Vows – Jamaica, I Love You
I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)
I am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
— I Carry Your Heart With Me, EE Cummings
The grey skies and torrential rains of Saturday October 9 gave way to a quickly fading-but-perfect sunset as Adrienne Blaine Stoltz swanned up the aisle to meet her groom Brett Matthew Johnson in what could only be described as an elegant, tropical, fairy-tale fantasy.
Johnson, the son of former Ambassador to Jamaica Brenda La Grange Johnson and her husband J Howard Johnson, had previously wed Stoltz, daughter of Systems Engineer Technician Gregory Stoltz and his wife Jacklyn Stoltz, on Saturday, October 4 at the St Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mystic, Connecticut, but decided on a second wedding in Jamaica, at Tryall Club, Hanover to be exact, because the island means so much to him and his family.
And so it was: a wet afternoon on the lawns of the Quiet Beach saw the couple — framed by an altar of twigs, vines and orchids against the sea and a cloudy sky — standing before officiating minister Bishop Terrence Neil Gordon to once again profess their love, this time in a place with such fond memories.
Indeed, it seems nature and the outdoors have played a huge part in their love story.
“He proposed at the top of a hike, the Paseo Miramar Trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean,” Stoltz told Vows, “and yes, I cried.”
There were no tears today though. Radiant in an ivory Monique Lhuillier lace halter gown with a champagne-coloured ribbon at the waist and wearing a feathered fascinator, the bride clutched a pearl-strewn bouquet of white orchids in her left hand and her father’s arm with the other as ring bearers carrying wooden boxes, fairy-winged flower girls and her maid of honour Venessa Mullingan in violet preceded her.
The groom, supported by his best men — brothers Frank LaGrange Johnson and Grant Johnson — held his own in a flattering dark blue suit, mauve tie and white shirt accented with an orchid boutonnière.
The exchange of vows, blessing and ring ceremony complete, the couple were serenaded by Wendy Schnur who performed the Lord’s Prayer to the accompaniment of violins.
Stoltz and Johnson, who met nearly six years ago at a yoga retreat in Mexico, both knew they wanted that occasion to play a part in how they shared their special day with loved ones.
Kia Miller performed a ‘radiant blessing’ during which she asked guests to clasp their hands to their hearts before rubbing palms together and releasing the energy into the atmosphere.
The couple exited the ceremony to the strains of Allegro from Brandenburg Concerto No 3, originally composed by Johann Sebastian Bach.
The reception followed mere metres away under an elegantly draped white marquee decorated with matching Chinese lanterns, candles, white-rose centrepieces and iridescent lilac accents.
Following the introduction of the newly married Mr and Mrs Johnson,the groom’s father and host welcomed guests, encouraging them to raise their glasses to the tune of Bob Marley’s One Love (it was the Jamaican version of the Stoltz-Johnson wedding after all).
The musical tributes continued during the father-daughter dance that saw the duo grooving to the sounds of Jimmy Buffett’s Little Miss Magic, which beautifully segued into the bridal couple’s first dance with its soundtrack provided by live band Pace before they cut the gorgeous two-tiered Selena Wong creation.
Formalities over, the young Johnsons and their guests danced the night away.
