Featured in MunaLuchi Bride, Issue No. 26, this modern & romantic wedding has meaningful moments with family, laughter, and lots of love!
How far would you go to impress someone?
For Jaquan, when he first met Jessica, a beautiful, intelligent Haitian woman who knows how to speak another language, he thought he’d have to pull out all the stops to impress her. Little did he know, Jessica knew he was the one when they first met.
Nevertheless, when she asked Jaquan if his family came from another background, he naturally said yes. Jessica recalls, “He told me that he was Jamaican and his mom and aunts had a little business selling plates of Jamaican food.” For the next few weeks, Jaquan came bearing delicious ‘homemade’ Jamaican dishes. Then, one day, he nervously came clean: “I’m not really Jamaican, I was just trying to impress you… but I think I’m Jamaican because I know all of their dances.” Jessica burst out laughing! She could not believe he went through all that just to impress her.
Laughter is one of many things that bond these two and they can’t imagine a more perfect person to spend the rest of their lives with! More sweet details on their love story and modern & romantic wedding below.
- Couple: Jessica & Jaquan Prude
- Location of Wedding: Aria, Prospect Connecticut
- Wedding Date: July 11, 2021
- Photographer for Wedding: Beauty & Life Captured
Quick Facts:
- Wedding flowers: Phalaenopsis Orchids, Tepee Palm Leaves, Italian Ruscus, Dendrobium Orchid, Roses, Stock, King Protea
- Favorite item on the menu: The pasta
- Bridesmaids/groomsmen gifts: Bridesmaids received custom robes and Earrings
- First dance song: “U Move, I Move” by John Legend Feat. Jhene Aiko
- Advice for brides: Do not overthink anything and never make decisions alone. Always consider what your partner wants.
How they met…
We met in 2011 while attending American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The bride & her bridesmaids…
The groom & his groomsmen…
The proposal…
Well, we decided that we were going to skip Valentine’s day that year. We said we would go out to dinner the following day and then head out for a night out on the town afterward. To say I was having a horrible day in the beginning is an understatement! My outfits never came in the mail and I was telling my friends and sister that I didn’t even want to go out anymore. I thought it was going to be a regular day, just us being together and eating our favorite seafood.
We got to our favorite restaurant and it seemed like a regular night out. At the time it didn’t dawn on me, but his hands were so sweaty and he kept having to run to the bathroom. I just kept thinking to myself why does he keep leaving me all alone at the table. Welp, after him going to the bathroom for the fourth time, he sat down and took my hand – sweaty and all!
He looked at me and said, “you know how much I love you right? I know you’ve been waiting for this for a while and I’m not going to keep you waiting any longer…” He got down on one knee, and while he got down, one of his close friends who is a photographer came around the corner and started taking pictures of us while Quan was proposing. When I say I was not expecting this I just stared at Quan in shock like wow! And of course, I said YES!
The ceremony…
How they knew they found “the one”…
I knew he was the one when we first met. Quan loved the fact that I was Haitian and I knew how to speak another language. I asked him if his family came from another background and he said matter of fact yes. He told me that he was Jamaican and his mom and aunts had a little business selling plates of Jamaican food. He told me he was going to bring me a plate when I returned from visiting my family in Boston for the weekend.
When I came back he came over to see me with a plate of Curry Goat and white rice and I was like WOW this is so good! I told him next time he goes home to Connecticut he needs to bring me another plate. After a few weeks of us hanging out every day, I would also ask questions about his Jamaican side and he looked at me one day and said “Jess I have something to tell you.”
He said, “I’m not really Jamaican, I was just trying to impress you. My mom doesn’t cook plates. I went to the Jamaican restaurant and got you some food and changed the plates in my dorm before I came over, but I think I’m Jamaican because I know all of their dances.” We laughed so hard and I couldn’t believe he went through all the trouble to impress me.
Cultural elements…
African American tradition of Jumping the broom.
Wedding dress & favorite accessory…
My wedding dress was Couture. My favorite accessory was my removable sleeves.
Wedding style & decor…
Modern & Romantic wedding with Elegant touches throughout.
Best wedding day memory…
Had to be my Husband removing my garter! He tipped my chair back and I knew he would never drop me! Everyone got so scared and ran to catch my chair but Quan looked at everyone like I got her… I ALWAYS got her!
Wedding advice for other engaged couples…
Stay calm. Pray without ceasing. Communicate with comprehension. And keep all others out of your marriage
Looking for more modern & romantic wedding inspiration?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Bride’s dress: Galia Lahav
- Bridal salon: Bridal Reflections
- Bride’s veil: Boutique De Voile
- Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka
- Bridesmaids dresses: Doll House Bridesmaids
- Cakes: J’adore Cakes
- Desserts/Favors: Taste by Spellbound
- Catering: Aria Wedding & Banquets
- Event design/decor: K. Barner Events
- Entertainment: DJ Fire
- Event planner: K. Barner Events
- Florals: Pedestal Floral Decorators
- Groom’s attire: JT Ghamo
- Groomsmen attire: JT Ghamo
- Pinspot lighting: JB Lighting Production
- Linens: The Finishing Touch
- Bride’s makeup/ hair/ headpiece: Cleantouchh
- Bridesmaids Makeup: Keonna & Diamond Markerlla
- Bridesmaids Hair: Tiny
- Photography: Beauty & Life Captured
- Reception venue: Aria Wedding & Banquets
- Rentals: Luxe Event Rentals & ABC Fabulous Events
- Stationery: Zatorie, Truly Inspired Paper Co. & MVC Designs
- Videography: JayNandez Films Inc.
- Officiant: Gary Knighton
- Day-of Signage & Table Numbers: Monique Paper Art & Fran Johnson House
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