Dr. Wykeham McNeill and Sheila Benjamin-Fernandez at their wedding, held at St. Andrew Parish Church, Half-Way Tree, on Saturday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
WOULDN'T HAVE expected the wedding of the year to be less magical.
Dr. Wykeham McNeill and Sheila Benjamin-Fernandez tied the knot last Saturday in one of those events that persons will be talking about for years. The "I dos" were said at the St. Andrew Parish Church but afterwards it was up to Montgomery Road where Sheila's brother, businessman Kenny Benjamin, was hosting the reception. Didn't expect anybody else to host it, did you?
After parking, guests were trans-ported in golf carts to the reception area if they didn't mind the small slope. They were greeted by a champagne and regular bar and delicious chocolate treats to enjoy before the fun really started.
At about 7:45 p.m., the bride and groom made their entrance. It's not often that at a gathering where representatives of Government and the Governor-General are present, that none of them are the centre of attention.
The customary toasts ensued, including to bride and groom from with Laurel deMercado and Dr. Andre Foote, respectively. But the most touching toast was from Ashley Fernandez (Sheila's daughter) who welcomed "Uncle Wykeham" to the family. It was enough to bring a tear to the eye.
MINOR HINDRANCES
But there was one minor hindrance to come. During the groom's reply, guests started feeling drops. First tiny and almost undetectable and then heavier and steadier. Yes, the skies opened but the groom read on. But the consensus was these were showers of blessing.
The DJ saw the humour in the weather with 'watery' tunes like 'Rain From The Skies'. Dwight Richards, Maria Myrie and backing band then got everyone moving with some old favourites. But in another touching moment, the band strummed up the opening notes to 'Unchained Melody' which Richards delivered for the
newlyweds as they took the (literal) first dance as husband and wife.
