Couple’s elegant rooftop engagement session in North Carolina has beautiful murals, skyline views, and loved-up details (including adorable Mr. & Mrs. jackets!).
Kristian and Xavier first met as pre-teens growing up in Jacksonville, North Carolina where they became instant friends. Their steady foundation of friendship eventually blossomed into love, and the rest is history!
Kristian and Xavier’s engagement session was held atop the beautiful and luxurious Grand Bohemian Hotel in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. The lovely couple plans on displaying their photos at their upcoming March 2022 wedding to be held in downtown Concord, North Carolina.
For more details on their love story, the inspiration behind their e-session, and more – keep scrolling below!
- Couple: Kristian Stinson and Xavier Cox
- Occupations: Academic Advisor at Central Piedmont Community College and General Manager at Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
Quick facts:
- Date of engagement session: August 22, 2021
- Location of Engagement shoot: Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte
- Wedding date: March 26, 2022
- Wedding location: The Wynhdam Ball Room in Downtown Concord, North Carolina
How they met…
Kristian and Xavier first met as pre-teens growing up in Jacksonville, North Carolina where they became instant friends.
Xavier recalls, “Having attended separate schools, we remained friends, attending school and community events where we would occasionally bump into one another. The years into adulthood took us through college, career and life changes, yet we always remained friends.”
Their steady foundation of friendship eventually blossomed into love, and the rest is history!
Their first date…
For their first date, the couple dined at a local Tex-Mex restaurant.
“My food got cold from talking so much,” Kristian laughs. “Even long after we were done eating we sat there in the booth just talking and laughing.”
When they knew they were “the one”…
“I was in the middle of finishing Graduate school when we began dating,” Kristian says, “[and] it was a lot of long nights and tears due to the stress of wanting to finish strong.”
During those difficult moments, “Xavier would stay up with [her] on the phone from 4.5 hours away after working late to make sure [she] stayed up and completed [her] assignments, no matter how tired he was.”
She admits, “He knew it was important to me, [and] that level of care and persistence let me know he was the one.”
Their proposal story…
On the day of their two year anniversary, Xavier and Kristian spent most of their day apart getting ready for a special dinner at the Mimosa Grill & Bar.
“Once arriving to the beautiful Uptown Charlotte restaurant we were taken a back by the views and city lights that surrounded the building. We were seated at a corner table that was beautifully decorated with candles.”
It was the perfect setting for romance (…and maybe a proposal!). But in the moment, Kristian had no idea what Xavier was planning.
“We had agreed earlier to exchange our anniversary gifts after we finished dinner,” Kristian recalls. “[And] once it was Xavier’s turn to gift me , he began with a beautiful speech explaining what the last two years had meant to him. He then pulled out a bright yellow Forever 21 bag and in my head I was wondering what was going to come out of the bag. Little did I know, it was just a diversion to throw me off! Xavier pulled out the box which held my engagement ring, [and] in between tears and laughter he got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him.”
Of course, she SAID YES!!
Their engagement session & theme…
When she first passed the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Uptown Charlotte, Kristian knew “it needed to be the focal point for [their] engagement session.”
“I fell in love with the murals and luxury of the beautiful hotel, it is very reminiscent of Alice and Wonderland.”
The venue was also fitting for their theme of “love and elegance.”
Their favorite thing to do as a couple…
“We love watching movies,” she says, “especially thrillers and murder mysteries we can figure out [together] while watching.”
Wedding planning so far…
So far, the pair haven’t struggled too much planning their special day.
“[It’s] been great,” Kristian says, “we pretty much agree on everything, except catering. Our tastes are very different.”
Nevertheless, they’ve locked in all their favorite vendors and honed in on their theme: “Elegant Glam Wedding in Historic Downtown Concord, North Carolina “
“[We] can’t wait to gather our friends and family together!”
What they’re looking forward to most on their wedding day…
Kristian is most looking forward to seeing Xavier’s face as she walks down the isle, “feeling like in that moment its him and I.”
Looking for more elegant rooftop engagement session inspiration?
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Vendors:
- Photographer: Candice Williams – She Believed Photography
- Makeup: Da’Shanae Hardy – Letmypeoplefree Beauty
- Hair: Jala Berry The Qween Effect👸🏾✨
- Dress: Camille La Vie
- Tux: BlackTie
- Lapel Pin: Kyezi Design
- Venue: The Grand Bohemian Charlotte, Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte, Autograph Collection
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