When Devin began planning the proposal he decided the perfect moment would be during what was actually the engagement photoshoot. Enlisting the help of MunaLuchi Coterie member, Reem Photography, and a local acoustic guitarist, what seemed like a couples’ photo session would turn out to be one of Cathy’s most cherished and unforgettable moments – all beautifully captured.
Read all about Cathy & Devin’s love story, romantic proposal, and wedding aspirations in their surprise proposal engagement session in Fort Lauderdale.
Bride & Groom-to-be: Cathy & Devin
Occupations: Graphic Designer/Instructor/Business & Chemical Engineer
Location of Engagement shoot: Fort Lauderdale, Fl
Tell us how you met. We met at a Black Student Union networking event in Spring 2012 at Florida State University during our undergrad years in college. During that time we remained friends but we sort of lost touch when Cathy graduated in the Fall of 2014. We’d check on each other via text and social media from time to time. We reconnected in June 2017 and started officially dating that same October.
Tell us all about the proposal. We wanted to take some couples’ photos so we scheduled a photo shoot with Kareem. Cathy didn’t know it, but I was planning to propose the whole time. I sought out an acoustic guitarist to play one of our favorite songs, “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, while I sang to her. Our photo session was scheduled for a Sunday so I flew into Fort Lauderdale on the Friday prior, and spent a few hours with Cathy before I briefly departed with her to “nap in my hotel room,” at least that’s what she thought. She didn’t know that I planned a rehearsal with the guitarist and a walk-through of the site to pick the perfect spot to propose. We decided that the best spot to propose would be right there on the pier. I had arranged for the guitarist to role play as if he was just there practicing on his guitar and then I would come up and ask him to play a song for me and my girlfriend. Tommy (the guitarist) did a wonderful job, he acted like he didn’t even know me which exactly what I wanted. He came over and I asked him to play a song for us. He asked if either of us sings, and she said that I did (which I knew she would). He told us that he had just learned a song and wanted to know if I could sing to it, “let’s give it a try,” I said. He proceeded to play and I started singing. Even then, Cathy didn’t know what was going on. However, by the end of the song, I could tell that she had realized what was going on and was bracing herself for the proposal. Upon ending the song, I descended onto one knee and presented the ring to her and asked her to marry me.
What did you do on your first date? Our first date wasn’t really a “first date” so to speak because we were just friends. We were both in undergrad and we went to see Maleficent and afterwards went to a crepe shop called Dough-licious. Our official first date was my first time in Fort Lauderdale and we were supposed to go to an exercise class together, but I wasn’t able to get into the class so we just went to a donut shop called Mojo’s Donuts. One of the best decisions of our lives!
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love trying new things together, whether it be watching a new show, food stating, or taking a visit to a new place. We are both artists in our own rights so anything art related intrigues us.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day. The stress being over!
Vendors:
Photography: Reem Photography
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