The Mitchells’ paradise wedding in Jamaica

“Let’s go to a place only lovers go. To a spot that we’ve never known.” So High by John Legend was the beautiful song selection, which not only stood as the soundtrack for the newly-weds’ first dance, but it reflected the irresistibly charming concept behind American couple Morgan Kauffman and Pierre Mitchell’s destination wedding.

Cascading and waving waters, radiant sunshine and romantic sunsets, and all the lush greenery in-between, Pierre was so captivated by the island’s allure that he and his beloved jetted off to Jamaica to elope in paradise. “I figured if we were going to do something small, then let’s do it at a beautiful place. Jamaica has such beautiful nature and waters, we couldn’t have chosen a better destination,” Pierre told Island Wedding.

After her significant other saw a hidden gem, Kanopi House, on social media, Morgan shared that the couple’s excitement to say ‘I do’ intensified when envisioned at the quaintly rustic and picturesque property. “We loved the idea of being so close to nature and so far away from home,” she added.

The two United States Army officers first met while on rotation in Korea. According to Morgan, Pierre had worked with her roommate prior to then and extended an invitation to come shopping with the group one day. “He claims he saw that I was with them and told all his friends he was going to find out the ‘latest scoop’ on the new girl at the office.” Pierre confirmed that he was more than curious about Morgan because he had seen her around and was interested in getting to know her.

GREAT PERSONALITY

“I thought she dressed weird at first,” he said, “but she had a great personality. She laughed at all my jokes, so I thought that was cool. I could easily tell we would get along quickly because of how we initially interacted and how immediate we were talking and laughing as if we’ve known each other for a long time.”

Attraction swirled in the atmosphere of the shopping excursion, and both parties were intrigued. One day, she invited him to her room to talk, setting the foundation of a one-time offer, inclusive of friendship. But with the global pandemic looming in the shadows and quarantine protocols in full effect, what was projected to be a miserable time alone quickly turned into quality time together. “We spent that entire week together and literally couldn’t get enough of each other. Our first ‘date’ sort of turned into a first living arrangement, and I wouldn’t change one thing about how we progressed physically and emotionally.”

After a month of hanging out almost every day and discovering their special connection, he asked if that meant they were dating, and she said, “Yes”,. Describing her beauty as timeless, he adores that she is also passionate, intelligent, selfless, and courageous. “She has truly helped me grow by supporting me and all my goals, from physical fitness to aviation. More importantly, she encourages me to love myself enough to give plenty of love to her. She has always told me I have to learn to love myself first before I can love anyone else,” he shared.

Revealing that he is hilarious, thoughtful, athletic, proud (in a good way), generous and caring, Morgan is amazed that he has shown her the most love, affection, and genuine concern that she can now confidently say, without reservation, that she has someone in her corner, always concerned for her best interest, even if it is not in his interest. “I’ve never felt that with anyone, [not] even my own family.”

The fitness fanatics were bouncing back from harsh and toxic relationships, which contributed to their carefree spirit from the start. Knowing their own red flags and working through past traumas of post-traumatic stress disorder, they became each other’s best friends. “He has challenged me to have a lighter heart and softer view of the world. I came into our relationship extremely cautious, guarded and aggressively defensive because of the person I was with before. But he has allowed me to take down my own walls, embrace who I truly am, and even grow into trying new things that I may like or may not. He is very attentive and nurtures our relationship every day,” she added.

Following months of dating, Pierre told her that he would make her his wife one day. And in their usual intimate moments, he randomly asked her if she would marry him. Morgan responded by stating that he already knew the answer to that question. “He told me that he wanted to elope in Jamaica,” she shared. And he went straight to planning the event.

With hearts set on having a coastal, beach-themed wedding, the bride-to-be desired something breezy yet sexy for their nuptials. According to her, he loves showing her off, and the confidence it brings to her is indescribable, so she needed to say yes to a dress boasting a sultry split up the thigh. It was the perfect dress.

On September 21, Pierre and Morgan tied the knot on the deck of Kanopi House in Port Antonio, overlooking the majestic Blue Lagoon. The private and intimate ceremony is one that they will cherish forever. The reception in the outdoor living room lounge area saw the just-married couple wining and dining against a picturesque sunset. Pierre took the hands of his wife, held her in a warm embrace while swaying and kissing to the sounds of So High. “I chose that song because every time I hold my wife, I feel like I’m just floating in the clouds with no worries whatsoever. She always knows how to make my day better, no matter how bad it was,” he explained. Dex Media was on scene, clicking, flashing and capturing every enchanting moment.

The newly-weds agreed that the wedding was all they had hoped for and more. “Seeing my wife as beautiful and happy as she was the most satisfying feeling ever. Kanopi House went above and beyond and exceeded our expectations for a beautiful destination wedding,” Pierre said.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com