Richard & Melissa ... blessed tenfold
Published:Sunday | August 3, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:God knew that western Jamaica needed rain, but he also knew that Richard Andrew Ferdinand and Melissa Antoinette Chang deserved a beautiful day, which He gave them tenfold, last Saturday, July 26.
Making her way down the aisle on the arms of her father, General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party Dr Horace Chang, the bride wore a gorgeous organza and tulle high-low gown with beaded flowers. Melissa, the key account manager for the Jamaica Public Service, western region, 'literally' fell into the welcoming arms of Ferdinand, who wore a tux by Pierre Cardin.
The afternoon sun was brutal, but, for Ferdinand, the director of guest services at the exclusive Tryall Club in Hanover, nothing else mattered. In fact, he was prepared to plant a kiss on the lips of his bride long before Reverend Courtney Walters told him he could.
spectacular colours
Held in the same gazebo where billionaire Richard Branson had his Q&A for his charity last November, it was the spectacular colours and vista of the Caribbean Sea that played backdrop to the settings at the fabulous Point of View villa. The setting created the 'magic' hotelier Josef Fortsmayr spoke about after witnessing the exchange of vows: "You make the PERFECT couple. Thank you so much for including me in your special celebration. It was pure MAGIC!" he said.
The spectacular wedding ceremony was witnessed by a host of family members and friends, and the mother of the bride, Paulette Chang, who couldn't have looked any better, beamed with pride as Reverend Walters declared the couple "husband and wife".
Born in the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Ferdinand has lived in Jamaica since 1995, and is a naturalised Jamaican. Chang, a premature 'Thumbelina', who weighed only 1.5lb, in the year of the sheep (1979), was born in St James.
Allowing enough time for them to have the perfect ceremony, God again intervened, opening the heavens, blessing the ceremony and pouring water on the parched plants and the arid earth, while making way for more pleasant temperatures.
It was then off to the Iberostar Resort for the lounge-setting-turned-soca-party reception, with dim lights and elegant floating tea light centre pieces by Tailor Made Events Jamaica, followed by lyming at the Blue Beat!
It is safe to say that Richard and Melissa Ferdinand did not sleep on their wedding night.
See tomorrow's Flair Magazine for the love story of the two who shared in the most beautiful nuptials.