…I have loved you for a thousand years; I’ll love you for a thousand more. — A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.

RYSTINA Jones and André Silvera grew up knowing each other as mere acquaintances; the two became fast friends as they shared experiences growing into adulthood, oblivious of the future they would share as husband and wife.

VOWS shares the story of a long and lasting love.

How They Met…

According to Krystina, an assistant education outreach officer at the Institute of Jamaica, she met André, a customer service representative at Kingston Container Terminal (KCT) Services Limited, through a mutual friend and neighbour.

“In 1998,” she recalls, “I invited André to a birthday party at my parents’ house, but we didn’t see each other again until four years later — the summer of 2002 — when I hosted my graduation party and invited him a second time. We shared mutual friends, planned group trips to the cinema, and assembled in church on Sundays, so our friendship was inevitable. Our church’s annual beach trip was the catalyst that sparked our conversations; we sat side by side in the bus as we travelled. We found out just how much we had in common. Naturally, we began dating, and by November 22, 2006 we decided to make it official. We became a couple!”

The Proposal (as told to Vows by the bride)…

André tricked me! March 12, 2014, we planned to get tickets for Socasize: however, after work he told me he wasn’t feeling well, so instead, we went to Devon House to relax until the rush-hour traffic cleared.

With intentions to get food, I suggested dining at Truck Stop, as it was nearest. I realised we were heading over to Market Place when we drove past the turn to Truck Stop. I thought, “Okay, we’re getting Chinese.” However, our final stop was at Café da Vinci. The ambience was refreshing, as I felt relaxed and at ease.

I finished my meal, went to the restroom, and when I came back, André was smiling. We continued talking about the plans we had for the future when I noticed that the music had stopped, the lights had been dimmed and it was as if everything around us had stopped and we were in our own little world. At that very moment, he got down on one knee, presented me with a ring and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes!

The Ceremony…

Family and friends gathered inside the Mona Baptist Church to witness the intimate ceremony. The bridal party entered the church to Shower Me With Your Love by Surface. Krystina’s chapel train mesmerised family members and guests as she made her way up the aisle to her eager bridegroom escorted by her father Almondo Jones to Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years.

Sanjay Thompson — second-place contestant in the 2014 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Festival Song competition — later treated guests to a musical serenade during the signing of the marriage register, after which the bridal party recessed to the strains of Marry Me by Train.

What She Wore…

Krystina was stunning in a David’s Bridal Collection satin trumpet gown with beaded lace appliqués and an ivory ruched bodice. A sweetheart neckline, corseted lace back, and a custom ivory veil made by Beautiful Brides and Mr Tux accentuated her curves and added gorgeous detailing. Her bouquet of blue, gold and white roses was created by Angel’s Wedding and Home Decor in May Pen, Clarendon.

The Groom…

André’s suit was an ivory three-piece Beautiful Brides and Mr Tux suit accented with a gold vest and matching striped tie.

The Bridal Party…

The bridesmaids made their own fashion statement in custom-made, one-shoulder turquoise mermaid dresses with silver sequinned detailing at the bust and waist, while the maid of honour stunned in a silver, form-fitting strapless gown.

The groomsmen wore black suits tailored by Beautiful Brides and Mr Tux, white shirts, and ties in shades of blue to match the bridesmaids’s blue gowns, while the best man, Paul Barclay, wore a silver tie to complement the maid of honour’s silver gown.

The unveiling of the cake…

The wedding cake, created by Marsheen Buchanan of Sheen’s Delight, was covered by blue and white fondant with each layer tapered in blue and silver rhinestones. Edible blue and white calla lilies sat atop the three-tiered confection.

The Reception…

The bridal party filed into the Blue Mountain Suite at the Knutsford Court Hotel to the sounds of I Got A Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas. The halls were draped in white linen and decorated in shades of blue, welcoming close family and friends to blue winter bliss. DJ Dinero introduced the newly-weds as they made their way to the dance floor where they performed their first dance as husband and wife to (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. They later exchanged dance partners with their parents and invited guests to join in the dancing celebrations.

The guests dined on sumptuous local fare catered by the Knutsford Court Hotel.

Emcee Jahvid Johnson, who handled the formalities made reference to the groom’s late father Oliver Silvera and asked guests to raise a cheer in his honour for one minute ahead of toasts. The reception climaxed with a song selection by Sanjay Thompson after dinner — a storybook ending to a perfect day.

Honeymoon…

The newly-weds will enjoy a seven-day western Caribbean cruise at Easter.