VOWS – A Perfect Fit
How They Met…
Fashion designer Dania Whyte and entrepreneur Omari McIntosh first met on the dance floor of a party while studying at the University of the West Indies, Mona in 2008. A subsequent party a few days brought them together once more prompting them to exchange instant messaging details. Messaging online proved insufficient for the pair and a first date later followed. After three months of dating, Whyte and McIntosh’s relationship outgrew the “just friends” category.
The Engagement…
Fast-forward six years later to December 2013. The couple was vacationing at Secrets Wild Orchid Hotel in Montego Bay for a special celebration of Whyte’s 28th birthday. The birthday girl woke up to a bed of surprises: a colourful breakfast spread encircled a book of birthday wishes from family and friends. Whyte realised that among the surprises was an iPhone 5 box, which when opened revealed a glistening engagement ring with a note reading: “Will you marry me?” The answer was yes.
The Dress…
Whyte, a fashion designer since 2007, wanted something different from the traditional white wedding gown and turned to her love of oversized bows and mermaid silhouettes for inspiration to design her dream dress in a rich cream colour.
The bride-to-be began sketching ideas for a gown as early as January 2014; dressmaker Christine Bernard put in the final stitches in September. The result was an exquisite mermaid silhouette gown made from jacquard, organza and tulle fabrics, featuring an oversized turtleneck bow and finished with layers of black tulle.
The talented bride-to-be also designed the red, off-the-shoulder bridesmaids’ dresses, which were accessorised with custom-made sandals by Ruff Cutz and lime green whimsical bouquets. The groomsmen matched with lime green boutonnières and red ties worn with Spokes Apparel suits; while the groom’s suit from the same design house was worn with a red boutonnière and a polka-dot bowtie.
The Ceremony….
Close family and friends gathered at Port Antonio’s picturesque Errol Flynn Marina on Monday, October 6, to witness the exchange of vows in a traditional Christian ceremony officiated by Minister Lancelot Henry. Included in the formalities was a wine box ceremony: sealed envelopes with notes the fiances wrote to one another were stored in a box beside a bottle of wine and two wine glasses.
The wine box is to be opened on their fifth wedding anniversary. After being officially proclaimed husband and wife, a beaming Mr and Mrs Omari McIntosh stepped out to the melodic sounds of Am I Wrong by Nico and Vinz.
The Reception…
The popping sounds of champagne corks signalled the start of the post-nuptial celebrations. The newly-weds’ loved ones toasted the union and captured their happiness in the Freeze Frame booth installed at the beach-side reception while the newly-weds busied with official wedding photos.
DJ Arif Cooper introduced the newly-weds as Mr and Mrs Omari McIntosh as they made their way to the head table for wedding toasts. Best man Ramon Bowes initiated the formalities with a speech and toast to the groom, ensued by matron of honour Camille Bennett-Cousins, who toasted the bride.
The scrumptious dinner catered by Janet McDonald marked the end of the night’s formalities for the fun-loving couple. The bride traded in her floor-sweeping gown for a shorter, polka-dot cocktail dress she designed with specific attention to dancing capacity. In lieu of a first dance, the newly-weds took to the dance floor to VIC’s catchy tune Wobble; an invitation for the 70 guests to join the dancing celebrations.
The newly-weds honeymooned at Secret Silversands Resort in Cancún, Mexico.
