Asia and Nana met in 2010 in Minneapolis, MN. "We both worked for Target Corporation and met at a co-worker’s party. I asked him out to lunch and the rest was history." The happy couple has been together for 6 years and are planning a destination wedding in Mexico early next year. Check out their beachy engagement session, captured by Photography by Aizhan.
Bride: Asia Smith, 28 Category Manager at Red Bull
Groom: Nana Acheampong, 29, Ops Project Manager at Walker and Company Brands
Place of residence: San Francisco Bay Area
Engagement Shoot Location: Baker Beach & Potrero Hill in San Francisco
Wedding date: 1/28/17 in Los Cabos, Mexico
Engagement story:
I thought the engagement would happen in Ghana when we went in 2014. However, Nana had a different plan. He felt that was expected and he wanted it to be a surprise. We had been long distance for a year and a half and Nana finally was going to move to LA. I was on a work trip and my flight happened to be delayed in Minneapolis on Nana’s last day of work. I surprised him at a friends house where all of our friends were going to say goodbye to him. What I didn’t know was that he was planning to propose as soon as he got to LA but since I surprised him he, of course, had to one-up me. He proposed with all of our friends present. I couldn’t have asked for a better way than being surrounded by the people we love.
For the Groom: Behind the scenes of the engagement shoot:
The special engagement day starts with the special someone. I relocated to LA to support Asia’s new gig, and then we relocated up to SF as Asia supported my new endeavor. We had multiple ideas as to what our engagement photos would look like and we were finally settled to work on this. We discussed having a beach setting as well as capturing a city environment. We felt our new location had great backgrounds for photos. We wanted to incorporate different looks and I was especially wanted to capture my Ghanaian roots with a hint of kente cloth. During our trip to Ghana, we had various outfits made. I spent a week prior getting outfits together and scheduling the very important haircut appointment , much needed. Grateful for our photographer for capturing our love.
What makes your love special?
What makes the love between us special is God. I know people hear that a lot but I really mean it. One day at church I heard God say “Nana is going to be your husband” so when we have rough times I remember God’s promise and statement to me. Also, to see how God lead’s Nana’s life and made him the man I love so much now. Also, we have matured together but always find time to laugh and enjoy each other.
What was the theme of your shoot?
We knew we wanted to capture all the beauty of San Francisco. We recently moved here so we wanted to include this new chapter in our lives in our photos. More importantly, we wanted to make sure Nana’s Ghanaian culture was a part of our shoot. In one of the shots, Nana is wearing a shirt he had made while we were in Ghana and I am wearing a skirt from a friend's boutique in Africa.
Were there any memorable moments during the shoot?
Besides having to dodge the cars on Potrero Hill to get the best shots at sunset We would have to say just being together and being in love. This shoot was natural because the love is real. It means a lot to us to have these photos since these are the first professional photos we will have as a couple.
What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?
Since we will be having a destination wedding in Mexico we are looking forward to having a great vacation with family and friends. We will be asking all of the guests to contribute songs to the reception playlist so we are definitely looking forward to dancing all night long.
Have you started planning your wedding?
Yes! We are 6 months out. Dress is ordered! Bridesmaid will be wearing beautiful Monique Lhuillier dresses, and our colors will be great neutrals of ivory, matte gold, and light gray.
Congrats to the happy couple Asia and Nana! We wish you a wonderful wedding and marriage.
