VOWS: Love Connection
Digicel executive Abbi-Gaye O’Harris, head of network engineering, wed Krishna Phillipps, technology operations director, on Saturday, February 11 at the University Chapel, Mona. The date was of double significance as it was also the anniversary of Krishna’s parents.
The Chapel was elegantly styled with arrangements of chrysanthemums and carnations by Marcia Hamilton of Transformation. The wedding was well attended by the couple’s family and friends. The strains of Surround Me With Love signalled the start of a veritable runway-styled wedding procession. Bridesmaids, Alexa Levy and Nikeysha Jackson, wore dupion dresses of the jewel tones amethyst and emerald respectively, which featured 3/4-inch row of beading under the Empire line and a slight train. Maid of Honour Althea Graham wore a silk chiffon sapphire dress with black glass beading used to embellish the neckline and the sleeves. The groomsmen — Donovan Phillipps Jnr, Ishmael Moodie and Collin Fung — were nattily attired in evening suits by Beautiful Brides and Mr Tux. The debonair groom was outfitted in a black Hugo Boss suit.
The bride, escorted by proud dad Whyndum O’Harris and clutching a bouquet of Casablanca lilies, white roses and Dendrobium orchids, made her grand entrance in a stunning pearl-white, dupion mermaid gown designed by her mother, well-known couturier Louise Graham. The dress was embellished with pearls, iridescent glass beads and Swarovski crystals complete with a frilled sweetheart neckline and a cathedral train. Her veil had a single row of glass beading around the edges. Her chignon was created by Adolph Raynor and her make-up was done by Paul March.
The ceremony, officiated by Reverend Trevor Edwards, incorporated a candle-lighting ceremony, which was led by the groom’s cousin Yendi Phillipps, to symbolise the couple becoming one unit. The bride’s mother, Louise Graham, and the groom’s aunt, Joan Sarju, also participated. Violinist Hanief Lallo’s rendition of The Prayer brought the formalities to an end.
The Reception
The reception followed at Sunken Garden — Hope Gardens, which was magnificently styled by Marcia Hamilton of Transformations. Hamilton created a candlelit lounge area, elevated dance floor, and an elegantly draped white gazebo area where guests dined. Kenrese Young, a mutual friend of the newly-weds, chaired the formalities skilfully. She also surprised the couple with the inclusion of a ‘Newly-wed Game’: the couple sat on chairs with their backs to each other and they then exchanged a shoe. The rules of the unconventional quiz were simple; Young would ask them questions, to which they were only allowed to answer by raising the shoe of the guilty party.
With speeches, cake-cutting duties and games out of the way, the couple and guests partied till the wee hours of the morning to the selections of ZJ Rush.
The couple honeymooned at Jake’s Hotel, Villa and Spa in St Elizabeth.
