Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. — Lao Tzu

It was hardly love at first sight for Oasis Dental dentists Thea Stapleton and Phillip Wisdom, who met in 2012 at dental school. Theirs commenced as a practical bond. “Thea is from Trinidad and needed help navigating Jamaica,” Phillip explained to Tuesday Style Vows (TSV).

One could surmise that their friendship, initially born out of necessity slowly evolved into love. “We began getting to know each other on our long drives and realised even though we were opposites, we balanced each other out,” he added.

Post-school Phillip, who is from Montego Bay, returned to his hometown while Thea remained in Kingston. They kept in touch and soon, you guessed it, Thea also secured a job in the resort capital. The relationship blossomed and by New Year’s Day 2021 taken to the next level.

“Phillip insisted we arrive early for dinner at Ocean Coral Spring as he had booked a table on the beach,” shared Thea before adding, “On my way to dinner a photographer asked if he could take pictures of us. We were there the night before and he had taken photos so I thought nothing of it. As he took the photos he beckoned to me to step forward. A woman in front of me gasped. I turned around and, to my surprise, there was Phillip on his knee with a ring in his hand… Through a flood of tears I recall saying “Yes!”… To this day I have no idea what he said while he was on his knees,” she confessed.

Thea, however, is fully aware that a year later, on Saturday, February 26 she made her way up the aisle, escorted by her father Derek Jones, to the strains of Jenn Johnson’s Goodness of God played by Pozitive Vybrationz band.

And that in a terracotta, gold, nude and orange setting created by Kara Anderson of Petals and Promises and wearing an off-the-shoulder mermaid gown from Helen G Bridal Boutique she spotted the bright, yet emotional smile on the face of her dapper bridegroom.

The ceremony, which was officiated by Reverend Shane O’Connor, included a washing of the feet ceremony, symbolic of the humility they will both bring to their marriage, as well as their willingness to serve each other.

The reception also took place at Villa Mara, Mammee Bay. Guests stepped into yet another spectacular Petals and Promises setting of huge gold palms with baby’s breath, white and peach roses and greenery for the tablescape centrepieces with white candles in gold votives. Floral bouquets of roses further enhanced the marquee.

Reverend Shane O’Connor segued effortlessly to being the evening’s compere and welcomed the guests ahead of the arrival of the bridal party.

The newly-weds made a dramatic entrance to The Black Eyed Peas’s Let’s Get It Started as guests waved both Jamaican and Trinbagonian flags. This was followed by the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to a medley of songs — Vybz Kartel & Machel Montano’s Super Soca, Machel Montano’s I Love You, Enrique Iglesias’ Bailando featuring Sean Paul, Bruno Mars’ Finesse and Ed Sheeran’s Perfect and choreographed piece by members of the wedding party.

Post-formalities, guests enjoyed a three-course meal catered by Seaside Dutchie Executive Chef Mark Cole, and thereafter, the cutting of the two-tiered vanilla wedding cake by Dr Nardia Brown. Other highlights included toasts raised by friends — maid of honour Kadian Gilpin to the bride, and best man Amit Mahbubani to the groom. The bride’s father, Derek Jones, was effusive in his praise of the bride’s mother while friend of the groom, Dr Cynthia Munroe, saluted the groom’s mother.

The newly-weds joined their guests on the dance floor and partied the night away to choice selections by 876sounds.

Mr & Mrs Phillip Wisdom jetted off to Mexico for their honeymoon.