Donovan White, vice-president of C&W Business, wed Patrice Wilson McHugh, managing director of Bars To Go Group of Companies, at an intimate ceremony — indeed guests could have been enjoying a wonderful late afternoon affair with the couple; such was the vibe — last Saturday at their home well-appointed home in Upper St Andrew. The couple who first met at the Miami International Airport, decided to tie the knot after two years and a month of courtship. Vows presents Mr and Mrs Donovan White.

Moments before the big day…

Hours before the crack of dawn, Patrice borrowed a bridal veil from Petals & Promises to make her usual 4:00 am run.

The Ceremony…

Donovan and his best man Neville Mitchell took their positions at the altar to await the bridal party. Bespoke tailor Keith Lloyd of Keith Lloyd Couture in New York City made Donovan’s black suit with pick stitching to which the groom added a cream rose and green hypericum berries boutonnière. His right-hand man, Neville, was equally suave in Hugo Boss suiting which he complemented with a mint bow tie and a similar boutonnière.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen met at the entrance of the tent before making their entrance. The ladies carried bouquets of white hydrangeas and coral roses and were stylish in coral jersey gowns designed by Paula Burns. The men wore Hugo Boss suits with mint ties and a single coral rose boutonnière with purple dendrobium orchids and green hypericum berries. Burns was also the creator of maid of honour Joanna Griffiths’ jersey mint gown. The arrival of the mini- bride, Patrice’s daughter Makayla McHugh elicited cheers. The excitement was almost palpable as guests stood in anticipation of the lady of the hour. Singer/songwriter Mario Evon performed a cover of Whitney Houston’s I Believe In You as Patrice stepped out of the Jaguar sports car aided by her trusty hairstylist Adolf Raynor. She was stunning — a vision of sophistication in a Mori Lee gown with a key-hole back — which showed off her toned physique — and a layered mermaid skirt. Her something borrowed, earrings from her maid of honour; her something blue, the garter; her something new, Steve Madden ankle-strap heels; and her something old, the ivory hair clip that secured her half-up half-down hairdo.

Pastor Sam McCook handled the formalities which included a handwashing ritual. The couple were now rid of the past.

The vows written by the couple were sincere, and resonated with their intimate circle of family and friends in attendance. Evon’s performed Richard Marx’s Now and Forever and John Legend’s All Of Me as the newly-weds signed the marriage certificate.

Patrice’s Vow To Donovan

Donovan,

Today before the people that love us, I, Patrice, vow to honour you as my husband, my best friend and my life partner. I vow to cherish and respect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity.

I’m marrying myself to you in body and in spirit. I CHOOSE YOU, to stand by your side and sleep in your arms, to be joy to your heart and food for your soul. For every story I want to tell with my life, I want to tell it with you. For every hard time I endure, I want to endure it with you. For every good memory I make, I want to celebrate it with you. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, falling in love a little more each day. I vow to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us. In all things I want us to keep God at the heart of our relationship because it is He that gives us all good things, and carries us through all trials, even as we lean on each other.

Donovan, even though your calm demeanour most times infuriates me, I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. So I vow to be a better listener and to filter my words, especially on the days when you make attempts to get me to slow down.

I’ve never felt so loved, so cared for, and so cherished by someone. You encourage me to become the woman God created me to be and you accept me for who I am. I love you past my mind and beyond my heart.

If I had to live my life over again, I’d find you sooner so that I could love you longer.

When I met you I found a friend; someone I could talk to. You listened to all my quirky jokes and my endless stories. You would call just to see how I was. You’d bring me coffee in the middle of the day, taking time from your busy schedule. While these might appear to be small gestures, they were the skeletons upon which we began to construct today. Those things and a multitude of others too numerous to catalogue told me this day was inevitable. Darling God, Allah, Jehovah, He who has no name, made you just for me.

Donovan’s Vow to Patrice

“Pat, today, before all our friends and family I ask you with all my heart to be my wife and partner for life. I promise to love you, listen to your words and the rhythm of your heart. I will give you my undying devotion. I promise to give my honest and open heart always telling you what I believe, come what may. I am not oblivious to the trials and pressures of life, but I know with you by my side I am well armed to face any obstacle placed before us. I will honour, respect and cherish you all the days of our lives.

My darling, you have unique talents and abilities. It will be my duty as your husband to cultivate and support them. Your dreams are no longer yours alone. I will lend you strength to reach your dreams. I promise to care for you, to encourage and inspire you, insisting that you be none other than yourself.

Love isn’t something you find. Love finds you. I thank you Lord, for answering my prayers. Patrice, you are an angel sent to me from our father Jesus Christ. He has blessed us by bringing us together. It is up to us to live that blessing.

From this day forward we walk together. I offer you all that I have. My heart will be your shelter. My arms will be your home.

This ring is a symbol of my love and commitment. It has no end or beginning. As I place it on your finger, I tell my love commitment is boundless and perpetual. Patrice, I give you all that I am, and all that I shall become. I love you, my angel.”

The Reception…

The entire wedding took place under a clear-top tent from Starlight Productions.

As dusk approached the inside was bathed in splashes of mint, purple and coral, colours chosen by Donovan and Patrice. Naturally the purple allowed the groom to pay homage to his alma mater Kingston College.

The area, ably styled by the Petals & Promises team, featured white Chiavari chairs around guest tables with silver cylindrical vases filled with white hydrangeas, purple orchids, orange chrysanthemums, cream roses and green anthuriums, surrounded by votive candles.

Guests dined on a Jacqui Tyson-created menu which included a suckling pig — specially requested by the groom.

Formalities post-dinner were handled by the bride’s close friend Dianne Ashton-Smith, head of corporate affairs, Red Stripe, and included toasts from the best man and maid of honour. The cake cutting and bouquet and garter throwing came next. The groom’s reply followed but it would be the bride who got the last word in a wonderful musical documentary tribute.

The relaxed atmosphere continued as guests enjoyed the proceedings under the canopy while sipping Sweet Blanco, the evening’s signature cocktail, named by Donovan and created by Captain St Aubyn Kidd. Others took to the Main Event Entertainment Group-erected dance floor with soft mood lighting and throws of white, coral and mint fabric.

The couple send their best from their honeymoon in Hawaii. “See you on December 7th.”