Paul and I describe our journey as 12-4-1. Why? We were acquainted for 12 years, became close friends over a four-year period and got married within a year. — Stacy-Ann McGowan Byfield.Vows presses the rewind button…

THE JOURNEY TO THE ALTAR (AS TOLD BYSTACY-ANN)…

Paul and I were introduced by a mutual friend in 2001. We knew each other, but weren’t friends. In fact we lost touch with each other for a while but reconnected when Paul inquired of my expertise on a work project, which eventually brought us closer. Our friendship blossomed over four years, during which time I had relocated to Kingston. We were both shy and, truth be told, cautious. In 2013, Paul declared his love for me! Truth be told, I was not yet there. Paul was persistent; he waited patiently until I was ready to take that step. In the meantime, he showered me with love, patience, kindness and, more importantly, spiritual encouragement. These qualities, along with our similarities, convinced me that I was indeed in love with this guy.

Throughout our courtship, we would attend the annual Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. January 31, 2015 was an epic day. We got to Trelawny only to discover that the tickets had been left in Kingston. We had no choice but to turn the car around, return to Kingston, retrieve the tickets and head back to Trelawny. Although exhausted we were still prepared to enjoy our night. As we waited for Mariah Carey’s performance, a reporter and photographer from the Jamaica Observer newspaper approached us inquiring of our experience of the festival thus far. To my absolute astonishment Paul proposed. I almost fainted.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE…

On November 21, 2015, 160 close family members and friends assembled at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 2B Lemon Lane in Kingston to witness the wedding ceremony of Stacy-Ann McGowan and Paul Patrick Byfield, officiated by John Demetrius. The Petals & Promises team who handled the décor created an enchanted garden ambience inside the building complete with red roses scattered along the aisle and raised pedestals decorated in the bride’s colours: fuchsia, plum, purple and gold.

Paul stood patiently in his black and white suit by bespoke tailor Carlton Brown. His groomsmen were attired in grey Italian suits from Spencer’s Tailoring, with plum, purple and fuchsia ties. The bridesmaids wore floor-length empire plum dresses with sweetheart necklines and bouquets of purple and pink roses. Maid of honour Roshene Higgins wore a halter, floor-length chiffon dress.

Stacy-Ann was absolutely radiant in a custom DaVinci Bridal mermaid gown with dramatic lace and tulle skirt that was embellished with beaded lace appliqués, and a lace illusion back accented by a column of satin button closures that trailed into a beautiful chapel train. Her bouquet was made of fuchsia, white and purple roses with gold rhinestones around the stem. Her parents, Diana Barrett and Shevor McGowan, escorted her to her groom. The ceremony was short yet instructive with lessons quoted from the Bible. Followed by an exchange of vows and rings that declared the union official.

THE RECEPTION…

Guests mingled during the cocktail hour in the Bar Gardens of the Hotel Four Seasons ahead of the arrival of the newly-weds — Mr & Mrs Paul Byfield — who hot-stepped into the reception to Alaine & Tarrus Riley’s Forever More before proceeding to the head table complete with a gold ‘SP’ focal point. The Hotel Four Seasons’ wait staff handled dinner, while Conrad Sax Melody and vocalist Angel Smith performed Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. Master of ceremonies Craig Francis handled the formalities, which included the cuting of the three-tiered Jamaican fruitcake created by Jodi Cakes and the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to I Do by 98 Degrees.

Formalities over, the newly-weds and their guests partied to the musical selections of DJ Big Jay.

Stacy-Ann and Paul spent a week-long honeymoon at Secrets Wild Orchid, Montego Bay and Hotel Riu Montego Bay, closing off their honeymoon at Dolphin Cove in St Ann.