Despite having met while they were undergraduate students at the University of Virginia, the neighborhood of Harlem in New York City is what Danielle and Brandon consider their home. It is where they spent their first summer of dating and where they have built their life together. Their engagement session shows just how special Harlem is to them and how much love they have for each other.
Read all about Danielle and Brandon’s relationship as well as their heartfelt engagement session in Harlem. The beautiful photographs were taken by MunaLuchi coterie member Chi-Chi Ari.
Bride & Groom: Danielle & Brandon
Occupations: Creative Director at an Advertising Agency & Client Services Manager at a Tech Start-up
Wedding date: October 28, 2017
Wedding location: Hedge Gallery, Cleveland, Ohio
Location of Engagement shoot: Their home in Harlem and Marcus Garvey Park
Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal. We met as undergrads at the University of Virginia. Like typical hard-headed college students, we had to meet a few times (over a couple of years) before finally exchanging numbers. In terms of our proposal, I almost ruined all of Brandon’s plans hahaha! I got us tickets to the Cavs game the same night Brandon had other plans for us. He didn’t want to give away the surprise so he went with it! The wonderful thing is that change in our plans gave way to a situation when he asked me to marry him that was perfect for us. It was a personal, quiet moment on Thanksgiving morning. Then we spent the day with my family in Ohio.
Describe your engagement session. We spent our first summer dating in Harlem and it’s where we rented our first apartment together. Harlem has been a home to us as we’ve built our lives together. Chi-Chi was critical for capturing this moment. Chi-Chi is a fellow Wahoo and her style is ownable and personal, which is exactly what we were looking to bring to life
What did you do on your first date? We went to Outback!
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple? We LOVE date night. We enjoy getting dressed up and finding a fun restaurant or thing that we’ve always wanted to try. We heard some very sage advice when we first started dating to never stop dating. So we take that seriously :)
How has wedding planning been so far? Wedding planning has been pretty fun. I’m a creative director in my day to day so creating a beautiful wedding has been exciting, although I’m trying not to get caught up in the details! I also have an amazing group of women in my life that have been hands on and helpful.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day. This is tough because I’m excited about the whole day. From the moment we see each other to having an amazing party with our closest friends and family. It’s a day where we’ll create memories and that’s what I’m looking forward to the most.
Vendors:
Photography: Chi-Chi Ari
