The Chen Thorburn union
The promise was for an understated affair. The invitation were to the point, together with their families, Wayne Chen and Diana Thorburn invite…
Those in the know knew, that this was going to be a not-to-be-missed date on the social calendar as they felt the buzz of activities either choosing gifts for the couple at Decorator’s Corner or watching the many tents, flowers, flatware and crockery en route from Kingston to the couple’s home in Mandeville. The weather crisp and cool the week leading up to Saturday, The twenty-fourth of November remained that way, some might even be excused for referring to the day as a typical crisp, autumn afternoon – the venue was after all Mandeville.
The wedding reception truly reflected the bride and groom – a celebration of culture and modernity.
Ann-Marie Wyss of ‘Every Blooming Thing’ created walkways of bamboo lit with votive candles. Guests sat on chairs in the Ingleside estate amidst lush foliage and traveller’s palms as Wayne and Diana pledged their vows with the assistance of celebrant, Martin Schade and Marriage officer Reverend Kenneth Neita watched by parents from both families and a multitude of friends.
Some 40 flew in for the occasion. The bride, refreshingly beautiful in an ‘A’ line, millenium silvery platinum Carolina Herrera creation complete with bustle and cathedral train, relaxed beside her groom, dapper in suitable late afternoon grey and black ensemble.
The matron of honour, bridesmaids and flowergirls followed the influence of Herrera in their spring blue organza and satin stripes with plain white satin bodice. Layers of skirt continued the garden romantic influence. The designer – Jamaican Susan Alexander. The reception was as refreshing as the bride, daughter of Molly and Caroll Thorburn, was truly a Chen family affair. Family played an integral part of this celebration and children were not excluded. Ann-Marie Wyss created a veritable children’s area with its own fully stocked soda bar, food stations and loot bags.
Adults sat under large tents lit with blue lights, and again the bamboo influenced with thick, shiny trunks positioned strategically throughout. Calabashes with lights twinkling inside, lit up the trees as guests enjoyed dim sum, and then the cosmopolitan supper of celebrity caterers Michele and Suzanne Rousseau of Ciao Bella. Desserts were from Janet Senior and the wedding cake Selena Wong. The formalities were handled by Christopher Tufton.
The toast to the groom’s family was given by Dr Gilbert Allen – Custos of Manchester. The toast to the bride’s family came from Ms Karin Wilson and the toast to the bride and groom Richard Chen. The groom in his reply spoke of a man truly in love and with the nudging of friends Diana gave a few words of thanks to family and friends before declaring her love for husband, Wayne. To the song ‘Let’s Stay together’ the bride and groom opened the dance floor. Karen Smith (who Wayne Chen heard sing at the launch of the ‘Celebration of Jamaican Women’ and immediately contracted) and Fab Five were a perfect combination.
Wedding guests were presented with, framed oil paintings of the newly weds country estate painted by Juliet Thorburn, sister of the bride. Celebrations continued the next day at the Bloomfield Great house where a rich Jamaican brunch was served.
The newly weds leave for a South African Safari for a late honeymoon in January.
