Tue | May 14, 2024

Love story blossoms after couple shares steamy dance at dry cleaners

Published:Tuesday | May 23, 2023 | 12:44 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
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With her bouquet in hand and twin flame by her side, Mrs Elliott makes her first walk as wife alongside her husband, Mr Elliott, who is basking in the merriment of tying the knot.
Jevonee Roberts
With her bouquet in hand and twin flame by her side, Mrs Elliott makes her first walk as wife alongside her husband, Mr Elliott, who is basking in the merriment of tying the knot.
The father of the bride, Deputy Mayor of Kingston Winston Ennis, was honoured to walk his beautiful daughter up the ailse to say ‘I do’ to her beloved.
Jevonee Roberts
The father of the bride, Deputy Mayor of Kingston Winston Ennis, was honoured to walk his beautiful daughter up the ailse to say ‘I do’ to her beloved.
Off the Market: Ruel is proud to declare that he is a married man. After all, he told his love, Corazan, that he would make her his wife from the first day they met.
Jevonee Roberts
Off the Market: Ruel is proud to declare that he is a married man. After all, he told his love, Corazan, that he would make her his wife from the first day they met.
The mother of the groom, Brenda Ballard, was proud to see her son marry the love of his life.
Jevonee Roberts
The mother of the groom, Brenda Ballard, was proud to see her son marry the love of his life.
On cloud nine, this loving couple went from sharing a first dance at the dry cleaners when they first met, to sharing a first dance as husband and wife.
Jevonee Roberts
On cloud nine, this loving couple went from sharing a first dance at the dry cleaners when they first met, to sharing a first dance as husband and wife.
Ruel kisses his bride, Corazan.
Jevonee Roberts
Ruel kisses his bride, Corazan.
The groom was happy that his grandmother, Haudel Elliott, was able to celebrate his matrimonial bliss.
Jevonee Roberts
The groom was happy that his grandmother, Haudel Elliott, was able to celebrate his matrimonial bliss.
Upon the recommendation of her hairstylist, the bride was put on to Jamaican dress designer Renea Brown (right), owner of REbirth Couture. Together, she and Brown designed not one, but two stunning wedding gowns.
Jevonee Roberts
Upon the recommendation of her hairstylist, the bride was put on to Jamaican dress designer Renea Brown (right), owner of REbirth Couture. Together, she and Brown designed not one, but two stunning wedding gowns.
Corazan and Ruel joined hands and hearts in holy matrimony.
Jevonee Roberts
Corazan and Ruel joined hands and hearts in holy matrimony.
Towering in regal gold and white is the Elliotts’ wedding cake, made with love by Sweet Mischief Ja.
Jevonee Roberts
Towering in regal gold and white is the Elliotts’ wedding cake, made with love by Sweet Mischief Ja.
Corazan's first wedding dress, created by REbirth Couture.
Jevonee Roberts
Corazan's first wedding dress, created by REbirth Couture.
There's nothing more amazing than having the support of the bridal party as the couple walk into 'I do'. From left: Adassa Ennis, mother of the bride; Andreen Wierenga, niece of bride; Ashley McElroy, maid of honour; the bride and groom, Michale Elliott, f
Jevonee Roberts
There's nothing more amazing than having the support of the bridal party as the couple walk into 'I do'. From left: Adassa Ennis, mother of the bride; Andreen Wierenga, niece of bride; Ashley McElroy, maid of honour; the bride and groom, Michale Elliott, father of the groom; Cary Grant; and Winston Ennis, father of the bride and deputy mayor of Kingston.
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Lovers rock veteran Beres Hammond famously sang about what one dance can do. And for Jamaicans Corazan Ennis and Ruel Elliott, sharing a steamy first dance at the dry cleaners in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, became the unexpected catalyst for their beautiful love story that journeyed up the aisle to holy matrimony.

“We both go to the same dry cleaners and in September 2018, while there, I was playing a popular dancehall artiste song on my phone and Ruel came over and said, ‘Chune’,” Corazan told Island Wedding. According to Ruel, he approached her with his lyrics and when the two got to talking, it wasn’t long before they started dancing with each other right there at the cleaners. “Everyone was staring at us,” she added. But they were too caught up in their unexpected love bubble.

Sporting a suit and tie, Corazan initially took Ruel for the strict business type. But she soon learnt after he approached her that he was down-to-earth. For Ruel, his first thoughts were that she had “a great personality and was full of great vibes”.

The pair went on a first date to Boatyard, a popular restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, shortly after their dry cleaner encounter. “We spoke about our future goals and plans. Then we went walking along the pier and watched the ships sail by. It was amazing,” Corazan said.

Following that wonderful date and discussions about future plan, Ruel knew that they would make a great team and the duo didn’t hesitate to move further.

“It just naturally happened as things progressed. I don’t think we looked at each other and said we’re boyfriend and girlfriend, as we both thought at our age, those terms were juvenile. The mutual respect and love were there, and therefore, we honoured and respected those two things, and still do. Love and respect are sacred in any relationship,” she said.

As Ruel had the pleasure of getting to know his beloved better, he was mesmerised by her beauty, elegance and intellect, as well as her loving and caring nature. “My wife boasts three college degrees,” he shared enthusiastically. “All of these qualities makes me proud to be her husband, and they are a few of the many reasons why I decided she was the woman for me.”

Encouraging his scholastic pursuits geared towards elevating his career, Corazan continues to be the one that Ruel can count on, in all facets of life, “She is my peace in this chaotic world.”

Corazan didn’t hesitate in sharing how handsome, humorous, supportive, empathetic and loving her darling is. “He always does his best to make me smile. I can always count on him to listen and give advice. He always wants to make sure that everyone around him is feeling safe, and he is not afraid to let the world know he’s proud of his wife,” she revealed.

Sharing that life is meant to be lived, and that one should not wait on some magical moment to start enjoying and making beautiful memories with loved ones, she continues to be captivated by his love and compassion. “He is always there when I need him. And for him, it’s us against whatever problems or challenges; it’s not us against each other. He taught me that we are a team.”

Four years in, he kept the promise he made on their first date that she would be his wife. With her parents’ blessing and with the help of Romance on the Go Concierge Services in Florida, Ruel asked Corazan to marry him in an enchanting proposal on her birthday.

“It was Cora’s birthday 02/02/22, so I told her we were going to a restaurant. While we were walking, two photographers came up to us and asked to take our pics for a magazine they will be publishing. Cora thought it was a surprise,” but it was all a part of Ruel’s engagement plan.

Following the photo shoot, they took their romance to the gondola, touring the Las Olas waterfront. “The captain played love music and as the tour was ending, the gondola docked at a park which had the big marquee ‘Marry Me’ letters and a harpist by the name of Lisa playing love ballads.”

Oblivious that she was becoming a fiancée, Corazan’s first response was that of amazement in witnessing another couple’s proposal. But as she exited the boat, things began to add up. She started crying, saying “yes” before Ruel officially popped the question. “The camera crew captured it all, in case she tries to deny it. I still got down on one knee and proposed.”

Being Jamaican at heart and noting that Jamaica is her home, the bride-to-be had her heart set on an island wedding. She enlisted the expertise of a local wedding planner, Nyika Taylor, owner of Design Vus by Nyika to make her nuptial dreams a gorgeous reality.

And when it came to her wedding dress, Corazan’s hairstylist in Florida recommended Jamaican dress designer Renea Brown, owner of REbirth Couture. “Renea and I went over several designs before settling on two. We made a few changes here and there over the course of the year as my vision changed, and she delivered. She exceeded my expectations.”

Marching forth together, the couple tied the knot on March 3 at The Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston. The garden provided the idyllic backdrop for ‘I do’. The groom was enthralled by his bride’s beautiful entrance.

“The wedding was beautiful,” the bride said, adding, “The best moment for me was seeing my ‘boo’ as I was walking up the aisle. During that moment I thought to myself, ‘It was all worth it.’”

The groom shared similar sentiments: “The best part was seeing her and her dad coming down the aisle towards me. I was nervous, but happy. When I saw her in that dress, I thought to myself, ‘Oh, this is why she and the dress lady stayed up so long at night on the phone.’ She looked beautiful, and if I could live in that moment forever I would.”

Falling in love with the view of the city in Talk of the Town on the 17th floor, the happy newly-weds kept the nuptial bliss going with a wonderful reception, much to the merriment of their specially invited guests.

“We entered the reception dancing to TI and Jay-Z, Bring em Out, mixed with Ding Dong’s Bounce. We then transitioned into our slow first dance, which was to Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. I was happy to keep up with my hubby, who is the true dancer,” Corazan added.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com