I found a dream that I can speak to;

A dream that I could call my own.

I found a thrill to press my cheek to,

A thrill I’ve never known, oh yeah.

You smiled, you smiled, oh and then the spell was cast,

And here we are in Heaven

For you are mine at last.

— At Last by Etta James

(Photographer: Levar Gordon, visualembrace.com)

On May 23, after seven years of courting, Leo Arzu, a pharmaceutical science and physics master’s student at the University of Michigan, wed the love of his life, Alicia James, a physician at the Palmetto Health Hospital in South Carolina. Vows welcomes Leo and Alicia Arzu to the newly-weds’ club.

How They Met…

Leo met Alicia in 2008 on his way to a chemistry session at the San Diego State University. The two struck up a conversation that would lead to friendship. They’d also become study partners and finally lovers. They later moved to Michigan to attend graduate school, and have been together since.

Alicia recalls the proposal…

Leo escorted me out to dinner at our favourite seafood restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Leo was so coy about the whole thing, I got the impression it was a typical date night. We finished dinner and went home. I was surprised, to say the least, when I saw a bouquet of red roses, heart-shaped glow sticks, and a teddy bear with an engagement ring in his lap. “Will you marry me?” he asked as he pulled me close. To this day I cannot express the feeling. I immediately said yes.

The Ceremony…

Some 60 guests were in attendance at the 3:00 pm summer garden wedding which took place on the lawns of the Drax Hall Country Club where mason jars containing white hydrangeas and pink roses hung from chiavari chairs. A gold chandelier hung from the centre of an arch at the altar which was draped in white sheer linen and secured with two pomander balls of white and green hydrangeas and pink roses.

Bradley Joseph’s Canon in D musical played as the bride’s mother Sharon James made her way to the altar in a soft pink sheer halter dress with pearl accessories, followed by Alicia’s uncle and officiant Pastor Kenroy Malcolm.

Mendelssohn’s Wedding March introduced maid of honour and sister of the bride Ashley James, who was summery-chic in a spaghetti-strapped pink cocktails dress with a pleated skirt. Groomsman and brother of the bride Andrew James, and best man Folu Ani followed in JoS A Banks light grey suits and royal blue ties, matching pocket squares, and white orchid boutonnières. The groom wore a light grey suit with a polka dot bow tie, matching pocket square, and a boutonnière of white hydrangeas and pink roses.

Camera phones in hand, guests rose to welcome the bride’s arrival on the arm of her father Donovan James. Boyce Avenue’s All of Me played as she made her way up the aisle in an Ieie’s Bridal strapless eggshell gown with exquisite lace overlay and cinched at the waist by a string of rhinestones clutching a bouquet of hand-picked pink roses and white hydrangeas. Her hair was parted at the crown and pulled together in a low chignon.

Guided by Pastor Malcolm, the two said their “I do’s” and were pronounced husband and wife. The newly-weds walked down the aisle to Bruno Mars’ Marry You.

For you are mine at last…

The quick-witted emcee duo of Mark Hamilton and Donald Moore welcomed guests to the tented reception styled by Chic-Events Jamaica. A clear-top tent with hanging lanterns revealed a well-appointed dance floor to the centre. Trestle tables covered with ivory linen and polka dot gold runners, votive candles in mason jars, and cylindrical vases with white hydrangeas and pink roses added to the warm Caribbean summer décor aesthetic.

Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars cued the entrance of the bridal party followed by newly-weds Leo and Alicia Arzu. The two waltzed to the centre of the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife to Etta James’s At Last. Lusty applause filled the tent as the two made their way to their sweetheart table with a hanging crystal backdrop. Chic-Events also handled catering duties. Father of the bride Donovan James expressed his approval of the nuptials, and offered toasts to the newly-weds, and to relatives who had travelled to Jamaica for the ceremony. Maid of honour Ashley James and best man Folu Ani followed with toasts to the bride and groom. After which emcees Mark Hamilton and Donald Moore announced the cutting of the cake.

The three-layered red velvet and traditional fruitcake with colourful flora and gold chevron accents stood next to the dessert table, loaded with candy, fruit, and a spread of sweet treats gifted by cousins of the bride, Carodean & Michele Duncan, sisters and co-owners of Decadent Delite.

Formalities over the bridal party and guests partied into the wee hours of the morning. The newly-weds honeymooned at the Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa.