Juanita and Vincent’s Haitian-American culture has been a huge part of their relationship from the beginning. They first met while dancing to reggae music in Florida and have been inseparable ever since. When Vincent decided to propose he knew it had to be somewhere special. He planned an elaborate beachside proposal in Haiti complete with a traditional Haitian band.
Read all about Juanita and Vincent’s relationship as well as their fabulously elegant wedding in Florida.
Bride & Groom: Juanita & Vincent
Occupations: World History High School Teacher & DJ and Music Producer
Wedding date: July 7, 2017
Wedding location: Plaza Ballroom, West Palm Beach, FL
Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. We met in Fort Myers at a bar name ‘Cahcet’ during reggae night. There was a popular song playing called “I’m a Zoe”. ‘Zoe’ is a nickname for a Haitian amongst the Haitian-American culture. While on the dance floor, I asked him to lend me his flag so I could wave it in the air and dance to the song. Usually in a Caribbean club setting, it’s very chic for men to represent their island/country by wearing a bandana of the flag of that island/country in their back pocket. After having a great time on the dance floor, we said our goodbyes and he asked me for my number. I thought he was cute so I gave it to him, and we hit it off from there.
Vincent proposed while we were on a cruise. We had recently traveled to Europe together on a romantic getaway. This time we invited a few close friends and took a seven-day cruise to the Cayman Island, Jamaica, and Haiti. While we were in Haiti, we all decided to go zip lining. Haiti has the world’s longest zip line over a body of water called “Dragon’s Breath.” After such an exhilarating and amazing experience, we decided to head back to our room to take a shower and get dressed for lunch. Before we all met up for lunch my best friends distracted me by suggesting we take photos on the beach. While we were snapping away, a Haitian band begin to play five feet away from us. All of a sudden, the band started to serenade me and my friends. Next thing I know, my best friend turns me around and I Vincent down on one knee with a gorgeous ring!
What was wedding shopping like for you? My wedding shopping experience was amazing! I loved my lace sleeve wedding dress, it was so classy yet fashionable! It gave me the ‘southern belle’ look I was going for. My wedding lace veil was everything I could have dreamed of! It was a cathedral-like veil. I loved my bridesmaid’s black dresses because of the sparkle it gave each of my bridesmaids. It gave me the great Gatsby theme I was going for.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? Our wedding was full of culture. We incorporated our ethnic backgrounds along with my Divine-9 Greek background. Since we are both from Haitian and African-American backgrounds, our family and friends were able to experience a diverse but energetic atmosphere. Our first dance was a mix, created by Vincent. The mix was “booming” because it intertwined some of the best Haitian, R&B, and Hip Hop music. Everyone was trying to join our dance, or standing up at their tables “jamming” to our mix. Second, my A.M.E pastor Eddie Lake performed the service in English and we lit up a ‘unity candle’. Third, we served both Haitian and American food from ‘griot’ to fried chicken. Last, my sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, serenaded me in a circle to celebrate my union. I had a member from each NPHC(Divine-9) Greek organization at my wedding. We did ‘roll call’ to get the party started. It was a mazing! It gave the older Haitians in my family a quick look of what a college yard would be like.
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: The bridesmaids’ received monogrammed robes and monogrammed tumblers. The groomsmen received monogrammed flasks, authentic Cuban cigars, and a small bottle of Honey Jack Daniels.
Favorite item on the menu: Salmon
First dance: Song Mix made by the groom
What is your best memory from your wedding? Honestly, it’s so hard to select a “best memory” because my entire wedding was truly beautiful and very memorable. If I had to choose a specific moment I would say my best memory was exchanging my wedding vows with my best friend. It was during this time of exchanging our vows that I had a moment to glance around the room and witness all the love, joy, laughter, and support in the room. I could even feel the spirit of the Lord through the presence of love at our wedding. My husband’s favorite experience was our first dance.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? I would tell all engaged couples to enjoy life and each other, trust the process, and attend wedding expos or even premarital counseling! I won a free honeymoon at David Turata’s wedding experience. Also, use social media to your advantage, we create a snap chat filter. Hashtag away because you never know, you might get featured. My ring was selected to be featured on Munaluchi Bride. Overall, I would say just plan to make the wedding a representation of you.
Vendors:
Wedding dress designer: Oleg Cassini
Wedding dress salon: David’s Bridal
Wedding Stylist: Rosie Louis
Bridesmaids dresses: Badgley Mischka
Groomsmen Suit: Men’s Warehouse
Hair: Mimi Hair Salon
Makeup: 1AllDolledUp
Bride and Grooms Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Ceremony location & Rreception location: The Plaza Ballroom, West Palm Beach, Florida
Photography: Lonewolfimages
Videography: Mr. Pierre
Wedding planner: Juanita Escarment
Bride Florist Bouquet: Tropical Elegance Inc
Bridesmaids Feather Bouquets: Shawna Eraca & Lousi Joseph
Cake: The Cake Queen Tanya
Stationery: Juanita Escarment and Shelda Amlicka
Wedding Website: Vincent Escarment
Wedding Hashtag & Snap Filters: Juanita &Vincent Escarment
Wedding Host: Tasha Allen
Wedding Day Coordinator: Betty Petitihomme
DJ: Godfrey Slym Guillaume
Event designer: Themeitinc
7-7-17 ❤️