Alicia and Warren celebrated their engagement with a stylish and sophisticated e-session at The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.!
Alicia and Warren first met at a popular event space’s R&B Night in Washington D.C. They talked and laughed the entire night, but when it came time to go home, they went their separate ways without exchanging numbers. Luckily, a couple of months later their paths crossed once again while they were both enjoying the nightlife scene. Their eyes locked immediately across a crowded longue and soon after Warren approached Alicia.
He remembered everything about me from our first encounter; who I was with, what we joked about, and even what I wore that night. I was impressed. We exchanged numbers and talked until the early morning…
– Alicia
Warren surprised Alicia with a sweet and romantic proposal in May of 2023. To ensure Alicia was dressed up, Warren told her he made a dinner reservation at a nice restaurant to celebrate one of her career accomplishments. On the day of the dinner, Warren told her he wanted to quickly stop by his cousin’s graduation party before going to the restaurant. Alicia didn’t suspect anything and gladly went along. It wasn’t until she opened the doors to the supposed graduation party that she knew Warren was about to propose.
Upon opening the door my mouth instantly dropped in shock and amazement. The room was dimly lit with hundreds of rose petals lining an aisle forming a heart with giant “MARRY ME” letters and Beyonce’s ‘1+1’ softly serenading in the background.
– Alicia
Just before Warren popped the question, their families came pouring out from behind a curtain to celebrate the big moment.
Keeping with the theme of their future wedding at The Baltimore Museum of Art, Alicia and Warren celebrated their engagement with a stylish photo session at The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Featuring renowned artworks and various architectural styles, their engagement session exuded romance, sophistication, and timelessness.
They can’t wait to say “I do” and dance the night away at their late summer wedding in 2024!
Learn more about their love story and see the stylish details below!
- Couple: Alicia & Warren
- Occupations: Statistician for the Department of Homeland Security | Contract Specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration
- Wedding date: August 17th, 2024
- Wedding location: The Baltimore Museum of Art
- Location of Engagement shoot: The National Gallery of Art
How did you meet?
Warren and I first crossed paths in the Washington D.C. nightlife scene in December of 2019. We were both at a well-known event space called Big Chief during their R&B night. We laughed and joked the entire night as if we were the best of friends, but when the night came to an end, we went our separate ways without exchanging numbers.
A couple of months later in February 2020, we crossed paths again at a lounge called Lost Society. We locked eyes with one another immediately. I felt as if I knew him, but I couldn’t quite remember the place where we had met before. Soon after, Warren approached me and sparked a conversation. He remembered everything about me from our first encounter; who I was with, what we joked about, and even what I wore that night. I was impressed.
We exchanged numbers and talked until the early morning, continuing to joke and laugh about the first time we met. Now three years later, we continue to reminisce about how our love story began.
Tell us about the proposal.
In April 2023, I had just finished my first speaking engagement for a webinar when Warren, unknowingly to me of course, started planning the proposal. To convince me to dress up, he told me we were going to celebrate my career accomplishment with
a romantic dinner in late May. However, on the day of the dinner, he told me that he wanted to briefly stop by his cousin’s graduation party. I didn’t mind and was thrilled to celebrate his cousin; however, I was concerned I may have been overdressed for the graduation party. He assured me I wasn’t and that we weren’t going to be there long since he didn’t want to miss our reservation, and more importantly, he didn’t want me to take off my heels haha.
Once we arrived at the supposed graduation party, he made sure I walked in first. Upon opening the door my mouth instantly dropped in shock and amazement. The room was dimly lit with hundreds of rose petals lining an aisle forming a heart with giant “MARRY ME” letters and Beyonce’s ‘1+1’ softly serenading in the background. He led me down the aisle of roses and began reciting the sweetest promises of our future together. Then, right as the big moment came, both of our families poured out from behind a curtain cheering him on. He then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said “Yes,” actually I yelled “Yes!” while crying tears of joy.
When did you know they were “the one”?
Alicia: Prior to meeting Warren, I was on a self-proclaimed ‘man fast’. I was not dating or looking to date, but rather deepening my faith until I received a clear sign. When Warren and I met for the second time, I just knew something was different about him and our encounter was more than a coincidence, after all, D.C. is a huge city. Once we began dating, I realized we shared the same belief in our faith and decided to ask if he would attend a ‘Catalyst’ night with me. Catalyst is a night of praise and worship that my church does every month on a Friday or Saturday evening. This was such an intimate moment for us to share that not only deepened our faith but deepened our relationship. I instantly knew right then, in the midst of worship, that he would be my husband one day.
Warren: I knew Alicia was “the one” after we went on our first ‘baecation’ to New York City. Neither of us had ever vacationed with a significant other, and while I was excited to experience this first together, I was also nervous. However, the trip went amazing! Everything I wanted to do she wanted to do as well. We had a blast and did as much as we could given the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. We went shopping in SOHO, ate at the local bodegas, walked through Times Square, and even explored parts of Brooklyn. You name it we did it. We clicked on almost every topic and couldn’t get enough of being around each other. As the trip ended, I knew she was not only the best travel partner, but that I wanted to travel with her for the rest of my life.
Describe your engagement session.
With our wedding at the Baltimore Museum of Art, we wanted to stay consistent with the theme of art, fashion, and timelessness. Hence, we decided to have our engagement shoot at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C..
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We love to try new restaurants. We’ve never been to the same restaurant twice during our entire relationship. Since we live in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area the food options are endless.
How has wedding planning been so far?
Wedding planning has been both fun and a bit stressful. Nothing can prepare you for the number of decisions you’ll be making right away. However, it’s been incredibly rewarding getting one step closer as we continue to cross off tasks.
What are you looking forward to most on your wedding day?
We both look forward to saying ‘I do’ and dancing the night away with each other and our families and friends.
Looking for more art-inspired engagement session inspiration?
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Vendors:
- Photographer: Artistry by Elizabeth Austin
- Venue: The National Gallery of Art
- Wedding Planner: CM Events and Planning
- MUA: Taylor Simpson
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