Intimate & Glamorous Engagement Session in Atlanta: Melanie + Kyle -Munaluchi Bride

Melanie and Kyle met the day that she arrived on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University. Kyle worked as an RA in her dorm and stepped in to assist Melanie (along with her mother and sister) with moving into her room. “We talked about both majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Through the next few months, we became best friends” shares Melanie. Their shared chemistry was real – and like all great love stories, the rest was history.

Six years later Kyle found himself ready to propose and in anticipation, planned a surprise weekend trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. On Saturday evening, as the couple took a stroll in the lush gardens of the estate, reveling in the beautiful moment, Melanie next asked a woman nearby to snap a photo of the two with her phone. “When I turned around, he was on one knee. I was completely in shock! I couldn’t believe he surprised me. I loved the private genuine moment between us and we even got a few pictures!” exclaims Melanie.

Peruse on for more from excerpts of Melanie and Kyle’s love story while viewing their Intimate and Glamorous engagement session captured by coterie member, Afolabi Sogunro of Fotos by Fola.

Bride-to-Be: Melanie Payton
Groom-to-Be: Kyle Bailey
Occupations: Melanie: Data Scientist | Kyle: Technical Engineer
Wedding Date: 03/25/2017
Engagement Session Location: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta, GA

Describe your engagement session. Did you have a theme?
I knew I wanted our engagement to be intimate and glamorous. It’s a pretty big risk compared to our normal personalities so we chose to include a casual look. Our photographer chose the perfect location. It was absolutely beautiful! We wanted some garden photos since Kyle proposed to me in a garden. For the formal look, we planned for our photos to make a statement. The photos turned out better than I could’ve ever imagined.

What did you do on your first date?
On our first date, Kyle took me to Olive Garden. We talked everyday on the phone over Christmas break. He said as soon as we return to campus he wanted to take me out. I remember everything about that night in 2010. I remember being so nervous that I forgot my purse at the table when we left.

What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Our favorite thing to do is explore new places. We enjoy taking long rode trips to new cities. We also enjoy international traveling and experiencing new cultures. With always being on the go, we love the occasional night at home watching Netflix.

How has wedding planning been so far?
I’m naturally very organized and structured. Along with a great planner, wedding planning has been stress free. I feel like we’ve already done mostly everything at the point.

Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day!
I’m looking most forward to when the doors open and I begin my walk down the aisle. I’ve dreamed of the moment since I was a little girl. Kyle looks forward to partying with friends and family. He can’t wait to hit the dance floor!