LParadise Found media album for the wedding of
Jeanne Delores Rober ts to Jay Christian Johnson
August 30, 2008 Paradise Island, Bahamas
CREDITS Design & Production Gloria Marconi Illustration & Design Photography Kevin Williams (Bahamas) wwvacations@gmail.com Media Relations Margo E. Williams & Associates, Inc. (313)618-3168 Wedding Publicity Specialist Loretta Smith (202)758-0397
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Beauty Desiree Chisholm, hair & makeup Bridal Designer Lea-Ann Belter Bridal Salon Town and Country Bridal Boutique Bridesmaids Watters Caterer/Cake Atlantis Entertainment Visage, reception Floral Design Island Destination Services Flowergirls Us Angels Formalwear Savvi Formalwear, groom & groomsmen Honeymoon Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa Invitations/Calligraphy Sandi Spells Design Jewelry Shawn Paul Jewelry Lighting Design Island Destination Services Mother’s Gown Les Habitudes, MOB Photographer Kevin Williams Registries Crate and Barrel Neiman Marcus Saks Fifth Avenue Williams-Sonoma Rehearsal Dinner Luciano’s of Chicago Rentals/Linens Island Destination Services Shoes Jimmy Choo Venue The Cloisters, ceremony Atlantis, reception Videographer N. L. Aubrey Smith
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JEANNE ROBERTS & JAY JOHNSON AUGUST 30, 2008 PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEVIN WILLIAMS
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Island in the sun
When Jeanne Roberts and Jay Johnson imagined their perfect wedding, they envisioned an island celebration that would wow their guests. “We wanted a few days of festivities and relaxation,” says Jeanne of the couple’s inspiration to have a destination wedding. Since the bride had beautiful memories of vacationing at her family’s Nassau beach house, the Bahamas seemed like the perfect location. “And scheduling the event over Labor Day weekend made it easier for guests to make the trip,” Jeanne adds.
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The bride and her mother confidently took the planning reins, and Jay happily went along with everything. “Always agree,” he laughingly advises other grooms. The decision to hold the ceremony at The Cloisters on Paradise Island was an easy one (“It’s magical!” exclaims the bride), and the imported 14th-century French monastery was indeed a stunning backdrop for the couple’s nuptials. As attendees arrived at the hilltop landmark overlooking Nassau harbor, they were promptly offered ice-cold lemonade and chilled towels to keep the heat at bay; even the programs were cleverly shaped as fans to help keep everyone comfortable. Brilliant white tents shaded loved ones from the balmy sun, and a tall pergola situated at the top of a staircase kept the couple
cool. Pillars were wrapped in arrangements of lush greens, cymbidium orchids, and feathery hydrangea blossoms that fit in flawlessly with the tents’ billowing white fabric. A string quartet played traditional music as bridesmaids made their way down the petal-strewn aisle dressed alternately in gowns of soft pink and sea green. Then, Jeanne emerged to the sounds of Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” wearing a stunning mermaid-style gown and carrying a bountiful bouquet of cascading lilies, roses, and cymbidium orchids. “Even though there were over 300 guests staring at me, they all disappeared as I looked up at Jay,” she recalls. When the vow exchange led by Jeanne’s uncle was complete, a 10-member Baptist choir sang robust versions of “Oh Happy Day” and “Together Forever.” INSIDE WEDDINGS.COM
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The energetic vocals served as the perfect segue into the rousing reception at the island’s famed Atlantis resort. Bouncing beams of light in shades of pink and green brightened the venue’s opulent ballroom, while arrangements of cymbidium orchids, stargazer lilies, roses, and hydrangea dotted every table with the same punchy hues. Each large centerpiece was surrounded by three mini arrangements of fluffy hydrangea blossoms with tall ivory candles. For added appeal, orchids were tucked into silky pink napkins at every place setting. Buffet stations offered guests a meal fit for a king. Selections of grilled chicken, lamb chops, petit beef filet, lobster, shrimp, crab claws, tuna, swordfish, mahi mahi, sushi, sashimi, and an assortment of fresh salads and bite-sized delicacies were all included in the sumptuous menu. Next, dozens of desserts were set out, including Bacardi-rum baba (a sweet bread soaked in liquor), Madeline sponge cake flavored with roasted banana, tropical-fruit horns, bittersweet chocolate fondue with fruit skewers, and coconut-raisin flan. The ivory-frosted wedding cake was adorned with a sash of cymbidium orchids, and guests selected slices from their choice of carrot, strawberry, and chocolate layers. 120
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Just as guests were enjoying their treats, a Junkanoo parade began filing into the room as a surprise from Jeanne’s parents. The energetic group of entertainers dressed in brightly colored costumes danced to a rhythmic accompaniment of drums, trumpets, and trombones in a style reminiscent of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. “No one — including my 82-year-old grandmother — could resist the infectious beat of the drums,” reveals the bride, “and everybody started dancing.” The dance floor was filled until the clock struck midnight, when everyone headed to the resort’s exclusive nightclub for an after party. Half of the club’s trendy room was dedicated to Jeanne and Jay, with couches and lounge chairs situated to create their own VIP area. Guests later departed for their luxurious Atlantis suites to rest up for the beach party planned for the next day. “Jeanne and I both have outgoing personalities and like to share our life with our friends,” says the groom, “so we enjoyed spending an extra day with [our loved ones].” A 10-day honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica extended the couple’s island romance, and was a fitting conclusion to their exciting NICOLE PALACIOS SILVA celebration in paradise.
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Ipsum dolor sit amet consectetaur adipisicing elit, sed do eusmod temper undid. Ut eplori Read about how a celebrity couple ties the knot.
12 FEATURE On the Cover Celebrity Couple Jay Christian and Jeanne tie the knot in the Bahamas. Photo courtesy of Kevin V. Williams & World Wide Vacations
3 Black Bride & Groom February 2009
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DreamsDo ComeTrue!
12 magazine September 2008
Celebrity Wedding Jeanne Roberts’ Fairytale Wedding in Paradise” By Loretta Smith
I
t was love at first sight for Jeanne Delores Roberts (age 29; transactional attorney at St. Louis based Armstrong Teasdale LLC) and Jay Christian Johnson (age 29, project manager overseeing renovations of properties) when they met in March 2002 thanks to the efforts of a mutual matchmaker friend. It took five years but Jay finally proposed in August 2007 at a major league baseball game. His proposal was captured on a “kissing cam” and
thousands cheered as Jeanne happily agreed to become his wife. September 2008 magazine 13
REAL WEDDINGS and ivory roses, hydrangea and stargazer lilies, against a backdrop of ancient stone archways. He wore a robe previously owned by the bride’s maternal grandfather, the late Rev. Herman Gore, Sr. in tribute to his memory. Guests sat on gold Chivari chairs under two decorated tents and kept cool in the Caribbean heat with bottled water, moist towels and handheld fan programs. A string quartet strummed soft tunes and a 10-member choir performed two selections. Guests had gotten their first glimpse of the excitement to come through save-the-date cards mimicking boarding passes and elaborate passport-style wedding invitations. Both reflected the color palette of the bride’s pink and green AKA Sorority colors. Five bridesmaids wore green and five wore pink Watters and Watters Duchess satin strapless dropped-waist gown. The flower girl fit in perfectly with the romantic surroundings wearing a sleeveless satin dress with a tulle overskirt filled with rose petals that danced as she walked down the aisle. The bride looked model-gorgeous in her silk and satin custommade mermaid-style gown designed by Lea-Ann Belter. Jimmy Choo shoes, 15 carats of family jewels and a Toni Federici chapel-length veil adorned with Swarovski crystal accents, a couture waltz-length cage veil and a classic blusher completed the bride’s elegant look.
The Cloisters, a majestic 14th century French monastery at The One & Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island, Bahamas which boasts stunning Atlantic Ocean views proved the perfect setting for the August 30, 2008 nuptials. Rev. Joseph Cazer, the bride’s uncle, performed the double-ring ceremony under a chiffondraped pergola dripping with pink, green
14 magazine September 2008
After the ceremony, 300 guests (including TV’s Judge Glenda Hatchett; Reuben Cannon, Hollywood casting director and movie/TV producer; Karen Longley Gordy, Berry Gordy’s daughter-in-law and Ione Jamison, wife of NBA starting forward Antwan Jamison ) were shuttled to The Atlantis Resort for a cocktail reception where they enjoyed more champagne, mixed drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres. During the seated dinner in the ballroom, guests feasted on grilled chicken, lamb chops, petit beef filet, lobster, shrimp, crab claws, tuna, swordfish, mahi mahi, sushi and sashimi.
Centerpieces featuring submerged green cymbidium orchids and huge clusters of lilies, roses and hydrangea; green cerise matte satin cloths; and pink orchids tucked into silky green napkins accented the tables. Pink and green lighting added to the ambience. “I asked for a table for the entire bridal party instead of the traditional sweetheart table,” Jay says. The bridal party included the bride’s best friend from college and maid of honor Keshia Knight Pulliam, world renown for her role as “Rudy Huxtable” on The Cosby Show, and bridesmaid Aliké Boggan, a Deal or No Deal model. The Bachelor finalist Cheresse Pentella served as one of 10 hostesses. After the newlyweds’ first dance to “Adore” by Prince, the toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss and garter throw, the guests were surprised and delighted by a junkanoo rush, an energetic, colorful parade of brightly costumed dancers and musicians gyrating and dancing to the rhythmic accompaniment of drums, trumpets and trombones, reminiscent of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. The guests
could not resist the infectious beat of the music and everyone including the bride’s 82-year-old maternal grandmother started dancing. A 15-piece Bahamian band, The Visage, took over the musical reins for the rest of the evening. “Guests were having such a good time dancing, no one wanted to leave,” says Jay. Each guest was gifted with a Tortuga rum cake when the evening finally ended. The next day, guests were shuttled to the Roberts Castle On The Beach in Nassau for a splash party hosted by the bride’s parents. Guests were able to swim in the pool or Atlantic Ocean, jet ski, sunbathe on the pristine white sand beaches on either side of the house, relax in a hot tub, view a slide show of the wedding ceremony, read a “personalized” newspaper with “articles” about the couple and enjoy exotic Bahamian food and another junkanoo rush. A 10-day honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica extended the couple’s island romance and was a fitting conclusion to their exciting celebration in paradise.
VENDORS Wedding site: Reception site: Wedding Planner: Photographer: Invitations: Wedding program: Wedding gown:
The Cloisters, Paradise Island, Bahamas Atlantis Resort Mrs. Jeanne Gore Roberts Kevin V. Williams of the Bahamas Sandi Spells Design Kimberly Buchanan Lea-Ann Belter (custom)
Headpiece/veil: Jewelry: Bridesmaids gowns: Mother of the bride: Flower Girl: Floral Design:
Toni Federici Shawn Paul Custom Fine Jewelers Watters & Watters Les Habitudes, Beverly Hills, CA Us Angels Island Destinations Services Ltd
September 2008 magazine 15
Weddings Noir
Alive, october 2008
Town & Country, may 2009
St. Louis Magazine, 2009
St. Louis M
agazine’s
2009
From Gorg eous Gow ns to Expert A Your Ultim dvice, ate Guide to
Bridal Bliss
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j& j Jeanne Roberts and Jay Johnson Date: August 30, 2008 Ceremony: The Cloisters, a 14th-century French monastery on Paradise Island, Bahamas, with the bride’s uncle, the Rev. Joseph Cazer, presiding Reception: The Atlantis Resort, where the newlyweds danced to Prince’s “Adore” and Bahamian music; the next day, guests were transported to the Roberts family Castle on the Beach in Nassau—the bride is the daughter of developer Michael Roberts Sr.—for a splash party Who’s Who: The wedding party included maid of honor Keshia Knight Pulliam of The Cosby Show and bridesmaid Aliké Boggan of Deal or No Deal. Guests included TV’s Judge Glenda Hatchett and former ambassador to Tanzania Charles Stith. Photographer: Kevin V. Williams
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Copyright 2009 Loretta Smith All pictures used with permission.