Adara and Jabon’s Ballroom Wedding in Connecticut

Initially meeting through friends, Adara and Jabon would find themselves always “running into each other.” After numerous “chance” encounters they decided perhaps it was something more than serendipity bringing them together and began to get to know each other. After months of building a friendship they went out on their first date to a location that would come to hold even more significance as it would be the very place of their engagement…

Read all about Adar & Jabon’s love story, intimate and sentimental proposal, and experiences in their beautiful ballroom wedding in Connecticut.
(View the vendor list below.)

Bride & Groom: Adara & Jabon
Occuptations: Probation Officer & Financial Trainer
Wedding date: 11/11/16
Wedding location: Trumbull Marriott Ballroom. Trunbull, CT.

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. We met through mutual friends. We kept running into each other. Eventually we started speaking over the phone and built a friendship. A few months into us speaking we had our first date at Starbucks and it’s been our favorite date spot ever since.
Jabon proposed on 11/11/15. We decided to go on a date to the Starbucks where we had our first date. We hadn’t been to that particular Starbucks in over a year. It still didn’t seem suspicious to me. We ordered our usual lattes (him chai and me green tea) and sat there chatting like we did on that first date there 4 years ago. Jabon started asking me questions about that first date. We sat there reminiscing, then he said that he knew that the next time we came to this Starbucks he would be asking me to be his wife. He then told me how on a previous date, to a different Starbucks he saw an old friend whose wife had on an engagement ring that he admired. He told me that in that moment he knew wherever that ring came from, he would buy mine. He then pulled out the ring box and sat it on the table. He began to tell me how he had sneaked and looked at my phone one night when I had left the room – he was getting my father’s phone number to ask for my hand. Jabon said that when my father called earlier that day and asked to speak to him, it wasn’t just to say hello. My dad was asking him if he had done “it” yet. At that point Jabon opened the ring box, got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Of course I said yes. No one noticed us in our own little world. We had a perfect, private, intimate moment that we’ll always remember.

 What was wedding shopping like for you? I went to two bridal shops before deciding that I wanted to have my dress made. I took the most flattering elements from the dresses I tried on and along with my designer, Joel, created my one of a kind, dream dress. My wedding dress was a lace, fit and flare, blush gown. I felt like Lisa in Coming to America. That dress made me feel so beautiful. I loved the volume on the bottom, my incredibly long train and cathedral veil. It was better than anything I dreamed up in my head.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? I had the bible that my grandmother carried when she got married sitting out, where we said our vows. It was important for me to have a piece of her there. She was at the end stages of dementia and wasn’t well enough to attend. We also had black cake (Jamaican rum cake) as favors, to pay homage to my West Indian roots.

Bridesmaid’s and Groomsmen’s gifts: gift cards towards their shoes, wedding day jewelry and wedding day make-up. Groomsmen gifts: ties, tie bars and socks for the wedding day.
Favorite item on the menu: wedding cake, each layer was different (sweet potato, banana pudding and carrot cake).
First Dance Song: “Just Me and You” by Tony Toni Tone’.

Describe your wedding style. We describe our wedding style as Urban Chic, with a touch of Glam. I wore a fit and flare, blush gown. Jabon wore a navy tuxedo. Our wedding party wore navy and blush as well. The girls in high low dresses and the guys in complimenting tuxedos. For the reception we all changed to our favorite sneakers, so we could dance comfortably all night.
It was important for our day to be a reflection of who we are. We wrote our own vows and were very candid and honest about our feelings in them. We are a very private couple so this was an opportunity to give people a peak into our love. We also wanted to show everyone the joining of our two families. Jabon has a 12 year old son (we call him by his middle name Vaer). He needed to play a big part in our day, as he has played a huge part in our relationship. Vaer served as Jabon’s Junior Best Man and stood by his father’s side.

What is your best memory from your wedding? My best memory is saying my vows to Jabon. We’re normally so private, it felt good to express my love in a room filled with people who have supported us throughout our relationship. Jabon’s best memory was doing his little dance, while taking off my garter belt. He later told me how he practiced and went over the music with our DJ.

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? The best wedding advice would be not to sweat the small stuff. Everything will not go as planned the day of… Plan as best you can and just enjoy the journey. Also, make time for your significant other throughout the process. It can be easy to get caught up in planning but life doesn’t stop. Make time for check-ins, to make sure each other are holding up okay.

Vendors:
Photographer: Chike Photography
Wedding Dress Designer: Joel Edwards
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids
Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Bridesmad Shoes: BCBG (from DSW)
Emcee: Premiere Emcee LLC
Flourist: Blossoming Blessings
Make-Up Artists: Jade Staton, Angelina Kendall
Hair Stylists: Sharon Joy Hair Salon (Sharon Clemons, Joy Brown)
DJ and Lighting: Buddha LuvJonz
Cake, Wedding Planner and Event Design: Edible Couture
Ceremony & Reception Location: Trumbull Marriott Grand Ballroom
Wedding Invitations: Minted
Wedding Ceremony Programs: Robina Pierce