Janice and Ayyaz's Intimate and Endearing Engagement in Washington DC -Munaluchi Bride

For eight years Janice and Ayyaz have developed a relationship foundation of love, trust and support. They have a genuine understanding of each other and what they consider to be “them.” Having had many adventures together they are more than just a couple, they are partners in life. The past eight years of their love has been a “beautiful journey” together, and they both look forward to spending the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.

Read all about Janice & Ayyaz’s love story, proposal details, and wedding aspirations in this intimate and endearing engagement session in Washington DC – beautifully captured by MunaLuchi Coterie member Terri Baskin of Terri Baskin Photography.

Bride & Groom-to-be: Janice & Ayyaz
Occupations: Janice – Student/Health Coach, Gender & Sexuality Educator. Ayyaz – Sales Consultant.
Wedding date: September 16, 2017
Wedding location: Murray Hill Estates, Leesburg, Virginia
Location of Engagement shoot: Washington D.C.

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. Eight years ago, my best friend, Tati convinced me and our girlfriends to drive 45 minutes to watch a basketball game. Tati was hoping to chat with her crush and convinced us that we would probably meet some cute guys. Little did I know, that I would meet my future husband. Once we got to the game, I noticed Ayyaz sitting with Tati’s crush and so I whispered to Tati who then informed her crush that I was interested in Ayyaz. After the game Ayyaz caught up with me, introduced himself, and asked for my number. The rest really is history. Our engagement was a joint decision and very non traditional. We were talking on the phone one day and I said hey do you want to get married? We had had the conversation many times before and the answer was always yes, but this time I was seriously asking him to marry me. He said yes and I said great so we are engaged! We did things a little backwards. We picked out a venue and a caterer and I had bought my dress a few months after we had verbally decided we would get married, but Ayyaz said that he had wanted to do things “right”. On Christmas Eve, Ayyaz told me to close my eyes, and when I opened them, he was on one knee and asking me to marry him with a ring in hand. We were half way through planning our wedding, but I still cried and said yes.

Describe your engagement session. I was hoping to take some photos with the cherry blossoms, but unfortunately a storm had blown them all away! Ayyaz and I both enjoy visiting and spending time in D.C. and since it’s so close to where Ayyaz lives, we decided to use the Nation’s capital as our backdrop. We had a lot of fun taking our engagement photos with Terri Baskin, our photographer, she was awesome to work with.

What did you do on your first date? Our first real date was at a Silver Diner in Virginia. Prior to that, it was just hanging out at the McDonald’s near our college. I had spent the night before burning Biggie CDs to give Ayyaz and Ayyaz showed up with purple flowers because its my favorite color. We spent our night chatting and eating burgers and ended with a steamy car make out session.

What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple? We really enjoy traveling and trying new things. We’ve had some wild adventures together. We’ve gone shark cage diving in South Africa, zip-lining in Costa Rica, Jet-Skiing and ATV riding in the Bahamas, and we climbed castles in Portugal.

How has wedding planning been so far? Wedding planning has been a tad bit stressful. I’m currently completing my Masters in Public Health. I attend Columbia University in New York City while my husband-t0-be is living in Virginia. We’ve been going long distance for almost 4 years and I’m looking forward to us finally being together. I started graduate school in 2015 right after spending two years at Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho (Southern Africa). Planning an out of state wedding has presented a few challenges but as a couple we’ve approached them with grace and faith.

Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day. Ayyaz and I are most looking forward to seeing other at the alter. I have a 100 bucks that says he’s going to cry. If I’m being honest, I will probably cry to. 8 years has been a beautiful journey and we are really looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together.