Montego Bay Jamaica Destination Wedding | Walied + Abeer
My last wedding of the year was Abeer and Walied’s destination wedding in sunny Jamaica – Montego Bay to be exact. I was obviously excited to go to Jamaica for their wedding, but I had no idea that I would have connected with the beautiful couple and their family the way I did while I was there. They really welcomed me and made me feel like I was at home.
On the wedding day, we enjoyed everything that Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort had to offer and that’s when I really got to know Abeer, Walied, and their friends and family. All of them traveled from Toronto in August to be a guest at their fab wedding.
The wedding was a celebration of huge proportions. The ceremony was on the beach and after dinner there was a bonfire beach reception followed by a wish lantern ceremony – also on the beach! I have never seen anything like it! Their guests not only got to enjoy the wedding, but they were also able to enjoy the destination. Jamaica’s a beautiful island with lots to do and the event made it possible for everyone to enjoy.
Seeing Abeer and Walied’s wedding photos reminds me that we are completely in control of our happiness. They made their dream vacation come true and brought the closest people to them along for the occasion. They even celebrated in rich Eritrean style with a melsi in Jamaica! Another first for me! Abeer and several guests wore the most beautiful zurias – a beautiful Eritrean dress. I got to borrow and wear one as well!
I am so grateful to share this beautiful wedding today, especially during the cold winter season. Makes me want to go back in time!
How did you two meet?
Last year, February 2012, I was invited to a friend’s surprise birthday dinner and a girl I had never met before sat across from me. Throughout the whole dinner she asked questions here and there and was really interested in the conversations I was having with other people, and kept asking questions. I didn’t really think much of it but at the end of the night she asked if I was seeing anyone and I told her I was not and was not interested in meeting anyone at the time. Well, she said she had the perfect guy for me and explained that he too was a teacher and an avid traveller. He was Muslim, spoke Arabic, similar in age and was very handsome. In my head, I was not interested. How is this girl who has never met me going to introduce me to the ‘perfect guy.’ Well, my cousin was there and asked to see a picture of this so called ‘perfect guy.’ Honestly, he was very handsome! Lol. My cousin wasted no time, she started to tell the girl all my information. I agreed to exchange numbers and eight months later we were engaged to be married! Who knew, a perfect stranger at a dinner would introduce me to my best friend and my future everything.
Interview originally shared on Wedding Obsession here.
Tell us about the proposal.
We knew from very early on this was it. He told me that one day he would marry me. And I really didn’t think much of it. We were still very new, very fresh and we wanted time to continue to get to know each other. He asked what type of rings I was interested in and I showed him so ridiculously over priced rings! Just to get a reaction out of him. I showed him my favourite ring online and he said it’s more than a down payment for a house!
Little did I know, he was taking notes and working on getting me one. He ended up getting my favourite ring customized and hid it under a pot in the kitchen on the drying rack. He asked me several times if I was going to put the dishes away, but I didn’t see the sense of urgency as there was only TWO things on there and told him I would get to it when I could. I hate being told what to do!
Coincidentally I called and was on the phone with the birthday girl, I headed over to the kitchen to start making dinner and when I lifted the pot to actually use it. There it was, my ring! I screamed, my girlfriend was worried, I hung up the phone and in he came. He said finally!
He did NOT get down on one knee! Lol. All he said was, ‘well, wanna do this? Wanna marry me?’ Lol and the rest is history.
Interview originally shared on Wedding Obsession here.
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