Vows: Love Sealed
Ah! Negril’s west end where, fittingly on Saturday, June 24, the sun set spectacularly on a glistening three-year romance between Raven Maragh and Chris Lloyd, culminating with wedding vows that sealed their love for each other in the presence of God, their parents, relatives and friends.
How they met…
The couple met in Missouri, USA. Chris was working in information security at Missouri State University and Raven was completing her undergraduate programme there. They lived across the street from each other and a mutual friend introduced them at a college homecoming get-together. The friendship progressed to a long-distance romance, from Iowa where Raven was doing coursework for her graduate school programme, to Missouri, where Chris became an information security auditor for IBM.
“Distance often brings uncertainty in relationships and questions are inevitable: when would we be able to be married, who would move where, how will our careers fit in one place, and so on. So ‘love sealed’ signifies for us a ‘finally’ moment where we have confirmation of our love and an official move in the direction that puts each other first,” said Raven.
Theme: Romance
“Romance was the theme because that’s how we both feel about Jamaica and each other. We wanted a soft, romantic feel to the wedding that wasn’t in-your-face love but love that’s undeniable. Romance to us means you don’t need to utter a word to see its existence. It’s undeniably there. That’s how we’ve developed our relationship. We know what works for us — what we both bring to the table and the lengths to which we’re willing to go for each other. Romance just summed that all up for us in an elegant way,” said Raven.
Rockhouse, perched on the scenic cliffs of Negril’s pristine cove, provided an elegant and romantic setting for the couple and their guests. Pastor Oliver Ramsey officiated at the ceremony. The couple wrote their own vows:
Raven’s vows…
My love, we have dreamt, hoped, worked and prayed for this day for so long. I want you to know that I commit my individual hopes, fears and future to walk with you through it all together. You are ‘my person’ and the sweetest bun to my spice. I promise to always support you and be your biggest cheerleader. There’s no way of knowing the ups and downs ahead, but with God whom we’ve kept as our foundation, I only see growth and love ahead when I look at you. Thank you for choosing me and let’s do this, my love.
Chris’S vows…
My Raven, my love: “He who findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord.” (Proverbs 1:22). I am not quite sure how I got so lucky, but I know for certain I must have good favour as I have truly found good in you. You are the best thing to ever happen to me, and today I offer to you all of me and my complete heart. Today, I happily take you to be my wedded wife and I promise to always be your biggest fan and partner for life. I promise to create, support, and protect our family with you in a household filled with much happiness, laughter, patience, understanding, and love. I will love you faithfully through the good times and bad. Whatever may come, I will always be by your side as your best friend. As I have given you my hand to hold, I also give you my life to keep. I love you.
The reception, according to Chris and Raven…
“One of our favourite parts of the night was the Chinese lanterns being released toward the end of the reception. For us, it represented making a promise to each other and watching it float into the universe, not sure where the promise landed but trusting God and each other that we would stick to each other even when our promises seem out of sight. Watching our closest friends and family light their lanterns and send them off was really special because our love brought all these people from all walks of life together in this one moment. We loved seeing our incredible support system create memories of their own at our wedding as they sent off these lanterns into the air with their friends, loved ones, and family.
“We are, honestly, so blessed to have the support system we do and that was incredibly evident on our wedding day. Our family, parents, and friends all came together to celebrate us and they’ll never know how much that meant to us. We truly love them from the bottom of our hearts!“
The honeymoon…
The lovebirds honeymooned at Sandals in Ocho Rios, thanks to the bride’s parents. It was relaxing and adventurous! They learned how to sail, danced under the stars, and snorkelled, to name a few things.
Photographers:
Byron Henry
Christopher W Lee
