Vintage meets modern in Kéila and Joseph’s classy and elegant engagement session in New York City. The Beekman Hotel and iconic Central Park provided the perfect scenery for the couple’s vintage-inspired engagement session.
We wanted our session to have an elegant and timeless feel, with a bit of a whimsical, vintage flair.
Kéila
Despite living in different states, the couple was brought together through their mutual love of journalism. Their relationship was friendly and casual for about three years until Joseph relocated to New Jersey and they reconnected by going on their first date!
After asking Kéila’s dad for his blessing, Joseph staged an intimate proposal at the park they frequently visited when they first started dating.
They look forward to having the wedding of their dreams and celebrating with family and friends in October 2022.
Learn more about their love story and see the beautiful details below!
- Couple: Kéila and Joseph
- Occupations: Kéila – Dean of Curriculum and Instruction at Uncommon Schools, Joseph – Producer, CNBC
- Wedding date: tentative for 10/10/22
- Wedding location: New Jersey
- Location of Engagement shoot: The Beekman Hotel, Bethesda Terrace in Central Park
How did you meet?
We met through our love of journalism. I was a recent college graduate who was interviewing for a news fellowship in New York City. Joseph was a news producer at a Miami news station. His sister went to my church and connected us. At first, our relationship was friendly and strictly work-related. Joseph would look through my resume and writing samples. He would also send me funny stories and pictures of his daily Miami views. We kept in touch here and there. He moved to San Francisco. Then, three years after we first connected, Joseph moved to New Jersey, we had sangria at a Spaniard restaurant and developed a romantic relationship. The rest is history.
Tell us your proposal story
It was a private, intimate engagement. A few days before the proposal, Joseph asked my father for my hand in marriage, and so he knew the proposal would happen soon, but I had no idea. The day of the proposal, we were on our way to a vineyard, and Joseph wanted to stop by a small, local park, we used to frequent when we first dated. We would spend hours there, just talking and getting to know each other. We walked and came to a section of the park where there is a beautiful pond, fountain, and statue, There was a photographer there, but I thought nothing of it. That is where Joseph got on one knee and asked me to marry him. Because of the pandemic, we were unable to meet with our families in person afterward, which is something that is very important to both of us, but we FaceTimed everyone after and celebrated in a safe, socially distant way.
When did you know they were “the one”?
K: Our first Valentine’s Day, he knew that I had a long workday and did not want to go out, but still wanted to spend time with him. He transformed his apartment into a restaurant. There were candles and a menu set on a table as soon as I walked in. The menu had my favorite appetizers, entrée, dessert, and drink! He had blankets and pillows on the floor by the TV, and we ate and drank the night away. It was very romantic and thoughtful.
J: I knew three months into the relationship after our first trip to North Fork, Long Island. I told her I loved her and that I never felt as comfortable with someone as I did with her on a first trip.
Describe your engagement session
We wanted our session to have an elegant and timeless feel, with a bit of a whimsical, vintage flair. We included small details in our outfits that alluded to this theme; pearls, double-breasted suit jacket, classic fabrics, gold jewelry. The locations highlight aspects of our personalities and passions. We both admire historic architecture and art that gives us nostalgic city feels.
What did you do on your first date?
Joseph and I always debate on when exactly our first date occurred. He believes that our first date was at a Spaniard restaurant in New Jersey where we sat and drank sangria and ate tapas. I believe that was a long-awaited meet-up to determine whether we like each other romantically or not. Instead, I believe our first date was when Joseph formally asked me to go out, and we hopped around various speakeasy bars in Jersey City.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We love to travel to Major League Baseball stadiums across the country; our favorite is still Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Cubs are not our favorite baseball team, but we loved our experience at the ballpark. Additionally, we like to try different pizzas and go to speakeasy bars in various cities.
How has wedding planning gone so far?
It has been going well so far. We are not getting married until late 2022. Thankfully, that gives us more time to plan the wedding of our dreams. We just finished buying a home, and we are balancing it all by sticking to our checklist and having fun along the way. Next on our list is booking the venue, sending save the dates, and revealing to our family and friends who is going to be in our wedding party.
What are you looking forward to most on your wedding day?
We look forward to celebrating our love with those who matter most in our lives – our family and friends – and sharing our vows and declarations to each other on God’s altar. Additionally, we can’t wait to see our vision come to life on our wedding day, thanks to our vendors, and to eat and dance the night away.
Vendors
- Photographer: Second Shots Photography
- Venues: Bethesda Terrace Arcade in Central Park and the Beekman Hotel
- Kéila’s Hair: Diana Dodic
- Make up: Drita Pali
- Joseph’s Hair: Andre Sanchez
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