Inspiration

Real Engagements {New York City}: Andrea & Neville! – Blackbride.com

Sometimes love is just one friend request away. Andrea and Neville met on Facebook in October of 2010. A month after their virtual meeting, the two decided to meeting in person on Thanksgiving. There friendship soon turned into a budding romance and the two made it official in June 2013. Check out their New York City themed engagement session, captured by Kanayo Adibe.

Bride: Andrea Nicole Simpson, 35, Architect

Groom: Neville Simpson, 37, Software Engineer and Photographer

Place of residence: Atlanta, GA

Engagement Shoot Location: New York City

Wedding date: 10/03/15

Engagement story:

Memorial Day weekend was the weekend Neville and I planned to have my housewarming party for purchasing my first home. We always talk about how we need to make our lives less complicated and less stressful, so surely he wouldn't propose that weekend, right?!   Not only were we planning a housewarming bbq for 50+ guest, it was also the Atlanta Carnival (a Caribbean weekend packed full of events). My parents and Neville’s parents both came in town Friday and the plan was for the families to hang out, which I was completely cool with, but knowing I still had errands to run I led my parents to the Simpson's residence then left with my sister to finish my to do list. Little did I know Neville was pacing around the house having a fit because I was taking forever to come back to the house. As soon as I made it back Neville said he wanted to give me my housewarming gift. I was really excited because he pulled out an Alter D’ State bag, a boutique store we both love. He proceeded to ask everyone to gather around to take pictures of me opening my gift. Still clueless because let’s face it, I'm marrying a photographer and I have learned that EVERYTHING is a photo op. In the bag it was a pillow that read, The best thing I love about my home is who I share it with. It was then he got down on one knee and proposed.

From the Groom: Walk us through the behind the scenes of creating this special day

The only people who knew I was going to proposes were my parents, my best man, my photographer and her dad who I asked two months prior. Her dad and I agreed not to burden her mom with trying to keep the secret since they are best friends and share everything. My plan was simple and I am big on family, I wanted our parents and her sister to be there which made Memorial Day weekend perfect. Initially I was going to do it at the housewarming but I wanted it to be more intimate therefore, I decided to do it the night before when our families got together at my parent’s house. Since it was her housewarming weekend I wanted to tie it in with the engagement so I found a pillow at Alter’D State that read, “The best thing I love about my home is who I share it with” and then I said, “I want to come home to you for the rest of my life… will you marry me?”

What makes your love special?

We are equally yoked in so many ways… spiritually, professionally, personal values and goals, socially, educationally, our family values and we support each other and truly want the best for each other even if it stretches us out of our comfort zone.

What was the theme of your shoot?

I am from New York and we love traveling so we wanted to do scenic images and we both love buildings and angles so we wanted a photographer who could capture us and the city in an artistic way.

Were there any memorable moments during the shoot?

The final shot kissing on the train and everyone clapping and we even got a few well wishes… and some even held the door to make sure our photographer got the shot… who said New Yorkers aren’t nice.

What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?

I’m looking forward to spending the day with everyone that is close to us!

Congratulations to the newlyweds Andrea and Neville! We wish you many more years of wedded bliss.

Photographer: Kanayo Adibe

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