Vows – A perfect love
Old Hollywood glam reigned on April 8, 2016 when Jonathan Neil, operations manager-Distribution at Wisynco and Gianna Fakhourie, lecturer at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, said their “I do’s”.
The Gazebo and Gardens of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel were transformed by the team at Petals and Promises using a gold and silver colour scheme to inject glitz and glam. Vows takes you inside.
HOW THEY MET… (GIANNA’S VERSION)
“We met four years ago at Kampai — a party at Dunn’s River Falls. I was actually on a date but had lost him in the crowd. Enter Jonathan full of lyrics. We were in deep conversation when my date reappeared. I didn’t want it to seem as if I was entertaining Jonathan, so I reluctantly gave him my BlackBerry PIN to make it appear as if he was a long-lost friend.”
Jonathan messaged Gianna to ensure she was safely back in Kingston after the party, and from there the courtship began. With the first “date night” came the realisation that we lived a mere five minutes apart. This love was certainly meant to be.
THE PROPOSAL…
Jonathan took Gianna up to Majestic Sushi and Grill at Villa Ronai, where he had photographer Kerri Berrick capture their day. Gianna was given a cake with a frog holding a rose (inside was a ring) pictured on top of it. Gianna suddenly realised the plate had “Marry Me” inscribed on the side. This was the moment of a lifetime for Gianna, as Jonathan went down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage… she accepted.
THE CEREMONY…
Traditional flowers were replaced with feathers and glitter, with even the bride’s bouquet being made from crystal brooches.
The centrepieces were gorgeous white ostrich plume feathers placed in replicated Eiffel Tower vases. A red carpet aisle and a step and repeat wall welcomed guests to the “premiere” of Gianna and Jonathan’s wedding. The guests stuck to the theme, arriving in outfits that channelled the 1920s.
The bride made her way up the aisle in a Suzanne Chin-Pen gown that had a sweetheart neckline embellished with Swarovski crystals. The fitted bodice was completely beaded with natural pearls with a grey tinge and colourless sequins and silver embroidery. Other features of the mermaid gown included a damask pattern at the hem that kicked out, and beaded mesh in a lace pattern was lined in white peau de soie. The eight bridesmaids wore dresses designed by Zelpher Campbell-Brady complete with feathered fans and headpieces by Jessica Campbell. The groom was dapper in a Carlton Brown classic tuxedo. The five groomsmen wore tuxedos from Petals and Promises.
A NOVEL MOMENT…
The ring bearer arrived in an Atlas armoured truck to deliver the rings, which the best man had to sign for.
WHAT THE “I DO’S” MEANT…
According to Gianna, “We wrote our own vows, which were naturally extremely personal. When I heard Jonathan’s vows, it was further underscored that I was marrying the right man… it all felt surreal.”
According to Jonathan, “I felt like our vows were an actual commitment and more real than the traditional ones, because we had put in the effort to personalise them. The words were spoken from the heart. When Gianna included Marcus (my son and ring bearer) in her vows, to me that was the most touching part because I didn’t expect that. I didn’t know what she was going to say because we never discussed our vows before we heard them at the altar.”
RECEPTION WITH A TWIST
Cocktails took guests “on location” to Paris, France, Istanbul, Turkey and to Sydney, Australia, with creative backdrops executed by Phoenix Printery. In Paris, the set-up included bistro and café tables in front of an 8-ft Eiffel Tower backdrop. Crisp breaded codfish and yam cakes were served with escoveitch mayo. In Istanbul, guests shared hookah pipes, sat on coloured ottomans in front of a sunset backdrop, and feasted on fried eggplant with yogurt dip crisp. The last stop was Sydney, Australia, where a backdrop of the Sydney Opera House created a “real-life” feel. The fare this time around was Parmesan crisp topped with feta cheese, with Otaheite apple and pepper jelly.
Dinner followed on the 17th floor of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, inside The Talk of the Town.
LASTING WEDDING FAVOURS
Guests received bracelets created by the bride’s company- The Original Arm Candy by Gianna Fakhourie. The female-designed bracelets were made from Swarovski crystals, pewter feathers, a brass ring, and a silver-plated brass charm, while those for the gents were made of black wooden beads with a single jet crystal, and a pewter feather.
THE HONEYMOON
Having settled into ‘normalcy’ after their big day, the couple are now finalising travel plans to Bangkok, Thailand and Bali, Indonesia, to explore the Asian culture and to experience the Lychee Fair and Festival in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
