Vows: Giving All Our Love
Jody-Anne Wallace and Clide Williams attended school together, went their separate ways but found each other years later. Cupid’s bow was drawn and the result: absolutely magical…
HOW WE MET (JODY’S VERSION)
Clide, affectionately called Ricky, and I met when we were children — aged 10 and 12 years of age. We both attended The Manning’s High School and shared mutual friends.
Life took us in separate directions until one day while driving home from UTech on University Crescent in Kingston I saw Ricky and a few of our mutual friends from Manning’s standing almost right outside my house. I stopped to say hi and we ended up chatting all night, reminiscing about the “good ole Manning’s days”. We realised that ‘country came to town’ and ended up being neighbours. Hanging out after classes, playing kalooki and cooking dinner together became our new routine, and as time passed our fondness, for each other blossomed.
THE PROPOSAL (RICKY’S VERSION)
The summer of 2014 I went with Jody and a few of her relatives on a family getaway to Atlanta. While there her stepmom, Charlotte, and I went ring shopping. Getting it done without Jody knowing proved to be quite difficult, but we managed to keep the ring hidden, although she definitely knew we had been shopping at Kay Jewelers. While in Atlanta we had many outings, but I couldn’t find the right moment. About a month after we got back to Jamaica, on September 7, I finally found the moment. We were at the Royalton White Sands, and after having dinner I asked her to take a walk with me. As we walked and talked I led her out onto the pier where there is a romantic wedding gazebo. I asked her a question I knew would get her talking and as she talked and walked, I paused. She turned to ask me my opinion on the topic and there I was on bended knee, ring in hand. She was so surprised, and I knew I had picked the perfect moment when she looked at me with that beautiful smile on her face and tears in her eyes and said, “Yes!”
THE CEREMONY
On August 8, 2016 friends and family from all over Jamaica and the world filled the pews of the St Mary’s Anglican Church in Negril. The church featured traditional brick walls and stained glass.
The elegant touch of flowers, ribbons and bows were added by the talented team from Floral Fantasy. All guests stood looking on with love as Carey Wallace walked his eldest daughter up the aisle to the tear-jerking strains of A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. Jody-Anne was absolutely gorgeous in her vintage-inspired Stella York gown from Rashawn Rose Bridal, Fort Lauderdale with hair and make-up done to perfection by the talented Kadene Wright. The lace shoulders and sweetheart neckline perfectly framed her upper body. The illusion back, hem and dramatic train featured scalloped lace with fabric-covered buttons, making her exit as beautiful as her entrance.
The traditional ceremony was officiated by Canon Collin Reid and Pastor Richard E Scott (stepfather of the bride). In the presence of God, the couple were united in heart, body and mind. They vowed to love, comfort, honour and protect each other, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to one another as long as they both live. As they signed their documents, the church was filled with the melodic voices of Wynn-Elle Wallace, the bride’s sister, singing Broken Road by Rascal Flatts followed by Carol Reid, the Canon’s wife, singing True Love by Cole Porter. Canon Reid then presented Mr & Mrs Clide Williams to the audience while they shared their first kiss as husband and wife. they made their exit to
signed, sealed, delivered by stevie wonder while guests tossed rose petals, showering the newly-weds with blessings and love.
SUNSETS AND KISSES
As the sun set radiantly on the blue waters of West End Mr & Mrs Williams were captured by Candid Expressions Photography exchanging kisses at the exquisite Rockhouse Hotel and Spa, where Jody is the assistant general manager. Their bridal party, parents and siblings also joined them for a quick photo shoot at the romantic location before heading to the reception.
THE RECEPTION
Spread out across the cliffs, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Negril Escape Resort was an enchanting venue. Guests dined under romantic hanging lanterns around tables with champagne runners atop white tablecloths decorated with rose bowls of white hydrangeas, white roses and baby’s breath, surrounded by votive candles.
Parents of the bride and groom followed by the bridal party made their grand entrance, dancing and singing along to Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake. The bride and groom entered to the upbeat tunes of This Will Be by Natalie Cole. After the guests were seated, MC Ansel Clarke guided everyone through the evenings events with flair and a great sense of humour. Nicola Hacker-Scott, the bride’s mother, welcomed family and friends, thanking them for being present to share in this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Dinner was blessed by Joyce Wallace, the bride’s paternal grandmother and owner of Negril Escape Resort. Guests enjoyed a delectable Jamaican dinner prepared by Rose Townsend and her team from the Negril Hills Golf Club.
The wedding cake, which was coated with ivory, red rum butter cream and intricately decorated with gold peonies to match the wedding stationery, was made by Alecia Woodbine of Signature Cakes & Desserts. Inside were four decadent layers; coconut with coconut custard (Ricky’s favourite), chocolate honey ganache, vanilla Bavarian Cream, and coconut again to top it off. Joyce Cunningham-Malcolm, the bride’s maternal grandmother, blessed the cake and guided the couple through the bird-feeding ritual. While guests ate cake and drank champagne, other toasts were made by Richard Wallace (uncle of the bride), Ivan Williams (uncle of the groom), Clydwyn Williams (best man and brother of the groom), Danielle Muschette (maid of honour), Eleanor Charlotte Grant-Wallace (stepmother of the bride), Carey Wallace (father of the bride) Richard Scott (stepfather of the bride) and other friends and family. Mrs Jody- Anne Wallace-Williams then got up and introduced her husband, Mr Clide Williams who thanked guests, parents, and all who made their wedding successful and would continue to support them throughout their marriage. He then led his new wife to the dance floor for their first dance to the spellbinding I Wont Give Up by Jason Marz.
TIME TO PARTY!!!
Jody’s sisters, Wynne Elle Wallace, Micah Scott and Willow Ann Wallace, along with cousins Danielle Wallace, Daneya Hacker and Jessica Dhanpaul executed an intensely choreographed dance routine to a mashup of A Whole New World, Lean & Dab, Hit The Quan, Watch Me, Gangnam Style, Hotline, Don’t Mind, We Ready For De Road. The bridal party then performed a surprise routine to Marry You by Bruno Mars. Both routines had wedding-goers in roars of laughter and got everyone in the dancing mood. The dancing continued until well past midnight as DJ Gemini of Wedding Beatz expertly kept the dance floor the hot spot for the night!
HONEYMOON
The newly-weds spent their wedding night at the Rockhouse Hotel and the remainder of their honeymoon at the Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios.
