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Home · Love & Sex

Just Engaged: Ayana and Patrick

When Ryan asked Ayana to be his wife, he really went all out. With the help of a proposal planner, he tricked her into thinking she was going to his office holiday party but instead she arrived to the sweetest surprise proposal ever. See how it all went down.

By Charli Penn · February 27, 2013October 28, 2020
01
A Beautiful Surprise

When grad student Ayana showed up to the W hotel in New York City, she thought she was meeting her boyfriend Ryan at his office holiday party. He told her to meet him upstairs in the company room, but when she walked in, the party was all about her. Patrick proposed in style and hired a photographer to catch the whole thing on camera. See the sweet photos, now.

Branham Perceptions Photography
02
Man With a Plan

With help from New York City-based wedding planner Fallon Carter and her team, Patrick pulled off the perfect proposal without a hitch. The plan: To lure Ayana to the W Hotel in New York City and have all the details ready to go and photographed before she arrived.

Branham Perceptions Photography
03
Ring Of My Dreams

“Funny thing is, I never wanted a diamond ring until he took me to the jewelry store,” says Ayana. “After that, I dreamt of a Tacori diamond ring (the one he got me) but it seemed far-fetched. I couldn’t knowingly expect something that expensive that’s only purpose is being a shiny thing on my finger.” Patrick came through just the same.

Branham Perceptions Photography
04
Panaromic Wonders

With breathtaking views right outside the window, Patrick began preparing the suite with love.

Branham Perceptions Photography
05
Love On Display

Sentimental groom-to-be Patrick held on to all of the letters, tickets and photographs from their love story, so he decided to carefully display them throughout the room.

Branham Perceptions Photography
06
Walk This Way

Rose petals lined the path Ayana would take to Patrick when she walked into the hotel suite.

Branham Perceptions Photography
07
Love In Bloom

Fresh flowers in pretty vases lined the room.

Branham Perceptions Photography
08
Waiting Patiently

Patricks waits patiently for Ayana to arrive. (She thinks she’s going to be walking on him watching a football game with friends.)

Branham Perceptions Photography
09
Oh, Baby!

A shocked and confused Ayana makes her way into the room. “I didn’t see the ring at first and his words I don’t remember,” she says. “I responded to the amount of love I felt through his energy with a yes.”

Branham Perceptions Photography
10
Happy Tears

“I thought he was joking,” Ayana explains. “I was honestly so surprised.  I thought to myself that it was strange that I wasn’t balling my eyes out, but then I thought, damn if I do cry, I’ll ruin my makeup.”

Branham Perceptions Photography
11
Surreal Excitement

Patrick and Ayana share a romantic embrace as the reality of what’s just happened begins to set in. How precious!

Branham Perceptions Photography
12
A Perfect Pair

“We get along really well with each other’s parents,” says Ayana. “When he lived in Indiana, I would spend my weekends at his parents’ house, and now that I’m in California, he spends his weekends at my parents’ house. “

Branham Perceptions Photography
13
My True Best Friend

“I think he chose to marry me because we can talk about anything,” Ayana admits.

Branham Perceptions Photography
14
Cheers to You

Champagne time!

Branham Perceptions Photography
15
The Magic Word

Now that they’re engaged, Ayana and Patrick plan to take their time and wait until after they both graduate from grad school to tie the knot.

Branham Perceptions Photography
16
The Best Man

“Ryan is the best man for me because we have fun together,” says Ayana. “He has never hurt me, and I love the person I am when I’m with him.”

Branham Perceptions Photography
17
Pure Motivation

“He motivates me,” Ayana tells us. “We sacrifice for each other, but we have the freedom to be the people we want to be.  We both have goals and support each other in them.”

Branham Perceptions Photography
18
Lucky Lady

“My friends say that I’m really lucky because he is such a genuinely nice person,” Ayana admits.

Branham Perceptions Photography
19
Hold Me Close

Leave congratultory messages for the happy couple below and share their love. Want to see your engagement photos featured on ESSENCE.com? Email us now!

Branham Perceptions Photography

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