A’sagai Bass, an officer at the Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC, wed Jamaican LoToya Blake, homeless services coordinator in the Prince William County Government – Virginia, on August 8 at the Wild Orchid Villa in Montego Bay.

Vows makes a formal introduction to Mr and Mrs A’sagai Bass.

Nevada nights…

For her 29th birthday celebrations, LoToya and her best friend Donnet planned a girls’ trip to Las Vegas, where she met A’sagai and started a friendship.

“Between living in different time zones and our busy schedules, communicating regularly was difficult, and so we lost touch by summer’s end,” LoToya recalls. Not for long, however, as they soon reconnected when A’sagai relocated to the Washington, DC area. “As you’d imagine, it was much easier this time around, we’d chat on Skype and talk more frequently via cellphone calls.” As soon as she graduated, LoToya decided to move to Washington, DC to be with A’sagai.

In 2014, LoToya and A’sagai planned a trip to Jamaica. A’sagai had fallen in love with LoToya’s homeland as much as he had with her. “During our trip, we discussed the possibility of marriage, and how exciting it would be to get married in Jamaica.”

“On our way back to Washington DC, we stopped in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to visit my family and friends… that was all it should have been! On Sunday, August 17, 2014 (I’ll never forget) A’sagai asked my father for my hand in marriage, then proposed in front of my family and friends. I was on cloud nine!”

Here comes the bride…

The ceremony was held at midday on the manicured lawns of the Wild Orchid Villa in Montego Bay, and was officiated by Minister Easton Lawrence.

Sadeki Watson and the team at ChicEvents Jamaica Limited highlighted the lush landscape with sheer white fabric and gold accents that covered the alcove. Mason jars with clusters of baby’s breath hung from gold Chiavari chairs and the aisle was strewn with white rose petals.

The formalities commenced with the arrival of A’sagai’s grandmother DeGlorias Bass, who was escorted by his brother Angelo Walton. The bride’s mother Isolyn Blake soon followed, escorted by her sons André Forbes and André Burley. D’Angelo’s Untitled (How Does It Feel) played as A’sagai, looking relaxed in a khaki suit with a custom deep brown vest designed by Ermenegildo Zegna, took his place at the altar to await his bride.

LoToya in a Sophia Tolli gown from the Spring 2015 collection, worn with a cathedral veil, was picture perfect as she made her way up the aisle to Sade’s Cherish The Day. SueAnn Gregg did her make-up and Floridian hairstylist Jacqueline York styled her tresses. The bride’s bouquet comprised white hydrangeas and white roses.

The couple stood on a two-post podium riser draped in white sheer fabric, held in place with pomander balls of white hydrangeas and white roses. DeGlorias Bass led the proceedings with a prayer. Minister Easton Lawrence was the officiant.

The reception…

The reception took place under a clear-top tent draped with white sheer fabric and illuminated with LED lighting where guests enjoyed cool jelly coconuts from Winston the Jelly Man and later scribbled their well wishes and signatures onto a framed caricature of LoToya and A’sagai’s first ‘official’ photo from I Do Engravables.

The newly-weds shared their first dance as husband and wife to Etta James’ At Last. The bride and her father danced to Phil Collins’ True Colours followed by Alton Ellis and Daddy U Roy’s Best Dress Tonight. The groom and his mother danced to Louis Armstrong’s Beautiful World.

Dinner followed courtesy of Drummond’s Catering after which came toasts and the cutting of the three-tiered wedding cake by Cakes by Alecia Woodbine. Guests partied the night away.

Mr & Mrs A’sagai Bass honeymooned in Negril at the upscale Sandy Haven Resort.