Fabulous Multi-Venue Engagement Session in Atlanta, Georgia

Couple’s Fabulous multi-venue engagement session in Atlanta, Georgia replicates their love story through symbolic destinations.

While living in Atlanta, Darrius and Kaddra encountered each other at their local grocery store. After two more meetings ‘down the isles’ of the same grocery store, Darrius finally found the courage to talk to the mystery woman who’d caught his eye. Luckily for him, Kaddra was equally intrigued and they soon began their journey together.

Over the course of their two-day meaningful multi-venue engagement session in Atlanta, the couple hoped to replicate different facets of their love story. Shooting at different locations, like a Hooters, an Aquarium, a cigar lounge, and other notable landmarks around Atlanta, they invite us into their journey to love.

For more details on their romance and photography from their meaningful multi-venue engagement session, keep reading below!

• Full names of couple: Darrius Hall and Kaddra Greene  
• Occupations: Darrius is an entrepreneur as an owner and operator in the trucking industry. He is also a U.S. Army Veteran.  Kaddra is a Supplier Diversity Manager for a major healthcare system. 

Quick Facts:

• Wedding date: 09/19/2021
• Wedding location: A traditional ceremony and reception will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Darrius and Kaddra are extending their celebration by having a Family and Friends Honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica.   
• Location of Engagement shoot: Atlanta, Georgia

How they met… 

Darrius and Kaddra first crossed paths in Atlanta, Georgia during a trip to the grocery store in March 2017.

Being the only grocery store in their immediate area, it was normal to see a familiar face at this particular location from time to time.  However, this trip was different. When the two passed by and noticed each other for the first time in a store aisle, their brief interaction (without even exchanging words) left a lasting impact. Ironically, both wondered, “Who is that?”

A few days later, the two saw each other again at the same grocery store. And while captivated, neither one of them mustered the courage to say anything.

It is said “the third time’s a charm” and this proved to be true when during a visit to the SAME store, the two ran into each other again!  Darrius decided to “shoot his shot” by breaking the line while Kaddra was completing her purchase and said to the cashier, “add her groceries to mine. I’ve got this.” 

The two exchanged pleasantries and Kaddra expressed her appreciation for the kind gesture.  The conversation continued to the parking lot where names and numbers were exchanged. 

Their first date…

Following the grocery store encounter, Kaddra and Darrius communicated daily by phone, getting to know each other.  Their exchanges were thoughtful and endearing.

Due to contrary work schedules, planning another face-to-face encounter was difficult. But after more than a month of phone communication and no more store run-ins, both grew anxious to meet again. 

One Saturday night in late April 2017, Darrius reached out to Kaddra to let her know he had just gotten in from work and wanted to have dinner, and wanted to know if she was interested in joining him.  Kaddra obliged and they met at the local Hooters to catch up over wings and the NBA Playoffs. 

What was supposed to be a quick “meet-and-greet” turned into a four-hour date filled with talking, laughter, and an intense connection. The two found themselves past closing time and the only patrons left in the restaurant.  

Their proposal story…

After almost three years of dating, Darrius knew 2020 was the year to take their relationship to the next level.

With a little help from his mom, he picked the perfect engagement ring during a trip home to Virginia in early 2020.

While he made plans to propose during a family trip to Barbados, his plans came to a screeching halt as the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. While disappointed at having to put his plans on hold, Darrius wasn’t defeated. He kept faith that the best opportunity to surprise Kaddra would present itself when the time was right.

Then, one day Kaddra expressed an interest in taking a low-key trip to Key West, Florida for her birthday. Kaddra’s mother reached out to tell him that Key West was one of the last place she and Kaddra’s late father had traveled before his health began declining. The southernmost Point Pier, one of the most well-known attractions in Key West, was also one of the last places her parents took a vacation picture together.

Honoring Kaddra’s father was important to him. Prior to his passing in August 2019, Darrius had asked for and received her father’s blessing for her hand in marriage. Therefore, Darrius knew the Keys would be a special place to ask Kaddra to be his wife. 

And so, at their rented vacation home on August 13, 2020, Darrius treated Kaddra and her mother to a cooked breakfast for her birthday. Then they headed out for a beach day.

The day was perfect. The Florida sun was beaming and the scenery was breathtaking as they drove down Duval Street towards the Pier. After some family photos were taken by volunteer photographers, Darrius created a scene in which he “tricked” Kaddra into thinking they were going to take a couple’s photo. Instead, he declared his love for her and proposed as her mother and other tourists stood as witnesses. 

When they knew they found “the one”… 

Darrius knew “Kad was ‘the one’ on [their] first date.”

“I had never met anyone like her before. It was the way she carried herself.  She charmed me with her conversation and intellect. As soon as our date was done, I called my brother and my exact words to him were, ‘Bro, I just met my wife’. ”

For Kaddra, she knew Darrius was ‘the one’ when she took him home to meet her parents.

“The authentic way he connected with them touched my heart. He made major life changes that included moving to North Carolina to be closer to my parents because he wanted to help my mother take care of my father  when my father’s illness progressed. I grew more in love with him as I watched him accept my family as his own. That sealed the deal for me.”   

Their engagement session & theme… 

Choosing Atlanta (endearingly called “The A”) was important for them and their love story.

While Kaddra was born and raised in a small town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina and Darrius is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, they actually met and fell in love while living in Atlanta. So, shooting around Atlanta was the obvious choice for them.

Over a two-day period, they visited places that replicated meaningful parts of their relationship and journey to love. The first location was Hooter’s to replicate the scene of their first date. Centennial Park and The John Lewis Mural were the second and third locations chosen to authenticate their Atlanta concept.

The fourth location was The Georgia Aquarium to represent their love for the beach. It also played off the theme of their planned “Family and Friends Honeymoon” in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Their last stop was at the FellaShip ATL, the restaurant and cigar lounge owned by NFL Quarterback Cam Newton. The intimate setting emphasized the “grown and sexy” vibe planned for their September 2020 wedding. The upscale setting also illustrated a hint of Darrius’ liking for cigars.   

Their favorite thing to do as a couple… 

Darrius says, “Kad is my best friend, so I enjoy every experience with her, especially traveling.”

On top of traveling, Kaddra loves trying new foods together.

“Darrius loves to see me happy, and nothing makes me happier than food,” she says, laughing. “We’re foodies together and are always trying out new cuisine, especially when we’re in a new city.  We love to travel.” 

Wedding planning so far… 

Overall, the couple’s wedding planning isn’t too stressful. They credit their planner, Nicole Galloway, as their “lifesaver” in making it all possible.

“She’s made sure that the process has been smooth and stress-free. Despite the time and financial investment in making our event unique and extraordinary, we’ve also made it fun and a journey for us to remember.”  

What they’re looking forward to most on their wedding day…

Darrius is “First and foremost, [excited to see] Kad.”

“I can’t wait to see her in her gown,” he says. “I’m also excited about gathering with our wedding party, family, and friends to celebrate us doing this love thing for life.” 

For Kaddra, she says, “There are so many elements of our day that will have special touches that I’m looking forward to seeing unfold.  But being with Darrius and making this thang official is at the top of my list!”

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Vendors:

• Photographer: Reem Photography
• Planner: Nicole Galloway Weddings & Events
• Venues: Georgia Aquarium | Fellaship ATL | Centennial Park | Hooters Downtown | John Lewis Mural 
• Makeup: LaShaundra Christmas 
• Attire:  Kaddra: Jekia Benson/Five13 Studio, Guess.  Darrius: Pure Atlanta, Men’s Warehouse
• Hair: Sonya Poole