VOWS – A Destination Wedding
Sean Driscoll, son of retired teacher Antonia Driscoll and the late attorney-at-law James Driscoll, wed Rachel Garcia, daughter of city dispatcher Natividad Garcia and retired high school principal Florence Gonzalez, in a gorgeous wedding ceremony at Villas Sur Mer, Negril, Jamaica, on February 24. Vows shares their wedding story.
Akin to the classic I-knew-you-were-the-one wedding story, attorney-at-law Sean Driscoll met Rachel Garcia in court. The couple, you see, share the same occupation. “We would see each other in court all the time. One day as we were heading back to our respective offices, we both stopped at a crosswalk. As we stood there waiting to cross the street, Sean introduced himself to me and asked me if I wanted to join him for coffee,” Rachel told Vows.
This invitation led to a two-year courtship. Though they both agree that the relationship was a tad “on and off” during the first year, destiny would always bring them back together.
“Sean proposed at the crosswalk where we first met,” Rachel told Vows. On a hot summer day in Chicago – July 2, 2011 — to be exact, Sean convinced Rachel to meet him at the crosswalk where they had their first encounter. As she approached him, an unusual sight caught her attention and she beckoned to Sean to view another couple getting engaged across the street. Imagine her surprise when she turned and saw Sean on his knees handing her an engagement ring! Of course, she said yes! The couple shared the news with family and friends the following night at the post-engagement rendezvous, which took place at the location where they shared their first date.
The nuptials took place on Sunday, February 24 in the presence of family members and close friends at Villas Sur Mer, Negril, Jamaica. Rachel was stunning in a gorgeous mermaid fitted gown with lace, reminiscent of sea foam, complemented by Badgley Mischka peep-toe pumps. She was escorted by her father Natividad Garcia to her eager bridegroom, who looked dapper in a light grey custom-made Sebastian Grey suit with blue lining.
Officiating was Reverend Joseph Campbell.
The bridal party, consisting of maid of honour Melissa Blankinship, bridesmaids Darice Irons and Amanda Ziemann, best man Mike India and groomsmen Jim Coogan and Andrew Sicnolf, made their way with the guests to the Seaside Villa at Villas Sur Mer for the wedding reception.
Wedding coordinator Ophellia McKnight of Bridal Affair Destinations complied with the couple’s request to use Garcia’s two favourite colours: cobalt blue and orange: coincidentally the colours of the Chicago Bears football team of which Sean and Rachel are fervent fans.
The couple’s first dance as husband and wife was to the indie and unconventional beats of The Lumineers’ Ho, Hey before they savoured the chocolate, peanut butter, funfetti, red velvet and rum sponge cupcakes prepared by Alecia James — a fun option instead of the traditional tiered wedding cake.
The newly-weds travelled back to their hometown of Chicago, but are currently in the midst of planning a two-week honeymoon trip to the romantic European country of Spain.
