Shirly-Ann and Mark tie the knot

January 16, 2016
George Henry Shirly-Ann and Mark's bridal party.
George Henry Shirly-Ann and Mark posing for the cameras
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It was a bright and sunny afternoon on Boxing Day, 2015, when Shirly-Ann Brown and Mark Spencer stood before a large gathering of family members and specially invited guests to exchange marriage vows and wedding bands, as they took on the title of Mr and Mrs Spencer.

The two, who hail from White Shop in Clarendon, decided to stand before the gathering and Bishop Donovan Knight inside the Sanguinetti New Testament Church of God, making their marriage public and taking on each other as mate.

Shirly-Ann, dressed in traditional white wedding gown and white headpiece, was placed in the hands of Mark Spencer, approximately 1:30 p.m., by her eldest brother, Barrington Brown, after Spencer had waited for over an hour for his bride. By 1:53 p.m. and 1:56 p.m., respectively, Mark and Shirly-Ann completed saying their 'I do's'.

Bishop Knight's advice to the two, after they had completed saying their 'I dos', was that they were embarking on a new journey as they start a new home. He stressed that they should keep the compass of their life by walking in the light, which is to walk with Jesus.

"You will have to work on your marriage. A marriage without Jesus is useless. Whenever you feel like you want to quit, just knit and commit yourselves to Christ," instructed Bishop Knight.

Mr Spencer was advised by Bishop Knight that the moment the giveaway father presented the hand of the bride to him, he (Spencer) took full responsibility for her, and so when he said he took Shirly-Ann's hand from Barrington, and stated that he took her to be his lawfully wedded wife at approximately 2:08 p.m., that sealed the union.

The new Mr and Mrs Spencer had their wedding rings blessed by Bishop Knight after they listened to the pastor's instructions, and it was a pleasure watching them exchanging them as gifts, before placing them on each other's ring fingers.

Following the announcement by Bishop Knight at 2:15 p.m. that they were now man and wife, Mr Spencer was asked to kiss his mate in public for the first time. This brought loud thunderous applause from an appreciative audience. They signed the marriage register in the presence of the marriage officer and two witnesses.

The newlyweds and members of the bridal party marched out of the church for their picture-taking moments and their reception at the Spalding United Church Hall.

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