Sharlon-Pete and Latoya Downer.

Latoya Hall met Sharlon-Pete Downer in 1995 at Clifton New Testament Church through mutual friends. After five years of dating, he proposed on June 30, 2007.

"He conspired with his brother to arrange for me to plan a surprise belated birthday party for him at his house. After we surprised him in the living room, they surprised me on the veranda with a banner saying; 'Latoya, Will You Marry Me?'. It turned out to be our engagement party. He composed a citation for me, then presented the ring in a flower," recalls Latoya.

They got married on January 5, 2008, at Clifton New Testament Church on Mannings Hill road. Officiating ministers were Reverends Donald Roberts and Wayne Vernon.

Colour scheme

The colour scheme for the wedding was burnt orange and bronze, and the bridesmaids wore pantsuits. They had a flower dancer (not a flower girl) and both her parents walked her down the aisle. "The entire wedding was like a production. Everything fell in place nicely," said Latoya.

She continued: "We were not nervous, we were just grateful to God for allowing us to see the day that we have been dreaming about all our lives. To God be the glory." Both are musicians and singers, so it was no surprise that their wedding had a musical theme.

Latoya says what she loves most about her husband is "his fun-loving personality, his spiritual focus, and his optimistic outlook on life (nothing keeps him down for too long)".

Sharlon describes his wife as "smart, God-fearing, ambitious, virtuous and a go-getter".

The colour scheme for the wedding was burnt orange and bronze and the bridesmaids wore pantsuits. - Contributed photos