Ravishing Rose Red Wedding in Jamaica

Helen and Adrian’s love story began at church where they met during bible study.

Immediately drawn to Helen, Adrian asked her out on their first date shortly after getting to know her. Over good food, their shared interests were continuously revealed as they talked for hours – growing more inseparable by the moment. Around a year after initially meeting, their relationship became official during a trip to Costa Rica. It wasn’t long before Adrian began planning their perfect proposal, the opportunity of which presented itself on Mother’s Day during a romantic stroll at Helen’s favorite park. Read all about their love story, proposal, and wedding experiences in their ravishing rose-red destination wedding in Jamaica – featuring photography by MunaLuchi Coterie member Wed Life Media.

Bride & Groom: Helen & Adrian
Occupations: Attorney & Merchandise Receiver
Wedding Date: June 15, 2019
Wedding Location: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa in Lucea, Jamaica

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. In October 2015, Adrian and Helen met each other at bible study at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Every Wednesday, Adrian, Helen, and a group of other people would attend bible study and then fellowship at Buffalo Wild Wings afterward. Shortly after getting to know Helen, Adrian asked Helen on their first date at Torchy’s Tacos. Helen answered in the affirmative and met him there. For hours, they talked about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. It was at that moment when their friendship commenced and continued to develop and flourish. After this moment, Helen and Adrian were inseparable. Adrian continued to court Helen locally and internationally. On August 8, 2016, while on vacation in Escazu, Costa Rica, Adrian asked Helen if she would be his girlfriend. Of course, she said, “Yes!” This “yes” was the first of many. They continued to date and travel the world together. In May of 2017, Helen told Adrian that they were expecting a baby in Lucea, Jamaica, and on December 5, 2017, they gave birth to their baby boy. Their family was complete. On May 13, 2018–Mother’s Day–Adrian asked Helen to go on a walk at her favorite park. She obliged, packed up the baby and his stroller, and followed Adrian to the park. After reflecting on their relationship, Adrian got on one knee and proposed right in front of the baby. After screaming wildly, running back and forth, and collecting her bearings, Helen said, “Yes!”

Describe your wedding attire. During our wedding ceremony, I wore an Allure Bridals gown from the couture line (Style: C389). I chose this dress because of its intricate beadwork and built-in corset. The dress was very flattering and hugged my curves. Adrian ordered a custom-made tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse.

What was the wedding shopping experience like for you? The wedding shopping experience was overwhelming. I went to eight different bridal stores. I had to make one of the most important decisions in a short amount of time. I had to determine the best style of dress for my body type. I also had to find out which shop could timely deliver my dress to me. And I had to make sure I had time to alter the dress to add cups to the bust area.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? As a Nigerian-born woman, it was very important to me to incorporate my Nigerian culture into our wedding day. At our reception, we wore Naija bespoke traditional attire. My dress was designed by Gladys, a designer in Phoenix, Arizona. My husband and son’s agbada attire was designed by Toman (@forthegodss), a London-based designer. My mom gifted us with coral necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. We selected aso ebi fabrics and colors to represent unity and solidarity. During the reception, sister and matron of honor introduced our bridal party. When we were introduced as a couple, our guests embraced Naija culture and sprayed us with money. Later, we also had another ceremonial money spray while our favorite Afrobeats songs (“Ye” by Burna Boy and “Fall” by Davido) played in the background.

Wedding Party Gifts: The bridesmaids received robes, jewelry, sandals, personalized cups, a spa kit, and passport covers. The groomsmen received personalized flasks and arctic cups, cufflinks, and ace of spades beer opens.
Ceremony Entrance Song: “Pull Up” by Lil Duval
First Dance Song: “If This World Were Mine” by Luther Vandross

What is your best memory from your wedding? Adrian: “I remember how nervous I was before the wedding. When I saw Helen walk down the aisle, I remember how the nervous feeling went away and I knew ‘I’ was turning into ‘We’ and that’s all we needed.”

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Focus on the purpose of your wedding day and try to envision the feeling that you want to convey on your wedding day. Once you do that, then you will realize that all of the small things that you are stressing over are irrelevant. We wanted to vacation with our friends and family and create lots of happy memories in Jamaica. We achieved our goal.