paradise found: the wedding of jeanne & jay johnson

LParadise Foundmedia album for the wedding of

Jeanne Delores Roberts to Jay Christian Johnson

August 30, 2008 Paradise Island, Bahamas

C R E D I T S Design & Production

Gloria Marconi Illustration & Design

Photography Kevin Williams (Bahamas) [email protected]

Media Relations Margo E. Williams & Associates, Inc.

(313)618-3168

Wedding Publicity SpecialistLoretta Smith

(202)758-0397

THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO WEDDINGS WITH STYLE

WINTER 2009

DISPLAY UNTIL MARCH 31,2009

the runway issueplus gift registry, fine jewelry, fashion accessories,

honeymoon hot spots, gracious gifts, and great discoveries

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have to like my gown?Do I have the last

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etiquette expertAnnaPostanswers your

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FeaturedMagazine Articles

St. Louis Bride & Groom, winter /spring 2009

Jet, may 2009

THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO WEDDINGS WITH STYLE

WINTER 2009

DISPLAY UNTIL MARCH 31,2009

the runway issueplus gift registry, fine jewelry, fashion accessories,

honeymoon hot spots, gracious gifts, and great discoveries

Does my mother

have to like my gown?

Do I have the last

word on bridesmaiddresses?

Can I really tell his

mom what to wear?

etiquette expert

AnnaPostanswers your

attire questions

RECEPTIONSTYLE

275BRIDAL

GOWNSTHE LATEST STYLES FROM YOUR

FAVORITE COUTURE DESIGNERS

photographs of

cakes, centerpieces, décor,

invitations, and favors178

+

INSIDE W

EDDING

SThe insider’s guide to weddings with style

www.insideweddings.comW

INTER 2009

COVER 91 US +

SPINE:IW91 12

/1/08 8:42 AM

Page 1

Inside Weddings, winter 2009

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BeautyDesiree Chisholm, hair & makeupBridal DesignerLea-Ann BelterBridal SalonTown and Country Bridal BoutiqueBridesmaidsWatters Caterer/CakeAtlantisEntertainmentVisage, receptionFloral DesignIsland Destination ServicesFlowergirlsUs AngelsFormalwear Savvi Formalwear, groom &groomsmenHoneymoonGrand Lido Negril Resort & SpaInvitations/Calligraphy Sandi Spells DesignJewelryShawn Paul JewelryLighting DesignIsland Destination ServicesMother’s GownLes Habitudes, MOBPhotographerKevin Williams RegistriesCrate and BarrelNeiman MarcusSaks Fifth AvenueWilliams-SonomaRehearsal DinnerLuciano’s of ChicagoRentals/LinensIsland Destination ServicesShoesJimmy ChooVenueThe Cloisters, ceremonyAtlantis, receptionVideographerN. L. Aubrey Smith

118 WINTER 2009 INSIDE WEDDINGS.COM

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JEANNE ROBERTS & JAY JOHNSONAUGUST 30, 2008 PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEVIN WILLIAMS



Island in the sunWhen Jeanne Roberts and Jay Johnson imagined their perfect

wedding, they envisioned an island celebration that would wow theirguests. “We wanted a few days of festivities and relaxation,” saysJeanne of the couple’s inspiration to have a destination wedding.Since the bride had beautiful memories of vacationing at her family’sNassau beach house, the Bahamas seemed like the perfect location.“And scheduling the event over Labor Day weekend made it easierfor guests to make the trip,” Jeanne adds.

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The bride and her mother confidently took the planningreins, and Jay happily went along with everything. “Alwaysagree,” he laughingly advises other grooms. The decision tohold the ceremony at The Cloisters on Paradise Island was aneasy one (“It’s magical!” exclaims the bride), and the imported14th-century French monastery was indeed a stunning backdropfor the couple’s nuptials.

As attendees arrived at the hilltop landmark overlooking Nassauharbor, they were promptly offered ice-cold lemonade andchilled towels to keep the heat at bay; even the programs werecleverly shaped as fans to help keep everyone comfortable.Brilliant white tents shaded loved ones from the balmy sun, anda 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 fitin flawlessly with the tents’ billowing white fabric. A stringquartet played traditional music as bridesmaids made their waydown the petal-strewn aisle dressed alternately in gowns of softpink and sea green. Then, Jeanne emerged to the sounds ofWagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” wearing a stunning mermaid-stylegown and carrying a bountiful bouquet of cascading lilies, roses,and cymbidium orchids. “Even though there were over 300guests staring at me, they all disappeared as I looked up at Jay,”she recalls. When the vow exchange led by Jeanne’s uncle wascomplete, a 10-member Baptist choir sang robust versions of“Oh Happy Day” and “Together Forever.”



The energetic vocals served as the perfect segue into therousing reception at the island’s famed Atlantis resort. Bouncingbeams of light in shades of pink and green brightened thevenue’s opulent ballroom, while arrangements of cymbidiumorchids, stargazer lilies, roses, and hydrangea dotted everytable with the same punchy hues. Each large centerpiece wassurrounded by three mini arrangements of fluffy hydrangeablossoms with tall ivory candles. For added appeal, orchidswere tucked into silky pink napkins at every place setting.

Buffet stations offered guests a meal fit for a king. Selections ofgrilled chicken, lamb chops, petit beef filet, lobster, shrimp, crabclaws, tuna, swordfish, mahi mahi, sushi, sashimi, and anassortment of fresh salads and bite-sized delicacies were allincluded in the sumptuous menu. Next, dozens of desserts wereset out, including Bacardi-rum baba (a sweet bread soaked inliquor), 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 wasadorned with a sash of cymbidium orchids, and guests selectedslices from their choice of carrot, strawberry, and chocolate layers.

Just as guests were enjoying their treats, a Junkanoo paradebegan filing into the room as a surprise from Jeanne’s parents.The energetic group of entertainers dressed in brightlycolored costumes danced to a rhythmic accompaniment ofdrums, trumpets, and trombones in a style reminiscent of NewOrleans’ Mardi Gras. “No one — including my 82-year-oldgrandmother — 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 foran after party. Half of the club’s trendy room was dedicated toJeanne and Jay, with couches and lounge chairs situated tocreate their own VIP area. Guests later departed for theirluxurious Atlantis suites to rest up for the beach party plannedfor the next day. “Jeanne and I both have outgoing personalitiesand 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’sisland romance, and was a fitting conclusion to their excitingcelebration in paradise. NICOLE PALACIOS SILVA



“With this

ring...”

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CREATING FABULOUS HAIRFind the perfect hairstyle for your wedding day.

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CELEBRITY COUPLERead about how a celebrity couple ties the knot.

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On the CoverCelebrity 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

contentSPRING 2009

inside

departments

12 magazine September 2008

It was love at �rst 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 e�orts of a mutual matchmaker friend. It took �ve years but Jay �nally 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.

FEATURE REAL WEDDINGS

September 2008 magazine 13

DreamsDoComeTrue!Celebrity Wedding

Jeanne Roberts’ Fairytale Wedding in Paradise”

By Loretta Smith

14 magazine September 2008

REAL WEDDINGS

September 2008 magazine 15

VENDORSWedding site: The Cloisters, Paradise Island, BahamasReception site: Atlantis ResortWedding Planner: Mrs. Jeanne Gore RobertsPhotographer: Kevin V. Williams of the BahamasInvitations: Sandi Spells DesignWedding program: Kimberly BuchananWedding gown: Lea-Ann Belter (custom)

Headpiece/veil: Toni FedericiJewelry: Shawn Paul Custom Fine JewelersBridesmaids gowns: Watters & WattersMother of the bride: Les Habitudes, Beverly Hills, CAFlower Girl: Us AngelsFloral Design: Island Destinations Services Ltd

�e Cloisters, a majes-tic 14th century French monastery at �e One & Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island, Ba-hamas 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 ceremo-ny under a chi�on-draped pergola drip-ping with pink, green

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 so� tunes and a 10-member choir performed two selections.

Guests had gotten their �rst glimpse of the excitement to come through save-the-date cards mimicking boarding passes and elaborate passport-style wedding invitations. Both re�ected the color palette of the bride’s pink and green AKA Sorority colors. Five bridesmaids wore green and �ve wore pink Watters and Watters Duchess satin strapless dropped-waist gown. �e �ower girl �t in per-fectly with the romantic surroundings wearing a sleeve-less satin dress with a tulle overskirt �lled with rose pet-als that danced as she walked down the aisle. �e bride looked model-gorgeous in her silk and satin custom-made 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 crys-tal accents, a couture waltz-length cage veil and a classic blusher completed the bride’s elegant look.

A�er the ceremony, 300 guests (including TV’s Judge Glenda Hatchett; Reuben Cannon, Hollywood cast-ing 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 �e 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 �let, lobster, shrimp, crab claws, tuna, sword-�sh, mahi mahi, sushi and sashimi.

Centerpieces featuring submerged green cymbidium orchids and huge clusters of lilies, roses and hydrangea; green ce-rise 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 tra-ditional sweetheart table,” Jay says. �e 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 �e Cosby Show, and bridesmaid Aliké Bog-gan, a Deal or No Deal model. �e Bach-elor �nalist Cheresse Pentella served as one of 10 hostesses.

A�er the newlyweds’ �rst dance to “Adore” by Prince, the toasts, cake cut-ting, bouquet toss and garter throw, the guests were surprised and delighted by a junkanoo rush, an energetic, color-ful 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. �e guests

could not resist the infectious beat of the music and everyone including the bride’s 82-year-old maternal grandmother start-ed dancing. A 15-piece Bahamian band, �e 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 gi�ed with a Tortuga rum cake when the evening �nally ended.

�e next day, guests were shuttled to the Roberts Castle On �e 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” newspa-per 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 �tting conclusion to their exciting celebration in paradise.

Weddings Noir

Alive, october 2008

Town & Country, may 2009

January 2009 | stlmag.com | 59

St. Louis Magazine’s 2009

From Gorgeous Gowns to Expert Advice, Your Ultimate Guide toBridalBliss

Unveiled_CovTOC_0109.indd 59

12/4/08 11:18:20 AM

St. Louis Magazine, 2009

78 | stlmag.com | January 2009

Unveiled 2009

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

Unveiled_year0109.indd 78 12/4/08 3:03:58 PM

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paradise found: the wedding of jeanne & jay johnson

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