Nelly and Yannick’s classy engagement session at Princeton University schooled us on the art of love.
The couple first connected in 2019 when Nelly was visiting Cameroon with her family for her grandparents’ funeral celebration. Her parents’ objective was to show their children their roots and where they grew up; little did they know, they’d also make a love match!
Nelly recalls, “Since our families had known each other since they were around our age, we made a stop at Yan’s family home. It was then that we “first” met.”
To Nelly’s surprise, Yan later told her they had met when they were very young and used to play together. “It was a memory I could not remember,” she admits. Luckily, that wasn’t important. Their chemistry was instant.
Nelly shares, “When that reunion took place, sparks were flying so hard, that even our siblings noticed it before we could. We exchanged numbers to keep in touch and it was history from there.”
Keep scrolling for more on their love story (including Yannick’s surprise proposal in Cameroon!), and photos from their romantic engagement session at Princeton University.
- Couple: Nelly Nkengfack & Yannick Yemafouo
- Occupations: Nelly – Hair stylist, Yannick – Personal Trainer
- Wedding date: September 7th, 2024
- Wedding location: Somerset, New Jersey
- Location of Engagement shoot: Princeton University
What did you do on your first date?
For our first date, Yannick planned a surprise photo shoot for the both of us in the morning. Afterward, we went out to lunch at a local restaurant in his neighborhood where we had authentic Cameroonian food and handmade beverages.
When did you know you found “the one”?
Yannick: Within about a year of us dating, I felt something in my heart that just screamed Nelly was the one I wanted to marry and build a future with.
Nelly: I want to say I had a feeling from the first day we met, that Yan would one day be my husband, but it wasn’t until right before he popped the question that it really started feeling more and more real for me.
Tell us your proposal story:
I went back to Cameroon after 2 long years of a long-distance relationship right after Covid started dying down a bit. Yan had my entire stay planned, from beginning to end. We took a 5-day trip to a different city in Cameroon where some of my family and some of his closest friends reside. We planned a night out, and he invited my family (they unfortunately couldn’t make it) and a couple of his closest friends.
It was a pretty calm lounge. We had dinner and ordered some bottle service. Throughout the entire night, from the time we were getting ready to come out, I could tell something was up with Yan. He was tense, which he never is, but I couldn’t put two and two together. The entire time we were out, he and his friends were acting a bit strange, walking off to have private conversations on how to execute the proposal.
They plotted with the wait staff to put the ring in my glass.
I was so focused on having a good time, that I didn’t notice the ring the first time pouring a drink into my glass, luckily I didn’t drink the ring. The wait staff came to clean our table and took my glass to try again, this time Yan told me to clean my glass before pouring anything in it. The moment I tipped the glass over, the ring fell onto the floor, once I picked it up and got up, Yan was on one knee.
So much joy and excitement were running through my veins that I barely heard all he said to me but “Will you make me the happiest man on earth and be my wife?” As soon as I said yes, the wait staff came in cheering with sparks everywhere. It was definitely a moment that we’ll cherish forever, as it marked the official start of creating our future together.
Describe your engagement session. Did you have a theme?
We didn’t really have a theme. When we first reached out to Dammie, we mentioned wanting to do a studio shoot, but he pitched amazing ideas and locations. In the end, we handed Dammie total creative control and are truly glad we did. Definitely one of the best photographers we’ve worked with and we are truly looking forward to the work he’ll deliver for our wedding day.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We are huge fans of action movies/shows. So whenever we both have some leisure time or winding down from a long day, we like to take turns picking either a movie or a show for us to end our day.
How has wedding planning been so far?
Wedding planning has been a rollercoaster so far. Being that Nelly is solely planning the entire thing, with a few helping hands, it’s been a true learning experience. But staying organized, prioritizing, and knowing when to take small necessary breaks to not end up in a complete meltdown has been truly helpful. But if ever put in a situation like this again, hiring a planner will be a top priority.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day.
We’re most looking forward to seeing the majority of our family, coming from all over the globe to witness our union and celebrate our special day.
Looking for more engagement sessions like this one at Princeton University?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Photographer: Dammie Photography
- Yannick’s Hair stylist: L2ICollections
- Nelly’s hairstylist: Looksbynellz
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