Their Session: Bonelli Park, San Dimas, California
Ashley & Sanmi’s engagement session took place at the gorgeous Bonelli Park in San Dimas! This Southern California park has so many dreamy little nooks to shoot in! We had an absolute blast exploring the park and spending some time hanging out! Ashley & Sanmi are so stylish and had the most perfectly coordinated outfits! They were totally up for any and everything, so we were able to get the most amazing photos! I adore these two and am SO excited to share all their photos, but first let’s dive into their love story!
Their Love Story
Ashley & Sanmi met through a mutual friend (who will be one of their groomsmen!) As Ashley tells it, “Our mutual friend held his 21st birthday in Las Vegas, and we met for the first time on that trip. Nothing much came of it, and we both went on with our lives. Then, years later, after we each went through relationships, job changes, relocations, etc., we became reunited through that same friend on a trip to the Dominican Republic. (We would periodically see each other once every year or two during an event for this friend, but that was it.) Then, we all traveled to the DR together, became great friends, and then started dating. We have been together ever since! (I think that was about 4 or 4.5 years ago)”
These two love date nights getting dressed up and going out on the town! They’re big foodies and love to have a great meal, a couple drinks, and listen to music/go dancing!
The Proposal
Want to hear how Sanmi asked Ashley to be his wife? It’s SUCH a good story! Ashley tells it best, “Sanmi is sort of private in terms of emotional things, and so I never thought he would propose in front of people. He decided this year in August to take me to Las Vegas for a quick birthday trip. When we arrived at the airport, I was SHOCKED to see family and friends there in the terminal, with 4 dozen orange roses. It took me a long time to even realize I knew those people… I kept thinking, “why do they look so familiar?” My 2 year-old niece came walking up with a sign saying “will you marry me?” and I realized Sanmi was on one knee. Southwest terminal started playing wedding themed music (Jagged edge, Bruno Mars, etc.) and our friends started serving sparkling apple juice in little champagne flutes. It was amazing, the best proposal I could ever dream. (PS – I think airports are so romantic and emotional. I travel a TON for work, so I am always in airports, and always telling him how much I love seeing families reunited, people not wanting to part, goodbyes and hugs that are just never enough… I just love airports and the romance of them. That’s why he chose to propose there.) It was SO special and I wouldn’t have ever expected that!” Seriously, if that doesn’t sound like a movie I don’t what does! Sanmi did such an amazing job surprising Ashley with a the most romantic proposal!
Ashley & Sanmi will be getting married at Moorpark Country Club, having an elegant and glamorous celebration of their love! Ashley told me their primary color palette will be orange (which is both of their favorite color) with accent colors of teal/emerald and gold! She said, “We will be having a traditional Nigerian ceremony AND American ceremony, so it’s going to be really lively, fun, lots of dancing, and hopefully a beautiful blending of our cultures and families.”
Ashley & Sanmi
You two are the absolute BEST! Thank you so much for such a fun evening taking engagement photos in Bonelli Park! I’m so grateful to have connected with you guys and so honored to capture this exciting season of your lives! Your wedding day at Moorpark Country Club is going to be perfect and the most joyful celebration! But until then, enjoy soaking in every minute of being fiances!! Cheers!! xoxo
