VOWS – ‘STAGES’ OF LOVE
A theatrical production of love and companionship was performed by Belinda Reid, actress of CVM’s Joint Tenant , alongside her Grammy award-winning/CEO hubby Lynford Marshall, as the two took a moment on July 30 to create a Hollywood scenario of their own at the Webster Memorial United Church in Kingston. Vows takes you stage left
The Script (her version)…
The lovebirds first met at a popular recording studio in 2007. Little did they know that the greetings they exchanged were soon to become part of an actual love story. “ A few years later I saw him again at the bank, where he had a stern look on his face which made you not want to approach him. I feigned indifference to his negative body language and greeted him. To my surprise he remembered me. A visit to his studio followed by a demo led to us working together.
We both found ourselves in 2010 experiencing challenges. The fact that we had each other to lean on and to talk to drew us closer together.” So close did they become that they moved in together. Truth be told, Lynford wanted to get married in 2013, but Belinda managed to dissuade him because she felt it was too soon.
The Proposal…
…came on March 20, 2015, Belinda’s birthday, Lynford got home from work and prepped himself for a celebratory dinner planned later that night. He wanted to propose at home simply because he wanted dinner to be a celebration of not just her birthday, but the birth of something exciting! Belinda’s twin daughters were sworn to secrecy and tasked to have cameras at the ready to capture the moment. The proposal was seamless — Lynford went down on the proverbial ‘one knee’ and popped the question. Belinda recounted to Vows, “ I was really surprised, I wasn’t expecting it, so all I could’ve said was yes!”
The Production…
…the fairytale ceremony was a veritable Belinda production. The afternoon started off with the procession of the bridal party inclusive of the bride’s twin daughters Danielle and Daneille Coulson, decked out in berry-blue, knee-length silk dresses, while maid of honour Colleen Henry stunned in the fuchsia pink version of the same dress. Alongside the ladies were the dapper groomsmen who were suited in royal blue tuxedos accented with fuchsia pink ties, as they made their entrance to the sound of Jagged Edge’s Let’s Get Married.
The pipes of the organ signalled the arrival of the bride — who was escorted up the aisle by her uncle Allan Reid — and stunned in a gorgeous empire-waisted tulle ball gown by Mori Lee accentuated with ivory elbow-length gloves and a silver tiara to complete her fantasy. At the altar stood her bridegroom — dapper in an all-white Italian tuxedo and fuchsia bow tie. Reverend Astor Carlyle officiated the ceremony, which included the exchange of vows, and an exciting musical tribute by artists Lukie D and Singing Melody during the signing of the wedding certificate. To symbolise the joining of their families, the couple also performed the traditional blending of the sands ceremony.
The Reception
Family, friends and the bridal party converged inside the Valencia meeting room at the Spanish Court Hotel on St Lucia Avenue where the fuchsia-berry celebration continued. The space was draped in white fabrics with splashes of fuchsia and berry-coloured trimmings. Here, the festivities began as the bridal party and family members made their way to Pharrel Williams’
Happy. Emcees Deon Silvera and Michael Nicholson welcomed guests and invited them to be seated for the couple’s first dance to John Legend featuring Meghan Trainor Like I’m Gonna Lose You. Other highlights included toasts, the cutting of the wedding cake made by Angella Robinson; a mother-and-son dance, father-and-daughter dance and an emotional performance by recording artist Aaron Silk.
Formalities over, guests enjoyed a three-course meal ahead of further celebrations. A later date is planned for the honeymoon.
