Vows – A Vision of Love
Newly-weds Major Noel Lewis and Dr Sara Lawrence atopthe historic Admiral's Mountain Great House
All Woman, Features
January 6, 2019

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.

New Levels Decor trimmed the historic Admiral’s Mountain Great House with a trio of white flowers — roses, hydrangeas and chrysanthemums.
Lawrence was escorted up the aisle by her father Stephen (left) and her son Zachary Smith.
The groom’s parents, retired Major Neil and Janice Lewis
The bride’s son Zachary Smith escorted his grandmother Beverly Lawrence through the arch of swords, a military wedding tradition.
Against a backdrop of lush vegetation, guests looked upwards to the great house’s balcony, where vows were exchanged.
Before the exchange of vows, the bride’s father Stephen Lawrence (right) officially gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to Noel Lewis.
The bridesmaids’ bouquets (left) comprised white hydrangea and blush pink roses which complemented the white phalaenopsis orchids and blush pink roses in the bride’s bouquet.
Wedding officiant Rev Dr Stephen Jennings blessed the rings.
Best man Stephen Gabbadon (left) and matron of honour Jessica Johnson (right) observed as wedding officiant Rev Dr Stephen Jennings (centre) blessed the bride and groom.
The bride and groom included the Cord of Three Strands ceremony into the nuptials. The gold strand represents God, the purple represents the groom and the white represents the bride — the braiding of all three symbolises the union of God, husband and wife.
Best man Stephen Gabbadon (back left) and matron of honour, the bride’s sister Jessica Johnson (back right) happily witnessed the newlyweds signing the marriage register.
The wedding included another military tradition — the Arch of Sabres which took place immediately following the ceremony.
The bride Dr Sara Lawrence was elegant in a bone white J Del Olmo sweetheart neckline gown with beaded shoulder straps and a veil that was, in a word, magnificent.
Dr Sara Lawrence happily stepped into the frame alongside husband Major Noel Lewis (left) and her son Zachary Smith.
Newly-weds Dr Sara Lawrence and Major Noel Lewis are flanked by members of the bridal party (from left:) Captain Dwayne Ford, Alecia Burgess, Major Joel Nelson, Dr Gabrielle Carey, Captain Miguel Ross, Rani Badaloo, best man Stephen Gabbadon, matron of honour Jessica Johnson, Major Brandon Chambers, Dr Xinyu Pryce, Lieutenant Nicholas McAllister, Leana Tomlinson, Lieutenant Blake Roper, Dr Ghislaine Lewis, and Lieutenant Keith Eubanks.
The groom Major Noel Lewis high-fived flower girl Noa Leal, as Rebecca Nathan patiently awaited her turn.
The bride entrusted her reception look (a nod to her beauty queen days) to friend Kamal Porter of Kayture Stylings.
The newly-weds had their first dance as husband and wife to pyrotechnics and Ryann Darling’s I Choose You.
The father/daughter and mother/son dance was a heart-warming addition to the reception’s proceedings.
The cake-cutting ceremony began with the unveiling of the cake by Beverly Lawrence (left) and Janice Lewis, the mothers of the bride and groom, respectively.
Camille Flimn of Cake Couture Ja created the white and gold four-tier wedding cake.
In accordance with military tradition, the groom cut the cake with his sword, after which the bride would eat her first piece from its tip.
To the bride’s horror, another military tradition saw the groom (second left) having to consume (see inset), from his helmet, a grog made from alcohol and food collected from each table by (from left:) Captain Miguel Ross, Zachary Smith, Major Joel Nelson, Captain Dwayne Ford and Lieutenant Nicholas McAllister.
Few things are more romantic than a kiss at sunset.

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