GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

SPALDINGS, CLARENDON

The Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Ocho Rios, St Ann, was where Karyna Anastasia Davis and Andrew Boyd Irons decided they would exchange marriage vows and wedding rings on July 5, and then live happily ever after.

In the well-decorated church where all of the benches had an array of beautiful flowers and lit candles on copper flower stands, more than a hundred guests witnessed the special ceremony.

Karyna is the daughter of Alphansus Davis, adviser to Minister of Education Andrew Holness, and Cynthia Marshall-Davis. They were all smiles when her father placed her hands into those of her soon-to-be husband at 2:45 p.m.

Gift from God

The bridal march started at approximately 2:40 p.m. and when it ended, officiating minister Rev Dr Roderick Hewitt, pastor at the Hope United Church, in Kingston, said the opening prayer. When he was through praying, he told the crowd, and especially the couple, that marriage is a gift from God and for that reason it should not be rushed into by anyone without deep reverence.

"God has given this gift as the best form of relationship between a man and a woman. In marriage, men and women learn to love, honour, respect and protect each other all the days of their lives. Marriage represents the best environment for the welcoming and for the care of children," said the pastor.

Sacred promise

Karyna and Andrew kiss after exchanging vows - George Henry photos

He added that marriage constitutes the best environment for the strengthening of the society, as men and women make sacred promises to God and to each other. He said Karyna and Andrew are released into such an environment as promise keepers to put up resistance against falsehood and treachery.

Following his talk about marriage, Rev Dr Hewitt asked if there was anyone who had just cause for the two not to be joined in holy matrimony. No one came forward, and the minister proceeded with the ceremony. They were then both asked to repeat marriage vows, and declared that there was no reason why they should not be married.

After the vows, and the wedding rings blessed and exchanged, Andrew and Karyna were pronounced husband and wife at approximately 3:06 p.m. The two were then engaged in a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of Andrew's dad who passed away two years ago.

That was followed by the signing of the marriage register, during which Nat King Cole's Unforget-table was sung by Peaches Edwards. The newly-weds were presented to the guests following the signing ceremony before they marched out of the church for their picture-taking exercise and reception at the Ruins restaurant in the town of Ocho Rios.

Following the picture-taking, the bridal party and the newly-weds entered the reception hall to loud and long applause from an excited crowd.

After dinner, the mother of the bride, Cynthia Davis, and mother of the groom, Merrissa Irons, unveiled the three-tiered wedding cake. The cake was cut by the smiling couple then they bird fed each other with the delicious food.

Grateful

In his speech, the groom expressed his gratitude for the support received from the guests. He said he believes he is blessed to have a wife like Karyna, and to be surrounded with so much love.

Karyna who also said she and her husband are blessed with the kind of parents who showed them both how to love and how to be loved. She noted that she was happy that their parents did not choose for them whom they should get married to.

Andrew places the wedding ring on Karyna's finger, while the Reverend Dr Roderick Hewitt watches.