It was the day she would marry her knight in shining armour, Philip Trotter, who was equally ecstatic to pledge undying love for his betrothed before 120 witnesses. VOWS shares their love story...

Crystal, a Jamaican who lives in the United States, met Philip, an American, in May 2007 on the Study Abroad Law Programme in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Philip was instantly smitten, but he feared the sparks were not mutual, so he decided to wait for the opportune time to court her.




He asked his friends to 'nose around' as he wanted to be sure he stood a chance with the lovely Crystal before asking her out on a date. On hearing that he did, Philip wasted no time making his move. Their first date, Crystal shares, opened both their eyes to a wealth of similarities between them, and so commenced their love story. They became better acquainted during their sojourn in Brazil, and after completing the course, returned to the United States where they continued dating while completing their studies in law. They are now practising law in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they presently reside. Philip fell in love with Jamaica the first time Crystal took him home, so after proposing, he immediately suggested a Jamaican wedding. The couple decided that a north coast venue would allow most of their family members to attend, while simultaneously allowing first-time visitors to fully enjoy the island's beauty.



They sealed their union in a heart-warming ceremony and reception the next day on the picturesque lawns of the Coyaba River Gardens & Mahoe Falls, which was tastefully decorated in fuchsia and turquoise by The Wedding Planner Plus. The blushing bride looked completely at ease as she swanned up the aisle to Norah Jones's Come Away With Me escorted by dad Locksley Young. Elegantly styled in a couture creation by her aunt Carol Tapper, and clutching a bouquet of pink roses and casablanca lilies, Crystal epitomised beauty... so much so that tears filled her groom's eyes at the first sight of her. He was equally dashing in a Calvin Klein suit with custom-made accents.



It was indeed a family affair as the wedding, which included a sand ceremony symbolising the inseparable union of both their familes, was officiated by the bride's aunt. Another of her aunts serenaded them with Baby, I Am Yours as they signed the marriage register. Philip and Crystal then jumped the broom, signifying that they had swept away the old and welcomed in the new. They then danced their way down the aisle to Natalie Cole's This Will Be (An Everlasting Love), followed by the bridesmaids outfitted in tea-length turquoise dresses, and the maid of honour in fuchsia. The groomsmen, like the groom, were smartly outfitted in Calvin Klein suits with custom-made accents -- gifts from the bride and groom.

The Reception



Cocktails and hors d' oeuvres were enjoyed by guests in the idyllic gardens after the wedding, with the music of a saxophonist providing the perfect backdrop. They were then ushered along a candlelit path and into a beautifully decorated marquee for the reception. Michael Franti's Say Hey, I Love You announced the bridal party's arrival as they danced into the venue, while the newly-weds followed with Black Eyes Peas' I Got A Feeling as their soundtrack. This naturally got the guests in the mood for merriment, after which Philip and Crystal opened the proceedings with their first dance to Roberta Flack's First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. A father-daughter dance to Heartland's I Loved Her First, and a mother-son dance to Frank Sinatra's The Way You Look Tonight followed, much to the guests' delight. This made way for a slideshow of the couple's memorable moments, evoking laughter, oohs and aahs from the guests, who meanwhile feasted on a delicious Jamaican spread. The bride and groom then cut into their Selena Wong wedding cake which was served as dessert after the show. Guests made their way to the Pavilion, which was transformed into a discothèque complete with rotating disco lights, to party with the newly-weds after dessert. Hyperactive Entertainment kept everyone happy as they danced well into the night ahead of showering Mr and Mrs Trotter with rice -- an American tradition -- as they departed. The couple honeymooned at The Jewel Dunn's River Resort & Spa and Super Fun Resort, Runaway Bay.

they look beautiful together