FOREVER ALWAYS

A true celebration of love and friendship aptly describes the wedding celebrations of Keeba Simone Baxter and Douglas Anthony Golding Jr that took place at the University Chapel in Mona on Saturday, October 11, 2008. The nuptials proved to be an evening of romance that exuded not only from the couple, but the large gathering of family and friends from home and abroad. Keeba, the daughter of Devalee and Donovan Hay, is the manager of Singer in May Pen, and Douglas, the son of business owners Icylin and Douglas Golding Snr, manages and operates two Shell gas stations, one in May Pen and the other in Spanish Town. The couple met about 10 years ago and their courtship blossomed into a romantic relationship over time that culminated at the altar.

Dionne Corrie from De Mars used gold candlebras with white blooms of hydrangeas, roses and orchids to create a classic, clean look inside the chapel. The bride was outfitted in a stunning Private Label by G gown, complete with an embroidered bodice and silk skirt with pickups. Keeba, a true representation of beauty, clutching a bouquet of white roses and calla lilies, walked up the aisle on the arm of her mother Devalee. She was greeted by a beaming Douglas, dressed in a black suit with a classic bow tie by Mr Tux, and looking quite GQ. The Maid of Honour and best friend of the bride Suzan West and bridesmaids Kasi Bennett, Jody-Ann Ellis and Sandi Folkes wore elegant green strapless dresses and carried hand-tied bouquets of white roses with touches of green cymbidium orchids, while flower girls Bhailee and Ahrun Havercroft, nieces of the groom, wore beautiful white tulle dresses. The ring-bearer Jaden Golding, the couple’s seven-year-old son, wore a suit similar to his father’s, while best man, Kerry-Charles Golding, older brother of the groom, and groomsmen Phillip Bunting, Tyrone Davis, Chase Ellis and Anthony Stultz, wore black suits and silk ties complemented by green boutonniéres.

The officiating minister for the ceremony was The Right Rev Dr Robert Thompson, Suffragan Bishop of Kingston. He blessed the newly-weds and gave them words of wisdom for success in their new journey. The bride touched the hearts of the congregation, including her husband-to-be, when she could not hold back tears of joy during the ceremony. Guests were entertained during the signing of the register by soprano Velia Espeut. After the formalities were complete the couple were pronounced man and wife, much to the delight of their guests.

A wonderful reception followed at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge. Guests enjoyed cocktail hour that included the lively sounds of the Silver Birds Steel Orchestra from Kingston. Tables were dressed in full white and were decorated with trumpet vases that held magnificent bursts of hydrangeas, roses and orchids. Masters of Ceremonies Stephen Golding and Empress kept the gathering entertained. The festivities were unique which included the sand-pouring ceremony during the reception along with requests by the couple for a married couple to kiss whenever the newly-weds were instructed to do so. A beautiful seating board, a portrait of the couple for guests to sign instead of a guest book, giveaways that were miniature Hennessy bottles in burlap bags and lovely decorated fans were nice signature touches. The magnificent four-tier cake created by Selena Wong was white with green accents adorned with orchids and sat on a glass structure surrounded by candles. The meal prepared by the Pantry included Herb Crusted Fillet of Snapper, Tomato Rice Pilaf, Broccoli Cheese Casserole, Plantain Amaretto and Jerk Breast of Chicken with Tropical Fruit Salsa and Cherry Cheese Cake for dessert. The biggest surprise of the night was a guest appearance by reggae artiste Tarrus Riley who serenaded the bride on behalf of the groom, with his hits She’s Royal and Stay With You. Toasts were all in approval of the union including a toast by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, uncle of the groom, who jovially declared that Keeba “must stay close to God in order to bear the cross of marrying a Golding”. Guests heeded the instructions of the Masters of Ceremonies that no one was allowed to leave before hitting the dance floor, which took the party late into the night. The newly-weds will spend their honeymoon on the high seas on a five-day cruise from Carnival cruises.