ENGAGEMENTS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY REEM PHOTOGRAPHY

WEDDING DATE: October 9, 2022 WEDDING LOCATION: The Porsche Experience Atlanta. OCCUPATIONS: LaJoy is an Atlanta-based Luxury wedding photographer and Teko is an Atlanta-based Videographer and Recording Artist.

HOW THEY MET: I was the one to approach Teko at his job after seeing him a few times. I finally worked up the courage to chat with him and gave him my card. I told him I was a photographer and needed models for a shoot and he would be a great fit. He had no idea I was interested in dating him. Teko and I became fast friends and were able to connect through our love for creativity and great conversation.

PROPOSAL STORY: Teko was celebrating his birthday and we took him out to dinner. After dinner, we started taking photos with the family and as I turned around he got on one knee and proposed. I was so shocked because he is rarely away from me and I could not figure out when he had time to pull this off. We work together, live together, and spend a great deal of our free time together. As I was coming down from my shock he handed me his phone and there was a video playing with all of my family and friends telling me congratulations from weeks before he asked. I had talked to all of these people and some even did photo shoots with me and never said a word. I love to know everything that is going on and hate being the last person to know about something and he managed to have everyone know about the engagement but me. It was hilarious. He went LIVE on my phone for everyone to see on my Instagram page. I was shocked and immediately started crying. Especially when I saw my grandmother who has health problems and has been home unable to come out since covid began. The moment was amazing and I will never forget it. I stared at him and my ring for the rest of the night.

Teko: It was after one of our late-night talks. I opened up to her in a way that I was never able to do with anyone else. I just felt like I could trust her, and in that moment I knew something was different but I wanted her. That night we learned that we had a lot in common and I knew it was her, she was the one I would spend the rest of my life with, then we shared our first kiss.

LaJoy: A long conversation we had where I realized we were both hurting from the loss of a parent. I told myself that even if we did not work (but I hoped that we would) I would be his friend forever. I felt protective over his heart at that moment and never wanted him to be alone.

Our engagement session theme was Epic Elegance.

Our first date was very sweet. We went out to eat to chat and get to know each other better. Our conversation revealed our competitive sides so we headed to the bowling alley to show our skills. After a night of trash-talking and laughing, we sat out under the stars and talked all night long.

LaJoy: As a couple, our favorite thing to do is being able to go to work together and have competitions on who will get the better photo for the bride and groom.

Teko: Watching movies together at home with our home theatre system with our wing stop Lemon pepper all flats and drinking wine.

Wedding planning has been fun and pretty easy. It has been very cool to see what it looks like as a bride and groom and not a wedding vendor. I have a lot more respect for what my couples endure. We got slightly overwhelmed in the beginning but it was quickly calmed after my planner let me know it was normal. Brides and grooms have to make a lot of decisions and our process has been fun, but I think I'm going to be sad when it is all over.

LaJoy: Watching Teko's reaction during our first look. I don't dress up much and being able to see his face when he turns around is going to be a moment I will never forget. Teko: I'm excited to hear what her vows will be. I've been working on my vows for a few years so I can not wait to finally tell her. Both: We are both excited for the guest to enjoy themselves.

PLANNER: Russell Wendell HAIR: Merlande MAKEUP: BforBeaute PHOTOGRAPHER: Reem Photography VIDEO: Champagne Love Stories STYLIST: Nadiad

PHOTOGRAPHED BY STANLO

PHOTOGRAPHY

WEDDING DATE: October 14, 2023 WEDDING LOCATION: Baltimore Museum of Arts OCCUPATIONS: Sam is a Program Manager of D.O.D. & Amy is an Interior Designer.

HOW THEY MET: In 2020, during the tail-end of the pandemic shutdown; Sam and I were both single parents to little girls. We lived 70 miles apart between Baltimore, Maryland, and Woodbridge, Virginia. The chances of us crossing paths were nearly impossible. In November, Sam was preparing to be a groomsman in his best friend's wedding in Los Angeles. I was a friend of the bride, and at the last minute, she invited me to come as well.

Weeks before the wedding, the bride happened to see me rant, via social media, about a bad date I had experienced. She instantly reached out to me to ask if I was ok. And then, she told me that she had a guy that she thought I should meet because we had so much in common. After having two back-to-back bad dates, I thought… ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’

So, she put Sam and I in touch via text; and I must say… it was not Love at first ‘text’! We messaged back and forth a few times and I "ghosted" him. I simply didn't think blind "hook-ups" were a thing for me. Sam, however, had other plans! The week of the wedding he reached back out to me and asked if I was still coming to the wedding; and if so, did I have transportation from the airport. He said if I did not, he'd like to pick me up and take me on a date before the festivities began. I had arrangements, but I cancelled them! Who doesn’t love a Man with a Plan? Sam met me at the airport and took me on our first date... and we've been inseparable since that day!

PROPOSAL STORY: As a unit, one of the things that Amy and I pride ourselves on is planning and preparations. With that in mind, we were planning our first family trip with the kids and her mother. The timing of the trip “happened” to land on Amy’s birthday, in July. It would be our first time back in Los Angeles since the wedding. There was a lot of speculation amongst her friends that I was getting ready to propose.

So, I firmly put to bed the idea and assured her that this was simply a trip for her birthday and for the family. Once I had her convinced, I then proceeded with my plans for our “Engagement Trip”! To my benefit, the jeweler was in Beverly Hills and her two best friends reside there as well. They would be my allies in keeping the plans running smoothly. As Amy and I made plans for activities with the kids and reservations to her favorite restaurants, I was trying to secure the perfect place to have our proposal dinner problem being finding a reservation in LA for 7 adults and 5 children during covid was like trying to find toilet paper at target during the height of the pandemic! Once we found a restaurant, the last obstacle was the delivery of the ring. I had been in contact with the jeweler since April designing the ring and while it was completed in June, I couldn’t very well just have it delivered to the “queen of packages” doorstep. So, the plan was to pick it up during our trip. I waited until we’d taken the kids to the pool, and a courier delivered the ring to me downstairs, I had to lie and tell her that I needed to take a work call on a Saturday! This was the day of the proposal mind you. Everything afterwards went smoothly; Amy had NO clue she was getting engaged

During a family dinner with my brothers and their significant others, watching the way she interacted with my family and how well I saw her get along with my friends, I knew she was the one. She always just fits right in.- Sam

up until the moment I got down on one knee. She was shocked during and even after saying yes, that she admittedly stated, “I don’t know which hand it goes on!”

ENGAGEMENT SESSION THEME: With our engagement shoot we wanted to accomplish two things: Culture and Style. Sam’s family is from Ghana, and I come from 4 generations (maternal and paternal) of Washingtonians. It is traditional for Washingtonian couples to take engagement pictures at the Lincoln Memorial, and there we chose to dress in our take of Modern African Style. At the Conrad Hotel, we wanted to showcase our personal style and flair. I am an interior designer and architecture is a passion of mine. I love the eccentric style of the hotel's atrium and there we showed our personal style as a couple.

FIRST DATE? Sam picked me up from the LAX airport and we went on a brunch date. We talked for so long that he was late for a wedding rehearsal and dinner!

FAVORITE THING TO DO AS A COUPLE? We are both foodies and love going to new restaurants. We also like doing family activities with our kids and traveling.

HOW HAS WEDDING PLANNING BEEN SO FAR? So far wedding planning has been a breeze. Sam and I are natural planners; combined with the strength of a wedding planner, we are steadily knocking things off our to-do list early. Our goal is to pay off the entire wedding prior to and walk down the aisle debt free!

WEDDING DAY: The theme of our wedding is ‘Cinderella’ and that is really a tribute to our daughters. I want my daughters to know that no matter what happens in their journey, they can STILL meet prince charming and live happily ever after! I can’t wait for them to see us married. We also look forward to seeing our family and friends have an amazing time and witness our genuine love for one another. We want every moment of the day to be memorable from the morning's mimosa to the reception’s champagne toasts!

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kareem Virgo of Reem Photography MAKEUP: Tia Codrington of YSBeautyCo HAIR INSTALL: Christina Michelle of Nola Beauty TUX, SUIT & BOWTIES STYLED BY: Wayne Willis of Well Groomed Man

WEDDING DATE: November 20, 2022 WEDDING LOCATION: Cap Estate, St. Lucia, West Indies OCCUPATIONS: IT Business Development Manager & Pharmacist

Halle and Eric first met at Hampton University in 2011 during a Freshman Week block party on the waterfront. The couple was introduced to one another through a mutual friend. Eric initially asked for Halle’s number on the waterfront but she kindly declined his advance. The two reconnected the following evening at a house party in the Harbors Apartments (Apartment 16A) the following day and engaged in a light-hearted conversation over mixing drinks for their freshman classmates. At the end of the party, Halle discreetly put her phone number in Eric’s phone. The couple has been inseparable ever since.

On December 12, 2020, I asked the woman of my dreams to start a family and new journey with me. Halle always had a dream to get married at a cathedral and I immediately knew that the National Cathedral was the perfect venue for the proposal. Coincidentally, she had a brunch planned with her line sisters the same afternoon so I was able to arrange her hair and nail appointments earlier in the week without arousing suspicion. I had to think quick on my feet and suggested that we hop in the car together for a quick drive. She had not visited the Cathedral so this was the perfect excuse. As we approached the Cathedral, she was rendered speechless, and still didn’t suspect anything as we parked. I looked at her and suggested that we take a walk to get a better view. In true Halle fashion, she wore stilettos and didn’t want to walk far; however, I kept insisting that we walk to the Bishop’s Garden. As we approached the garden near the middle of the proposal sight, Halle began to notice the videographers and the aisle of flower petals in her favorite colors. I popped the question as soon as we reached the center of the garden and asked Halle to spend the rest of her life with me.

We ultimately chose St. Lucia as our wedding destination because we fell in love with the island’s Piton volcanic mountains and lush vegetation. Ultimately, we wanted our theme to compliment the island’s natural beauty and chose an Enchanted Garden theme. Our engagement video and photo sessions were completed in two separate locations with the same theme in mind. We believe Secret Garden Miami was the perfect venue for our video shoot since the landscape was extremely similar to St. Lucia’s tropical atmosphere. Our formal photos were taken at the Jefferson Memorial near the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. This venue is located right on the Potomac River and offers serene views of the National Mall with plenty of natural lighting to capture the perfect image.

We ate at a local Italian restaurant in Hampton, Virginia named Mama Rosa’s and borrowed one of our senior “big’s” vehicles for transportation.

WEDDING PLANNER: KeAira Chantell Events PHOTOGRAPHY: Stanlo Photography CINEMATOGRAPHY: Bricks Group Media MAKEUP: Blush by Makki GOWN: Walone Fashion Group TUXEDO: Reco Chapple - House of Chapple

We absolutely love to travel. Prior to our engagement, we’d find any excuse for a weekend getaway. Our shared love for traveling and embarking on new experiences together led us to create a concierge travel business named Westbury Worldwide Experiences.

The planning has been a journey. We’re always learning from one another but this experience has brought us even closer. Planning an event of this magnitude has allowed us to learn new things about each other along the way and hone our communication skills. Although nothing is perfect, we have managed to navigate through any obstacles and finally see our vision come to fruition. We’re elated to share this momentous occasion with our loved ones.

We’re looking forward to finally getting down the aisle and establishing our own household. Halle is also equally excited about changing her last name to Westbury.

Photo: Imagery by Jules