Vows – Forever & Always
Got somebody, she’s a beauty;
Very special, really and truly;
Take good care of me like it’s her duty;
Want you right by my side night and day.
No letting go, no holding back;
Because you are my lady!
When I’m with you it’s all a that,
Girl, I’m so glad we’ve dated.
— No Letting Go by Wayne Wonder
n March 7, 2015, insurance sales advisor Samantha Le-Ann Singh wed her flight co-ordinator beau David Oneil Sandiford at an intimate ceremony at the St Gabriel’s Anglican Church in May Pen, Clarendon. Vows shares their journey to the altar.
How they met (as told to Vows by Samantha)
David and I met in a biology class during freshman year at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. I thought he was the most obnoxious person ever — a Mr-Know-It-All, the top achiever in our class. I suppose I was attracted to him for that very reason.
One day during class I answered a question and shortly after hearing my accent David approached me, knowing we were both from the Caribbean. Several conversation later we began to realise the similarities we shared. We became really close friends and have been inseparable ever since.
The Proposal…
We’d been dating for five years, then one night he took me to a fancy French restaurant in New York City. The atmosphere started to feel like one of those romantic movie proposals, and I remember thinking “OMG! Is he about to pop the question?” He must have caught on to my suspicions, because his plans changed shortly after.
We had dinner then went to the park across the street from his house. Being the awkward person he is, he started asking me silly questions like: “Are you cold?”… “Do you love me?”… “How much?”… (Meanwhile, it was freezing cold outside). He went down on one knee and said, “Samantha, I love you and I want to spend forever loving you. Will you marry me?” Shivering, I answered “Yes!”
Here Comes The Bride…
The St Gabriel’s Anglican Church was where Samantha, surrounded by close friends and family and in a ceremony conducted by Winston Thomas, made her walk up the aisle to the strains of John Legend’s All of Me.
What she wore…
Samantha looked stunning in an ivory sweetheart-neckline Bliss Bridal Boutique empire waist ball gown with beaded appliqués along the waistline and bodice. She carried a bouquet of purple orchids and soft pink roses.
The bridegroom…
David wore a sharp charcoal grey suit with black shoes, a fuchsia tie and a white rose boutonnière.
The bridal party…
The bridesmaids made elegant statements of their own in purple sweetheart-neckline ruched-bodice mermaid dresses, while the maid of honour opted for a one-shoulder fuchsia A-line dress. They carried bouquets of white calla lilies, pink and fuchsia roses. The groomsmen wore grey three-piece suits with purple vests and ties, complete with white rose boutonnières.
‘I’m Your Bonnie, You’re My Clyde’…
Wayne Wonder’s No Letting Go ushered guests to an intimate poolside gathering at the Kerry Wedderburn-decorated purple and fuchsia reception at Moby’s Family Recreation Centre in May Pen. The couple made their way to the reception to the strains of Destra Garcia’s Bonnie & Clyde and delighted the guests as they took their first dance as husband and wife to Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud.
Ahead of cocktails, guests took photos and recorded video messages at the FreezeFrame photo booth.
Sydney Bartley handled the formalities which commenced with toasts to the bride and groom from maid of honour Courtnee DePass and family friend Shana Blackman.
The Unveiling of the Cake…
The three-tiered scrumptious trio of plain, coconut & red velvet cakes by Sweet Creations’ Jo-Anne Chin stood atop a glass display propped up with glass blocks at its foundation. The delectable treat had layers of sparkling silver ribbons, purple and fuchsia edible flora, complete with a miniature-couple cake-topper.
The honeymoon…
The couple enjoyed a five-day honeymoon on the north coast and plan a week-long trip to Australia for their first anniversary.
