All of my clients have two of the same questions: Since you are a photographer, how will you propose and who will shoot your wedding?
On August 5, 2007 I proposed to the love of my life (and my photographer assistant), Brandi.
The story goes like this:
I set up a fake photo shoot. Since Brandi attends so many of my photo shoots this was something that was not out of the ordinary for her. I told her I needed some head shots for a new magazine article. I enlisted the help of
Tempest Bleu to coordinate the afternoon.
The day started with us going to church as usual. After church we usually go to brunch but I asked Brandi to give me some time to work on a client's project. That's when I enacted "Project GNIR," the secret title for the proposal I used with all of the vendors. "GNIR" is RING spelled backwards. Little did Brandi know, in about 2 hours she was in for the surprise of her life!
Before the photo shoot I asked Brandi to wear a dress I bought her recently so we could get a few shots of us if time permitted. I also told her we would take the photographers to dinner afterwards. The dress so happened to coordinate with what I was wearing perfectly (ok I planned it). We all met at the King Plow Arts Center and the shoot began..with just me. A few minutes into the shoot the photographers asked her to join me. After a number of candids (well, a few poses mixed with some improv), the shoot was supposed to end. I asked everyone if they had ever seen the art gallery (usually closed on Sundays) that was located down the hallway. We all "snuck" into the gallery and the photographers continued to shoot as we looked at the artwork. As we were getting ready to leave the gallery I asked her to look at one particular piece of artwork to see if we had heard of the artist before. When we walked away from viewing the painting I took her hand and led her to the middle of the gallery (perfect lighting!!). When I got down on bended knee she thought it was a joke and tried to get on the floor with me?! She figured I wanted the photographers to do more pictures. But instead I popped the big question. She said, Yes! Thank goodness or I was going to have to go home with a bunch of pictures and a rock in my pocket...
After a few tears, we continued shooting with the photographers outside in a court yard. That is when I presented her with a t-shirt "The future Mrs. KNIGHT." We took a few pictures near a swing that I had seen a month earlier while visiting the site with one of the photographers. Next we walked through an alley leading to an event facility one of my friend's, Chris Ruffin, owns (
The VIEW at King Plow). I asked the group if they would like to see the facility since I "saw" his car there.
Once we entered the facility we went up the stairs to his office directed by his assistant, Shannon. As we reached the top of the stairs, we were greeted by a personal chef, waitress, and the music of John Coltrane ("In a Sentimental Mood"). We continued on outside to the deck where we had a foot washing ceremony and then a dance over looking Midtown, Buckhead, and Downtown Atlanta. We came inside to enjoy the four course meal prepared by Chef Suzanne and spoken word by artist Adam Beane. After dinner, we watched a dvd (thanks Julian) that I prepared which featured the Love Story of our lives - "Her Temperate Spirit", words by
Te-Erika Patterson. The dvd was full of pictures, starting with the first time that I ever met Brandi on Morehouse College Campus (she went to Spelman) up until we officially started dating in 2004 (5 years later!). We enjoyed chocolate covered strawberries and discussing our future lives together. In the end, we were blessed with a rain shower outside...in the words of
Te-Erika Patterson - "Raindrops from Heaven."
I will tell you that I can't express enough thanks to God for allowing this wonderful occasion to come to life and blessing me with such a beautiful woman who will now be my queen!!!
Thanks and gratitude to the people involved with bringing this momentous time together:
The Extraordinary Event Planners - Michele and Venetia of
Tempest BleuThe staff of King Plow Arts Gallery and Catering - Stacy Zeigler and Laurie Smith (who lit like 120 candles hanging from the ceiling in like 15 min. before we walked in!)
The best VIEW in Atlanta -
The VIEW at King Plow Arts Center - owner and good friend of mine - Chris Ruffin - also thanks to Shannon for coordinating
Food fit for a King and Queen -
Personal Chef Suzanne and waitress Conner (who did a great job shooting additional candid pictures after our photographers left)
Spoken Word Artist (a surprise from Tempest Bleu and fellow Morehouse Brother) - Adam Beane

The Physics Class Where I first met Brandi - Morehouse College

My Life's Savings on her Finger!

An End to a Perfect Evening and the Beginning of Our Lives Together
- rk

The Future Mrs. KNIGHT and our "Raindrops from Heaven!"
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