Dorraine DaCosta and Reverend Garfield Wilson at their wedding - George Henry

BY GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

SPALDINGS, CLARENDON

Dorraine DaCosta and Reverend Garfield Wilson moved away from tradition at their wedding in more ways than one when they tied the knot on June 30.

First, they used a professional dancer instead of a flower girl to lead the bridal party, then they made a covenant using pink and blue paints which were mixed together to signify their oneness.

The ceremony took place at the Mandeville New Testament Church of God in Manchester, in front of 250 guests.

The first departure from tradition was the dancer who glided up the aisle threw flowers as she made her way to the altar.

The ceremony which had Rev. Dr. Roy Notice, Rev. Barrington Brown and Rev. Betram Tomlinson officiating, was held in the morning, and it got under way at the stipulated time of 9:30.

The second departure was when the couple made a covenant, mixing their favourite colours of pink and blue. The new colour became their new favourite colour, which was lavender. The groom wore a lavender vest and tie to represent this.

Some of the words from the covenant which was read by Rev. Dr. Barrington Brown, said: "As the components of each colour are mixed together into one main container, the new colour represents Dorraine and Garfield becoming one flesh as stated in Genesis 2:24. For these two colours to be separated again, they will have to undergo a drastic chemical process, hence Dorraine and Garfield are saying that the only process that can cause them to part is death".

All the benches in the church were decorated with ribbons and bows of baby blue, baby pink, rose pink and silver colours. This added to the ambience created by the beautiful dresses and splendid suits that were worn by the bridal party, which comprised eight bridesmaids, two groomsmen, maid of honour and a best man.

The exchange of rings followed the signing of the register. In this aspect of the ceremony, the couple had wonderful words for each other. Dorraine told Garfield that she knew she was created from him for him, that she is bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, and for that reason she gave him her ring.

Garfield in his turn told Dorraine he believed that every man is given the potential to truly love one woman, and that he is marrying her because he thinks she is the woman that God has ordained for him. This was touching, and it had husbands in attendance and who were seated by their wives, smiling at each other. Following the presentation of the bride and groom to the audience, the song, "I'll choose you again and again" was done.

When Mr. Wilson was given the go ahead to kiss the new Mrs. Wilson, Reverend Notice reminded him that his parents, his councilmen and the bride's parents were there, so he should be mindful of that. However, that did not prevent the groom from kissing his adorable new wife for as much as 45 seconds. The minister, teasingly, told him that he didn't follow the instructions given.

The reception then followed inside the hall at the church, with the emcee being the witty Rev. Wayne Vernon, pastor for the Old Harbour New Testament Church. He wasted no time in welcoming the guests and introducing the bridal party, before going on to interview the new Mr. and Mrs Wilson, on how they met.

He was told that they met at the May Pen New Testament Church of God in Clarendon, at a Bethel Bible College Valedictory Service. Garfield said he saw Dorraine and said hi, and a conversation began.

At the end, the groom thanked all the persons who made the day a success, especially his wife's parents. Special commendations also came from the couple for Mrs. Victorine Petrekin, who was in charge of the catering as, well as the decoration inside the reception area.