Saying 'I do' the old fashioned way

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

It is widely assumed that the children of privilege or high-visibility enjoy the very best of the social pecking order and popularity beyond the comprehension of their peers! This is often far removed from the truth. Only those who have lived the reality understand that sometimes, theirs is a life of loneliness in a cocoon not of their making but of their station, reinforced by those around them who, fearing rejection for not measuring up, keep their respectful distance. And even when those in the cocoon reach out, their entreaties are weighed and measured so carefully, the response robs the interaction of all potential for initiating friendship or any other kind of social intimacy!

Now, imagine being the beautiful daughter of a bishop of a Pentecostal church, your mother a teacher and disciplinarian and no less a Bible-thumping preacher than your father!

Well, my dears, such was the fate of Cleodean Nicole Francis - the daughter of Bishop Howard Francis and his wife, Pastor Mercella Ward-Francis of Lime Hall, in the Garden Parish of St Ann - that her peers fear that her 'Prince Charming' would never come a-calling, fearing that he would never measure up to the religious and social upbringing that is the hallmark of the Bishop and Mrs Francis.

It was a wise one who coined the phrase, 'faint heart never won fair lady'. But Andrel Andrew Cooper was not faint of heart and he, expecting to do battle for his lady love, donned his armour and went to his prospective father-in-law to seek his daughter's hand in marriage!

Met in college

The young couple met in college, some six years ago, but actually started dating some two years ago. When they both realised that their friendship had blossomed into love, confessed their feelings to each other. Being religious in upbringing and outlook, and being active members of the Gates of Praise Church in New Ground, St Ann, there were matters of protocol governing their interaction. When Cooper was convinced of Francis' love for him, instead of proposing to her, he first sought audience with her dad, confessed his love and asked his permission to ask her for her hand in marriage!

My dears, well I never!!

Such was the nature of the courtship and proposal that led to the March 5 betrothal Andrel Cooper and Cleodean Francis, which saw the families, friends, colleagues and well-wishers gathering in St Ann's Bay last Saturday to witness and share in the wedding ceremony and festivities of the beautiful couple.

Luvs, the wedding ceremony was slated to start at 2 p.m. at the Calvary Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church, in the parish capital, the very same place the parents of the bride had exchanged their marital vows, some 30 years ago. Well, while her parents were on time but this bride arrived 'fashionably' late, and with all the preening and fussing that attended her arrival; the actual wedding ceremony got under way, closer to 90 minutes late!

With the groom waiting patiently at the altar, looking dapper and fab in white, his best man mopping his brow, as the anxious moments became increasingly longer, the bride and her party arrived in style. She looked positively radiant in white - a Casablanca of New York ensemble - suitably veiled, her train trailing, as her mom fussed about getting it just right for her walk down the aisle!

My dears, y'all have heard of red-carpet appearances, well luvs, this was one up and then some. Seconds before her walk down the aisle and following the entrance of her bridal party from the wings of the tabernacle, minders appeared and unfurled a lily white runner, and with the ring-bearer in front, acting as town crier as it were, tolling his bell and announcing 'the bride is coming' followed by a beautiful baby of a flower girl, who made her way down the aisle spreading red and white rose petals in her wake. The bride looked like a princess, tiara and all, lighting up the church hall, as the sunlight and suspended ceiling lights and flashes from the paparazzi and lens of friends reflecting from the stones in her tiara added a tone of regal sombreness to the occasion!

And as if to encapsulate it all, there was no mistaking the regal majesty of her bearing as she leisurely but flawlessly glided down the aisle and into the 'arms' of her 'prince' for the commencement of the ceremony!

The wedding ceremony was a charmer as with the bride's father, one of the officiating ministers, and with the groom responding, "Yes sir," to his entreaties, it made for some very light and amusing moments. Not so however, with Pastor John Smith, being the other, as here the groom was clearly more at ease. The ceremony began in the traditional vein and included a candle-lighting ceremony of unity of the couple and the ceremony of sand signifying not only the unity of the couple, but also their families.

With the official rites of the ceremony over and the couple going offstage for the signing and witnessing of the register, upon their return, the groom was advised by his father-in-law and officiating bishop to unveil his bride for their 'official' first kiss. The statement not only brought ripples of laughter, but was just what the doctor ordered as the groom obliged, and lavishly!

Luvs, following upon the official benediction, Mr and Mrs Andrel Cooper departed the church under a guard of honour, mounted by their bridal party, as guests showered them with rice and rose petals, as they took their first walk as a married couple down the aisle and into the welcoming arms and smiles and choruses of congratulations from friends and family. Shutterbugs and the official paparazzi rushed to record it all before they took their leave for their official ride and portraits in the nearby gardens.

Love fest

My dears, the reception followed at the nearby Evansville Conference Centre and Reception Hall. In truest tradition, it was a love fest of family and friends under the able and commanding baton of master of ceremonies Clifford Senior. Guests were treated to a feast of witticisms and anecdotal quips all in keeping with the august Christian celebrations. But it was when he likened the feat of Andrel Cooper braving the stature of Bishop Francis to seek his daughter's hand to the now viral, " Bus canna swim cross it", now circulating on the World Wide Web, that the packed house roared in laughter and appreciation.

With the bride's uncle Richard Francis invoking celestial blessings on the evening's fare, guests were then invited to dine upon a fare that was as fab as ever. Over the ensuing hours, they were regaled with music, toasts and shared social intimacies that made for a most wonderful and joyful wedding and celebration!

Among those out were grandmother of the bride, Frances Allison, in from California for the nuptials; her parents Bishop Howard Francis and wife Pastor Mercella Ward Francis and her sibling Ordean Francis; her uncle Richard Francis, his lovely wife Karen and their daughters Shekinah, Gloriel and Roshanah, in from Montego Bay; the Reverend Jonathan Ward and Susan Ward; and sons Jonathan Jr and wife Nadine Ward; Vaughn and wife Simone Ward and children Walisa and Waleed; Aunt Cindy McCoy and husband Jerry McCoy and children Kiko and Lejenae; Aunt Una Guy and her sons Michael and Marvin, and daughter Kay; Josephine Jackson and children.

Parents of the groom Colin Cooper and Deaconess Monica Cooper; his Uncle Trevor Cooper and wife Jennifer Cooper; Uncle Ruel Brown; aunts Lily Henry; siblings Sadie Cooper; Taina Cooper; Alecia Cooper; Marlon Cooper; the très élégant Merris Palmer.

Also out were the national superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church of Jamaica, Bishop O'Garth McKoy and wife Maxine; the esteemed pastor Evangelist Zadie Passley of Liberty, St Ann; the Reverend Clebert Russel and wife Joan, the Reverend Myrtle Jones; the Reverend John Emmanuel Smith and wife Tina and their children; the Reverend Barington Gayle and wife Veralyn; the Reverend Brent Harris and wife the elegant Laurel; the Reverend Norman Johnson; Minister Danival Wilson and wife Suzette Barnes Wilson and children; Minister Basil Wilson and son Xavier Wilson (saxaphonist); Minister Glasford Chisholm and wife Dionne and their children; Zoe Feraria; the elegant Amy James; Patricia Buchanan; the charming Claudette Lloyd; Pat Gardner; Yanique Gardner; Valerie Cooper; Andrew Dunkley; Sidoney Tucker; Dwayne Nelson; the charming Rose Gowie; Clarence Thomas; Rosia Galimore; the charming Kerry Boyd-Brown; Carleen Jackson; Jacqueline Bramwell; Suzette Barnes-Wislon;

Dears, it was way early Sunday morning before the last dance was had, the last toast made and the last guests took their leave, allowing for the bride and groom to head off for Breezes Grand Negril for their weeklong honeymoon, but what a charmer of a wedding!

Talk about values and attitudes, my dears, clearly, the families of the bride and groom got it right and then some!