…When you find your soulmate, you stop searching, become one and make plans to live happily ever after. This is exactly what happened when New York resident Jamil Allen, environmental engineer at Stepan Company, met Sabrina Catherine Campbell, environmental, health and safety manager at NBCUniversal. The two tied the knot at the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay on July 23. Vows shares their journey to the altar and highlights of their spectacular three-day nuptials.

We met, according to Jamil…

… in the summer of 2006 at Penn State University where we were in the Civil Engineering Programme, but in different capacities. I was a tutor and she was a student. We were just cool at the time; in fact, she was dating someone else. As engineers we’d started spending a lot of time with each other. Our relationship happened organically. Neither of us saw it coming. Nine years later, we’re getting married in Jamaica, and I couldn’t be happier.

Sabrina’s version…

…We were in a long-distance relationship for three years post-graduation; Jamil was on the west coast, and I on the east. For some time we were even living in different countries. I studied abroad in South East Asia. Jamil proposed to me shortly after our last move in 2013. The proposal itself was amazing.

He told me we were going out on a date (I figured we were going to dinner); however, we ended up (it appeared) at this random place in New York City. It was in fact an art studio. The scene was romantic: the lights were dimmed; there were cupcakes, a bouquet of flowers, and a bottle of wine. A playlist of all of our favourite songs was in rotation as we enjoyed a private painting lesson. Our easels were back to back, so we couldn’t see each other’s painting. At the end of the session we walked over to my painting and talked about it. Then we walked over to his… ‘Will You Marry Me?’ were the words he had painted. He went down on one knee and proposed. That, by the way, was just the beginning of a fun-filled evening. A car took us to a lounge where all our closest friends were waiting for us. Dinner followed and yet another surprise — my family at the restaurant!

A Destinaton Wedding

Our love for travel and my family being Jamaican made our decision to tie the knot in Montego Bay a no-brainer. We dreamed of hosting an event that wouldn’t just last one night, but would be a true celebration of our union; an occasion in which both sides of our family and friends would become well-acquainted. After a scouting trip we decided on the Half Moon in Montego Bay because of their exceptional service, professionalism and breathtaking vista.

Day 1… There was a welcome reception for guests at the ocean-front villas. Each received a welcome bag stocked with items that were peculiar to Jamaica and included the itinerary for the evening and the days ahead.

Day 2… The wedding took place at the Lily Pond Gazebo and Royal Pavilion.

The elegant affair featured colours of gold, rose gold, pink, and ivory. Thanks to wedding planner Shanoya Watson, Jamil and Sabrina saw their vision of an ethereal atmosphere “to give the ceremony a natural and organic vibe” realised. To make the ceremony that much more more personable, Jamil’s brother, Floyd Allen, officiated the nuptials.

Sabrina wore a Pnina Tornai ball gown from Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan, with a ribbed corset and delicate layers of silk organza. A slender belt added an extra touch of sophistication. On her feet were Jimmy Choo diamond-encrusted shoes. Her bridal bouquet comprised cream roses and white dendrobium orchids. The bridesmaids wore one-shoulder gold Adrianna Papell gowns and each carried a posy of bird of paradise flowers.

Jamil was dapper in a royal blue Hugo Boss tuxedo with a matching bow tie and a white dendrobium orchid boutonnière. The groomsmen, his brothers Floyd and Maurice, and best friends aka the Four Life Crew, opted for similar navy blue suits with bird of paradise boutonnières.

The reception was resort-fab with a wonderful mélange of old and new reggae and various American genres. Guests feasted on surf and turf ahead of the formalities.

Day 3… A farewell catamaran cruise.

Jamil and Sabrina are headed to South Africa for their December honeymoon with stops in Cape Town, Mauritius, and Johannesburg.