s very own cousin Reverend Devere Nugent officiated. Two bouquets of purple and white chrysanthemums with hot pink carnations were positioned on pedestals in front of the bamboo canopy draped in white sheer fabric beneath which the couple exchanged their vows.

Formalities out of the way, the newly-weds along with their bridal party performed a choreographed dance to Celebration by Kool and the Gang. Guests were delighted, applauding and photographing the dancing newly-weds, groomsmen and bridesmaids.

Celebration Time…

The upbeat vibe continued at the reception held at the spacious Caymanas clubhouse, where the evening’s emcee Primrose Oliver efficiently guided the proceedings which included spontaneous dance moves by the groomsmen before taking their seats ahead of the bridesmaids who made their entrance in similar fashion.

Guests were asked to signal their congratulations to the newly-weds during a mini-serenade as the microphone was passed from table to table. Couples in attendance were invited to participate in a kissing competition, with the best kiss decided on by the loudest round of applause.

After dinner came the toasts. The maid of honour Shawna Lee Foster and best man Silburn Chambers toasted the bride and groom, respectively, followed by toasts to the bride’s parents. Shelly-Ann Johnson, aunt of the bride, toasted the bride’s parents while new uncle-in-law Uriel Brown toasted the groom’s parents. The groom gave a heart-tugging reply to the toasts that left guests teary-eyed as he expressed his gratitude to everybody present and spoke of the couple’s accomplishments and journey to the altar.

The first dance as husband and wife followed the toasts. First, the couple danced to the Luther Vandross classic So Amazing, then its Jamaican remix performed by Sanchez and deejay Flourgon, and finally Miguel’s Adorn and its cover version by Konshens.

The couple would later enjoy their honeymoon at Grand Lido Negril.