Fabulous and most fashionable is the best description we can give to the wedding on Sunday of Giovanna Black Thompson, of Blackstone Villa, Pembroke,and Annan Swammy, of Hackney, London.

They exchanged vows at St. Anne's Church, Southampton, with the Rev. Canon James Frances officiating. Guests witnessing the ceremony came from the UK, Canada, US, Guyana, the groom's homeland, as well as local family and friends.

The bride is the daughter of Ambercine Black. Her uncle, Hamilton businessman Artie Black, gave her in marriage. She is an outpatient financial clerk at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Her husband is a professional social worker who heads a staff of more than 200 at a hospital in Hertfordshire, England.

Attending the bride as maid of honour was Avery Emery; her maids were Chantelle Emery, Dr. Danielle Simons and Pamela Tuzo. Flower girl was Shahana Black.

The groom, who is from a family of ten, including seven sisters, was attended by his brother Neville Narine Swammy as best man, Lyndon Black, Christopher Edwards and Berwin Thomas. Young Suresh Black was ring bearer.

The bride was a picture of exquisite charm in her strapless pearl and crystal beaded designer dress, a 'Bernice' from London's Js Couture. Her headpiece was a glittering tiara that held in place a flowing veil. Her crystal and pearl neckpiece matched her earrings. Her El Sheddi bouquet was of white flowers and burgundy roses; each rose being embedded with a crystal. Her wedding ring with a dozen diamonds on each side encased her three-carat engagement ring. Also she wore silver sandals plaited with rhinestones.

The bride's attendants wore burgundy and gold saree gowns, and carried bouquets of white roses with rhinestones.

The groom was distinguished in his black tail jacket and striped pants. His cream waistcoat and matching cravet was accentuated by a red rose rhinestone boutonnière and two-tone black and burgundy brogues. The groomsmen were dressed in burgundy and gold paisley printed shalawas. The newlyweds hosted a dinner for 110 guests in the Harbour View Room of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel. Afterwards they set out for a honeymoon in Hawaii.

The groom's mother Mrs. Kadmi Swammy (his father Francis is deceased) headed the guests from the UK. Others included Mrs. Phyllis Edwards and son Christopher, Lilowtie Samie and Shanon Camara. Aubrey and Dorothy Pereira came from the US and from Canada came Feroz and Sandra Mohammed.

Our photos, courtesy of Ross Nearon of Memory Maker Photographers, show Giovanna solo; and with her bridal party. Her Guyanese-born husband, Annan Sami, who resides in London, is with his attendants. The father-giver Artie Black, on the right, is with some of the out-of-town guests leaving St. Anne's Church, Southampton.

I honestly confess that no one was more surprised than I was seeing my picture along with Joan Moore plastered all over the front page of the last issue of the Mid-Ocean News.

Yes, our engagement took place three days earlier. It was my intention after making a couple of personal phone calls, to modestly append something like a footnote to my next Island Notebook column. But I was the victim of a paparazzi-like scoop. In all likelihood I'll find out how it happened!

Meantime, we are thoroughly enjoying the notoriety and the courtship. Thanks a million!