Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, the much-acclaimed Diana Ross hit song could very well have become the Stephanie Wash and Etienne Maurice anthem. That is, with the words Hurricane Beryl replacing mountain. For with the passage of a category 4 hurricane followed by a tropical depression, even one with the most dogged faith might have questioned God’s plan.

Not this bridegroom! WalkGood LA founder Etienne Maurice held steadfast to his faith and encouraged all to continue with their plans to witness his union of love, notably his #happilymauriced wedding day slated for Saturday, July 7.

Indeed no wind, no rain, would stop this wedding taking place at Good Hope Estate. The couple had secured the best team who feigned indifference to the elements, focusing instead on delivering the best experience for Stephanie, Etienne, their respective parents and some 300 plus guests. Kudos to the Good Hope team, I Do Weddings helmed by Kimberly Wong, wedding consultant Shikima Hinds for the exquisite décor. Alex D-Great and his catering crew, and Marcia Richards who handled logistics.

Cheers erupted as the bridegroom made his way to the altar escorted by his beloved parents Sheryl Lee Ralph and Eric Maurice and bonus dad, Senator Vincent Hughes. Come time for the bride, ABC Emmy-Award winning TV producer Stephanie Wash to commence her walk, escorted by her dad Ricky Wash, there was euphoria mixed with tears and lusty applause.

A year to the date of their engagement, the two were now set to wed.

The wedding’s destination, notably Jamaica, is rooted in sentimental value, inspired by Etienne’s family heritage. His late grandmother, Ivy Ralph, is one of Jamaica’s iconic fashion designers and the creator of the quintessential kariba suit popularised by former Prime Minister Michael Manley in the 1970s. It was a no-brainer that his love for Stephanie would be solemnised on the island.

And so it was. At minutes after 5:00 pm on Saturday, July 6, the two, guided by officiant Pastor James Knight exchanged vows on the cliff of the 2,000-acre property.

The bride wore a timeless Martina Liana Luxe fit-and-flare for the occasion, while the groom looked dapper in a double-breasted, off-white linen Waraire Boswell tuxedo. The groomsmen paid homage to Etienne’s grandmother in custom Naid’s Studios karibas. The bridesmaids wore lilac Azazie slip dresses.

Following the exchange of personalised wedding vows, rings, the declaration of the newly-weds, and the jumping of the broom, guests enjoyed cocktails by the pool area of the Great House property before being transported to the sprawling lower lawn area for the reception where Fab Five & Gem Myers set the mood for an evening of bonhomie. In fact, guests hit the dance floor before even finding their assigned seats!

Formalities handled by Sheryl Lee Ralph’s brother Michael Ralph featured heartfelt speeches, the cutting of the Selena Wong cake, Stephanie and her father Ricky Wash dancing to Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely, and Etienne and his mother Sheryl Lee Ralph’s dancing to Mary J Blige’s Everything, Etienne and his beloved mother figure Loraine ‘”Miss Mae” Tucker to Kirk Franklin’s My Life Is In Your Hands.

Stephanie and Etienne’s first dance as newly-weds was to Say You Will by Brandy.

Festivities continued with reggae icon Marcia Griffiths’ performance of her 80s hit Electric Boogie and impromptu sets by reggae artists Tesselated and Naomi Cowan.

Chef Alex D-Great’s sumptuous authentic Jamaican yaad-style dinner added even more Rock vibes.

The wedding was a reunion of sorts for Black Hollywood royalty: Victoria Rowell — who is credited with introducing the couple — Greenleaf lead Lynn Whitfield, Coming to America star Vanessa Bell Calloway, Soul Food alum Vanessa Williams, and P-Valley
breakout Brandee Evans. After the big day, the newly-weds hard-launched their wedding news by sharing their People Magazine exclusive on Instagram, writing, “We enter into our union as one, knowing that we made it through a storm, and that together we can weather any storm”.