anuary 3 will stand out in the memories of the more than 130 witnesses of the marriage of Daniel Fokum and Yewande Lewis, as the nuptial event of the year. From start to finish, it was an unforgettable experience.

And one could expect nothing less with coordination by the super team of Professor Maureen Warner-Lewis (mother of the bride), Delaine McFarlane, of Beautiful Brides and Mr Tux, and Dian Watson of the Gallery. There was an awed hush when the bride arrived on the arm of doting dad, Professor Rupert Lewis. The ceremony at the chapel of the University of the West Indies was beautiful and grand.

But let's rush to the details of the delightful reception. Guests arrived at the Argyle Road venue to see expansive lawns decorated with tents which transformed the venue into a tropical medieval-like fair.

The welcome tent, lined with large colourful ottomans and draped in vibrantly coloured fabric, had food stations brimming with a variety of in-season fruits, attendants serving mimosas and an array of natural fruit juices, and skewers of grilled sausage.

Tropical Paradise

After about 40 minutes, the bride and groom arrived and guests were ushered to the main tent where seating charts pointed the way.

The wedding's theme was Tropical Paradise, and the breathtaking centrepieces confirmed this. Each table had a unique piece comprising indigenous fruit and flowers such as breadfruit, ackees, birds of paradise, orchids and pineapples. The tent's main post was engulfed by a magnificent array of twigs and orchids.

Yewande and Daniel entered the tent, dancing to 2Face Idibia's African Queen. This was a fitting song for the symbolic merger of the motherland and the diaspora.

Daniel, a PhD candidate at the University of Kansas, is from Cameroon, while Yewande, a PhD candidate from the University of Iowa, was born in Nigeria, but grew up in Jamaica.

Daniel's parents, Dr Gad and Nicole Fokum, made the trip all the way from Likomba, Cameroon. While other guests came from South Africa, England, the United States of America, Trinidad and Jamaica.

The fare was fit for royalty, and Dian Watson utterly delighted.

The elegant wedding cake was made by Nyla D'Andrea, while an alternative marble cake was made by Karen Gibson.

Dessert also included options of traditional Jamaican pastry.

While the guests dined, Gladdy, of Wild Bunch Disco, transformed the venue into an ambient tropical forest with Cameroonian and Jamaican folk music in the background. Gladdy later created a daytime jam session when, after the formalities, a large number of guests hit the dance floor.

Master of ceremonies, and brother of the bride, Jide Lewis, kept the audience rolling with laughter throughout the ceremony. Professor Barry Chevannes, or 'Uncle Barry to the bride, sang a medley of folk songs while strumming on his guitar. The bride closed her eyes and swayed to favourite Fi Mi Love Have Lion Heart and Ruth and Naomi.

Another neat feature was the creation of a fun kids' experience where a clown and nannies were hired to mind some 30 children who attended. They had their own area, programme and meal selection.

The couple's souvenir was a functional gift of a set of note cards with photos of blooming tropical flowers on the cover, acquired from the Institute of Jamaica.

A royal tropical

wedding

J

Contributed photos

From left: Pretty girls all in a row, Arlene Ashutakor, Gianna Lewis, Tsenaye Lewis and Chloe Ashutakor nieces of bride and groom pose for the camera.

Daniel Fokum gives his bride, Yewande, a lift.

Bride and groom, Yewande Lewis and Daniel Fokum, leave the majestic University Chapel in a hail of bubbles.

Breadfruit-leaf place mats and centerpieces made of local produce like ackees proved pleasing to the eye.

The pineapple centrepiece.

Bridesmaids and Yewande's best friends, Dr Mara Hosang (right) and Malenie Carr.