On January 24, Courtleigh Hotel restaurant operation assistant Stacey-Ann Burke wed her long-time beau, Royal Caribbean International restaurant manager André Anthony Lawrence, at a charming ceremony at the Wildman Street Pentecostal Tabernacle in Kingston.

VOWS joined in on the celebrations.

How They Met…

“Stacey-Ann and I have known each other for over six years,” André recalls. “We were first introduced as colleagues at KFC New Kingston branch, and then we started talking more frequently. Stacey-Ann was such a beautiful soul; very sweet, honest and kind-hearted — traits that attracted me to her initially. I’d always find her for conversation and would lend a listening ear when she needed one. We became really good friends as we started to realise just how much we had in common, like, among other things, January birthdays and a genuine love for food. We’ve set days on the weekends for restaurant hops — to indulge like the true foodies we are. I casually invited Stacey-Ann to church one Sunday and after a few short months, she was baptised. I thought she must have been heaven-sent. Our lives were changing right before us, and we were ready for the ride; I couldn’t let Stacey-Ann escape me, and here we are today — happily married.”

The Proposal (as told to VOWS by André)

I was scheduled to leave Jamaica for a business trip to New York. I had the proposal all mapped out: I would propose to Stacey-Ann before my trip and we would plan our wedding the moment I returned. However, with the added pressure to get everything right and little time to organise, that plan fell through, so I built up the courage to invite her over to propose, just like that – without all the excitement. As soon as she arrived, I welcomed her in, as I pushed the ring forward, I asked: “Stacey-Ann, will you marry me?” She started crying immediately as she uttered “yes”, something I’ve since mocked her about.

Here Comes The Bride…

Guests and loved ones filed into the Wildman Street Pentecostal Tabernacle to eagerly await the bride’s arrival. The bridesmaids entered to the chords of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. Stacey-Ann made her way up the aisle with her uncle to the strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major where Reverend Harold Crooks performed the nuptials, after which Natalie Cole’s This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) ushered the newly-weds into the reception.

What She Wore…

Stacey-Ann looked stunning in a white ruched Vera Wang cap-sleeved lark dress with intricate lace-appliquéd flower detailing sprouting from the hips down into a ruffled skirt, which she paired with a white bouquet. Her bridesmaids made statements of their own in wine-red, floor-length, cap-sleeved chiffon dresses with red feather fascinators and red and white rose bouquets. Flower girl Shantae McKnight wore a beautiful white gown with a sequinned bodice and a ruffled skirt.

The Bridegroom…

André wore a black double-breasted three-piece Perry Ellis tuxedo with a satin lapel finish. The groomsmen wore sharp black three-piece suits complete with red satin ties and red rose boutonnières, while best man Rajire Mcintosh opted for a red velvet bow tie.

Ain’t No Stopping Us Now…

Jason Stewart of BiggJ Entertainment kick-started the evening’s formalities with McFadden & Whitehead’s Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now as the newly-weds entered the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel Pavilion.

Nishelle Thompson of Designs By Nishy transformed the space into a modern glam with an old-world charm-themed reception with hues of red, white and black. Ahead of dinner, emcee Yetesha Ferguson invited Pastor Dexter Lobban to bless the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel-catered fare.

Soloist Milton Nembhard provided a musical performance of Jeffrey Osborne’s On The Wings Of Love, while matriarchs Marlene Hemmings and Clarice Gregory unveiled the cake. Loved ones and well-wishers then offered toasts to the newly-weds, after which André and Stacey-Ann took to the dance floor in tune with Etta James’ At Last for their first dance as husband and wife.

The reception peaked when DJ Jason selected Jive Bunny and the Mastermixer’s Swing The Mood, but, shortly after, the garter and bouquet toss signalled the climax of the evening. The newly-weds left thereafter on a four-day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico.

Let them eat cake!

The couple’s glass-cut initials stood atop the red and white four-tiered KukUp Kreations fruitcake. The delightful treat — draped in white fondant and lined with zig-zag icing — bore interlocking rings with a red rose and tulips cascading down the second and third layers.