Vows – A Vision of Love
Family medicine practitioner Dr Sara Lawrence, the daughter of Stephen and Beverly Lawrence, married Jamaica Defence Force military pilot officer Major Noel Lewis the son of retired Major Neil Lewis and Janice Lewis on Saturday, December 29 in a spectacular military affair. The bride, a former beauty queen and Miss Jamaica World 2006, ascended the steps of the historic Admiral’s Mountain Great House in a breathtaking bone white J Del Omo dress with a sweeping veil. Waiting was her Prince Charming stately in ceremonial No 1 military dress. The entire affair was a fairy tale.
The rather traditional nuptials nevertheless incorporated a number of modern observances, including the couple participating in the Cord of Three Strands ceremony. The Cord of Three Strands, as the name suggests, comprises three strands each of a different colour — purple, gold and white. The ceremony is said to boldly demonstrate God’s design for the marriage. The gold strand represents God, the purple represents the “majesty of the groom”, and the white represents the bride “having been cleansed by salvation in Christ”.
The bridal party included seven bridesmaids, the bride’s sister who served as matron of honour, best man Stephen Gabbadon and seven military groomsmen — six of whom did double duty as sword bearers. The ceremony was teeming with military tradition including the Arch of Swords through which the parents of the couple walked, and the Arch of Sabres through which the couple passed after exchanging vows. The walk through the Arch of Sabres included the couple being stopped by crossing swords so that they could kiss. This tradition thrilled the guests.
For the reception, the bride changed into a pageant-like gown from Kayture Stylings that is owned by her friend Kamal Porter. New Levels Decor continued the ethereal all-white floral theme — roses, hydrangeas and chrysanthemums — in the reception pavillion. The couple enjoyed their first dance to pyrotechnics and Ryann Darling’s wedding ballad I Choose You. This moment transitioned to the mother/son father/daughter dance that brought tears to many eyes.
On the wedding programme, the couple shared: “God is our everything and we have experienced, first-hand, the blessings of committing ourselves to Him and His Perfect Plan.” The couple spent many nights praying for God to send them “the one”. Not only were their prayers answered but Dr Sara Lawrence and Major Noel Lewis have found, in each other, a vision of love.
