Saturday, October 14, 2017 was the day chosen by IT professional Marcus Golding and Paige Smith, National Commercial Insurance Company banker, to exchange vows at the University of the West Indies Chapel (Mona). Vows brings you the magical moments.

How they met…

The two met at the Bethel Baptist church, where they were both members, about 14 years ago. Marcus was, however, more focused on deepening his relationship with Christ than pursuing Paige.

The friendship continued, but nothing else. In fact, they both decided to walk away from each other, thinking that it was not in the cards. How wrong they were! On January 18, 2016, after speaking with members of Paige’s family, Marcus asked her to enter into courtship, a specific, intentional dating relationship geared towards the purposeful pursuit of marriage. “Our relationship from the very beginning was centred on our faith. And we decided to commit our purity to the Lord, as well, deciding we would not kiss during our courtship (even though we had kissed each other before). We wanted to honour God with the second chance he gave us by not passing boundaries as we had done before. And we did! We didn’t kiss for a year and 10 months until our pastor declared us husband and wife.

The proposal, as told by Paige…

Marcus proposed to me on Friday, March 10, 2017. I thought I was going to a family photo shoot because Marcus’s sister was on the island, and this was a regular thing to do for the family. I was a bit suspicious, though. In the middle of the photo shoot the camera turned on me and Marcus, who began to recite a poem before going down on one knee and asking me to marry him. Through my tears I said yes! He then surprised me with an engagement dinner with friends and family.

Here comes the bride…

With Travis Greene’s Made A Way playing in the background, the bridesmaids made their way up the aisle in stunning plum Louise Graham-designed off-the-shoulder mermaid dresses escorted by the debonair groomsmen, who wore two-piece light grey wool suits by Spokes Apparel and pocket and lapel pins by J Hux bow ties. At the altar the bridegroom patiently awaited his bride in a three-piece suit by Spokes Apparel accented by a custom J Hux eggplant silk bow tie and complementing pocket piece and lapel pin.

Gorgeous in a Morilee by Madeline Gardner champagne blush mermaid gown with vintage ivory embroidered lace, Paige then made her appearance on the arm of her brother Perryn Smith, who escorted her to her bridegroom to the strains of Selah’s Bless The Broken Road. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Dr Burchell Taylor and throughout, guests shared photos on social media using the hashtag #PaigingTheGoldings.

The reception…

After officially becoming husband and wife, what was left to do but celebrate? The bride’s home in Cherry Gardens was decorated in shades of plum with gold and burlap accents to represent the rustic glam theme by Petals and Promises.

The bridal party entered the reception to Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails prior to the arrival of the newly-weds. Later, Marcus surprised Paige with a rendition of Marcia Griffiths’ All My Life, performed by Mario Evon, friend of the couple, and Yasine Hanna, the bride’s cousin. After, the groom’s father, renowned musician Stevie G, played on guitar and brothers Jesse and Daniel on congo drums for the couple’s first dance. The highlight of the reception was the bride’s choreographed dance with back-up dancers to a mix of Beyonce’s End Of Time and Lil Mo’s 4Ever.

A sumptuous meal catered by Marlene Foster was followed by heartfelt toasts ahead of the cutting of the two-tiered lychee martini naked cake by A Likkle Slice of Heaven. At the end of the reception, helium balloons were released in loving memory of the bride’s father.

The honeymoon…

The lovebirds honeymooned at Meliá Braco Village, Runaway Bay.