by Wandeka Gayle, Freelance Writer

Windel Montaque stands with his wife Jusanne Brown during their photo shoot. - Wandeka Gayle Photos

Surrounded by sage, gold, streams of white chiffon and 250 guests, Jusanne Brown of Trelawny and Windel Montaque of Portland were wed on Sunday, July 16, at the Falmouth SDA church.

The ceremony began as bridesmaids in sage-green gowns sashayed down the aisle on the arms of the grooms in dark suits and green ties to the beat of The Blue Danube played by musician, Andrew Marshall. The bride's sister, Jusene, wore a gold ensemble and with a wide smile joined the bridal party at the altar.

Then, the ringbearer and two flower girls, one in green and the other in gold, literally paved the way for the bride with rose petals, who appeared on both the arm of her mother and father, Elaine and Claudius Brown.

As the three moved slowly to the arch in mid-aisle to the melodious voice of Lisa Davis and Delroy Haye singing Household of Faith, the groom met them, embraced his future mother-in-law and firmly shook the hand of his soon to be father-in-law before carefully taking the hand of his beaming bride.

Then, with scarcely concealed smiles, the couple made their way to the altar. Defying tradition, the bridesmaids and groomsmen did not separate, but remained as couples flanking both the bride and groom.

Officiating ministers, pastors Leabert Williams, Leroy Sewell, Venton Duncan and close friends pastors Christopher Harvey and Peter Gordon sealed their union.

Leabert Williams reminded the couple of God's sanction that man ought not be alone. He commented that their union was a symbol of God's union with the church.

"It is nothing short of a miracle to make two one, it takes a divine medium to bring two people together," he said.

Then with a smile he continued that despite the fact that love was truly the sacrament made from the very crust of life, they should find happiness in each other.

Music, Music, Music

"In the kitchen, there should be music, in the bathroom, there should be music and in the bedroom," he paused and looked at the couple, "There should be music and dancing." This comment caused laughter throughout the congregation.

Then before God and their guests, Jusanne and Windel were instructed to look deeply into each other's eyes and commit their love and undying dedication.

Shortly after, following tradition, they were escorted to the pastor's vestry to sign their marriage certificate.

Lisa Davis sang I Believe In You and Me in the interim. Then, as the beaming couple emerged from the pastor's vestry to the applause from their guests, both the mother of the bride, Elaine Brown and the mother of the groom, Norma Perry were instructed to participate in the candle- lighting ceremony.

Then, with trembling hands, the bride and groom took the candles from their respective parents and simultaneously lit the unity candle.

With much fanfare and a suspenseful introduction, the groom finally kissed his bride. Then, through a sea of floating bubbles provided by laughing guests, the bride and groom made their exit from the church.

The reception, held at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Montego Bay, was emceed by a jovial Novial Dale, who despite the lengthy delays by the bridal party, kept the audience in stitches through the whole ceremony.

He recited Workaholic by Joan Andrea Hutchinson, gave a riveting experience about Jamaicans travelling abroad. The jokes kept coming with a retelling of the story of Titanic - Jamaican style.