Vows – The Ride Of Their LIVES

Baby, since the day you came into my life, you made me realise that we were born to fly, you showed me every day new possibilities, you proved my fantasies of love could really be… Baby, we’re so high, walking on cloud nine.

— So High by John Legend

Saturday, January 10, 2015 was like a fairy tale for Petagay Plummer and Rajiv Rowe when they became husband and wife.

How They Met (the bride’s take)…

According to Petagay Plummer, a radio producer at Love 101 FM, she met Rajiv, an engineer for Energy Dynamics, at Bethel Baptist Church on August 24, 2012.

“As a new member of the church I wanted to get involved, so I attended a Growing In Faith Together young adult fellowship meeting, which was the first time we were introduced. When the meeting convened, Rajiv, the president of the fellowship group, asked for my contact info to add to the fellowship database. I obliged.

That same evening he called to check if I had reached home safely. The phone call went on for hours; we were talking from about 9:30 pm to about 3:00 the next morning. I know it’s clichéd, but talking to Rajiv really felt like we’d known each other for years and were catching up on old times.

The conversation was random at best; for a moment we spoke about the origin of his name, as it was — to me, at least — an uncommon name. We were quite amused when, upon looking for the origins of both our names, we found someone by the name of Petagay Rowe — the discovery was uncanny. Rajiv invited me to Games Night at church the following Saturday to play Kalooki, and I went. He became my guide, as he ensured that I was integrated in the different ministries: games, drama group/young adult fellowship and regular Sunday service/Sunday school activities.

We were slowly getting to know each other, so we didn’t think about dating too much; our relationship was about getting to know each other. All that changed by June 2, 2013. I caught myself falling in love with his patience, his meekness — he was never easily angered, he understood me very well without much effort. He knew how to make me laugh.

He started making small changes that catered to my likes and dislikes. He was not very chivalrous when we started dating but he quickly realised I liked to be treated like a lady, and soon started displaying his affections publicly. A year later we were dating.

From The Bridegroom…

We’ve been in each other’s company ever since we met at youth fellowship — so much so that our fellowship members started calling us smoke and fire and even combined our names to form the portmanteau RAJPET. Petagay became my “parring p”, a real friend.

We started going everywhere as a unit, as Petagay would never say no to a road trip. We’d go on dinner dates; run 5K marathons for charity; design team jerseys for our respective alma maters and file into the National Stadium for the VMBS Boys’ and Girls’ Championships; even our friends loved having us together in one sitting because they knew they were in for a good time. Put on any old-school ’90s track and we can create a rhythm for each other to start free-styling.

The Proposal (as told to VOWS by Petagay)…

The proposal took place on Sunday, September 21. We had just left church and Rajiv was dropping me home. I lived on Preston Hall at UWI, Mona for a few years, as I was a resident advisor on campus. It was one of my busy Sundays: I was giving a presentation on media and production to a group of students, so Rajiv offered to take me out to dinner, as I was way too busy to prepare a meal.

He suggested we go to Tracks & Records; however, just before we arrived at the restaurant, he mentioned having a sudden craving for fish, so we switched gears and re-routed. I love a well-done escoveitched fish, so I was all too excited for the trip to Prendy’s in Port Royal. It was a long drive to Port Royal, but it was worth it. We were stepping out of the vehicle when he suggested that we go down to the beach, near the restaurant, to catch the sunset.

We stood on the beach watching the waves and chatting about random things. Rajiv stood behind me with his arms around my waist. I looked around and I saw a friend and her boyfriend, but quickly turned around, as I didn’t want them to see Rajiv with me.

Rajiv suggested standing directly in front of him because I’d be unrecognisable from the back. So, I did just that. By the time I was ready to look again to see if they had left, I looked behind me to see my best friend, Anna Kay, her boyfriend and a few other close friends with signs in their hands that read ‘Will you marry me?’

My knees buckled! I was at a loss for words and upset to boot that I was tricked! … It took me a while before I said ‘Yes’, as I was busy trying to figure out how and when he found the time to plan the proposal.

The Ceremony…

The bridal party filed into the Bethel Baptist Church decorated by Petals & Promises to the strains of Christina Perry’s A Thousand Years. Petagay was a vision of loveliness as she made her way up the aisle to her eager bridegroom to The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe. She was overwhelmed with emotion when her parents met her at the aisle to escort her to her beloved.

“I never knew my father until about four years ago, and I only saw him once before my wedding day; however, we kept in contact. The wedding day was the second time I was seeing him and the first time having both parents to lean on for emotional support.

As I stepped into the church and they held my hands, the words “I am happy” escaped my mouth. Overcome with emotion, I started crying and smiling at the same time. I had this crazy, sweet butterfly feeling rushing through my tummy.

What She Wore…

Petagay wore a strapless, diamond white, ruched sweetheart neckline mermaid wedding gown by Italian designers Pronovias from Bliss Bridal Boutique and a beautiful lace appliquéd veil gifted by Petals & Promises as the bride’s ‘something new’.

The Groom…

A Kingston College old boy, the groom was outfitted in a grey three-piece suit with purple gingham tie.

The Bridal Party…

The bridesmaids made an elegant statement in orange sweetheart neckline satin dresses from Petals & Promises, while the maid of honour opted for a one-shoulder design of a similar finish.

The unveiling of the cake…

Myra Robb and Majorie Brady created the four-tiered fruitcake that was draped in white fondant, each layer lined with silver pearls and cascading white flora.

The Reception…

Pharrell Williams’ Happy ushered guests and well-wishers along with the bridal party to the halls of the Tropical Elegance grand ballroom for a Petals & Promises-decorated orange and grey-themed reception. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous supper, which was catered by Patricia Chung.

Master of Ceremonies Justice David Fraser handled his duties admirably. Toasts were raised by the maid of honour Anna Kaye Brady to the bride, best man Samora Ruglass to the groom, family friend Beryl Roper to the bride’s parents, while Rudolf Rowe handled the toast to the groom’s parents.

The evening culminated with an amped-up energetic bridal party dance, choreographed by Edna Manley dance student Camargo.

The newly-weds spent their honeymoon night at Eden Gardens and departed the next day for the Grande Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa.