Vows: Love’s Eternal Flame
Friday, July 14, 2017 will be etched forever in the memories of Alesia Moore, customer service manager at Southwest Airlines, and Artis Johnson, ramp and operations manager also at Southwest. On that special day the two were joined in holy matrimony at the Frank Warren Chapel at Sandals Montego Bay. VOWS is pleased to recount their journey to the altar.
How they met…
Alesia and Artis, both employees of Southwest Airlines and based in Phoenix Arizona since 2008, never viewed each other as anything more than co-workers. In January 2013, a friend of theirs decided to play Cupid. There was some hesitancy on both their parts as they did not believe in dating on the job. The first date was simple; they had some drinks, played pool and talked about pivotal points in their lives. This would become the beginning of their lifetime journey together.
Joint romantic vacations ensued to places like Punta Cana, San Juan, and cruising the Caribbean. Throughout their three-year courtship they have always felt as if God ordained their union.
The proposal, as told by Alesia…
“On March 9, 2016, Artis called and told me he was taking me out. I had 20 minutes to get ready. I was a bit taken aback by the sense of urgency but was ready when he arrived. During the car ride, he started to tell me how instrumental I was to his life and his destiny. He went on to share that even though he had been in previous relationships there was something different about our relationship. I remained clueless as to what would follow. We pulled into the parking lot of the shopping mall and I thought we were going shopping for clothes because a lady always likes to shop! We walked around several department stores before stepping into Zales. The salesperson approached and Artis instructed her to assist me with the selection of a wedding ring. Cost, he also added, was not a consideration! Needless to say, I was stunned and when I looked at him he proceeded to tell me how much he loved me and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I turned to the salesperson to get some type of non-verbal communication to verify that this moment was actually taking place. The salesperson had this huge grin on her face. I sat there for a minute trying to process what had just taken place. When it clicked, I gave him the biggest kiss and I complied with his wishes and picked out the ring of my choice. Once we arrived back at my house, Artis again reiterated his love for me and it was at this moment that he officially got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.”
The exchange of vows took place at the Frank Warren Chapel at Sandals Montego Bay, which was beautifully decorated in fuchsia and orange accents. The wedding theme was The Final Destination. The gorgeous bridesmaids made their way up the aisle to Chante Moore and Kenny Lattimore’s When I Say I Do, dressed in fuchsia off-the- shoulder D’Zage dresses, while the maid of honour wore a dark purple Mori Lee one-shoulder dress. They were escorted by dapper groomsmen in white suits with fuchsia striped vests and ties from designer Vinci. The best man meanwhile wore a white suit with purple accents.
At the altar stood the handsome bridegroom in a three-piece white suit from Vinci. To the timeless strains of You For Me by Johnny Gill the bride made her way up the aisle escorted by her son Junius Moore IV. She was a vision of loveliness in a Kitty Chen Couture ivory mermaid gown from Suzanne’s Bridal Boutique in Chandler, Arizona. In her hand she clutched a bouquet of fuchsia dendrobium and orange orchids. The proceedings were officiated by the Everton Lawrence.
The reception…
The reception was held at the resort’s Almond Terrace, which overlooks the Caribbean Sea. The bridal party made their entrance to This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan, followed by the newly-weds who danced in to Mary J Blige’s Just Fine, cheered on by family and friends. It was truly an occasion to remember!
The honeymoon…
The lovebirds honeymooned at the newly renovated Beachfront Grand Luxe Club Level Suite at Sandals Montego Bay.
