There must be a God;

I believe it’s true,

‘Cause I can see His love,

When I look at you.

And He must have a plan,

For this crazy life,

Cause He brought you here,

And placed you by my side.

— When I Say I Do by Matthew West

On March 1, Dwayne Shepherd wed Alexia Simmonds at the Stadium Community Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Kingston. Vows shares Alexia & Dwayne’s royal wedding celebration.

How they met…

The relationship started seven-and-a-half years ago when Dwayne visited the Johnson Town Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 2007 and met Alexia. “Dwayne visited my church one Sabbath with his singing ministry”, she recalled. He stood out the most because of his good looks, and when his group went up to sing, he was sharing a microphone with another member of the group, who was much shorter than him. I remember giggling with a friend at how awkward they looked.

“After service we were introduced, and that was it. Not long after, I got a message on social media from him. It was his birthday and he asked if he could call me. I gave him my number and we spoke briefly. As time went on, we got to know each other and became the best of friends. I introduced him to my mom who approved of him. In fact, for about two years, she kept asking about the status of our relationship. I kept insisting that we were just friends. It took seven-and-a half years from our initial meeting, plus counselling sessions from Pastor Windel Montaque before our walk up the aisle and we couldn’t be happier.”

The Proposal…

“Dwayne proposed on my birthday, on June 22, 2014. I was at home and he stopped by in the morning with breakfast. I was so overwhelmed with the birthday wishes I was receiving. While I responded to the messages, I heard him say, ‘Lex, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you’. These words are usually used by him, so no alarm bells went off. I rubbed his head and said, ‘I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you too… are you feeling sentimental because it’s my birthday, babe?’ I then went back on my phone. I was surprised, to say the least, when he knelt in front of me, revealed a ring box, looked me in the eye and asked, ‘Lex, will you marry me?’ I put the phone down instantly, I was so shocked. For a few seconds I didn’t say a word, then I started to cry. I held out my hand for him to put the ring on and he said, ‘But babe, you haven’t answered’. It was at that point that I said yes.”

The Ceremony…

Dwayne serenaded his bride with a rendition of When I Say I Do by Matthew West as she made her way up the aisle escorted by her father Shirley Shepherd. Alexia wore a traditional, white ball gown with a fitted bodice and a tulle skirt. Her cathedral veil, blusher and tiara secured her hair, curled and pulled back in a chignon. Pastors Windel Montaque and Meric Walker performed the nuptials. The couple shared their “I dos” and recessed to Natalie Cole’s This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).

The Reception…

Pollyanna Caterers & Banqueters’ grand ballroom hosted the purple and gold-themed reception. The Black Eyed Peas I Got A Feeling introduced the newly-weds to a host of family and well-wishers.

Emcee and brother of the groom Dufton Shepherd led the formalities, which included toasts to the bride and groom. Alexia’s grandmother Iona White blessed the cake, while the mothers of the bride and groom Mavlette White and Beryl Shepherd unveiled the Sonia Campbell-designed wedding cake ahead of the newly-weds sharing cake-cutting duties.

CAPTIONS

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A water feature at the altar, symbolising prosperity.

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Alexia is escorted up the aisle by her father Shirley Shepherd.

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Bridesmaids Shauna-Kaye Kirkland (left) and Rockell Douglas cheer on the newly-weds.

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We’re married! Can you believe it?

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Alexia and Dwayne in a loving embrace.

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It’s a celebration! Dwayne and Alexia with members of the bridal party (from left) Jon Williams, Rockell Douglas, Ayon McCallum, Shauna-Kaye Kirkland, Tasheka Simmonds-Mattis, Dwight Shepherd, Shenieka Reid, and Donald Brown.

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Alexia shares the moment with her girls (from left) Shauna-Kaye Kirkland, Shenieka Reid, Tasheka Simmonds-Mattis, and Rockell Douglas.

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Dwayne Shepherd (centre) relaxes with his groomsmen (from left) Dwight Shepherd, Donald Brown, Jon Williams, and Ayon McCallum.

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A photo with parents of the bride Mavlette White and Howard Simmonds.

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“I feel like a queen. Thank you!”

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The Sonia Campbell-designed wedding cake.

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High spirits at the head table.

723 & 733 [CARRY SIDE BY SIDE]

#723

First you find the garter.

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Then you hurl it back.

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And of course with the parents of the groom Shirley and Beryl Shepherd.