Inspiration

Real Engagements {Washington D.C.} Nydia & Terrance! – Blackbride.com

Terrance and Nydia met in April of 2013 and have been together for a year and a half. A mutual friend introduced them via email. At the time, Nydia was living in DC, and Terrance was living in Columbus, Ohio. They spoke and texted a few times after that, but nothing materialized. A few months later, Terrance was in DC visiting friends. Although Nydia was out of town for a conference that weekend, she returned a few hours before Terrance's flight back to Ohio. They didn’t have time to meet up but Terrance really wanted to meet Nydia so he asked her for a ride to the airport. Nydia was reluctant at first, but something kept telling her to take a chance and give this (somewhat) perfect stranger a ride. She's so glad she took that chance. They’ve been inseparable ever since. Check out their chic D.C. engagement session captured by Wale Ariztos Photography.

Bride: Nydia M. Pouyes, 30, Attorney

Groom: Terrance A. Mebane, 30, Attorney

Place of residence: Washington, DC

Engagement Shoot Location: Old Town Alexandria, George Washington Masonic Temple, and St. Regis Hotel (DC)

Wedding date: 7/11/15

Wedding location: Holy Rosary Church (Ceremony) and the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Reception) – both in Washington, DC

Wedding theme: Glamour, Elegance, and High Fashion

Engagement story from the bride-to-be :

Shortly after we met, Terrance I agreed that we wanted to get married in the spring or fall of 2015. (It seems crazy, but we just knew we were meant to be together). Doing the math, that meant he would likely propose in the winter of 2014. That meant the ball was in Terrance's court, and I patiently waited for his proposal. Throughout the summer, I contemplated a Greece proposal (we were going there for vacation), but surely that wasn't enough time for Terrance to save for and purchase a ring. Unbeknownst to me, he already had the ring and was simply waiting on the perfect time. Fast-forward to July 2014, we're admiring the awesome sunset at the Port of Mykonos and taking lots of pictures but Terrance is acting suspiciously fidgety and nervous and won't remove his hand from his pocket. "Hey Terrance, did I feel something round in your pocket when I bumped into you?"  He's playing dumb, but something is definitely up.  He never acts this obtuse. I wonder if there's something he wants to ask me. After a fun night of dinner, drinks, and dancing, Terrance suggests that we stop by the port again to get one more picture with the water in the background. It's pitch black out though so of course I point this out. Nevertheless, Terrance pulls me away so we can take more pictures. With the biggest smile on his face, Terrance tells me that he's loved me since he met me and that it's "well-established" (inside joke) that we're going  to spend the rest of our lives together, gets down on one knee, and ask me to marry him.  Of course I say yes! Needless to say, Greece was an awesome trip!

For the Groom: Walk us through the behind the scenes of creating this special day:

Hiding Nydia’s engagement ring for weeks and transporting it to another continent was one of the most nerve-racking endeavors I’ve ever experienced. I struggled between waiting for the perfect moment and praying I didn’t lose it. It's our second day in Greece—we arrived at the port of Mykonos Island around sunset.  My nerves are completely and utterly shot by this point. I know I'm going to propose, and I let the perfect moment pass because I couldn't unwrap the ring in my pocket from the 12 layers of tape I hid it in.  We're now headed back to the car after a night of fun.  It's now or never.  (And by "never," I mean "tomorrow.")  And with the ring (finally) unwrapped, I'm ready to make my move. "Let's stop by the port again; I want to get one more picture with the water in the background."  Although it's pitch black out, I can't think of another reason to get Nydia alone. I tell Nydia that I've loved her since I met her and that it's "well-established" (inside joke) that we're going  to spend the rest of our lives together. I then get down on one knee, and ask her to marry me.

What was the theme of your Engagement session?

Neither of us wanted the typical “touristy” pictures with DC’s most recognizable monuments in the background. We opted for some of the city’s hidden gems, and aimed for what we hoped would be timeless, yet unique images.

What makes your love special?

Our love story is truly a whirlwind fairytale, with every chapter unfolding effortlessly and showing us that we're meant to be. We talk about absolutely everything, always give one another the benefit of the doubt, and rarely get mad for more than a second (or two). To this day, the only things we’ve ever argued about are food and is who is the better cook between us. We can never get enough of each other; we differ in so many ways but together we strike the perfect balance.

 

What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?

We're looking forward to sharing a day of love and fellowship with our family and friends—and of course a memorable party!

Have you started planning your wedding? If so, share a few details about your big day:

Yes, we've booked all our major vendors. Now, we are focusing on all the small, fun details. We will have a Catholic ceremony at Holy Rosary Church and the cocktail hour and reception at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Congrats to Nydia and Terrance! We wish you a wonderful wedding and marriage. 

Photographer: Wale Ariztos Photography

Beauty – Make-Up: Jamaya Moore

Stylist: The bride

Curated by our Wedding Features Editor, C.K. Alexander. C.K. is the owner and founder of  Love Ink and Brownstone Bridal. Keep up with C.K. on Twitter here: @Love_Ink

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