The happily married couple make wedding day memories. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

IT WAS a medley of poetry and song when Sherisse Taylor and Omar Palmer were wed on Saturday, January 9, at the Faith Temple New Testament Church of God in Bayside, Portmore.

The couple, who met through the same church, have known each other for five years and dated for only two of those years before deciding to tie the knot.

Omar, a stevedore and a tele-marketer, and Sherisse, an administrative assistant, wrote their own vows for the ceremony.

"I'm of an expressive and poetic nature," said Omar in an interview before his wedding day. "It's not really a part of her, but she's all for it," he said about Sherisse.

Heartfelt piece

It's no wonder the groom came out the winner of The Gleaner's Wedding Vow Competition, To Have and to Hold. The competition called for fiancés to write the vows they would like to say to their brides on their wedding day. Omar came out on top with his heartfelt piece.

"It has to do with mood," he said of writing poetry, in general, and his vows, in particular. Obviously, he was in the right mood when he penned the winning entry, as it took him only an hour to write.

On his wedding day, those vows, along with his bride's, showcased the love and commitment of the young couple.

Great anticipation

The groom, dressed in cream, dutifully awaited his bride, who was escorted up the aisle by her mother, Yvonne Bowen. He was careful to not even take a peek at her before she arrived at his side. He missed the fact that all the way during her march to the song, That Someone Was You, by Toni Braxton and Kenny G, she mouthed every word to the song. Once she got to her fiancé's side, the pleasure was obvious in his eyes, smile and the movement of his body.

The officiating minister, Bishop Dr Wellesley Blair, injected a little poetry himself when he recited Elizabeth Barrett-Browning's, How Do I Love Thee? A beautiful poem which speaks of an immeasurable love which is not only physical but spiritual.

It was soon time for Omar to repeat his vows.

"Where other men have failed,I make it my purpose to transcend by protecting, loving, honouring, adoring, thrilling and spoiling you, to ravish you like a feast that has no end," was one line from his vows.

Sherisse, in turn, expressed her love for her fiancé.

"Your character depicts the epitome of what a man should be," she said, expressing that there is no other man like him.

"As sweet as those words are, you're going to have to repeat after me," joked Bishop Dr Wellesley Blair, before initiating the traditional vows.

During the exchange of rings, the couple caught a case of the giggles, laughing and smiling nervously and joyfully. It seemed as if Omar forgot his name for a second as he paused when it was time to repeat it.

After the signature first kiss, the couple walked down the aisle to Shania Twain's You're Still the One. Just before he exited the church, he swept his wife into his arms and carried her out of the church.

The reception followed at The Knutsford Court Hotel, where rich gold and burnt orange acted as accents in the room, showing off the couple's colour scheme.

For Omar's winning vows, the couple received a weekend for two at Sunset Beach Resort and a professional photographer for their wedding day.

The bridal party in their full glory. From left are groomsmen Maurice Palmer, Omar Renford, Richard Hinds, Adrian Mighty, Odell Wellington; bestman Ethan Hendricks; groom Omar Palmer; bride Sherisse Palmer; maid of honour Phyllis Sinclair; bridesmaids Thanesia Crossley, Carissa Crossley, Shermaine Taylor-Wallen, Kimone Bowen and Shannon Copeland and ring bearer Joel Wellington and flower girl Gabrielle Wallen. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer