St. Louis Engagement Session: Denaya and Louis

Denaya + Louis

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

WEDDING DATE: August 3, 2019 WEDDING LOCATION: Southaven, Mississippi

OCCUPATIONS: Family Medicine Physician & Attorney/City Prosecutor

HOW THEY MET: They met on Instagram. Louis found Denaya's online profile via a mutual friend and he slid into Denaya's DMs when Instagram first came out in 2010. Though the first relationship did not work out, they reignited their love via the DMs again. Louis reached out to Denaya via her medical school email. After conversing for a while, they realized their love for each other had never faded. Time had allowed them to mature and grow individually only to come back together to build a strong foundation for a lasting relationship.

THE PROPOSAL: Denaya graduated from medical school on the same day as Louis's 32nd birthday, May 24, 2018. So they celebrated both occasions on that day in Atlanta, GA at TopGolf. A graduation party was thrown in Denaya's honor in her hometown of Opelousas, LA on May 26, 2018, with loved ones from both Louis and Denaya's families. Denaya and Louis both had secrets to reveal with each other on that special night. After eating, Denaya's great uncle stalled and gave a long grand neverending speech while candles were lit at the back of the graduation hall and red roses were handed to Denaya's stepson LJ, her father, her grandparents, and Louis's aunt in lieu of his late mother Annie Helen Conley. After the candles were lit and roses were handed out, Denaya's uncle ended his speech. Louis then took the stage and gracefully spoke about how proud he was of Denaya and then ventured further into talking about his love and admiration for Denaya. Meanwhile, Denaya's favorite love song played

in the background, "You & I (Nobody in the world)" by John Legend. He then proceeded to walk her to each person with a rose. They each handed her a rose and gave her a hug. So many tears were shed duringthese moments. Once Denaya received all the roses, Louis walked Denaya

over to the back of the reception hall where there were candles leading up to a beautiful backdrop featuring more candles, a picture of Denaya's late mother Minister Sarah Edwards, and white Christmas lights. At the center of many beautifully lit candles and with the beautiful backdrop, Louis then dropped down to one knee and asked Denaya to marry him in front of her closest family and friends. Later Louis was surprised with an Alpha Phi Alpha birthday cake from Denaya, and everyone sang Happy Birthday to him. It was an amazing, dreamy, fairytale evening that the pair will never forget.

WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR FIRST DATE?Our initial first date in 2010 was a meet & greet rendezvous in BatonRouge, LA.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO AS A COUPLE? We love to do karaoke, dance to zydeco and swing out music, play dominoes, and play spades. We love doing anything that consists of quality time with family and friends.

HOW HAS WEDDING PLANNING BEEN? Wedding planning is going!We are ecstatic to have a fantastic planner, Krystal Logan of Elle MariEvents, that keeps us on track throughout this journey to the wedding.

Photography: Bella Luca Photography Wedding Planner/Designer: Elle Mari Events Makeup Artist: Sonyata Miller