Vows – Love, Faith & Destiny
A perfect love story was sealed on July 28, 2018 when Helton Allen, administrative supervisor at Miguel Baker & Associates, and Monique Bailey, data entry clerk, vowed to spend the rest of their lives together. Vows takes you to the altar.
How they met, as told by Helton
Monique and I knew each other as children growing up in Clarendon. In fact, we both attended the same basic and all-age schools — Soursop Turn Basic and Beulah All-Age — and even attended the same church, notably Bethel Temple Apostolic church, where casual greetings segued into friendship and then love. I’d like to believe that faith and destiny brought us together and kept us together.
Will you marry me?
The proposal came on March 3, 2018 at Hope Gardens. There was no need to ask twice. The official engagement and blessing took place in church on March 11, 2018.
The ceremony
The wedding was held at the Bethany Apostolic Fellowship Centre, Top Halse Hall, Clarendon, in a setting enhanced by shades of orange, purple and white.
At the altar stood the bridegroom, wearing a Spencer’s Tailoring two-piece grey suit, white dress shirt and orange tie.
As Etta James’s At Last filled the church, the bride, a pretty picture in a fit-and-flare white satin gown with sequinned capped sleeves and fascinator made by her, proceeded up the aisle to her groom. She was escorted by her father Pastor Miguel Baker Jr and clutched a bouquet of calla lilies.
The proceedings were officiated by Reverend Jeffrey Dawkins.
The reception
The reception was held in the ballroom at Dynasty Jamaica hotel where the shades of purple, orange and white were once again incorporated. The bridal party made their entrance to a medley of songs which included Wayne Marshall’s Glory to God, Pharrell’s Because I’m Happy and 24K Magic by Bruno Mars, after which the couple entered to Winning Right Now by Sasco and Sinach’s He Did It Again.
Guests enjoyed dinner courtesy of the hotel ahead of formalities which included the unveiling and cutting of the traditional wedding cake made by the bride and her friend Panzie Malcolm.
There were copious toasts to the newly-weds and moments of fun, laughter and encouragement.
Further highlights were the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to Ed Sheeran’s Perfect and Major’s This Is Why I Love You.
Later, guests danced the night away to selections from DJ Alvian Pryce.
The honeymoon
The newly-weds spent their honeymoon at Dynasty Jamaica Hotel and Shaw Park Beach Hotel and Spa.
