National Mall Proposal – Daniel & Dani

There’s this interesting aspect to love no one ever really talks about, but this national mall proposal is riddled with it. It’s the distinct joy and satisfaction you get when you are able to take someone you love, someone who knows you better than anyone else in the world, by complete and utter surprise! The joy comes when you see the excitement on their face when they realize what’s going on. The satisfaction is in realizing: you know them so intimately, you were able to account for any possible suspicion they may have & still managed to surprise them! Daniel was having all those feels as he pulled off an elaborate surprise proposal this past weekend in D.C. … nearly a thousand miles from home!

Daniel met Dani a little over two and a half years ago at her home in Miami, introduced by a mutual friend. From their first date at a Miami Heat game to now, this loving and happy couple have been inseparable. I noticed Daniel’s favorite word to describe his new fiancee is “amazing” and he has been honored and excited that she is supportive of his career and aspirations that may one day bring him back to D.C.

I’ll admit, when I heard Daniel’s national mall proposal idea, I was a little worried about the logistics. There were a lot of moving parts, but his plan ended up going off without a hitch!

Dani was visiting family in northern VA for Veteran’s Day weekend and Daniel knew this was his perfect chance to take her by surprise! He told her he was flying to Atlanta for a guys’ weekend while she was away in D.C., so she wouldn’t suspect a thing. He enlisted one of Dani’s best friends, Nathalia, to assist in some of the planning, including finding a local D.C. photog (me!) to capture the proposal. He had a friend plan to meet Dani on the mall for some sight-seeing, and trick her into walking directly to where Daniel would be waiting for her!

Dani’s mom was already in town since she accompanied her on the trip, but Daniel took it one step further and invited her father, his mom and sister, and Dani’s best friends to join them in D.C. for the celebrations! He made dinner reservations at Old Ebbitt Grill and invited everyone to surprise Dani – again – with dinner for 15! He planned these details down to making sure Dani had a fresh manicure so the photos with her new engagement ring would be just as she would want! He went all.out.

It was such an honor to be a part of Daniel’s elaborate plan for surprising the love of his life. Now that you know the back story for his elaborate, well planned, well timed national mall proposal, I’ll let the photos do the talking for how the rest of the afternoon unfolded.

Congratulations to Dani & Daniel! Many happy wishes for your future together <3