Aretha + James: {Engaged} -Munaluchi Bride

Aretha Franklin and James Emanuel have been in each other’s lives for over a decade!!! That’s over ten years of friendship, love and trust. They are proof that great things (not just good things) come to those who wait.

This great-looking couple’s engagement session was captured by masterful photographer, Joshua Dwain. His work is always always impeccable, but here, it is even more so. He manages to capture the hearts of this lovely couple so that you can see the essence even through the stylish clothes and lovely location :)

The journey from Aretha and James to Aretha + James began in 1998 “in Trigonometry class sophomore year of high school.” Who knew that in addition to learning how to solve complex mathematical problems, they would also learn how to maneuver their way into each other’s hearts. Math class isn’t so bad, after all ;)

Their friendship became love inevitably. According to Aretha…”There were so many things that contributed to our growing, intense feelings for one another, but all in all I would say we just couldn’t be without each other or picture ourselves with anyone else. We knew we were meant to be and so did everyone else! Lol.” For them, “[THEY] JUST KNEW!!! All the feelings, signs…..everything….. It was just right!”

It was so right that this amazing relationship had to be taken to the next level, the ultimate level of committment-marriage. Knowing that Aretha just had to be his wife, James set out with just the plan to ask for her hand in stylish and romantic fashion…

“James proposed to me on our trip to Las Vegas in the fall of 2009. After a wonderful dinner, we headed back up to the room where flowers were spread all over, including on the bed in the shape of a heart. He played a video that he recorded back home with some loved ones congratulating us and expressing their love and well wishes for us. He then got on one knee and proposed! Of course, I said YES!! :)”

Viewing every single image, it is pretty clear that Joshua made a very special connection with this couple. Aretha had this to say about working with Joshua….

“A friend told us about Joshua Dwain, and after seeing his work and meeting with him…..it was a GIVEN! We clicked instantly with Josh. He read into our personalities and knew exactly what to do to WOW us. One word- amazing!” Joshua managed to capture images that make every viewer feel like they are peeking into the every day love story of this couple…they look authentic, emotional and so so real.

They even trusted him so much that they gave him total control…..

“We gave our photographer full creative control. He came with awesome ideas, one of which didn’t work out (at no fault of Josh or our own!) so we shifted gears a couple of times and ended up shooting in New Orleans! It was spontaneous and awesome! Originally, we had an old school theme and/or private jet theme; however, after ending up in NOLA, we needed none. New Orleans is full of culture and themes on its own. We simply took advantage of all of the beautiful scenery and backdrops. It was great.”

Many times, because the wedding is one of the happiest days for brides and grooms, so many people want to share in the joy of that special day. It becomes difficult to make that guest list-and it was for Aretha and James. In fact, Aretha shared that it was the most difficult decision they had to make during the planning process.

On a brighter note, sharing that special day with loved ones is what made it so exciting….
“It was truly ALL exciting, with a little stress mixed in….naturally! Lol. Mainly, though, we were just very excited and ecstatic that we were finally making our 10 year relationship “official”, and that many of our loved ones would be together to witness it all. We’d do it all again in a second! We had so much fun and created lasting memories.”