Photos by Janet Silvera
LEFT: Montego Bay's Maurice Whittingham and Serena Lue are focused on their vows during their wedding ceremony at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, on Saturday, July 7.
RIGHT: Mother of the groom, Ethelreen Whittingham (left), and mother of the bride, Jean Lue, hold unity candles during the wedding of their children, Maurice Whittingham and Serena Lue (in background).

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A radiant Serena Lue had a dapper Maurice Whittingham wait outside the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Montego Bay, for just over 45 minutes, on the afternoon of Saturday, July 7, and on arrival she sparkled like a precious stone.

When she walked into the church and stood next to her man, it became apparent that this bride was already living the pronouncements by Bishop Charles Dufour, and she and her groom had become 'one flesh', symbolising unity and equality.

As the over 300 guests listened attentively to a letter penned personally to the couple by the bishop, denoting the true meaning of marriage, his hope for the ceremony being etched in the hearts of everyone was easily achieved.

With carefully selected readings from Genesis, the first letter of St. Paul and the Corinthians, the newly-weds were anointed in the baptism of the meaning of true love.

"Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious, boastful, arrogant or rude; it does not insist on its own way; it does not rejoice in wrongdoings, but rejoices in the truth. True love is total in every aspect. There is no holding back. It is not guided by any selfish motives," the priest said.

Testing voyage

At the same time, he made sure to remind the couple of the continuous self-discovery of married life, the voyage which will test them in many different ways and the days when their bed will be strewn with thorns. "True love necessarily involves great sacrifice on the part of each one of you," he counselled.

By the time Bishop Dufour completed his homily, inserting the story of a couple who shared even their dentures throughout their marriage, he had the audience in stitches.

A fabulous reception was held at Dr. Barry Dixon's exclusive Wild Orchid Villa, Spring Gardens, Montego Bay.

Master of ceremonies Dwayne 'Bones' Howard was spirited and seamless; Robert Joseph's food prepared on the spot, complemented by Paulette Henry's touch of gold, and wedding planner Racquel Graham Bernard lived up to all expectations.

The groom's parents, Maurice and Ethelreen Whittingham, the bride's mother Jean Lue, and a bridal party that included Lisa Lewis, Aurora, Crystal and Loriann Lue, Ryanne Thelwell, Howard Whittingham, Chris Matthews, Bruce, Desmond and Brandon Whittingham, gave all their love and support.

Others in attendance included: Sir Howard and Lady Ivy Cooke, Pia and Dale Delapenha, Madge and Neville Levy, Gillian Levy and Chris Zacca, Kerry Bassaragh-Matthews, Alison Whittingham, Karen Wright, Garth Holloway and Anna-Kaye Russell, Karen Chang, Denise Mason, Heather Chambers, Sean Williams, Kathleen Cooke, Dinesh Dadlani, Kumar and Julie Samtani, Shobhu and Kishim Samtani, Damian Reid, Craig Russell, Don Quarrie, Ludlow Watts, Paul Whittingham, Richard and William Whittingham, Celia Whittingham-Bucknor, Vanessa Henry, Jean Chin, Dr. Jennifer Dixon, Joan Dixon, Dr. Barry Dixon, Lance Duhaney, Nigel Golaub, Paulette Hew, Michael Baugh, Dorothy Brown, Kimberly Chai, Richard Chambers, Steven Chanpong, April Chin, Claudette King and Kam Lue, Tiffany and Lisa March.