After a six-year courtship, Donovan Phillipps, an Information Management Associate at XEROX Services, wed Critical Care Nurse Shauna Williams at the Alhambra Inn & Restaurant in Kingston, witnessed by an intimate gathering of close family and friends. VOWS recounts Donovan and Shauna’s journey to the altar.

How They Met (Shauna’s version)...

After a horrible break-up during my college days, I found it hard to bounce back and start dating again. I’d always complain to my girlfriend Kara about finding the “perfect” guy. One day in particular, I told her there were no good single guys out there that were also easy on the eyes. I listed a few characteristics for my “perfect guy” checklist, and she immediately referred her cousin Donovan, along with his MSN address. At first I was hesitant, but I sent him the request and we started chatting.

Donovan is quite persuasive, and would ask me out on dates quite often, but I was more interested in taking things slow this time around. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I finally acquiesced. The evening went well, and after several follow-up dates, we made it official.

The Proposal (Donovan reminisces)…

I’m not a romantic by any stretch of the imagination, which made planning the proposal all the more sentimental. I dug deep within the emotion I had long felt for Shauna and planned a surprise that she could not refuse. The scene was at poolside. The pool was covered in white rose petals, and the pathway next to it lined with candles. Tealight candles floated in the pool and soft pepper lights glowed in the distance.

Violinist Leah Singh played La Vie En Rose as Shauna walked towards me. I stood at the end of the pathway, holding a bottle of Champagne. On a table beside me was the engagement ring, surrounded by candles. As she got closer, she started crying, which was my cue. I went down on one knee and proposed. We all know what came next. I planned a surprise bridal shower at Serendipity Holistic Resort and Spa before throwing a bachelor party days later.

The Ceremony…

Guests were seated and awaiting the processional led by Pastor Wayne Palmer. The New Levels Décor team selected dusty rose, ivory and gold tones to transform the Alhambra Inn & Restaurant into an enchanting landscape.

The Piano Guys 65 Years In The Making played as Donovan walked to the altar, dapper in a tapered black suit with an ivory tie and vest from from Beautiful Brides & Mr Tux. The groomsmen followed in similar attire, and wore dusty rose ties and vests. Bridesmaid Camille Williams and maid of honour Gail Lyn-Sue followed to a cover of Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years by The Piano Guys.

Shauna wore a sweetheart-neckline gown with a mermaid silhouette and lace overlay. Her good luck charm, a henna tattoo, was inscribed by The Face Place Henna artist Nicky Williams. Make-up artist Tonisha Kong created a soft smokey eye, and added a pop of blush pink to Shauna’s lips. Her hair, in a half up-do, was secured by a cathedral veil with a lace appliquéd trim from Petals & Promises. Florist Jackie Evans made the bouquets of pink and crème roses in a cluster of baby’s breath. Pastor Palmer pronounced them husband and wife, and the newly-weds crossed the ‘T’s and dotted the ‘I’s, then poured pink and white sand to further reinforce their commitment to each other. They left the altar to Marry You by Bruno Mars.

The Reception…

The enchanting romantic theme followed through to the poolside for the reception. During cocktail hour, ahead of their introduction, the bridal party was whisked away for photographs. Guests were up on their feet and festively engaged as the wedding party entered to Burn by Ellie Goulding, which was also played for the introduction of the newly-weds. Pastor Wayne Palmer blessed the sumptuous fare from the Alhambra Inn kitchen.

Mother of the bride Cheryl Williams, and Donovan’s aunt Marcia Chin unveiled the

three-tiered traditional rum cake made by Clara Bent, which had a white fondant overlay, pink rose and baby’s breath flora, and a whimsical bride and groom cake topper.

Theresa and Donna-Lue Carey led toasts to the parents of the bride, followed by toasts to the groom’s parents by Michael Budhal. Toasts to the bride and groom by maid of honour Gail Lyn-Shue and Donovan’s best friend Ransford Sherwood. The single ladies and bachelors then moved to the dancefloor for the bouquet and garter toss. Donovan and Shauna then shared their first dance as husband and wife to Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran. The newly-weds shared a four-day honeymoon at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean Hotel in Runaway Bay.