A happy second time - Lindon and Lorraine Ramsay renew their vows after 25 years of marriage

When Lindon and Lorraine Ramsay said their vows 25 years ago, his bride simply attended an event in which she had no input. Both from devout Christian families, it was no surprise that the nuptials became a family affair. The young couple had no part in the decisions for their wedding, which were made by a family member.

In Photo:The Ramsays are ready for forever

"Lorraine has always wanted a real wedding," a blissfully happy second time, Lindon told Flair, after the November 19 wedding of their dreams held at the Rose Hall Ballroom of the Holiday Inn in Montego Bay, St James.

"So when I asked her what she wanted to do for our silver wedding anniversary, I expected to hear a cruise, which I was secretly wishing for."

To his surprise, his wife said all she wanted was a real wedding with all the elements of a first-time wedding ceremony and reception - not a mere renewal of vows, but the real thing.

"I decided that I had to do whatever she desired; she is not a demanding person and has been there for me from the day we met," he said.

They first met in 1987 when he visited her church and spotted her sitting in the second row of the alto section of the choir.

"She caught my attention instantly. I eventually got baptised and became a member of the church. I made my move and we were married four years later," Ramsay revealed.

The union has produced two children - Leighton and Leanne. After naming their firstborn, the proud dad was allowed to find a name for their daughter that began with the letter L. Now all four members of the family are L. Ramsay.

So being the doting husband, Lindon set about to put his beloved wife's wishes into action, including a bridal party of 16, a four-tier wedding cake, a beautiful location, colour theme, wedding rings, officiating clergy, music, fabulous menu - the works.

THE DAY

The day dawned with some rain and minor hiccups but Mrs Ramsay finally got her wish. Beautifully adorned in ivory gown and matching bolero, she met her dapper groom at the altar where vows were renewed in front of their children and some 200 family and friends.

In photo: Then there was the cake of her dreams.

The moving ceremony included solos by two members of the bridal party, as well as more musical items during the reception. The groom's reply brought almost everyone to tears as he chronicled the love and devotion shown by his darling wife to his mother during her illness.

"The best part of the last 25 years for me has been Lorraine's devotion; she is a very supportive wife. When my mother got that stroke, Lorraine cared for her as if she were her own mother. My respect and love for her grew 100 per cent during that time, and I will always be grateful to her for that," he said.

They dined on a scrumptious four-course meal complete with fruitcake, but guests got to take home slices of the gorgeous four-tier wedding cake baked by the bride's uncle, who resides in Canada.

In photo: Bright colours and smiles depicting joy and happiness

The guest list included Bishop and Lady Roderick Roberts from New York; Bishop and Lady Barrington Smith from Toronto, Canada; Bishop and Lady Donald Purge from the Turks and Caicos Islands; and Bishop Reuben McPherson (father of the bride), who was assisted by Bishops Smith and Roberts in officiating the ceremony.