Happily ever Nelsons

The romance between Michelle Thomas and Patrick Nelson began in 2018 during a routine visit to Michelle’s law office. Although Patrick, an entrepreneur, was there to inquire about one of her employees, he was immediately captivated by her. Soon after, Patrick returned for business, and the two bonded over politics and entrepreneurship.

As a political hopeful, Michelle and Patrick started spending nearly every day together while she campaigned for the local government elections last January.

“I realised that we had similar interests,” he began. “It just [flowed] naturally. I [noticed] that we [started] speaking very frequently. We [began] going out on the road for politics and so on. We [shared] all these common interests, and she is a beautiful person.”

Considering himself a ‘sapiophile,’ he shared how their conversations evolved from just business to them exchanging their hopes, dreams, and desires. Soon, they began going on dates.

“We started to go on dates, and then one thing led to another until it started feeling magical,” Patrick told Island Wedding.

On June 23, 2020 Patrick asked Michelle to be his girlfriend.

“I was expecting it because he was doing all the right things,” Michelle shared. “We were dating for a while and he was patient. Him never rush me or push me or anything.”

Recalling a moment of tension in her constituency, Michelle said she knew he was the one because of how fiercely he protected her.

“The way how he went in a protective mode. I don’t think I’ve ever said it to him, me just automatically turned on. Because this is what I want, a man who understands that I am in very dangerous lines of business, because I am a lawyer and a politician, so you know what that comes with. So mi need a strong man that can deal with my high-stress jobs. When I saw how he protected me that night I had no doubt in my mind, I said this is the man for me.”

Navigating both the political and entrepreneurial landscapes as well as their blooming romance for three years, Patrick decided to pop the question on her birthday in May 2023.

“Originally, I had planned to propose to her in Brazil. Her birthday was coming up, so I knew I was gonna propose, but that didn’t materialise,” he recalled.

Switching gears, he decided to host a throwback ‘90s birthday party for her. Though the party wasn’t a surprise, Patrick had left to get the ring that very same day.

“Mi never suspect it, because me and him did a war. Him come back and him a cuss me ‘bout everything. A my party and him a cuss me. One of the time me seh me a go just take off mi clothes and gah mi bed. So me did confuse, but I think that is the greatest thing he ever did, because I had no clue. When he asked the question, that was genuine surprise. Mi just shock,” she said, laughing at the memory.

With over a year of planning for their big day, the pair decided to have a Bridgerton-themed wedding.

“Before I even knew him, I knew I wanted a British-themed wedding. Mi just always think ‘bout horse and chariot. I think it just [screams] luxury. So when he asked me, [I thought of Bridgerton] because at the time it was my main addiction. I’ve also met the royal family in person.’

She continued, “So you know when you’re exposed to things as a young person, it becomes a part of you, it becomes something that you feel proud of; and so I said whenever I’m getting married, I want it to be royal.”

Clearly a fan of a themed party himself, Patrick happily agreed to his bride-to-be’s plan. And on Saturday, July 27, the two were married in an extravagant, themed wedding at Trident Castle in Portland.

Although the theme called for regency-era attire, many guests chose to interpret it with their own personal flair. Nevertheless, each guest was greeted by an usher who said, “Good evening, my Lord or my Lady,” before being handed a mimosa, a fan, and an umbrella. A string quartet, seated among the audience, captured the essence of Bridgerton with crowd-favourite renditions of modern music. Before the bride’s descent down the aisle, a dancer performed a royal spectacle for the audience. Adding even more drama to the already-extravagant afternoon, the bride was ferried to the ceremony from across the bay.

With their dream wedding completed and a baby on the way, the pair says this phase of their life is just doused in blessings.

“I feel totally complete,” Michelle said. Patrick added, “I feel very humbled, because this is a blessing.”

shanel.lemmie@gleanerjm.com