Khandira and Jarrel first met while serving on the Caribbean Students Association for their respective universities. Though nothing developed between them during that initial meeting it was the first step of fate bringing them together. Fast-forward a few years, when after applying for graduate scholarships, Khandira and Jarrel realized they were both accepted to the same program in China. Their initial previous connection brought them back together and over time their commonalities continued to become more apparent with every conversation. Friendship blossomed into love, and before long Jarrel was envisioning their perfect proposal…
Read all about Khandira & Jarrel’s love story, proposal, and wedding experiences in their bride & groom photoshoot in Paris – perfectly captured by MunaLuchi Coterie member Stanlo Photography.
Bride & Groom: Khandira & Jarrel
Occupations: Product Managers
Wedding date: November 10th, 2018
Wedding Photoshoot Location: Paris, Eiffel Tower
How did you meet? We both obtained our undergraduate degrees in Miami, Florida from Florida International University and St. Thomas University and served on the executive boards of the Caribbean Students Association at our respective universities. It was through CSA that we met in passing one day and that was it until years later. In 2015, fate brought us together when we applied for graduate scholarships at two different universities but were both admitted to Beijing Normal University. While in China we developed a close friendship after many random conversations about life, stickers and House of Cards.
Tell us about the proposal. So it was Christmas day and we were at a family dinner. All throughout dinner I nervously looked for the perfect opportunity to propose and it seemed like it would never come. I decided to take some proactive action and spoke to her mother to let her know I needed her help to make it happen. In no time, we conjured up a plan and it was in full swing. The idea was for her mother to get everyone to take family photos by the Christmas tree and while Khandi was preparing for the picture I would seize the moment and pop the question. Everyone gathered around the tree – Snap! Snap! Snap! – the photos were being taken but this wasn’t as easy as we thought as all the other family members had no clue what was going on. So we threw a switch in plans for just Khandi and I to take photos… then the opportunity came almost instantly. She turned around to adjust her clothing for our picture and by the time she turned around I was already down, on one knee, heart beating uncontrollably with ring in hand asking Khandi to marry me.
What was the wedding shopping experience like for you? The wedding shopping experience started off really exciting and quickly turned overwhelming. I went over to Miami for a weekend to find my dress expecting to find my dress relatively quickly. We went to about 6 bridal boutiques that Saturday and I just could not find a dress that I absolutely loved. By the end of Saturday I had narrowed my choices down to 3 dresses, but the problem was I just liked them – I didn’t love them. On Sunday morning I remember telling my dad I was so nervous that I would not find a dress and would have to come back, he reassured me by saying there was no rush to find it on this trip – if I had to come back that was totally fine. On Sunday when we got down to Coral Gables our first, and only stop that day was to a boutique that was not open on Saturday’s, Alegria’s Brides. I really liked all of the dresses I tried on but the dress that I fell in love with immediately was the last dress I tried on. My dad said he knew that was my dress by the way my face lit up when I tried it on.
Wedding party gifts: Bridesmaid proposal: Gift boxes from Custom Creations 242 which included a signature scented personalized bath bomb, whipped body butter, soap and candle as well as a love knot bracelet, journal, pen and mini bottle of Pink Moscato Wine. Bridesmaid wedding gifts the bridesmaids got robes, personalized makeup bags and wine tumblers. Groomsmen gifts: Relish Sock Gift Box
Ceremony entrance song: Bridesmaids: “A Thousand Years, Part 2” by Christina Perri & Steve Kazee. Bride: “I Choose You” by Ryann Darling.
First dance song: “All Over Again” by Leela James
What is your best memory from your wedding? Khandira: “Our first dance is my best memory. For me that was the first time that I was able to take a step back and actually absorb the fact that we were finally husband and wife.” Jarrel: “The minute I turned around and saw Khandi walking down the aisle.”
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Our advice for engaged couples would be to know what is most important to you as a couple. For us, it was our honeymoon and our honeymoon photoshoot.
Vendors:
Wedding dress designer: Allure Bridals
Wedding dress salon: Alegria’s Brides
Bridesmaids dresses: After Six
Hair: Apryl Weech Hair Studio
Makeup: Sarsha Lepeche
Makeup Artist: Sarsha Taylor
Brides Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Photography: Stanlo Photography
Florist: Esther Lamarche Design Floral
Stationery: Custom Creations 242
Groom’s attire: Oscar Cerna & Relish Socks
Groomsmen attire: Oscar Cerna & Relish Socks
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