For Press & Standard
Andrew and Abbiegail(Hamilton) Hugine, formerly of Green Pond, celebrated their “50th Wedding Anniversary” on December 23, 2022 at the Lowcountry Conference Center in Summerville. The celebration was the idea of their children, Andrew Hugine, III and Akilah Hugine Elmore who served as the event planner. The elegant affair co-hosted by Renee Hamilton who served as the flower girl and Eric Frasier who served as the ring bearer in 1972.
The couple was married at what is now known as White Hall AME Church with Dr. George Hamilton performing the ceremonies. Dr. Hamilton officiated at the couple’s 25th Anniversary celebration and participated again at their 50th. Other ministers who offered prayers were Rev. Allen Parrot, Rev. Jack Lewis, Jr., and Rev. Robert K. White who also participated in the silver anniversary celebration.
The couple was escorted by their grandchildren Amir and Nylah with their son Andrew Hugine, III and his wife Karen and Akilah Elmore and her son Kal-el serving as the “Anniversary Wedding Party”. Special guests included the wedding party from 1972: Brenda Perkins, Benita Brown, Martha Adams, Theresa Hamilton, Walter Fields and Isiah Hamilton, III.
Toasts were offered by Sadie and Steven Jarvis of Orangeburg for the past; Brenda and Stefanie Davis of Huntsville, Alabama for the present; and Jasmine Brown and Delvin Brown, Godchildren of the couple, for the future. Music for the program was provided by Sheniece Smith pianist, Deborah Hamilton Frazier who sang “Center of My Joy,” for the entrance and Benjamin Abraham was the DJ.
The couple’s first dance was performed to “Just as Long as you Need Me” by the Independents, which was the first record Andrew gave to Abbiegail and concluded with “Loving You is Sweeter than Ever” by the Four Tops, Abbiegail’s favorite group.
The over 200 invited guests viewed many artifacts including Abbie’s wedding dress, the 1972 and 1997 cake toppers, videos and pictures of the couple. Cecil Williams who took Abbiegail’s 1972 wedding dress portrait was the photographer for the event. To commemorate the milestone, Andrew gave Abbiegail a specially designed tri-band diamond ring with the three bands representing the couple with God at the center; forever love—past, present, and future; and the five center cluster diamonds denoting their five decades of marriage. .
