By Janet Silvera, Freelance Writer
Joey Issa and his bride Asha leaving the church in a 1931 Model-A Ford after their wedding. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE BRIDE was in a dress by Lebanese designer Reem Acra, and her brides-maids in Vera Wang creations, but the Jamaican women at Joey and Asha Issa's wedding were mostly attired in pieces from Jamaica's finest designers.
Asha Rochu Maglani Issa primed a red carpet stage by arriving at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Ocho Rios in a 1931 Model A-Ford car, with traditional tin pans trailing noisily behind the car.
Immaculately adorned in a white traditional bridal satin gown, featuring a trimmed bodice, the skirt ending with a cathedral train, Mrs. Issa's gown was delicately done with rhinestones scattered all over the back and the front. She completed her clothing with a Cartier white gold necklace set in diamonds.
For her bridesmaids, she chose a Vera Wang design of party plum featuring long sashes tied in bows at the back, more of a timeless and urbane elegance in response to her own assured sophistication.
The men in the bridal party wore formal black and white tuxedos with black and white accents complemented by black patent leather shoes.
The hundreds of guests also embraced the trendy mode of dress at this important event and this was evident as the island's women and to a lesser extent the men came out set on making a fashion statement by wearing the most expensive and most fashionable styles imaginable.
But clothes were not the only stylish things at the wedding, comfortably riding among the 'best of the best' weddings of the year.
The up-to-the-minute cabanas that housed the delicious cuisine, the candelabras that stood at attention daring the beautiful ice carvings to melt and the 10 minutes of fireworks that woke up the resort town of Ocho Rios were just as fantastic.
This wedding was simply beautiful, from beginning to end. And when Joey Issa said to his new bride, "We have been to Mount Everest, Asha, but you were worth every step of the way," tears flowed freely.
When Asha's voice cracked while she repeated the vows, the ceremony took on an even more emotional overtone. Those who shared in the occasion included, Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill; Senator Bruce Golding and his wife Lorna; St. Ann Development Company's Faith Thomas; Chris Bovell and Tourism Minister, Aloun Assamba.
