THE wedding of Neli C. Lima and Tafari K. Outerbridge was unique to say the least. In fact it was fabulously so, with more than 500 witnessing the exchange of vows, and even more at a reception at CedarBridge Academy.

They were united in the first ever rites in Bermuda of the Coptic Orthodox Church, solemnised with matrimonial prayers, incense, blessings with oil, ceremonial enthroning and crowning. It all happened with appropriate music at the altar of the Bermuda Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton.

Neli is an assistant medical underwriter at Argus Insurance. Bilingual, she is a graduate of Port Royal School, Whitney Institute and LaCouissre College in Montreal. Tafari is a dynamic young entrepreneur, owning and operating a taxi service, trucking and general construction business. He graduated from Berkeley Institute, having earlier attended Saltus. He is an honours graduate from Bloomfield College, N.J., earning a Bachelors Degree in management with a concentration in finance.

The ten-member bridal party included Neli's two Matrons of Honour Tamisha NcNair and Tracy Robinson. Tafari had two Best Men, Haile Outerbridge and Sekai Waldron.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Lima of Devonshire. The groom is a son of Mrs. Marilyn Outerbridge of Pembroke East, and the late Gladwyn Outerbridge, who was influential in establishment of the Coptic faith in Bermuda more than two decades ago.

Officiating at the ceremony was, Fr. Isaac El Antony, leader of St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox, Bermuda that holds services at St. Augustine Hill, Pembroke. Coptic services are similar to Greek Orthodox and other Eastern Orthodox faiths. Coptic is the Greek word for Egypt.