Saturday, October 21, 2017 was the day chosen by Danielle Ana-Marie Henry, service support representative at Bank of Nova Scotia, Old Harbour, and Scean Anthony Barnswell, former mayor, councillor for Hayes Division Clarendon, to exchange vows at Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa in Runaway Bay, St Ann. Vows brings you the magical moments.

How they met

Danielle and Scean met at a social at the PNP headquarters in 2010. They both exchanged numbers and started to communicate but lost touch for a few years. They reconnected over lunch, however, shortly before Scean left for China and thereafter remained in touch. In fact, he became a frequent visitor to the family home in Mammee Bay, St Ann, where Danielle was born and raised.

The proposal

The proposal came in October 2015, during a weekend getaway for Danielle’s birthday. “We were there talking and he started to pour champagne,” recalls Danielle. “The Champagne toasts included ‘Here’s to many more years to come.’ I woke up the next morning to a box under my pillow with a ring in it and Scean asked me if I would do the honour of being his wife. Teary-eyed and quivering in disbelief, I said yes!”

Wedding plans commenced in earnest immediately.

The ceremony

Supported by close family and friends Danielle and Scean arrived at Jewel Paradise Cove, all set to embark on the most important journey of their lives.

The start of the proceedings was signalled by the arrival of the bridesmaids, who wore navy blue A-line chiffon gowns. They were escorted up the aisle to the Dixie Cups’ Going to the Chapel by the groomsmen clad in grey suits complemented by navy blue ties.

With The Piano Guys’ version of A Thousand Years as her wedding song, Danielle made her way up the aisle on the arm of her father, Sturge Henry. She was stunning in an Oleg Cassini ivory ball gown which featured a sweetheart neckline and embellished bodice. Plus, something old: a bracelet; something new: teardrop earrings; something borrowed: Pandora charm and something blue: a garter.

The groom, dapper in a three-piece navy blue suit by Nu Keith Tailoring, awaited his bride’s arrival.

Reverend Marvin Tracey officiated the ceremony, which included the exchange of vows, and a musical tribute by Lamoine Samuels and Robert Lee during the signing of the marriage certificate. To symbolise the joining of their families, the couple also performed the traditional blending of the sands ceremony.

The reception

… was held inside the Alexandrite Banquet Hall, Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa. The bridal party danced their way in to Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines featuring Pharrell and TI, and were soon followed by the newly-weds who made their entrance to Kool & the Gang’s Celebration. It was now over to the evening’s master of ceremonies, Deacon Owen Rodney, to handle the formalities which included the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to Gwen Guthrie & George Benson’s I’ll Give My Best To You. Other highlights included toasts, the cutting of the wedding cake made by the hotel, the shoe game which really had the guests’ attention as the newly-weds proved how well they knew each other (or thought they did). Formalities over, guests enjoyed a three-course meal ahead of further celebrations.

The honeymoon

The newly-weds commenced their honeymoon at the Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa ahead of moving to Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa.