Engagement Sessions

Love Meets Style: An Engagement Session in Dallas, TX

Amoya and Phillip met in 2014 through a mutual friend at an alumni homecoming party for Amoya’s alma mater, the University of North Texas. Phillip had recently moved to Dallas from Tulsa and Amoya was happily single, focused on partying and advancing in her career. The two exchanged hellos but didn’t think much of each other given where they were in their lives at the time. A year later in August 2015, they connected on social media where they discovered that they shared a lot in common. Nearly six years later, the couple are preparing to spend together forever! Check out their engagement session with JCi Creatives behind the lens. 

Bride: Amoya Edwards, 31, Advertising Agency Account Supervisor

Groom: Phillip Buggs, 30, Software Sales Consultant

Place of residence: Carrollton, Texas

Engagement Shoot Location: Carrollton, Texas

Wedding date: August 21, 2021

Engagement Story:

It was the day after Christmas, December 26, 2019, a day I will never ever forget! I was taking a mid-day WFH (work from home) nap, and Phillip called to wake me up to exchange our Christmas gifts. He was returning home to Dallas from his trip to Tulsa and I immediately went into panic mode because his gifts had not yet arrived. 

Phillip’s love languages are quality time and receiving gifts, so I felt really awful that he was so excited for our gift exchange and I wasn’t ready. When he walked in the door, I broke the news, but his spirits remained high!  In true Phillip fashion, the first of my gifts was a gag gift. Anyone who knows him knows that my man is the greatest troll of all time! It was a shoe box with an empty Airpod box inside. The second gift? Also, a gag! I thought I was opening a box of earrings that I had on my Christmas list – it, too was empty. At this point, I was about to throw the box at his head, but just as I started to give him the hardest eye roll, I see him begin to get down on one knee with the most gorgeous ring!  After about 30 seconds of screaming in complete disbelief, I give him an emphatic YES, and then he began to read off a list of every single reason he could think of to spend the rest of his life loving me. Phillip is very reserved when it comes to outward affection and words of affirmation, so this was the part that melted me completely. 

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

I’m not a public display of affection type of guy and I’m genuinely reserved in general, but I knew I wanted it to be special and authentic to us. That being said, I was driving home to our apartment and made the decision I would do it that day. December 26th is my older sister and brother-in-law’s wedding anniversary, so it seemed like a great day to do it. We were also planning to fly to ATL the next morning for our New Year’s trip, so what better way to kick off a vacation? 

Amoya originally asked for AirPods so when I got home, I took an old AirPods box and decided to do a gag gift. I made her think I got her Airpods which she asked for, but the box was empty because trolling is my favorite hobby. And, what’s better than one gag gift? Two. Once she was properly confused and unwrapped all the boxes to see nothing, I got on one knee and it’s been up since. 

What makes your love special?

I call Phillip my perfect opposite. What I lack he has, and vice versa. I used to be vehemently against the idea that “opposites attract,” and then I met him, MY HIM. Our love is a perfect combination of ease and challenge that feeds my soul daily. 

What was the theme of your shoot? 

We had recently purchased our first home, a townhouse in a Dallas suburb, so we opted for an in-home shoot. It was the perfect canvas to display our love and style and celebrate the milestone of homeownership.  

Were there any memorable moments during the shoot? 

Our engagement/wedding photographer is also our best man, so it was really cool to spend time with him – especially during the pandemic! Because we were at home in a comfortable space with one of our closest friends, the whole shoot just felt like a vibe. I think the pictures really reflect the love that was present between us in our first home, as well as our photographer.  

What are you most looking forward to about your wedding? 

I’m looking forward to walking down the aisle to see Phillip at the altar. I’m excited that our closest friends and family will be there, but I’m just so excited to stand in look in his eyes and say “I do!”

Have you started planning your wedding? 

Absolutely! At the time of me filling out this form, I have purchased my dress, secured a venue, makeup artist, photographer/videographer, DJ and a bartender. With 5 months left, I have a ton left to do though! 

Congratulations to the happy couple! We wish them a fruitful marriage and many years of wedded bliss!

Sources

JCi Creatives|Desiree Phillips|Shauntele Harvey, Bundles Luxury Hair Co.

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