“Love Conquers Fear” Engagement Session in Washington, D.C.: Alexis + Marcel

Prior to meeting Marcel, Alexis was deathly afraid of dogs–an understatement to say the least. But Marcel was quite the dog lover and had always owned one. “This was an area in our relationship that we just could not see eye-to-eye on and put us at a cross roads. We believed that if this was for us, God would bring it to us,” Alexis shares. After much prayer and contemplation the couple adopted a puppy which they named Simba; Alexis was terrified. “Marcel taught me that if you lead with love, you soon forget about the fear you once had. We love Simba to pieces and he is that constant reminder that love can conquer fear,” she says.

The couple had no theme in mind when they sought out to take their engagement photos, they only knew that they wanted Simba to be a part of the moment; symbolizing that “there is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear.” They took to Union Station in Washington, D.C. for their gorgeous engagement session, conquering fear with love one photo at a time.

Take a look at their engagement session with photography by Brian Freeman.

Bride-to-be: Alexis Hudson
Groom-to-be: Marcel Moore
Wedding date: 09/03/2016
Tell us all about the proposal!
I was approaching a milestone birthday and Marcel asked me if I wanted a big party to celebrate. After a hectic year, I told him instead of a party, I’d love if we could plan a nice relaxing getaway. We decided on sunny, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The crystal blue waters, the culture, the food, it was the best way to bring a new chapter. Marcel asked me to select a restaurant for my birthday dinner the week before we left, silly me did not think twice about it and ended up not choosing a restaurant until a day and a half before. What’s the rush, it’s just dinner, right? I wasn’t picky. I only had one request and that was celebrate with a birthday cake or cupcake. We ended up at beautiful restaurant called Oceano right on the beach at sunset. It was the perfect evening out. As we wrapped up our amazing dinner, our waitress comes to the table and says that Marcel pre-selected a dessert that he thought I might enjoy. It was a chocolate genache tart and was it yummy. We were stuffed. I was ready to head back to lounge around the pool and soak up the evening breeze. Not so fast, Alexis! Our waitress comes back and offers us a private tour of the restaurant. Still not thinking anything was up, I leaned in and whispered to Marcel “It’s been a long day, if you are tired, we really don’t have to go…although it’s a nice gesture.” He said “No, let’s go, when have we ever been offered a private tour of a restaurant before?!” The waitress leads us up a beautiful glass staircase, each floor overlooking the beach. We reach the top. In front of me is an aisle made out of candles, river rock and rose petals leading to one, single table on a private patio. On the table are roses and champagne. Silly me, still not catching on leans over to Marcel and says ” We should probably go. I think they are having an event up here.” Marcel looks at me, grabs my hand and invites me to come enjoy the view. I am looking out over the water enjoying the beautiful atmosphere and I turn to look at Marcel, who is now on one knee. I was so shocked that I stumbled back trying to find my way through the tears that are now streaming down my face. That very same waitress ran from the entrance of the patio, where the entire waitstaff is now lined up with camera phones recording, to help me regain my composure. I pulled myself together and with great joy said “Yes!”The evening concluded with plenty of FaceTime chats with my family who was waiting to hear the news. I cannot wait to marry my best friend! By far, this was the best birthday ever…who cares about a cupcake!
What did you do on your first date?
Marcel asked me out on a first date the day before I was going out of town on a business trip for three weeks. I agreed to go on a date, but had to break the news that it wouldn’t be for almost a month. Although we would not go on a first date for another three weeks, we spoke everyday after our first conversation…for hours. (There has not been a day that has gone by that we have not made it a point to be each other’s first “good morning” and the last “good night.” Marcel patiently waited for our first date. Coincidentally, we discovered that we have the same sense of humor. We are not totally sure if that is a good thing or not :-). For our first date we went to see Donnell Rawlings at the DC Improv Comedy Club. It was love at first laugh.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Marcel and I love going Washington Wizards games. We are Wiz Kids all the way! When we are not at a game we enjoy curling up with our cute puppy, Simba, watching a good movie.
How has wedding planning been so far?
Wedding planning has been fun. We love to throw a good party, but this by far is the most involved. Marcel and I like to pay attention to the details. It’s in the details that make your guest feel special.

No matter how many decisions we face for the big day, we’ve made a conscious decision that we will enjoy the ride.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day.
There is so much that we look forward to. We both look forward to the moment when we see each other for the first time at opposite ends of the aisle in anticipation to start “Our Forever.” We also look forward to our guests enjoying an evening that we designed as a “Thank you” for the seeds they have sown into our lives to make us the man and woman that we are.
Vendors
Photography: Brian Freeman
Makeup Artist: LoVey Smith