Colorful Destination Wedding in Negril, Jamaica After Courthouse “I Do”: Shineva + Tyejuan

Imagine meeting the love of your life at work and working with them for over a year before sparks flew and then, just like that, you’re married less than three months after dating. That’s what happened to Shineva and Tyejuan, who met while working in Afghanistan. The two wed in a courthouse but were determined to make their dream wedding happen, which brings us to their beautiful destination wedding along the shores of Negril, Jamaica.

Wedding Date: July 18, 2015
Wedding Location: Rockhouse, Negril, Jamaica
First Dance Song: “Amazing Love” by Luther Vandross
Favorite Item on the Menu: Jamaican Beef Patties
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Gifts: The bridesmaids received earrings and personalized hangers while the groomsmen received flasks with their names engraved.

Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal!

We met while we were both working, supporting the US Military in Afghanistan. Tyejuan is from LA and I was born in New York but raised in Georgia. We worked together in the same office for more than a year before we actually noticed each other and something other than a professional relationship. We dated for less than three months before we were married in Atlanta, Georgia at the courthouse but I knew that I had to have my dream wedding because the courthouse was not how I envisioned my big day.

Tyejuan proposed to me at work. Though we talked about marriage, I didn’t think he would would propose as soon as he did. His proposal wasn’t anything fancy because we were both in Afghanistan, so we were limited as to things we could do, but it was just right for me!

Wedding Style

My wedding was simple chic. I wanted the reception to be sexy, elegant and romantic. I searched high and low for the wedding gown of my dreams, but nothing really grabbed my attention. I then began the hunt to look for a designer to custom make my dress. Because of the wedding being in Jamaica, I knew I wanted something sexy, with some skin showing but nothing over the top. I did some research and found a designer right here in Atlanta to make my gown. She was able to create the dress I always wanted and more.

Culture

We really didn’t have one cultural element that we stuck with. From our travels we have grown to love things from all around the world so we made sure we had hookah, traditional Jamaican rums and punches, and a traditional Jamaican menu of jerk chicken, beef patties, peas and rice, callaloo, and coconut shrimp. We also jumped a broom.

Memories

A couple of years ago, Tyejuan lost his mother and his father so I knew I had to make him feel like they were part of our big day. When Tyejuan moved from LA to Georgia, he brought along a gown that his mother kept that she wanted to get married in but she passed away before she ever got to wear it. When it came to picking out my second dress, I automatically knew that I would wear her gown. It fit perfectly with no alterations needed.  When I walked into the reception for our first dance, there was not a dry eye in the room. I also incorporated a lantern ceremony in remembrance of everyone else that we lost that was close to us.

Since we knew our guests were traveling far, we made sure that upon arrival in our guests’ rooms they had personalized boxes with toiletries, snacks, bottled water, alcohol and a personalized letter thanking them for coming to share our big day with us.

Help a bride-to-be out!

I enjoyed planning my wedding from beginning to end, but there were definitely some bumps in the road getting everything organized. It’s just important as a couple to never forget that your big day is all about the two of you.

Vendors:

Creative Director and Lead Photographer: Dwayne A. Watkins, Dwayne Watkins Photography
Associate Photographer: Steven McFarlane
On-Site Wedding Coordinator: Inise Lawrence
Travel Coordinator: Andrea Williams, Exquisite Vacations
Ceremony: Rockhouse, Negril, Jamaica
Reception: Push Cart, Rockhouse, Negril Jamaica
Bride’s Dress: Custom dress from Brides by Nona
Makeup: Joni Powell, Gourmet Makeup
Hair: Bride’s Sister, Kendra Powe
Cake: Alecia Woodbine, Signature Cakes
Flowers: Floral Fantasies of Jamaica
Music: DJ Paul Dilworth, Sound Illusions