Shakeel and Nia’s love story has spanned states from New York to Maryland.
They met in high school while attending Benjamin Banneker Academy in Brooklyn, New York. They later remained friends and attended Howard University together in Washington, DC. Towards the end of their senior year, their love grew to be romantic, and they began dating.
In 2018, Shakeel proposed on a secluded rooftop on New Year’s Eve. Nia recounts, “When we got up there, I stepped outside the elevator and there was no one outside. I then looked to my left and saw candles, champagne, flowers, and a photographer facing the Brooklyn bridge. Shakeel walked me to the area, he got down on one knee and expressed his love to me. He then asked me to marry him, and I said ‘yes.’ We heard the countdown from everyone downstairs, after saying ‘Happy New Year,’ we saw the fireworks from the rooftop. My favorite, unforgettable evening.”
To celebrate their engagement, they had three engagement sessions- one in their hometown of Bedstuy Brooklyn; another on Howard University’s campus where their romance began, and their final one in a chic studio.
Read more about their love story, and see their sophisticated engagement photos below.
- Couple: Shakeel Luke and Nia Henry
- Occupations: Shakeel – Senior IT Analyst & Nia- Account Executive
- Wedding date: May 8, 2021
- Wedding location: Morais Vineyard in Bealeton, VA
- Location of Engagement shoot: Creative Hands Studio
How did you meet?
Shakeel and Nia met in high school. They were friends attending Benjamin Banneker Academy in Brooklyn, New York. They later remained friends and attended Howard University together in Washington, DC. Towards the end of their senior year, their love grew to be romantic and they began dating.
Tell us your proposal story.
It was December 31, 2018. We had dinner in Manhattan and were headed across the bridge to Dumbo to meet our friends at Dumbo House for a New Years Eve party. When we got there, we sat in our section and began drinking and partying. My friend Glynn told us there was another part of the party on the roof, and we should check it out. When we got up there, I stepped outside the elevator and there was no one outside. I then looked to my left and saw candles, champagne, flowers, and a photographer facing the Brooklyn bridge. Shakeel walked me to the area, he got down on one knee and expressed his love to me. He then asked me to marry him, and I said “yes”. We heard the countdown from everyone downstairs, after saying “Happy New Year,” we saw the fireworks from the rooftop. My favorite, unforgettable evening.
Describe your engagement session.
Shakeel and I had quite a few photoshoots because we wanted to capture our love story. Our first photoshoot was in Bedstuy Brooklyn, where our friendship all began. We captured the brownstones on the block where my best friends mothers bed and breakfast lies Akwaaba. This is where I will later have my bridal shower. We also capture images in the bodega.
Our second shoot was on Howard University’s campus. Where our romance began. We took images on the yard and in the valley. This is where would always hang out to talk about home whenever I was sad and homesick.
Our third photoshoot was at a studio with our wedding photographer. It captures our growth, friendship and admiration for each other.
What did you do on your first date?
Shakeel and I went to a movie theater to see Batman. The movie theater was so old that the armrest would not go up. We were friends but knew we had feelings for each other so the date was already awkward. What was even more awkward was me leaning over the armrest uncomfortably while he tried to put his arm around me. This was our junior year just before Shakeel left to go to basic military training for the Air Force. He had to decide to take some time from Howard to join the military and when we left each other that day I actually cried on the train home. He still does not know that.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We loveeee to cook and try new foods. Shakeel is actually an amazing chef. We will make dishes from all over the world from scratch. We also love to travel. Every year we travel together outside the US and within the US.
How has wedding planning been so far?
It has been an experience. We were scheduled to get married August 1, 2020. We had our plans to get married and buy a house right after. Then the coronavirus hit. We immediately postponed our wedding when we saw the high numbers in New York. We did not want our family getting sick or coming to the DMV and infecting everyone else. Most of our wedding plans were completed. Now we are getting married in a different season, so we are revisiting different decor and floral arrangements. I wouldn’t change any of this for the world though. Everything is in God’s hands. We are now focusing on purchasing our first home while we have the time. Since most of the wedding plans were already done, we get to spice up our wedding even more with more time.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day.
I look forward to becoming Mrs. Luke in front of our closest friends and family members. I look forward to seeing Shakeel as I walk down the aisle. I look forward to my father walking me down the aisle. To wearing my custom dress, to partying, to basking in happiness. I look forward to every second of that day that is to take place next May 8, 2021.
Vendors
- Studio Photographer: Jarrett Hendrix Photography
- Dress: @revolve
- Outdoor Photographer: Laquann Dawson
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