The contemporary art-filled grounds of Laguna Gloria in Austin, Texas were the perfect spot for Etinosa and Chiedozie’s carefree outdoor engagement shoot with photographer Esther Makau.
The duo who will wed in the spring of 2025 got engaged during the most wonderful time of year in front of Etinosa’s family who had traveled across the pond to get celebrate the season.
With a classical editorial vibe that celebrated their Nigerian American identity, the future bride and groom strolled around the more than century-old Italian-inspired Driscoll Villa along with its wooden paths where Esther Makau captured the joy-filled sunny portraits.
I didn’t want it to be too posed but more lived in and natural.
– Etinosa
The couple, who will wed in 2025, got engaged during the most wonderful time of year alongside their family and friends who had traveled across the pond to be with the bride and groom-to-be.
Keep scrolling for more on their love story and photos from their gorgeous outdoor engagement shoot!
- Couple: Etinosa Joycelin Ogbevoen + Chiedozie “Richard” Nwankwo
- Occupations: Social Media Marketer + Sales Execution Strategist
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: June 14, 2025
- Wedding location: St. Louis, Missouri
- Location of Engagement Shoot: Laguna Gloria- The Contemporary Austin
- Date of engagement session: April 11, 2024
How did you meet?
We matched on Hinge, the dating app, in December 2021.
After about a month of being matched, Richard sent me a message and set up a phone call. Before the call ended, he set up our first date and we met in person in January 2022.
Our proposal story…
We were at my parents’ house the Friday after Christmas because my grandmother was in town from England and the rest of my immediate family would be in town as well and we wanted to celebrate Christmas all together. Friday was a busy day, we started the morning making breakfast for everyone, then moved on to taking family photos. My parents had hired a photographer, and we all had dressed up for the photos.
I thought it would be a perfect time for a proposal, but the photographer came and left, and we had changed out of our clothes without a proposal.
The day progressed and we moved on to the Christmas celebration. We opened gifts in front of everyone and I thought that this would be another great opportunity for a proposal, but we cleaned up our mess and moved straight to dinner and games. More of my family came over and we played games and enjoyed our time with family. Around 6 pm, family members started to share that they were planning to leave soon.
My dad gathered everyone to take one last picture together as a group.
As we wrapped up the pictures and before everyone dispersed, Richard stepped out in front of everyone and had to make an announcement. He pulled me out of the group and said some of the kindest words about how my family has embraced him and that he’s been wanting to do this for a long time. He got on one knee and asked me to marry him in front of all of my family. I chuckled a little and of course, said yes!
When you know you just know…
Richard: I knew Etinosa was the one 15 minutes into our first date
Etinosa: I probably knew after our first date when I told my dad about him, but I was sure about him within three weeks of us dating.
Did your engagement session have a theme?
It was the most perfect day in April. We met up with Esther at Laguna Gloria which was gorgeous. What I wanted for our engagement photos was a modern editorial vibe that incorporated our Nigerian American identity. I didn’t want it to be too posed but more lived-in and natural. We had two hours with Esther and she made us laugh, feel very relaxed, and allowed our true selves to show through which really shows in our photos.
What did you do on your first date?
We went to dinner at Jin Korean braised BBQ and talked more than we ate and then we watched 1/4 of a movie.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We love driving down to Houston to go to the Korean Spa.
How has wedding planning been so far?
We are officially starting all our wedding planning in June 2024. We have secured a venue and a date, so things are going well so far.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day.
Celebrating with our family and friends and eating lots of Nigerian food!
Vendors:
- Photographer: Esther Makau Photography
- Braids: Liyah
- African Gown: Mharey Apparel LTD
For more outdoor engagement shoot inspiration…
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