This stylish engagement session at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., showcases Black excellence and the beauty of Black Love.
Some loves are meant to last a lifetime. Others are fleeting memories that you hold on to forever (or maybe encounters you wish to forget!). But, occasionally, if you’re lucky, a love lost will find you again, rekindling a spark that was meant to be all along.
For Ryan and Ashley, their first time dating wasn’t meant to last. While attending Morgan State University in 2008, they officially met in 2009 through a mutual friend (now Ryan’s best man, Derrick), but parted ways after dating for about a year.
In 2017, they unexpectedly reconnected at a friend’s child’s birthday and began dating again. Learning from their time apart and growing together in love and in life, this time around, their love was meant to be. Ryan proposed to Ashley on November 13th, 2022, at the Georgetown Waterfront in D.C. and they are now looking forward to a beautiful wedding this year in September 2023!
Fast forwarding to their black excellence-themed engagement session at the National Gallery of Art, everything that could go wrong did. The weather was rainy and they even forgot a few items they were going to bring for the shoot. In spite of all the unexpected hiccups, the power couple (along with their talented photographer, Derek Lamar Visuals LLC), made magic and the resulting shoot is beautiful testament to their love!
More sweet details on Ryan and Ashley’s love story below.
- Couple: Ryan Jack & Ashley Wiggins
- Occupations: Government & Finance Analyst
- Wedding date: September 16, 2023
- Wedding location: Marriott Metro Centre
- Location of Engagement shoot: National Gallery of Art
How they met…
Ryan and Ashley both attended Morgan State University in 2008. In 2009, they met through a mutual friend- Derrick, the best man, and started dating during their sophomore year into junior year. After about a year dating, they moved on from the relationship. Both graduated from Morgan in 2012 and took on adulthood post college in their own ways.
They reconnected in 2017 and started dating again in 2017. Both took what they’ve learned from the years they were apart and applied it to their new relationship for love. During this time, they traveled together, coached each other into new careers, and most importantly, aided in each other’s growth as people.
Their first date(s)…
In college, their first spark was during a group movie night in their dorm’s common area.
Their first date when they reconnected in 2017 (while attending a mutual friend’s child’s birthday party) was when Ashley suggested Fogo De Chao in Tyson, VA, for dinner.
When they knew they found “the one”…
Ryan knew Ashley was the one when his car got totaled and his first thought was to call Ashley.
Ashley knew Ryan was the one because he loved her like Christ loved the Church. He loved and chose her every time. She used to have this recurring dream where she’d be at the altar of her wedding and could never see the groom’s face.
Then, one day it was clear that the person lifting her veil was Ryan.
The proposal…
After dating for 4 years, Ryan proposed on November 13th, 2022, at the Georgetown Waterfront in DC in front of over 30 friends and family members.
Their engagement session & theme…
Everything that could go wrong that day did. We ended up having rain which was horrible for hair and traffic. We even forgot a few things, but the pictures came out great. Derek was able to capture some amazing moments and we were still able to have fun in the moment. Our theme for the engagement session was black excellence. We wanted something that just showcased the beauty in black love.
Favorite things to do as a couple…
Staying in and doing nothing but enjoying being home together while couch-cuddling.
Wedding planning so far…
Overall planning has been fun! There is a lot to juggle, but we are managing it well.
What they’re looking forward to most on their wedding day…
They are looking forward to the moments after the ceremony when it’s just them and it sinks in that they just did it. Then celebrating with all their loved ones and seeing their vision come together.
Looking for more museum engagements like this one at the National Gallery of Art?
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Vendors:
- Photography: Derek Lamar Visuals LLC
- MUA: Shantel Pinnock
- Venue: The National Gallery of Art
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