Military Engagement Session in Miami: Megan + Roberto

When Megan and Roberto met, they knew their love would never be at ease. Both Active Duty officers in the U.S. Coast Guard, the couple met in 2013 at a mutual friend’s mixer. When Roberto saw Megan he was instantly attracted to her and introduced himself. The two danced the night away and Roberto knew Megan was someone he wanted to get to know.

“It was definitely love at first sight and we were inseparable following our first date. After a few months together, we knew we wanted to be with each other,” Megan shares. The couple got engaged in 2014 and was officially married 4-months later. Though the military dealt them an untraditional hand, they were determined to have their traditional moments. The couple’s engagement session was a cool mix of martial and casual. “We started the shoot at a hotel on south beach that had an Art Deco feel. Our wedding is Art Deco with a modern twist so it was necessary to incorporate some Art Deco touches. We then went to Coast Guard Base Miami Beach to take photos in front of Coast Guard cutters (ships/boats) and containers because they are significant to our jobs,” Megan shares.

Captured by Dolce Photography, the images were a testament to their love for each other and their military background.

Bride-to-be: Megan Concepcion
Groom-to-be: Roberto Concepcion
Wedding date: November 1, 2015




Tell us all about the proposal!
I decided on making it all about her and giving her a special memory that she could share not only with me but also with the other people in her life that mean so much to her, her family. Megan always talked about how she wanted her mom and dad to come visit us in D.C., so I figured I would make it come true. First, I needed to ask her father for his daughter’s hand in marriage. I calmly asked Mr. Copening if I could marry his daughter. He responded with “absolutely”, which blew me away. I decided to try to find a venue that could accommodate all of her family and some of mine who I also wanted to be a part of this special moment in our lives. I called over 30 restaurants and event venues for a private room that could accommodate some decor and food for approximately 10-15 people; I eventually found the perfect place, Cafe DuPont. 

I set the proposal date for March 22, 2014, and immediately notified Mama C so she could make travel arrangements. Now I needed to figure out how I could get Megan to get dressed up to go somewhere with me without giving away the surprise. Then the perfect plan came to me, since I was a White House Social Aide and worked events for the President of the United States and the First Lady, I would tell her that we were invited to another White House Social Aide party, which are typically dressy events for all of the military White House Social Aides. About two weeks before the proposal, Megan started getting real anxious for me to propose to her. I had to survive two weeks and every time she would see someone getting married on TLC’s Say Yes To The Dress shows she would ask me when I would ask her to marry her.The morning of the proposal, I told Megan I had a White House event and dressed up in my uniform (so she wouldn’t suspect anything). However, I was really going to meet up with Mama C, Michelle, and Megan’s father Michael to give them a tour of the White House. While standing in line, Megan began to text her sister, Michelle, who gave us a play by play narration of Megan’s texts. One of which Megan claimed, it was “pointless” for her to get her nails done since she wasn’t going to be proposed to anytime soon. 

When I returned home from my “White House event,” I thought Megan would be so excited to go to the “Social Aide party” as she had so much fun at the last one. Well, I was wrong. She claimed she didn’t want to go anymore. I guess since she was disappointed that I wouldn’t propose to her that weekend. I kept pushing her to go and eventually she agreed. After being guided to the right part of the restaurant, I began to walk with Megan to the private room I booked and it seemed empty in which I thought, “they are hiding really well!” I saw the photographer first and as soon as we crossed the threshold of the room we were both greeted with a loud “Surprise!” Megan was shocked. Her face said it all and she actually started shaking. She had no clue what was going on or why her family was there. After everyone exchanged greetings, I immediately asked Mr. Copening for the ring. That’s when I got on one knee and everyone got quiet. I grabbed Megan’s hand and became overwhelmed with emotions of love and joy. I let my heart do the talking and Megan began to cry. With her eyes filling with tears of joy I said, “Megan, I know you have been waiting for this moment and I have been waiting my entire life to meet someone like you. I love you with my entire heart, soul, mind, and body. I can’t see myself living life without you. I thank God for sending me such a blessing. With that, Megan, will you marry me?” To this day we love telling this story because of all the things that happened, how special it was, and how spoiled Megan was acting. It was so perfect. If it was up to her we wouldn’t have even gone to the “party!” It all worked out for the best though because I got my queen. It is definitely a moment I will remember for the rest of my life!



What did you do on your first date?
While scrolling through my contacts, I saw that Megan’s name was in my phone. I couldn’t remember how I got her number but I knew somehow that she must have given it to me, so I decided to text her. I asked her what she was doing that night and when she stated she wanted to go out, I immediately had plans in mind. I told her I would pick her up at 9pm and she agreed.When I picked her up she looked amazingly BEAUTIFUL. It was raining outside so I took out my umbrella and escorted her to the car like a gentleman should. We chatted until we got to Chi Cha Lounge in D.C. I made sure we got a nice table so we could talk and get to know each other. We laughed and asked each other a ton of questions. There was an instant connection and the communication flowed seamlessly.We talked about everything and I found her to be a great listener. We discussed our backgrounds, childhood, family, life goals, etc. I even made a joke that we should get married someday! I also invited her to come meet my family in the Turks and Caicos, which I’m sure she thought I was joking about at the time, but we made that trip a few months later. Although we were opposites (me the extrovert and Megan the introvert), we meshed together so well that it was scary. As the night pressed on, our connection intensified. We then went to a nightclub where my charm just happened to overwhelm her when she snuck me with a kiss on the lips. Of course I went with it. She will go to the grave denying that she kissed me first. We danced all night and actually shut down the club that night. We had a GREAT night dancing and laughing, it was truly euphoric. I really didn’t want to leave her side so I took her out for lunch the next day and to meet my God brother. From that point on, we were inseparable!



What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Megan and I love to travel and go on road trips! We just moved to Puerto Rico from the Washington, D.C. area and while we were there, we were constantly on the road or a flight traveling somewhere. We also love to eat! We consider ourselves burger connoisseurs. In all seriousness, we love to try new restaurants and foods. Megan and I also love to read together. One of our favorite books is The Five Love Languages. Lastly, we love to dance and I love to make her feel like there is no one else in the room whenever we go out to have a good time!



How has wedding planning been so far?
Megan and I have been planning the entire wedding ourselves as we are extremely particular and detail oriented people. We even spent 4 months building our wedding website from scratch! It has been a blast planning such a special day with my best friend as we have gotten to know each other on such a different level throughout this entire process. Just being able to work together as a team and explore each other’s creativity has allowed us to build upon the bond we already share.



Tell us what you’re looking forward to the most on your wedding day.
We are both so anxious for the big day to get here! I can’t wait to see my beautiful hunny at the end of the aisle in her wedding dress. I can’t wait to hold her hand in mine, look into her beautiful eyes, and tell her all the things I promise to do for her as long as we shall live. I can’t wait to express to her how much she has meant to me and how I can’t wait to spend forever with her. I am looking forward to hearing her vows as well and seeing her tears of joy stream down her pretty face. We’re looking forward to celebrating our love with the people who mean the most to us, our family and friends. Lastly, we are both looking forward to seeing our vision come together as we have spent over a year planning every single detail of our wedding.

Congrats to the beautiful couple! We’re truly honored that you’ve chosen to share your engagement photos with us. We’re sure the wedding will be just as beautiful.

Vendors
Photographer – Dolce Photography