Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

Tracey-Ann Francis and Christopher Phillips exchanged wedding vows on March 22 at the Knutsford Court Hotel. Officiating minister was Rev Wilfred Cameron. - Contributed

Amid the sounds of the romantic French accents and the playful Jamaican English, two lovers from different worlds were wed.

Paul Craigie, 33, born in England and raised in Jamaica, and Flora Diallo, 27, born in France and raised in Guadeloupe, made their union official at the University of the West Indies Chapel recently.

The two met in 2003 at Monte Christo, a salsa club in Paris. Their long-distance relationship took them between London and Paris until they settled in Epsom and the two decided to wed.

They chose Paul's island home to get married.

On May 3 at 3 p.m., the sun warmed the inside of the chapel as the groom waited more than an hour longer than he anticipated for his bride. Just after 4 o'clock she arrived in a beautiful vintage car, and was soon escorted down the aisle by her father, Richard Diallo.

While their families have a language barrier - Diallo's is predominantly French and Craigie's English - the group blended seamlessly on the day, incorporating both into the wedding ceremony.

Apart from songs and the sermon which were completely done in English, other key sections, such as Bible readings, the opening prayer and the Lord's Prayer, were translated in the programme to facilitate communication.

Debbie Campbell performed a beautiful rendition of Perhaps Love. Valton Craigie, Paul's brother and Jamaican singer, VC, performed Ribbon in the Sky.

The reception was held at Villa Ronai, Old Stony Hill Road. The couple will honeymoon in Hawaii.

Paul and Flora Craigie after their wedding ceremony at the University of the West Indies Chapel, Mona. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The happy couple hold hands before exchanging rings in the presence of the bridal party.