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Heart to heart - Going the distance

Published:Monday | March 17, 2014 | 12:00 AM
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Picture perfect: The couple share a very intimate moment holding hands. - Contributed Photos
Pretty in pastel, the women in waiting raise their bouquets to the enchanting bride. From left: Sasha Gorgue, Danielle Bovell, Amanda Vaz, Shannon Hugh, Tara Shoucair, Rachael Quamina, Trinity Holmes (flower girl), Alexisse Chin, Sarah Phillips, Jessica Shoucair, Christina Lewis, Sarah Lee Quamina and Kezia Quamina-Holmes.
Luke and Rachael Quamina making their grand entrance into their reception.
The beautiful bride and handsome groom cut their wedding cake.
Sisterly love: Rachael Quamina shares the lens with her sister, Tara Shoucair.
You can feel the love illuminating between these two.
Glowing in her beautiful pure-white wedding gown, Rachael Quamina poses with her grandmother, Michelle Bovell, looking radiant in red.
The easy-going couple all cosy on the sand in their pre-wedding pictures.
The newly-weds, hand in hand, walk off into the sunset.
The glowing bride, Rachael Shoucair, being escorted by her father, David.
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Krysta Anderson, Lifestyle reporter

While Rachael Shoucair was transitioning into Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Luke Quamina had come from Trinidad to do his masters, and they met at a party in Fort Lauderdale through a mutual friend, Vaughn Biggs. They quickly gravitated towards each other and decided then and there to embark on a journey of a personal nature. "We went on our first date the day after we met and the relationship started right away," Shoucair told Flair.

Distance did not deter them from pursuing a relationship. She explained, "We maintained a long-distance relationship for two and a half years, going back and forth to visit each other, while I was in college at SCAD."

The Proposal

After five years, Quamina planned the quintessential picture-perfect proposal: "On February 13, 2013, the day before Valentine's Day, he set in motion a surprise proposal at a friend's residence, planning the entire night from my Pinterest boards."

Romance heightened as she walked through the doors to discover a pianist playing Ribbon In the Sky, singing along with the melodious tune. "He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, and I said yes." The proposal was then followed by a special meal and champagne to celebrate the truly extraordinary occasion.

Shoucair planned the wedding remotely from Miami, depending on her loved ones to execute her dream in fine style. She really did not know any of the details until she attended the wedding and was pleasantly surprised to see her dream a reality. The couple admitted, "The vision for what we wanted was so clear, and though it was not easy, the wedding was in every sense of the word a dream come true. Everything came together with the help and dedication of family and friends."

The Wedding

On February 8, 2014, almost one year after the proposal, the beaming bride and groom declared their love to each in front of close family members and friends at the Prospect Chapel, Ocho Rios. It was a real family affair, as the wedding ceremony was performed by the groom's father, Minister Cecil Quamina. This made their wedding especially significant for the couple. The joy on their faces filled the chapel, and in no time, the groom lovingly kissed his bride and they were husband and wife.

Reception

The reception was just as intimate, with those closest and dear coming in from Trinidad, Miami and Jamaica sharing in the celebration while showing their support and love. The newly-weds, the bride in particular, were notably moved by speeches from the bride's father, 95-year-old grandfather and sister (maid of honour). During their first dance as husband and wife to John Legend's All of Me, performed by a friend of the groom. There was a surprising fireworks display courtesy of Peter Shoucair- uncle of the bride and owner and operator of Event and Entertainment Services, responsible for the planning aspect of the wedding.

Michael Sondern Photography also did an amazing job in capturing our blissful moments," noted the bride.

With formalities aside, everyone partied the night away under the stars.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com