Creditinfo Jamaica Limited Chief Executive Officer Craig Alexander Stephen and ISP Finance Services Limited credit approval officer Renée Marissa Payne are still on cloud nine after tying the knot on Saturday, December 30, at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club. Vows introduces Mr and Mrs Craig Stephen.

How they met, as told by Renée

Craig and I met at ISP Finance Services in 2007, where I was a loan officer and he was my supervisor. At first I thought he was a little ‘boasty’. I remembered there was a discussion at work one day and he made a comment about not dating women with ‘baggage’. This made me upset as I was a single mom with an eight-year-old son (my baggage) at the time. We didn’t quite get along as I thought that every loan he gave me to do was a bit too much and hard for me. I would always have a little attitude towards him but he would always be so nice. My workload got lighter and the loans became easier to process while Craig’s desk would be stacked high. I eventually felt bad and thought to myself that maybe he is not so bad after all.

After a while I started noticing how sharp he would dress for work and how handsome he looked, not to mention how his cologne would linger in the office. We eventually became friends and he would take me home most evenings, until one evening he asked me out on a date and that’s where it all began.

The proposal. Renée recalls…

Craig proposed to me on my birthday, January 29, 2017, at Sandals Montego Bay, where he took me for the weekend. His cousin was a chef at Sandals and had arranged a special candlelight dinner at Sandals Royal Caribbean, out on a mini pier overlooking the ocean. Chef Rockwaine prepared my favourite meal of mussels in a white wine cream sauce. For dessert the waiter brought a slice of chocolate cake and when I started to eat I noticed something shiny on top. I started to scream and in a rush I put the ring on my finger without giving Craig the opportunity to pop the big question. I said YES!!! While we were on the pier kissing, a boat worker who was passing by noticed what was happening and pulled over. He started to play soul music, which made everything complete. The next day we etched our names in the rocks by the pool bar to remind ourselves of that special day.

Here comes the bride!

Friends and family filled the lawns of Caymanas Golf and Country Club in St Catherine to witness the nuptials. The ceremony area was decorated with white umbrellas; roses and ivy were hanging from under them.

The bridesmaids made their way up the aisle to the strains of Shayne Ward’s Breathless, dressed in navy blue sweetheart neckline lace dresses by Jamaican designer Micah Wheatle, while the maid of honour wore a blush pink dress from David’s Bridal. They were escorted by the groomsmen who wore Carlton Brown navy blue suits, white shirts, complemented by navy blue ties for the groomsmen and blush pink bow tie for the best man.

It was an emotional moment for many as Oswald Payne escorted his daughter up the aisle to the song Why I Love You by Major. Renée looked gorgeous in an ivory ball gown with lace, pearls and Swarovski crystal from 2020 Collection. In her hand she clutched a bouquet of hydrangea, roses and orchids.

Eagerly awaiting his bride at the altar was a besuited Craig, in a Carlton Brown white jacket with navy blue lapel and navy blue pants, complemented by a navy blue polka dot bow tie.

A sand ceremony was observed, and included the couple’s three sons using five individual glasses filled with sand to combine into one. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Astor Carlyle from Webster Memorial United Church.

The reception

The team from New Levels Décor brought their design artistry to the reception held at the same venue, which they transformed using navy blue, blush pink and a hint of silver. The area was absolutely breathtaking with white draping, chandeliers and lots of beautiful flowers and candles. Master of ceremonies Leighton Smith welcomed the guests and asked them to take their seats ahead of the arrival of the bridal party, who made their entrance to Alkaline’s Suave and Runtown’s Mad Over You, while the newly-weds entered to Likes by Chronixx. This was followed by the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to Ryann Darling’s I Choose You. Post-formalities, guests enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal and witnessed the cutting of the four-tiered chocolate cake by Cake Couture Ja. Craig serenaded Renée, singing She’s Royal by Tarrus Riley, and gave a lovely speech thanking all who were involved in the wedding preparations and all who attended. Entertainment was provided by BigJEntertainment, which kept guests on the dance floor until the wee hours of the morning.

The honeymoon

A honeymoon is planned for a later date, but in the interim the couple will be celebrating Renée’s birthday, at Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall Hotel.

Happy Birthday, Renée!

— from the VOWS Team