A love story 12 years in the making got its picture-perfect moment when Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania neuro-surgical/neurology nurse Michelle Paul and FlagShip Credit Acceptance collections manager Rouel Henry wed on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Borghinvilla, Discovery Bay. Vows brings you the magical moments.

How they met and the proposal, as told by Michelle

I met Rouel in summer 2007 at Cavanaugh’s River Deck, Philadelphia, where I was out with friends at a weekly reggae event. While leaving the dance floor, a gentleman asked me for a dance, which I politely declined. Rouel overheard and asked if I was okay, and I said yes. He then asked where I was from and I replied, Jamaica! He immediately turned around and said ‘really’. I laughed and a conversation developed in which he asked for my number and I declined. However, he was persistent and once he saw my phone on the table, he took it up and called his to get my number. He called me the same night to ensure that I got home safe. After playing phone tag for a few weeks, we went on our first date and have been inseparable ever since.

He proposed to me at home while watching a Philadelphia Eagles game. I had just been discharged from the hospital after being involved in a pedestrian-motor vehicle accident and we were there watching the games. During half-time, he started a conversation about marriage and began to talk about everything we had been through. I was there wondering what was behind his speech and giving him the side eye. At the end of his speech, he asked me to marry him. My initial response was one of shock and surprise but I said yes!

The ceremony

Borghinvilla, Discovery Bay, Jamaica was the appropriate venue for the couple’s minimalistic beach/cliffside wedding. The bridesmaids made their entrance to Bruno Mars’ Marry You dressed in one-shoulder, navy blue, maxi tulle dresses accessorised with gold hoop earrings. They were escorted by the groomsmen, who complemented them in grey custom-designed suits from Shakka Scott Fashion and Tailoring, Montego Bay.

With the strains of John Legend’s All of Me, guests watched Robert Paul walk his daughter up the aisle. The bride looking stunning in a Jason Alexander lace fit-and-flare gown with hand-placed embroidered lace details from The Wedding Factor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which she paired with Christian Louboutin shoes and Treasure570 custom-designed earrings. At the altar, Rouel awaited his bride. The ceremony was officiated by Bishop Conrad Pitkin, custos of St James.

The reception

A mix of rustic with navy blue and gold accents, as well as fairy light and pinpoint lighting, provided by Elite Media Concepts, created the perfect ambiance for the celebration. The head table featured an overhead floral arrangement with hanging flowers and tealight candles. The bridal party danced their way in to Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk featuring Bruno Mars and were soon followed by the newly-weds who made their entrance to Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic.

Post-formalities, guests enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal and witnessed the cutting of the three-tiered piña colada, vanilla and fruitcake with raspberry filling by Dominique Haughton. The reception was filled with lots of laughter and fun but the icing on the cake was the surprise guest appearance from ’80s reggae star Leroy Gibbons, who entertained with hits like This Magic Moment and Four Season Lover. The newly-weds and their guests danced the night away to a medley of Jamaican hits.

A honeymon is planned for a later date at Sandals Grande St Lucian, St Lucia and the Bahamas.