A Tale of Two Cities: Stylish Engagement Session in New Orleans & Dallas

From the moment Terron and Jarred met on the campus of Louisiana State University (LSU), they knew they were kindred spirits bonded by humor. Jarred’s playful nature and ability to bring a smile to Terron’s face sealed the deal. It didn’t hurt that he was also attractive.

Terron remembers the exact day they became a couple. She shares, “We were friends for a year before we became an official couple on August 1, 2010. 9 years and 16 days after becoming a couple, he proposed. ” She sensed that Jarred would propose soon, but she didn’t know how or when. Luckily, Jarred was still able to surprise her by popping the question over a romantic dinner.

To celebrate their engagement, this photogenic couple decided to have two engagement sessions. One in their transplant city of Dallas where they both work and live. The other took them back to their New Orleans, Louisiana roots. Both sessions were beautifully photographed by MunaLuchi Coterie member Shagari Gerard Photography. Read their charming love story below.

Names: Terron & Jarred
Occupations: Hairstylist & Electrical Engineer
Wedding date: 08/01/2020
Wedding location: Champagne Palace in New Orleans
Location of Engagement shoot: Dallas Arboretum and New Orleans City Park

Tell us how you met

The first time I saw Jarred, he was walking across the WCA parking lot at LSU. I said to the people in the car, “Who is that?? We need to figure out who he is!!” They both responded with, “I think that’s is this person roommate.” My reponse was, “Well I don’t know who that person is, but tell him to tell his roommate I said,”Hello.'” They did, and my roommate asked if it was ok to give him my number. I of course said, “Yes!”

The first time we met was at my dorm. My roommate and I happened to have on the same pajamas. When Jarred and his roommate came over, they clowned us for dressing alike. I had my hair wrapped, scarf on, glasses on, and my retainer in my mouth. I obviously didn’t feel like “being cute.” We talked for a little while, and when I went to walk with him outside, he was very playful. We were play fighting, and he told me he was going to throw me in the Porta Potty! Me thinking I’m big and bad said, “No the hell you not.” He didn’t throw me in there, but he did pick me up and act like he was going to throw me in the bushes. That’s when I knew he was the one lol.

How Did He Propose?

We were friends for a year before we became an official couple on August 1, 2010. 9 years and 16 days after becoming a couple, he proposed. I had a feeling he was going to propose soon, because he had been acting really strange the weeks leading up to it. I actually told my old coworker that morning at work I thought he was going to do it that night at dinner, and he did.

We went to dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. One of the reasons I felt it was coming is because we only eat “fancy” on special occasions like birthdays or holidays. We got to the table, and there were rose petals on the table. I said to him, ” Oh we having a fancy dinner huh!” He said he didn’t know why that was on the table, so I just let it go.

By the time dinner was over, he still hadn’t proposed. I thought maybe I’m reading too much into it. I guess it’s not going to happen. The waitress brought us the check. He handed her his card. She went to charge it, came back and said the card declined. I thought, “That ain’t true,” but whatever, let me continue watching this Cowboys game that was on. (I don’t even like football, but that’s how over the situation I was.)

So he got up and said, “Wait run it again,” and walked away with her. I rolled my eyes and kept watching TV. He came back and said, “It’s not working,” and he left his other cards at home (all lies lol). He asked if I had my card to pay. I just went to my purse and grabbed my card and slid it into the little check booklet without opening it. His response was, “Are you not going to check to see how much it is?” I thought, what does that even matter, we have to pay. (I was super annoyed by this time). He then flipped the booklet open and the ring was sitting inside of the booklet. I instantly started crying.

Describe your engagement session.

We didn’t really have a theme. Jarred didn’t want to be there taking pictures at all, so it was nice that we knew Shagari. He was able to lighten the mood for Jarred to be willing to participate and smile. We did two sessions with Shagari: one in Dallas where we live now, and one in New Orleans, which is where both of us are from. Both sessions were amazing even though we got rained on a little during the Dallas one. The New Orleans shoot was my favorite because we got to eat beignets at Cafe Du Monde. I love food. Its the way to my soul, and the picture of me feeding or trying to feed him the beignet is one of my favorites.

What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?

Travel to new places, eat and drink.

How has wedding planning been so far?

Wedding planning has been pretty easy. We are currently 6 months away, and we pretty much have everything taken care of. So far, I’ve only had two mini wedding related breakdowns, so I think we are doing great.