Devene Gayle and Shemar Millwood were raised in the same church, Emmanuel Apostolic, attended Sunday school and, thereafter, the youth ministry. Shemar recalled with clarity the day in eighth grade that he asked Devene to be his girlfriend. He was flatly turned down. “We remained friends, however,” he informed Tuesday Style Vows (TSV).

Their friendship would endure even as respective relationships ended in heartbreak. Devene’s resolve was “Just basically to focus on me, and finish my degree”, she told TSV.

The right person is invariably in line of sight, and kind, considerate Shemar was always there. Devene asked God for a sign. It was already evident that they were compatible and, albeit just friends, he made her feel secure. She shared how he would ensure she got home safely, even taking note of the licence plate of the vehicle she’d be travelling in.

A few years later Shemar once again asked Devene to be his girlfriend. This time, however, dating her would be a precursor to marriage. Deep within their hearts, they felt this time around that not only was the timing right, but that the love was also right. Indeed, everything felt right!

For the proposal, Devene shared with TSV that she was anticipating that it would be earlier in the year because they both wanted to get married by mid-2022, or later. “I always ‘maths it out’ when I would get engaged, I even did my nails twice to ensure they were perfect.

“It was on the night of March 28 while he was taking me home after a long day at work he popped the question. I was in the car singing and we were both enjoying the cool temperature when he changed the music to Snoh Aalegr’s Find Someone Like You and expressed how much he could never see himself living with anyone else and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

“I was a bit nervous and in disbelief at what was happening. When we arrived at my parents’ house he asked me to be his wife. I was elated. I screamed. I got teary-eyed and of course, I embraced him with a resounding, ‘Yes!'”

Surrounded by family and friends at the Alhambra Inn they cemented their bond in marriage on September 10.

Devene oozed radiance as a bride in her gown, a white illusion mermaid gown that featured floral and truffle designs. Her bouquet of nude, white and brown roses was designed by her.

Her parents Devon Gayle Sr and Babbet Gayle escorted her up the aisle while she sang Never Break by John Legend. Bishop Dr C Everton Thomas of Emmanuel Apostolic Church officiated the ceremony that included traditional and personally written vows.

After, guests and wedding party headed inside the ballroom at Alhambra Inn where Sanya McHugh and her team from Fanciful Décor took the wedding’s emerald green, white and champagne colour scheme and created an elegant reception space.

Hosting duties were handled by Rohj Dawkins, who ensured that a good time was had by all.

Formalities continued with the unveiling and cutting of the two-tiered black forest cheesecake by Shamelia Young from Shamii’s Pastries and dinner catered by the hotel.

The newly-weds later honeymooned at Couples Tower Isle, Saint Mary.