Tanisha and Andrew have known each other since elementary school. Over time, Andrew developed a crush on Tanisha but it wasn’t until their senior year of high school that he convinced her to give him a chance. They lost touch in college but over the years their bond strengthened. Tanisha and Andrew reconnected and realized they were meant to be together.
Read all about Tanisha and Andrew’s upcoming wedding as well as their stunning sunset engagement session in Cuba.
Bride & Groom: Tanisha & Andrew
Occupations: Family Therapist & Purdue PhD Candidate
Wedding date: We’re undecided, aiming for September 22, 2018
Wedding location: Millikan Farm, Sophia, NC
Location of Engagement shoot: Havana, Cuba
Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal. My first memories of Tanisha start in elementary school. I developed a crush on her in middle school but wasn’t able to win her hand in dating until our senior year in high school. We lost touch after our freshman year in college and then reconnected once we graduated. When we started dating again I knew she was the one. The proposal took a lot of planning and coordinating. Fortunately I had Tanisha’s best friend, Arielle, to assist me. With everything set, I drove 14 hours from North Carolina to surprise Tanisha at the John Hancock Observatory in Chicago. I hired a photographer, Matthias Johnson, to capture everything and it all ended up coming together better than imagined. The proposal turned out amazing!
Describe your engagement session. We both enjoy traveling and Cuba was our first international trip together. As we prepared for the trip, we were both mesmerized by photos of the Malecon at sunset. It just felt like the right place to have our engagement shoot, but honestly we didn’t think we could make it happen. We were unsuccessful finding a photographer in Cuba but luckily we were able to connect with Kivvi Rachelle, a traveling photographer, and she was amazing! We only had 10 minutes to get ready for our shoot, but our time on the Malecon was magical, fun, a bit dangerous especially as we crossed the street, but it was all us. As we were taking our pictures the Cuban people were beeping their horns, whistling and clapping for us, that truly made for a memorable experience. The photos are the perfect memento of our first trip together and of our love.
What did you do on your first date? We were in high school and we went to Pizza Hut. It was Valentine’s Day and we were actually on this weird double date. Andrew brought one of his friends (now the best man), to come along with me and a friend of mine because he couldn’t figure out who he liked more (low down, I know, lol). Somehow, I ended up driving Andrew home and I guess he made his mind up during the ride, because he kissed me. The date has ended up being one of the best Valentine’s Days, I’ve ever had.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple? Eat, entertain, and go to the beach!
How has wedding planning been so far? Stressful!!! There are so many choices to make and so many things to educate yourself and others about. On the good side, it is also has been an eye-opening experience. We knew for a while we wanted to be married, but as we’ve explored each other’s wedding day visions, it created opportunities for us to have deeper conversations about family, God, and marriage.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day.
Being with everyone and dancing! Neither one of us can keep a beat, but we both enjoy music, especially live bands. We’re just excited to have the opportunity to celebrate our union with our loved ones and throw a great party in the process.
Vendors:
Photography/Havana Art Direction: Kivvi Rachelle
Photography/Chicago Art Direction: Matthias Johnson Photography
Styling: Arielle Clay, Modern Mold Agency
Creative Director: Brittany Sharp, Sharp Soirees
I loved reading about your history, it’s very romantic and the photos are beautiful. I love the things you enjoy to do as a couple as well, it’s simple but it’s you and your partner and that’s all that matter.