Singer Rhona Bennett of En Vogue (permanently since 2012), has known her new husband, Shantiel Simon, for over 30 years, but the two didn’t start dating until 2021.
“I think I got lucky in marrying my friend, so it’s an adventure,” she tells ESSENCE. “It’s like, we get to explore this aspect of ourselves, something we never even thought would happen between us.”
Rhona and Shantiel met as freshmen in their high school music class. She made an indelible mark on him at a young age after providing him with some much needed encouragement during class one time. After that, the two became longtime friends. It wasn’t until five years ago that they became something more. It didn’t happen as smoothly as it does in the movies, though.
“To be honest with you, I was running,” she admits. “Like, ‘no, don’t mess up our friendship!’ I wasn’t attracted to him in that way. I was like, we’re just friends.”
But a spiritual journey they found themselves on together, navigating being integration coaches, brought them closer than ever before.
“He decided to shoot his shot, if you will, and I was running. But I didn’t run too far because next thing you know, I’m like, ‘Dude, I think I’m in love. What’s going on?!'”
The two started dating officially in April of 2021, and by September, Santiel asked for her hand in marriage.
“He popped the question really fast. He knew exactly what he wanted,” she says.
They married on September 9 (9/9) in a private ceremony, then they had their celebration in front of loved ones on September 16 at the grand Chateu Elan Winery and Resort. It was quite the event, with her En Vogue group mates, Cindy and Terry, accompanying Rhona as bridesmaids.
“We’ve known each other now for almost two decades and so they’re very close to me,” she says.
Now that the big day is behind Mr. and Mrs. Simon, Rhona is ready for the adventure ahead, including going further on a spiritual and romantic journey with Shantiel.
“We have so many collective goals together so we’re looking forward to seeing how and when those are going to manifest.”
She’s also grateful, in retrospect, that she didn’t miss out on a very good thing by limiting herself, seeing Shantiel as “just” a friend.
“He was right under my nose all this time,” Rhona says. “He and I had both been dating other people and living life in very separate ways, all the while not realizing we were doing the healing we needed to do to be able to see each other differently.”
Check out photos from the couple’s extravagant Atlanta wedding and reception below!
Vendors
Photographer – Cherise Richards Photography
Videographer – Eric Blanks Media
MUA – D’andre Michael
Hair – Beth Defines Beauty
Planner – Dawn Tibbles of Georgia TLC Events, LLC
Venue – Chateau Elan Winery and Resort
Bride and Groom’s Attire – Custom design by Wendi Williams-Stern of Studio Unbiased
Florist/Decor – Jessica Holden of Design House Flowers and Design House Weddings
DJ – John Murray of Jammin’ DJs of Georgia
Cake: Frosted Pumpkin Wedding Cakes
Wedding Cake – Cherie Renee of Iced Out Cakes
Dance Floor Rental – Lethal Rhythms
