Vows – A Jamaican dream wedding

Emily Fulheihan — daughter of Carolyn

and Farid Fuleihan — and Jamie Covington — son of Sally and Dewey Covington – tied the knot on

May 11, 2013 on The Quiet Beach at The Tryall Club, Hanover, after more than five years of courtship.

Vows shares their journey to the altar…

hey met on Memorial Day weekend in May of 2007, but unknown to them, they were creating a memory to be forever cherished. Emily, at the time, was living in New York, while Jamie, a former naval officer, was a student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. As fate would have it, they were both in Wilmington visiting a mutual friend for a beach weekend. The friends had to attend an engagement party on the night they arrived, so they ended up preparing their own dinner together. Sparks flew in the kitchen and they began dating from that moment onward. In a matter of months, Emily moved to North Carolina to be with him and their relationship continued to progress.

Jamie completed his degree and then got a job in Afghanistan after graduation. Emily also got a new job and ended up moving to Washington, DC. The distance, however, only made them yearn for each other even more, so they racked up many travel miles ensuring their connection was maintained. When Jamie completed his overseas contract, he moved to Washington to be with Emily, as by then he was certain that she would become his bride.

Fast-track to Christmas 2012, five-and-a-half years later, and the couple was in St Louis visiting Emily’s family. While the family was opening presents for her mother on Christmas Eve night as she had an early morning flight, Jamie asked Emily to retrieve a box from beneath the tree without a label. She was very moved by the gesture, thinking he too had bought a gift for her mother, but he then surprised her by letting her know that it was hers. Upon opening it, she found that it was empty. Jamie then got on his knee, produced the ring, and popped the question, to which she whispered, “Yes”.

Their wedding plans commenced almost instantly, and the couple was excited to incorporate elements of their lives and relationship into the big day. Since they both attended college in North Carolina, and Jamie is from the beach area of the city, they wanted to work in a few Southern details. Emily decided on blue mason jars, burlap runners and hydrangeas. The next step was figuring out a location, and Jamaica proved the perfect place for the nuptials, especially as they would have to postpone their official honeymoon due to Jamie’s work commitments. They chose the beautiful Tryall Club in Hanover, where wedding coordinator Melissa Forbes, along with Olive Hines of Tai Flora Luxe, brought their Jamaican dream wedding to life.

The big day was even more beautiful than they envisioned. The bride and groom got dressed at the Bougainvillea House ahead of their ceremony, which was officiated by Reverend Courtney Walters, by The Quiet Beach before an intimate group of family and friends. Emily was the picture of loveliness as she made her way up the aisle to meet a beaming Jamie, the sounds of Pachelbel’s Canon in D wafted through the air. She wore an elegant draped gown by Tatyana Merenyuk RedDoll with a sweetheart neckline and bejewelled pin at the waist. She clasped a bouquet of white roses, garden roses and tulips, and her hair was perfectly coiffed in a semi-updo. Her look was enhanced with sunkissed make-up by Rashel Edwards and her team from Chastity Artistry. The groom was equally striking in his attire from Brooks Brothers, J Crew and Vineyard Vines.

The weather was perfect, and so, too, the setting. There was much laughter and merry-making as the lovebirds sealed their union with a kiss. The positive energy continued throughout the reception

at the Great House Terrace.

They had their first dance to Etta James’ At Last and joked around while cutting their cake — conceptualised by the bride and created by Cakes by Noida — to the sounds of Good Life by One Republic, creating their first memories together as husband and wife.

Jamie and Emily enjoyed a brief stay on the island before heading home, telling Vows: “Jamaica felt like a wonderful vacation!” They are planning a two-week honeymoon in Greece and Italy next year.