From Page to Paradise: Romance takes flight

The most wonderful time of the year gets the fairy-tale treatment as Dr Stephanie Stoddart, dentist, and Adam Dion were wed on the 19th day of December, 2015.

HOW THEY MET

Connecticut natives dentist Dr Stephanie Stoddart and University of Connecticut student Adam Dion met on July 20, 2014 at a farewell church picnic for a friend departing for Paris. Though Cupid may have missed his mark initially, a twist of fate would soon have them in a familiar setting: another church picnic. With their reintroduction came pleasant conversation, and the smallest of sparks was lit.

In a modern twist to a classic story, Adam gathered his courage and sent Stephanie a Facebook message, which went unanswered. The next Sunday found Stephanie striking up a conversation at church with Adam, who brought up the message only to find an explanation in Stephanie’s busy schedule; they exchanged numbers on the spot. Tuesday arrived and Adam invited Stephanie to a wine tasting, which she declined — as she was still bogged down by work. An offer to bring her breakfast at church the following Sunday would prove another step on the road to romance.

THE PROPOSAL

Less than a year after their initial encounter, Adam asked Stephanie out for a ‘perfect day’ at the beach on her day off, suggesting she bring a dress so they could have dinner afterwards. Stephanie, confronted with an age-old dilemma of having just done her hair and going to the beach, put her hair in a bun, packed a curling iron and went off to enjoy an idyllic day of sun, sand and surf filled with grand declarations of love. As daylight faded into dusk they decided to pack up and head out. Just as Stephanie turned to grab one last thing, Adam got down on one knee, much to her surprise, reaffirming his love and asking for her hand in marriage. After the initial shock wore off, all Stephanie could do was scream “Yes!”

THE CEREMONY

Family and friends gathered from across the land to celebrate the nuptials of Stephanie and Adam. The gardens of Goblin Hill Villas overlooking crystal blue waters were the stage for the happy occasion. Crisp whites and soft hues of aqua were the basis of the décor that the Tomorrow’s Event Solutions for Today (TEST) Jamaica Ltd team conjured up to create a truly magical atmosphere. Preceded by her bridesmaids, who wore aqua, Stephanie floated up the aisle to Sara Bareilles’ I Choose You; a vision in a white A-line dress from Allure Bridals of charmeuse satin with gossamer-like lace overlay and detailing, and joined Adam, in an ash grey suit by Michael Kors with an aqua tie, and his groomsmen — similarly attired — at the altar. Pastor Donahue Collash presided over the occasion, uniting the two in holy matrimony. The ceremony culminated in heart-tugging sweetness with Barry Williams’Unforgettable and Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

THE RECEPTION

The penultimate chapter of this fairy-tale wedding was another win for the TEST Jamaica Ltd team, who constructed a towering storybook depicting the happy couple’s Cinderella story for guests to have their pictures taken with. The Hummingbird Terrace at Goblin Hill Villas was transformed with ceiling-to-floor cascades of white and aqua with crystal curtains and pure white chrysanthemums and orchids. Candlelit and sprinkled with rose petals, the head table stood before a backdrop with the couple’s initials monogrammed and encompassed in adjoining silver hearts.

The wedding party arrived to the melody of Chris Brown’s Forever; emcee Dervan Malcom took control of the reception and kept the atmosphere light-hearted and fun leading up to the introduction of the newly minted Mr & Mrs Adam Dion and their first dance. All eyes were fixed on them as the happy couple took the floor to the tune ofEndless Love. A symphony of glasses tinkling in toasts, delectable morsels, a handmade cake courtesy of the mother of the bride, Barbara Stoddart, and a near-endless flow of grooving and shaking on the dance floor highlighted the rest of the evening.

THE ‘HAPPILY EVER AFTER’

Stephanie and Adam enjoyed all the luxuries that Goblin Hill had to offer before setting off into the sunset for a new adventure exploring the North Coast.