Formal Engagement Session in Norfolk, Virginia

Introduced by friend and sorority sister, Mavis and Jay found a connection they never saw coming.

After some time and friendly peer pressure, the once strangers now became closely connected and inseparable. After an adorable date on the waterfront, the pair fell more in tune with each other, revealing their passions, faith, and overall perspective on life. Through conversations that lasted long into many nights, Mavis and Jay knew their for each other was more than real.

Browse this couple’s sweet engagement story and session in Virginia below – captured by MunaLuchi Coterie member Keith Cephus Photography.

Couple: Mavis & Jay
Occupations: Nonprofit Communications Strategist & Attorney
Wedding date: May 16, 2020
Wedding location: Norfolk, VA
Engagement Shoot: Hilton Norfolk The Main

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. We were introduced by a mutual friend, Melinda. She is my Sorority sister, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and was helping Jay with his campaign for the Virginia House of Delegates which he won! When she told us about each other, she kept saying, “This is going to be your husband,” and “You’re going to marry her.” We kind of said “sure, okay,” and didn’t pay too much attention. This went on for a few weeks. We finally agreed to go on a date – mostly to get Melinda to stop talking about this.

On one of those first dates, we went for a walk on the Norfolk waterfront. It was around that time that we both realized this was something special. We connected over our love for our families, faith, work ethic, and the way we approached life. More importantly, we had a lot of fun together even at our engagement shoot, we could not stop laughing!

Fast forward to almost two years later, and Jay told me he had a work event on that same strip on the Norfolk waterfront. I got dressed for the occasion and didn’t suspect anything. As we were walking, I couldn’t understand why I didn’t see anything that seemed like it was related to a work event. I turned around to ask and Jay was on bended knee, holding a small jewelry box. I immediately started crying but held it together enough to say “yes”!

Describe your engagement session. Our engagement shoot was a lot of fun! Our photographer, Keith, made us feel comfortable and relaxed. We ended up doing the shoot on the hottest day of the year so thank God you can’t tell how hot it was in the photos! We didn’t have a theme but since our wedding will be black-tie, we wanted to carry the formal vibe into the engagement shoot.

What did you do on your first date? We went out to a French fusion restaurant for dinner and then an Italian bar for drinks. We really got to know each other and found out we had a lot in common!

What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple? We are both foodies so we love trying new restaurants!

How has wedding planning been so far? Wedding planning has been going well! We have an amazing wedding planner, Cheryl Clisby, who has been helping us stay on track. Our family and friends have been very excited and supportive! One of our goals is to work with people of color owned businesses as much as possible throughout this process. So far, we’ve been able to stick to this goal.

Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day. We have a lot of family and friends all over the country so we are most excited to see our loved ones all together in the same place, celebrating our marriage with us.