Sometimes the love of your life is right before your very eyes! It’s a matter of timing. That’s the love story of Yori Garrick, administrative manager, Gabspro Management Limited, and Michael Ellis, CAD engineer, Digicel Jamaica. It’s fair to say that the two had a less than favourable start.

Yori shared with Tuesday Style Vows (TSV) that they met at church several years ago, and neither one of them could stand to deal with the other.

“I would jokingly tease him about any and everything, from his clothes being too big for him, to being outdated in style.” He would give as good as he got even as he questioned why she always pressed his buttons. A mutual friend advised him to “get to know her; she’s a good person”. The advice was taken and hours of telephone calls later left them as solid friends.

“He discovered that I was a ‘catch’, possessing all the attributes he always wanted in a life partner,” an unapologetic Yori related to TSV. Michael for his part was quite clear in his intentions: to date and marry Yori. It was no idle boast! Within four months of dating he had bought the ring. The proposal followed a few months later.

The proposal

Michael already had Yori’s heart, but he went old-school to make things official by asking her father Basil Garrick’s permission to marry his daughter. The proposal took place thereafter at Yori’s family house witnessed by her loved ones.

“I chose to spend the rest of my life with him when I observed his similarities to my dad… his integrity and consistency, and ultimately when I was solidly grounded in the peace and will of God,” Yori shared with TSV.

Here comes the bride

On Saturday, January 6, 2024 around the poolside of a friend’s home in upper Saint Andrew and in a rustic setting of blush tones and teal, Yori commenced her walk up the aisle to the song I Found Love by Bebe Winans. She made quite the statement in a strapless Maggie Sottero gown from Bliss Bridal Boutique. Reverend Al Miller was the wedding officiant. The couple signed the register to Andre Peart’s moving rendition of
I Choose You by Ryann Darling.

The reception continued at the same venue featuring barnyard tables and decorative lights that, come dusk, transformed the space into the most intimate endroit, further enhanced by the comfort fare afforded by caterer Lisa Gabay. The cutting of the strawberry Joy of Food wedding cake followed ahead of the newly-weds’ first dance as husband and wife to the classic Luther Vandross hit, So Amazing
.

The newly-weds honeymooned at Jewel Grande in Montego Bay.