DC Couple Adds Charm to U.S. Capitol in Fun E-Session: Yanneisha + Gerard

Yanneisha Fung Chung and Gerard Bonner’s love story is fit for a movie. The two professionals met at BET Studios while working in different areas behind the scenes of The Bobby Jones Gospel show. After being introduced, they were friends for five years before they decided to start dating.

As a couple they often talked about marriage, so Yanneisha knew it was going to happen, but she didn’t know when. Then last year Gerard, who was living in Virginia at the time, came to Washington DC to visit Yanneisha to go out for a brunch date. After brunch, Gerard told her wanted to go down to The National Mall. The last time the two were there, they had a great time spontaneously walking to all of the monuments and taking pictures, so Gerard secretly knew it would be the perfect spot to propose. As they walked by the pool in front of the U.S. Capitol, they asked someone to take a picture of them.

Gerard told the person that he wanted him to take two pictures, one with the flash on and one without. As the man began to take the second picture Gerard said “Hold on, let me take off my bag.” Then as he removed his bag, he reached into it to pull out the ring and got down on his knee to ask Yanneisha to marry him. Totally shocked, all she could think to say was “What are you doing? Are you serious?” She repeated it so many times, the tourists standing around started to ask each other “Is she going to say yes?”

The second time proved to be a charm, and once Gerard repeated his proposal, Yanneisha finally replied “Yes!” and they quickly became their own tourist attraction as the crowd that had gathered began taking pictures. In a fun-filled engagement shoot with Iris Mannings Photography, Yanneisha and Gerard, headed back to the capitol to showcase the story of the love.

Bride-to-be: Yanneisha Fung Chung – Esthetician/Makeup Artist
Groom-to-be:  Gerard Bonner – Radio Program Director
E-Session Location: Washington DC
Wedding: Summer 2015

The Engagement Session

We had three different looks for our session, each look representing something about our relationship.The T-shirts that say “Won’t He Will” represent the very first date we had. I initially told him that I was not interested in him and did not want to pursue a relationship, but we could be friends. We went back to The National Harbor where we had our very first date/non-date five years ago, to show that God turned my “no” into a “yes”, therefore “Won’t He Will?” (The T-shirts are available at www.msanitawilson.com)

The T-shirts with “Team Bonnerfide” and “Love Wins” were our hashtags when we announced our proposal on social media. It signifies our unity and belief that through it all, the ups and downs of our relationship, love never failed. The pictures of us in pink and blue are our wedding colors.

We went back to The U.S. Capitol where he proposed because that’s now our relationship landmark. He says The U.S. Capitol is the core and center of our nation and that I’m the core and center of his heart.

The First Date
On our first official date, he took me to a restaurant we had gone to before. There was great food and music. We’re music lovers, so it was really perfect. I think we danced a little.

Favorite Thing to Do as a Couple
Aside from site-seeing, we love to play app games with each other. Our favorites are “Heads Up”, “Words with Friends”, and Ruzzle. We are very competitive.

How Wedding Planning Has Been So Far
Wedding planning has been ok. In the beginning, it was fun. I was adamant about knocking out some things so I wasn’t running around like a chicken with my head cut off. The venue was set very early on, and once that was set, I felt like I could move forward. There have been some hair pulling days, but during those times, I step back and come back to it another day. I take that time to remember that I love him, he is not the enemy, and the most important part is marrying him on that day. The guest list will NOT stress me out!

Looking Forward to Most on the Wedding Day
I’m looking forward to seeing him as I walk down the aisle towards him to become his wife. I’m looking forward to his first reaction when he sees me. I’m also looking forward to our close friends and family celebrating us and having a great time.

Vendors:

Dress: Love Couture Bridal
Catering: Kyler’s A+ Catering
Stationery: Blush Events Boutique
Photography: Iris Mannings Photography