Island Wedding |The Nelsons’ dream vacation spot marriage ceremony in Jamaica | Lifemodel

After years of affection, household bonding, and shared traditions, Chelsea Cole and Michael Nelson’s journey led them to their vacation spot marriage ceremony final November at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, St Ann. The celebration, which mirrored each their Caribbean roots and New York upbringing, marked a particular second for the couple, whose story started in January 2014 throughout a highschool senior journey to Honor’s Haven Retreat & Conference in Ellenville, New York.

Though they attended totally different colleges — Michael at Transit Tech Career and Technical Education High School and Chelsea at Clara Barton High School for Health Professions — a short dialog led to an trade of social media handles, setting their journey in movement.

“I thought she had very nice cheekbones and was pretty,” Michael shared with Island Wedding about his first impression of his different half.

Chelsea, in the meantime, was intrigued by Michael’s top and his model, noting that he clothes properly. However, the pair have totally different recollections of their first assembly.

“If you ask Michael, he would say I stopped him and his friends in the hallway and said hello. But if you know me, then you probably find that hard to believe,” Chelsea stated, smiling.

Four years after assembly, in December 2018, the 2 reconnected when Michael commented on certainly one of Chelsea’s Facebook posts. From then on, they spoke virtually every single day. Although it was long-distance, with Michael nonetheless residing in Florida, it was round this time that Chelsea stated she “fell in love with every part of him”. On Sunday, November 17, 2019, Michael requested Chelsea to be his girlfriend, and the 2 have been inseparable ever since.

“I was welcomed by the Nelson family with shrimp fried rice and crab legs, which are two of the many things I love to eat, and at that moment, I knew I was in a relationship with the right guy,” Chelsea defined with amusing.

Since the start of their relationship, their households have shared of their journey, celebrating birthdays, holidays, and holidays collectively. The couple additionally made a dedication to journey collectively no less than yearly.

Michael knew he was going to marry Chelsea, saying he wouldn’t wish to miss out on being along with her a second time.

For their first date, which additionally marked their first kiss, the couple went to the film theatre earlier than heading to Red Mango. After the night wrapped, Michael noticed Chelsea onto public transport to verify she acquired residence safely. Chelsea describes Michael as somebody who makes her really feel “loved and safe”.

POPPING THE QUESTION

On March 23, 2024, Michael introduced collectively shut family and friends beneath the guise of a dinner at Fushimi Japanese Cuisine in New York, the place he had secretly deliberate a proposal. Chelsea arrived pondering she was merely attending a night out, solely to grasp she was strolling right into a proposal.

Chelsea shared, “I thought we were going out for dinner, and then the door opened, and I saw all my friends and family with cameras. Then he pointed to the sign, ‘Will you marry me?’. I couldn’t believe it! It was an amazing proposal surrounded by love.”

Michael, positive of Chelsea’s response to his proposal, felt regular main up to date. “I knew she was going to say yes. I was just hoping no one spoiled it,” he added.

And, six years later, on the identical date they started their courtship, Chelsea and Michael formally marked their new chapter as husband and spouse. Reflecting on the day, Michael stated, “The day was a blur; honestly, it went very fast…It was nice seeing everyone in their Sunday’s best and there for us, especially since Hurricane [Melissa] hit two weeks before.”

The blushing bride selected her marriage ceremony costume from New York-based Pantora Bridal, owned by Jamaican-American designer Andrea Pitter. The mermaid-style robe featured a flowing prepare that added a tender, elegant end to the look.

“God smiled on us this day,” Chelsea stated, including, “It was a beautiful sunny day, but not too hot … it was a loving but funny time. We love to joke and be vibrant, and so do our friends and family.”

Chelsea, CEO of The Virtual Collab, took cost of her marriage ceremony planning and journey preparations by means of her enterprise, overseeing the small print herself. It’s this similar drive and ambition, Michael says, that he loves most about her.

The decor for his or her special occasion was dealt with by Janice Riley Brown of Izma Designs, with catering supplied by the Moon Palace workers.

“The reception was breathtaking. The bridal party and the bride and groom’s entrance were dope. We are Caribbean American, specifically from St Vincent and New York, that energy came through in the music. Then it was time to fete, which is what we wanted. We danced all night!” Chelsea shared.

Music performed a central function within the celebration, with the couple making their entrance to Love Yuh Bad by L Pank and Kem’s 2010 hit Share My Life.

As it pertains to why the couple selected Jamaica for his or her vacation spot marriage ceremony, Chelsea advised Island Wedding, “My family is from St Vincent so I needed a country with the same culture. Jamaica was the best option… [it] has good people, food, and vibes.”

The celebrations didn’t finish on the altar, because the couple continued their journey with a honeymoon in Thailand.

ruth-ann.briscoe@gleanerjm.com