Serendipitous Encounters and Eloping to Paris
They say the third time’s the charm; and for Alyson Ramirez and Gracious Adegbite, it truly was. Alyson and Gracious crossed paths twice before “fate finally intervened,” leading them to the moment when everything clicked.
Serendipitous Encounters
“Our love story began like many Millennials,” Alyson describes, “re-emerging into the world after the global pandemic. A night out with friends, fueled by strong bourbon and the good vibes, led to a hazy first encounter – which Gracious, admittedly, doesn’t remember!
“We cherished the intimacy of our elopement – a moment just for us.”
“Fast forward four months later, at a going away party for a friend. Gracious, emboldened by his friends, decided to salsa his way across the room to me. A quick pick-up line right at the tip of his tongue. I, fueled by champagne and sweet goodbyes, gilded right past him before he could even utter his name.”
The following morning, Alyson and Gracious found themselves at the same rooftop party. Gracious, “nursing his wounded pride,” kept his distance. Alyson had no recollection of their encounter the night before, so she was baffled by his apparent disinterest. After hearing Gracious mention his need for a new LinkedIn profile picture, Alyson casually bridged the gap by offering her photography skills in exchange for his phone number.
“Our third and final serendipitous encounter took place on a rooftop in Detroit, bathed in the golden hues of sunset,” she shares. “The place where a headshot, genuine laughter, and a first kiss was shared at sunset. A perfect cup of hot cocoa on a cozy Sunday evening sealed the deal. We have been inseparable ever since.”
A Picnic Proposal
The couple’s relationship led them to a cross-country move to San Francisco, as they both started new jobs. From navigating the ups and downs of life together, to indulging in spontaneous international adventures, each experience has only served to strengthen their bond.
On one sunny San Francisco day, Gracious organized a romantic picnic at the Palace of Fine Arts. There, he proposed while a hidden photographer captured the moment he dropped to one knee.
“Adrenaline and joy blurred the details,” says Alyson, “but the resounding ‘YES!’ echoed through the park. That part we remember! Sipping wine under a tree, watching the sunset paint the sky, we celebrated the start of our forever.”
Eloping to Paris
A year later to the day, Alyson and Gracious celebrated their nuptials by eloping to Paris and fulfilling a promise Gracious made to Alyson’s late grandmother.
“’Why?’ you may be wondering,” Alyson adds, “considering Gracious is West African and the majority of my family is from the Dominican Republic. My grandmother’s answer was simple: ‘I have always wanted to visit Paris.’
“And so, with the Eiffel Tower as our witness, we exchanged vows in a ceremony that was both intimate and profound.”
Planning their elopement in Paris was an adventure in itself. Virginie, the couple’s incredible wedding planner, brought warmth and expertise to the process.
“Virginie had impressive reviews, and she was one of the very few wedding planners in Paris who had worked with couples of color,” explains the bride. “Reading how much care Virginie showed each couple, I knew we were in good hands. We even had the pleasure to meet Virginie before the wedding. A serendipitous encounter in San Francisco solidified our connection, easing any pre-wedding jitters, as she was in town for a family trip. Being able to have the gift of a face-to-face moment, made Gracious and I feel eased and dare I say, relaxed.”
After an extensive search, Alyson found the perfect room in the most romantic part of the city and arranged for accommodations at Hotel Marignan Champs-Elysees. She secured The Suite Marignan, which became their “Parisian haven,” with its private terrace offering the most breathtaking and unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower.
“Our ceremony was filled with warmth and love,” she recalls. “Our violinist brought her partner, our hair and makeup artist stayed to celebrate with us, and in that moment, surrounded by newfound friends, we felt like family. We cherished the intimacy of our elopement – a moment just for us.”
One Year Later
One year after eloping to Paris, the couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary, which was also served as their larger wedding.
“We invited our friends and family to spend three days reveling in love and joy at the stunning all-inclusive resort of Casa de Campo,” says Alyson. “But that is a story for another day. Our love story, a tapestry woven with serendipitous encounters and heartfelt moments, is one we’re excited to share with the world.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Hotel Marignan Champs-Elysees; Planner: CEREMONIZE; Floral Design: Les Fleurs d’Agrippine; Hair: Barbara the CEO; MUA: Miss Makeup Holikk; Celebrant: Celebrant in Paris; Violinist: Francesca; Videographer: Pierre Froger; Photography: Solene Lagant