It was supposed to have been the ultimate set-up — just not for her! When cyber-security engineer Janelle Daley-Worrell initially sought to play matchmaker for production manager Joel Barrett, she had no idea he secretly only had eyes for her. In a delightful twist of fate, her carefully mapped-out plans gave way to a far more beautiful reality!

Janelle could scarcely have imagined that partying at Miami Carnival in October 2015 would change the trajectory of her life. Amidst the infectious soca energy, she first crossed paths with Joel. However, her focus was far from romance. Ironically, she was actually busy playing matchmaker for him.

“My friend’s cousin had a crush on him, so naturally, I stepped into my role as matchmaker, trying to nudge them together. Joel, however, wasn’t interested — and in the most respectful way, he politely declined,” Janelle shared with Tuesday Style Vows (TSV)
. “What I didn’t realise then was that his eyes were already set on someone else — me.”

Joel found himself instantly drawn to Janelle — even if he wasn’t quite ready to admit it to her. “‘She looked good’. That’s what I said to my friends. After that, I kept that attraction to myself. I never spoke about it but there was always something about Janelle’s energy that drew me to her,” Joel said.

What followed was a near-decade-long friendship defined by a shared passion for food and adventure. Even when distance separated them — with Janelle based in New York and Joel in Atlanta — their connection remained strong. Travels to Ghana and Tennessee at the dawn of 2024 hinted at a deeper connection, but navigating a medical emergency together ultimately cemented their bond.

“All I cared about was being there for her and making sure she was okay. We later found out she had contracted malaria from our trip to Ghana, and seeing her in that condition was overwhelming. But in that moment, I knew I wasn’t going anywhere — I was going to be by her side no matter what,” Joel confessed. “After she recovered, we spent a lot of time talking about our passions, our desires, and what we truly wanted in life. The way we felt when we were together was something we never wanted to lose. That’s when we knew — this was it.”

Having started the year side by side, they would bookend 2024 in the most beautiful way when Joel proposed to Janelle on December 7, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Joel had meticulously planned a romantic proposal. However, after a night of bar-hopping and fun, Janelle slept straight through the original proposal date of December 6. Undeterred, Joel quickly improvised to ensure the dream proposal still unfolded perfectly the next day.

“I took her up to the top of the observatory and played it off like we were creating content for a page we hadn’t even started yet. The plan was simple — she’d come around the corner, and I’d be waiting on one knee,” Joel told TSV. “But this is Janelle we’re talking about. Before I was even ready, she caught my reflection in the glass and yelled, ‘I see you! I see you!’ — completely blowing the surprise. To make matters worse, the wind knocked over my camera, so there’s zero footage of the actual proposal. No drone shots, no perfect set-up — just a completely unplanned, imperfect moment that somehow fit us perfectly. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Two years after their perfectly imperfect proposal, the pair celebrated their dream wedding in Jamaica at Princess Grand Jamaica Hotel in Hanover on April 19. Though Hurricane Melissa forced a postponement of their original November 1, 2025 date, the brief delay did nothing to dampen the occasion.

Tasked with creating magic, Petals and Promises beautifully transformed the space to mirror the couple’s vision of a tropical paradise for the venue they playfully dubbed ‘Barrett Island’.

Resplendent in a mermaid gown from Zenne Moda Fashion, Janelle, escorted by her parents, Trevor Worrell and Carlene Daley, glided up the aisle to the strains of Major’s
Why I Love You. Witnessed by their nearest and dearest, Janelle and Joel exchanged vows under the guidance of Reverend Glenroy Clarke.

The reception was filled with warmth as loved ones toasted the newly-weds following dinner. Taking centre stage, Janelle’s mother, Carlene, delivered a poignant tribute through a visual journey of photos spanning childhood to adulthood, celebrating her daughter’s evolution and happiness.

“She shared some of my baby pictures, and it really felt like her proud mommy moment — it was so personal, emotional, and full of love. It meant a lot to see that side of her and share that moment together,” Janelle said.

The couple then cut their three-tiered wedding cake, before they opened the dance floor to Get Lifted (Cloud 9 Remix) by John Legend and Spend My Life With You by Eric Benét.

The newly-weds chose Bali for their honeymoon.

Janelle and Joel share a quiet moment before the ceremony. (Photos: Dacx Productions)

Janelle is escorted up the aisle by her mum Carlene Daley and dad Trevor Worrell to Major’s Why I Love You.

Guided by Reverend Glenroy Clarke, Janelle and Joel say their I do’s. 

Joyfully walking down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife are Mr and Mrs Joel Barrett!

Congratulating Joel and Janelle are Janelle’s dad Trevor Worrell (seated), her mum Carlene Daley (left), Joel’s dad Devin Barton and his mum Betsy Barton-Rolling.

Flanked by their bridal party, Joel and Janelle celebrate their union.

Joel and Janelle prepare to toast their nuptials with Veuve Clicquot.

Janelle and Joel enjoy their first dance as husband and wife to Get Lifted (Cloud 9 Remix) by John Legend and Spend My Life With You by Eric Benét.