Engagement Feature: Meron + Mike

Bride-to-be: Meron
Groom-to-be: Mike
Location: Seattle, WA.

We are SO excited to finally get our hands on this stunning couple's engagement shoot! We knew it would be inspiring, but they just blew us away with these breathtaking photos! We love the three different sessions with different locations, looks and styles! The bride to be said each session was a representation of who they are.
Session one: Young, urban and Hip- this look took place at the iconic gum wall in Pike Place Market where they've spent much time together (and initially met not too far from their as well). They wanted to include a fun shoot to show that they were still young, fresh and fun!
Session two: VOGUE- this look took place on the road to Washington State University where they both attended college together. (How stunning is her green dress, by the way!?)
Session three: ELEGANT and Classy- this shoot, taken with the Seattle Space Needle in the background truly shows the elegance and timelessness of these two lovebirds! They truly nailed each of these looks! We are so excited for them to tie the knot.

Tell us how you met one another: We are high school sweethearts and first met at a Folklife festival at the Seattle Center!

How did he pop the question: On our 10 year dating anniversary, Mike planned an extravagant, multi-city getaway trip that started in Miami and ended in Jamaica! Throughout the entire trip, I kept thinking he was going to propose, but he never did and I just couldn't wrap my mind around what he was planning. He finally caught me off guard one night in Jamaica and proposed in the most beautiful way on the beach, in a private dinner set up with candles a personal waitress and musician. I would need an entire day to tell my proposal story in detail, but let's just say it was something you would see on TV...it was breathtaking! It was a fairytale that was my reality playing out right in front of my eyes.

When's the big day: Summer of 2016, date is TBD

What are you looking forward to most about your wedding: I'm looking forward to our two big families coming together and celebrating our love! Also,having the opportunity to showcase our pure and beautiful culture.

Engagement photoshoot by: Ron Espina Photography

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Meron + Mike! Many blessings to you both in your new union, xx.

Engagement Feature: Luwam + Yonas

Bride-to-be: Luwam George

Groom-to-be: Yonas Fessehaye
Location: Atlanta, GA.

Luwam & Yonas just tied the knot over the Labor day weekend so we thought we'd share their sweet engagement photos and "how we met" story during the same week! There is so much L-O-V-E in each photo, we loved it!

Tell us how you met one another: Yonas and I actually met through mutual friends a few years ago. Everyone always mentioned how we should be more than friends, but it really never crossed our minds until after a few years of friendship. Our friendship eventually blossomed into something more after Yonas made a couple of attempts to have a first date. I would always invite people along not really knowing if it was a date or not lol. The really awkward first date led to me marrying my best friend. J

How did he pop the question: I had my family come in town for my cousin’s wedding, so I was running all over the place preparing for their visit. After grocery shopping, I pulled up ready to park and I noticed that Yonas had stolen my favorite parking spot. So I left my car in the middle of the street (yes, I know, very dangerous) and I stormed into the townhouse ready to give him a piece of my mind. However, I walked into a pathway of rose petals leading to a big heart made out of rose petals with a box in the middle of it. I was in complete shock and totally caught off guard, just the way that he had planned. As soon as I told him yes, I would marry him, I told him that he needed to move his car out of my parking spot. Afterwards, we celebrated with chick-fil-a and wine. J It really meant a lot to my family and I that he proposed right before they came into town so I could tell my parents and brother in person that I was engaged rather than over the phone.

When's the big day: September 5^th, 2015

What are you looking forward to the most about your wedding: We are both looking forward to having family and friends from all over the world come and join us in celebrating our union.

What would you say has been the hardest thing about planning an Eritrean-American wedding: Hmm… the most difficult thing would be the guest list. Throughout the process of wedding planning, we had to keep a large guest list in mind. In some ways, it kind of limited the options available for our wedding.

Any tips or pointers for the couple planning a wedding right now:

The wedding is only one day (well, two in our case)! Do not stress out over it and remember: the most important thing is the days AFTER the wedding- the actual marriage. Also, choose your bridal party carefully- they will make the wedding planning much smoother and more fun!

Engagement photos by: Ayu Hailu (we highly recommend him!)

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Luwam + Yonas! Many blessings to you both in your new union, xx.