I’ve been thinking more and more about our engagement shots… where they might be, what we might wear, props or no props. There are so many options, but I think my favorites are the kind you see here…
Just two people in love.
(in a totally gorgeous place… of course)
Photographer: +Raven / Location: Williams Mill Greenspace
When I received this engagement submission through Two Bright Lights, I immediately accepted. Not only is the shoot unbelievably fabulous, the theme is right up my alley…
In fact, we have a big backpacking trip planned for this weekend! I won’t look nearly this great, but none of that matters. There is nothing better than a little time outdoors (even sub 40 degrees) with good friends and a warm campfire… no cell phones, no internet, no stress…
It’s the best thing in the world. So I can see why Courtney and Stan chose camping as the theme for their engagement shots!
What I didn’t realize when I jumped at this theme was that it originated from the very same genius photographer I published just days ago! Clearly I’ve found a new love!
Here’s Melissa with another AMAZING story…
Stan lived with his family, right next-door to Courtney’s aunt and uncle. While he never managed to bump into Courtney there, Courtney’s aunt made it a point to suggest he meet her sweet niece, and then show him a picture. When Stan started college at UCA, which happened to be the school Courtney was attending as well, her aunt became more insistent…..Here’s what Courtney looks like (again, she offered up a recent picture) Stan, be SURE to look for her on campus! Sure I will, Stan thought, wondering how in the heck he was supposed to find one girl in a sea of over 10,000 faces. But as luck (or fate) would have it, the two did run into one another, at a party. Stan sees Courtney, instantly recognizes her and stutters…….Hey, you’re that girl…I live beside your aunt! Courtney’s aunt had done her job well, because when Stan did finally see that face, he had to talk to her, if only to find out why his next-door-neighbor was so insistent they meet. Almost immediately, a friendship developed, and the two began spending time together…..as just friends, of course. Eventually, Courtney and Stan woke up to the sweet fact that everyone around had known all along…they were never just friends. There was always something more than simple friendship between these two. Courtney and Stan are getting married May 12 in Scott, Arkansas.
I can’t get over these stories — SO perfect. Thank you for sharing with us again, Melissa!
Photographer: Melissa McCrotty Photography / Event Venue: All Souls Church
Lance and Kathryn have known each other since the fifth grade, so Lance had to be tricky to hide his plan from this girl who knows him so well. He decided to talk her into a Christmas photo shoot (such a fun idea, even without the proposal) and, because she might suspect that something was up, wait until the very end to get down on one knee and propose.
The best part? The whole thing was captured by the talented Melissa McCrotty who pulled of an unbelievably gorgeous Christmas shoot in the process.
Giddy. I am giddy right now over these unbelievably beautiful engagement shots. Whether in the city or among the wildflowers, Donald and Shirley’s love for each other is clear… no wonder they were able to find each other again and fall in love long after they first met in kindergarten.
As totally amazing as their engagement shots are, though, their story manages to be even better!
Here’s the story straight from Shirley, courtesy of their amazing photographer…
Donald and I met at the lovely age of 5. It’s true! But even though I would love to say that we’re elementary school sweethearts, the truth is that it didn’t all fall into place for us quite so early. We met in kindergarden, Mrs. Bower’s class, and lets just say that we had differing interests. I was the epitome of a girly-girl, and Donald, a man’s man. I was into nail polish, while he favored dirt bikes. As we moved through the early years of elementary school we became friends, and I was hooked. I mean, who could resist that smile? But as Donald remained oblivious to the female population, I sheepishly stuck with my group of girls. Our second grade teacher may have had an eye toward the future when casting the roles for a class play. Donald Hatcher: Santa Clause, Shirley Pérez: Mrs. Clause. (What great memories God allowed us to make together!)
As we grew older and I moved to another school, Donald & I drifted our separate ways for a several years only to be reunited in high school at church. This time I was the oblivious one while Donald admired timidly. Soon he got up the courage to conjure up a plan to win me over. By now you know that it worked!
Everything came full circle when Donald proposed at Mollie Ray Elementary School, the place that we met almost 18 years ago. Of course, he had to hoax me into getting to the school in the first place. Donald and his mom had visited the school a few days prior to plan out the proposal. They met with the principal and decided on a day and time. I was told that there was a special Saturday meeting where we could say hi to some of our old elementary school teachers. Besides that, Donald advised me to meet with the principal in an effort to get a job since I recently graduated. I reluctantly agreed to come along on their trip, pretty unsure about the whole thing.
The next thing I knew, I was strolling along memory lane. Donald and I began to share the memories we had of our younger years. We remembered eating lunch together in our classrooms, dancing to “Thriller” on stage, going on a field trip to the petting zoo, and competing against each other in timed multiplication tests. (He always won.) We even remembered a time where our class had pet snails. Living up to our typical personalities, Donald was fascinated by them while I was completely grossed out. We laughed at how our teacher had to force me to even touch the slimy snails.
As we walked up to the door of our kindergarden classroom, I peeked through the window to see the room that we shared so long ago when I felt Donald grab my hand and spin me around. He was on his knee–and I was confused! I remember my mind racing. Is he being serious? Did he plan all of this? Is that why we’re here? When I saw the ring in his hand I was speechless.
He began to speak. “Shirley, this is where it all started, and I want our story to continue for the rest of our lives…” That was all that I heard. I was so excited! I couldn’t even focus on what he was saying.
Photographer: Kt Crabb Photography
Ravayna and David recently moved from Louisiana to Los Angeles and love their new home… so they decided to take their engagement shots in the city. They chose the Bradbury Building and the Hollyhock House by Frank Lloyd Wright, and I can’t think of two better places! Their modern, super-fun shots really show how crazy about each other they are… and that’s the best thing of all.
Photographer: Monstrous Joy
Oh you know there was no way I could resist that sweet vintage bug. Or the equally adorable couple who call it their own.
Yvonne and Benjamin are both lovers of vintage things and, of course, Beetles. They wanted a fun, simple, and natural shoot featuring their very own super cute car, appropriately named “Kermit.”
(I know. SO cute.)
And that’s not the only special item they included in the shoot. Yvonne’s charm bracelet was a birthday gift from Benjamin, and each year since, at Christmas, they’ve added a charm.
Seriously, how cute are they?!
By the way… do you name your car? Mark and I totally do… mine being “Henry,” and his, “Peggy” (this makes total sense to us). But, in all honesty, I think the whole thing might be a little dangerous. Personifying my little “Henry” has made him kind of like my beloved pet… I need to think about trading him in, but would you trade your family dog?
No. You would not trade your dog. So how could I trade Henry?
It is at this point that I know I move completely beyond the realm of reality… but I can’t help it. Once you give the thing a personality it takes on a whole new meaning…
This has become a problem.
Photographer: Confetti* Peektures
You know those couples that you just look at and immediately want to be their friends? Kate and Steven are that kind of couple… and after interviewing Kate, I think I’ve decided that my original instinct was spot on… she’s fabulous. The couple are tying the knot in Houston this November, and it sounds like it will be amazing…
From Kate:
I love the casual feel of your shots, how did you decide on a location… did it have any special significance?
We are very casual people. We wanted photographs of us as we are, not us trying to be something else. We wandered through the neighborhood we met in and live in and stopped in a few different places for our photographer to take some shots. It was very important to us to have a natural feel to our photos, not something that was really staged.
What else did you do to prepare? I’m already in a fit about what I’ll wear. Was it hard to choose?
I thought way too much about what I was going to wear! The most unnatural thing was trying to “coordinate” with each other, since that isn’t something we normally consider when getting dressed for any other day. My advice would be to choose something you feel comfortable in.
How far in advance did you have your shots done?
We had our engagement photos done halfway through our engagement, 2 months before the wedding. The timing was perfect since we received our photos a month later, just in time to use for wedding shower decorations.
Your wedding is coming up soon… are you in the middle of a lot of last minute details? Any big projects?
It IS coming up soon and we are SO ready for it to be here! The main project that I am trying to finish now that I am really excited about is the backdrop for our ceremony. We (my fiance and I) have made 4 large canvases covered in antique book pages which will hang behind the stage. I think it is going to be the perfect touch to the vintage feel of our wedding. It has been neat to work on this together as a couple for our special day.
Any advice for other brides on the planning process?
There are many “do’s and don’ts” and rules regarding weddings. My question is, says who? It’s not their wedding! Decide together as a couple what is important to you for your wedding day and stick to that. You will receive so much unsolicited advice and suggestions but ultimately it is your day to celebrate your commitment to each other with the people you love and who love you.
Awesome, right?
Thank you Kate! And thank you Joseph West Photography for sharing these shots!!
Photographer: Joseph West Photography
This engagement session in Singapore is so much fun I can barely stand it. Since Felicia and Timothy met in college, they decided to style their engagement shoot with a vintage ‘back to school’ theme… they even shot it at a school turned art gallery and theatre called (what else?) Old School.
From their photographer:
The idea behind this photo shoot was to bring out their childhood, with many items they kept from school days such as Old Maid playing cards, the oh-so-familiar recorders they used in school, and even a mini chalkboard. We wanted to keep the photo shoot simple, natural and fun! We had a fun-filled afternoon playing games, and capturing their special moments at the same time.
Photographer: Confetti* Peektures / Venue: Old School
I’m loving this awesome downtown engagement sesh from JC Page Photography… just look at that shot!
These days it seems like every engagement session takes place in a field, and don’t get me wrong… I loooove a good field, but it’s nice to see something different… especially for a couple that feels more at home in the city.
… and that jacket! Fall is here and I am so ready for that jacket… now if it was just mine.
Photography: JC Page Photography / Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Oh my goodness, I love engagement shots. They are such a great way for a couple to showcase their style. No white dress, no wedding venue, just a couple in love… and Christina and Ezra are a perfect example. I am in love with these gorgeous beach shots… they look so happy to be together. And their whole shoot was just perfect for who they are… just listen to what their photographer, Christina Dely, had to say…
He is an actor. She works in Entertainment Advertising Sales. So it was only fitting that Christina & Ezra were inspired by Hollywood Glamor, when they planned to shoot their engagement session at the luxurious and chic Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. The couple spent the evening sipping dirty martini’s in the Huntley’s Zagat rated Penthouse restaurant. And lounging among the carved African daybeds, drum tables, and leather-covered benches in the striking lobby designed by Thomas Schoos. Just moments away from the Santa Monica beaches, we wrapped up the engagement shoot by splashing & playing around in the surf. I cannot wait to shoot their beautiful destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta next March!
Thanks so much for sharing these, Christina!
Photographer: Christina Dely Photography / Location: Huntley Hotel / Hair: Drybar
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