Vows — Best of 2012

Most women dream about their wedding day, years before actually meeting their ideal bridegroom. Perhaps the most important factor of this fantasy is the wedding gown. Will it be understated, romantic, vintage, glamorous or non-traditional? Whatever the bride chooses is often a reflection of her personality and hopefully leaves a memorable impression on her guests. The Vows team made the guest list of many weddings in 2012 and was blown away by the choices made by our brides. The real challenge was reducing the many gowns to19. We reckon like us you’ll agree with our selection of stunning brides who certainly upped the style ante as they made their walk up the aisle to say ‘I do’. marketingpromotion@jamaicaobserver.com

Help us select the best wedding dress featured in 2012 by e-mailing us your single pick to

This week we share Part 1 of our nominees…

Abbi-Gaye O’Harris-Phillipps, head of network engineering

Abbi-Gaye who wed Krishna Phillipps, technology operations director, on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the University Chapel, Mona wore a stunning pearl-white, dupion mermaid gown designed by her mother, well-known couturiér 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.

Analissa Johnson-Gaskins, financial analyst

Analissa said ‘I do’ to beau William Gaskins Jr on August 18, 2012, on the beach of the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach and Spa Resort in Montego Bay. The bride’s choice of a mermaid gown by Mori Lee certainly found favour with all. Her look was completed by her glam team, which comprised Alexis Roberts, who styled her hair, and Joni Powell of Gourmet Makeup who applied her make-up.

Beverley Anderson-Manley

The 32-year love affair between the iconic Beverley Lois Anderson-Manley and long-time politico beau Donald Keith Duncan culminated in a fairy-tale wedding on Saturday, January 21, 2012, on the East Lawns of Devon House amidst subdued pomp and pageantry. The bride was stunning in an ivory, strapless, hand-beaded, embossed brocade gown worn with a choker made from the same material, her locks cascading down one side and held together by orchids. Her bouquet comprised orchids and calla lilies.

Dr Caren Griffith-Fadlin, family physician

Dr Caren Griffith wed Courtney Fadlin, lecturer at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, at Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church on April 8, 2012. On her big day, she stunned in a Maggie Sottero gown by Adeline Marie from Rainbow Bridal boutique in Ontario, Canada. The L’Amour satin gown with its strapless sweetheart neckline and corset back also showcased her hourglass silhouette. It was asymmetrically draped into a side godet accented with beaded embroidery and Swarovski crystals. Jacqui Murray of The Magic Touch salon did her hair and make-up.

Dr Claire Chandler-Sparkes — optometrist at Refocus Ocular Jamaica

Dr Claire Chandler wed Mario Sparkes, Avaya Caribbean’s engagement manager for the English-speaking Caribbean, on August 25, 2012. The pair, who got engaged beneath the Eiffel tower in Paris, had an equally romantic and spectacular wedding ceremony at Bellefield Greathouse and Gardens in Montego Bay. The bride wore an exquisite mermaid gown with a ruffled cathedral train by Pnina Tornai from Kleinfeld Bridal boutique in New York City, host of TLC’s hit series Say Yes To The Dress. Her make-up was expertly applied by Paul March, while her hair was styled by Norma Webster.

Danielle Marie Nassau — associate attorney-at-law at Bingham McCutchen LLP, San Francisco

Associate attorneys-at-law at Bingham McCutchen LLP, San Francisco, Ryan Daniel Nassau and Danielle Marie Foreman, exchanged vows at Laughing Waters, Ocho Rios, on April 21, 2012. The bride wore a strapless lace A-line gown with a modest sweetheart neckline created by famed Canadian bridal gown designer Romona Keveza. Her hair was styled in a chic updo by Candi Crichton, and renowned make-up artist Paul March completed her look.

Denniesa Johnson — director of strategic monitoring and evaluation at the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change

Sunday, January 1, 2012 not only ushered in a new year, but signalled the beginning of a new life for Denniesa Jullaine Hinds and Howard Wayne Johnson Jr, broker at Johnson Benjamin and Associates Limited and president of the Realtors Association of Jamaica. The bride wore a stunning Mori Lee gown complemented by a birdcage veil embellished with Swarovski crystals, and made her way up the aisle clutching a gorgeous bouquet of red roses and calla lilies. Her hair was styled in a chignon created by Carolene Dennis of Cutting Edge beauty salon, while her make-up was expertly applied by Paul March.

Diedre Simone Allison Barnett-Gaddy, interior designer

The scenic Laughing Waters in Ocho Rios was the venue of choice for Diedre — the daughter of entrepreneurs Lloyd Barnett, Jr, and his wife Charmaine — and her groom Richard Gaddy, a graphic designer — son of author Northal Gaddy and wife Iris —

for the renewal of their vows on the 28th of January, 2012. Deidre stunned in a lace mermaid gown by Alfred Angelo, accessorised with an elaborate pearl necklace and dark blue satin BCBG Max Azria platform pumps. Her bouquet comprised cascading white dendrobium orchids. The bride and her bridesmaids were flawlessly made up by Rose Barnett.

Jennifer Trisk, yoga instructor and interior designer in the greater New York City metro area.

New Yorkers Adam Trisk, head of marketing at CrowdTwist, and Jennifer Weaver, yoga instructor and interior designer, got married on March 31, 2012 at Villas Sur Mer in Negril, Jamaica. They opted to tie the knot in Jamaica because they both felt “a deep-rooted connection to Jamaica — the people, the food, the culture, the music — so our souls feel at peace when we are here. One day we’d like to make Jamaica our home!” shared Weaver. The bride, who clutched a bouquet of green cymbidiums and white dendrobium orchids created by Floral Fantasies on her wedding day, was absolutely stunning in a beautiful Bohemian lace gown by Lanvin which she paired with Manolo Blahnik shoes.

Lianna Beckno-Reynolds — director of Paramount Dance Studios in Miami, Florida

Lianna Patrice Beckno wed Dean St John Reynolds, director of Spades Technology, at Prospect Chapel in St Mary on July 7, 2012. The bride walked up the aisle in a sequinned corset gown by Stephen Yearick with a chic birdcage veil. The bride and her bridesmaids had their hair done by Merl Greene, while Loni Jones flawlessly applied their make-up.