Elaina and Daron met many years ago through a mutual friend. They both had lost contact, but eventually reconnected in December of 2008 at a church conference. Elaina and Daron started dating in September of 2009 and have been together 5 years, this year. The two are planning a "Black & White " themed wedding at the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, in Louisville, KY, this fall. Check out their fun and flirty engagement session, captured by Regina Fleming Photography.
Bride: Elaina Vaune Shumake, 26, Pr & Social Media Manager Donna Morgan
Groom: William Daron Moore , 28, Mortgage Back Securities Analyist Deutsche Bank
Place of residence: Riverdale NY
Engagement Shoot Location: Harlem NYC
Wedding date: 10/25/14
Engagement story {His Story}:
It was a bright and sunny morning, free of clouds to disrupt the day. As Daron awoke from his slumber, he was overcome with the feeling of opportunity and he embraced it. For a few weeks, he'd been contemplating the when, where, and how of the proposal to Elaina. The ring was burning a hole in his pocket and he was ready. He knew that day was the day. Not sure of how it was going to play out exactly, he figured his gut will let him know when it was time. All he knew was where he wanted to do it and what he wanted to say. Metropolitan Museum of Art was the place, expressing that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her was the message. Hours before he was even in her presence, Daron's stomach was full of butterflies, hands sweaty, but a smile on his face. It was the anticipation that overwhelmed his senses. He finally met up with Elaina at Grand Central and immediately realized she wasn't her bubbly self. "What's the matter darling?" he asked. With half of her face numb from the dentist she mumbled that she broke her phone. At this moment he started to second guess whether this was the best day to do it. She apparently haven't been having the best day but as they made their way to the museum, the Elaina he knows and loves started to emerge as the stress of the day melted away. As they were strolling along and in conversation, Daron realized that Elaina had something on her fur vest. Oh no…bird droppings. He knew this wasn't going to be good. He quickly started to explain to her that getting pooped on by a bird is good luck and something good will happen to her in the near future…wink, wink. He realized then that this had to be the day, no more waiting. As they were walking through the exhibits, Elaina was explaining everything her Art history degree taught her, but Daron wasn't listening. He was too busy trying to choke down the nervousness and figure out when he was going to do it. After a couple hours, Elaina was ready to go. His time was up. He grabbed her hand and led her into a nearby exhibit. His heart began to beat faster as he put his arms around her, stepped back, looked into her eyes and began to get on his knee. He finally reached into his pocket and expressed that life is worth so much more with her in it. After the initial shock wore off, she said yes, making him the happiest man in that moment.
Engagement story {Her Story}:
The day I got engaged started off as a very difficult day. That Saturday I had a dentist appointment in the morning which took longer than I thought and of course when I left my mouth was sore and swollen. After my dentist appointment, Daron had asked me to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (My fave place in NYC) and of course I said yes. On my way to meet him at Grand Central Station, to go to the museum I dropped my iPhone. The screen shattered in a million pieces, and I thought to myself… This is not a good day! Upon meeting Daron he saw I had also gotten pooped on by a bird. I learned then it was good luck but I was not in the mood, as I was wearing my fave fur vest. We went to the museum and walked around for a few hours and I told Daron I was ready to go. I was so hungry as the numbness had finally worn off. I even told Daron I would buy him a slice of pizza if we could leave. Daron was like lets stay for just a minute and walked me into a quiet room of royal gems. He then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him… (The Moment all girls dream of). I was in utter shock that I asked him, are you serious?? Is this really happening right now? He said yes. It is and of course I said YES!! I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with the one person who was made especially for me!
What makes your love special?
I wouldn’t say that our love is anymore special than the love other people have for their partners. I just think that God made us especially for each other and he sent us into each other’s lives at the exact moment we were ready to be together. I don’t think there could be a better person to be my husband and father of my future children.
What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?
I am looking forward to the reaction people have to the decor.
A special congratulations to bride-to-be Elaina, who is also our Guest Fashion Blogger, and her fiancé Daron. We wish you a wonderful wedding and marriage.
Vendors:
Photographer: Regina Fleming Photography
Curated by our Wedding Features Editor, C.K. Alexander. C.K. is the owner and founder of Love Ink and Brownstone Bridal. Keep up with C.K. on Twitter here: @Love_Ink
