Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Newly-weds Scott and Tricia Robbins. - Photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

As fireworks lit the sky, newly-weds Tricia and Scott Robbins' gazed into each other's eyes, smiled to their heart's content and continued to move slowly to Frank Sinatra's For Once In My Life.

Mr. and Mrs. Robbins had taken over the dance floor at their grand wedding reception, staged within the courtyard of the 18th century Good Hope Estate in Trelawny. For the two best friends, this was a mere formality; their four-year long relationship had already blossomed into a lifetime commitment.

Long before Rev. Terence Gordon repeated the vows, the two had given their hands, hearts and love to each other.

And even before Rabbi Stephen Henriques asked Scott Robbins to step on glass in the Jewish custom, the New York-born hotelier not only recalled the fragility of life, he also knew without a doubt that the love he shared was one that family and friends relished.

Last Saturday, as the Robbins started their new life, soprano Karen Smith and tenor Rory Baugh sang Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion's The Prayer. Their walk up the aisle was made even more pleasurable by the prelude of classical sounds from the trio, Peter, Rosina and Joel Ashbourne.

The two surrounded themselves with the most innovative and creative minds - Thai Flora's Sasha and Dr. Tai Chin Hossman who went all out with blue, burlap and chocolate brown decor. The theme was enhanced with dozens of roses, hydrangeas, cymbidium, black mini and calla lilies.

Creating a magnificent dining area, eight food stations and a cool hangout spot decked by giant wine glasses filled with Blue Mountain coffee beans and floating candles complemented the theme. To top it all, over 150 lanterns, 3,000 roses, hanging votives and several arrangements were placed in designated areas.

Not even closely satisfied with all that magnificence, the food stations feasted on the appetites of the over 300 guests that attended.

A selection of four appetisers including a mouth-watering curried ackee and mango chutney and smoked marlin dipped with balmy were starters.

And an exciting entre of grilled tenderloin in a It Maria sauce, creamy curried chicken with broccoli, grilled lobster heightened by run down and pineapple salsa, grilled chicken breast with pasta in A La Vodka sauce completed the ultimate wedding feast.

The groom had his say with a Phil cheese steak sandwich station, Jamaicanised with cocoa bread and a funnel cake with powdered sugar - part of the New York culture.

Those who witnessed the ceremony included the groom's party of 'best woman', Carol Bourke, Richard Bourke, Rick Bardari and Taylor Robbins. The bride's entourage included maid of honour Nicole Shirley, Gabriel Taylor, Noel Sloley Jr. and Lori Ann Ridley.

Parents of the bride, Cyril and Joyce Bridge, grandmother Curdell Bridge, Dollis Campbell, Pat Samuels, Carolle Guntley, Jaime and Camille Delgado, Clayton Morgan, Fred Smith, Mary Chambers, John Byles, Brian and Sheilagh Jardim, Ray Therrien and Ann Chang, Ian Dear and daughter Lauren, Winston and Denise Dear, Mavis Thomas, Richard Whitfield and Vee Redpath, Myrtle Dwyer and Roy Anderson, Ricardo Bowleg, Horace and Dominique Peterkin, Marcia McLaughlin, Del and Dalcey Crooks, George DeMercardo, Devon Dobson, Stacy-Ann Greenwood, Khadine Daley, Clive and Joan Lee, Paul and Dorothy Pennicook, David Shields and Carol Sardinha.

From left: Mother of the bride, Joyce Bridge, dances up a storm with Monica Craig, who flew all the way from England for Tricia and Scott Robbins' wedding.