J & J Proposal Story

Joel and Julia have been high school sweethearts since they were 15 years old. They lasted through long distance college years but still had their fair share of wind, waves, and shipwrecks, which only strengthens a relationship. It was an honor to capture such a big day in their whole love story.

My first time I photographed this couple they were helping me as I was just getting started in photography! I wanted to shoot an adventure session at a place in Lancaster specifically to practice with posing couples. (You can see that session here.) They told me they had so much and mentioned having to reach out in the future for another session. When Joel messaged me to about proposing to Julia I nearly fainted with joy. He set the whole thing up, probably the most detailed, well-thought out and perfectly executed proposal I've ever witnessed.

It was a scavenger hunt that started almost immediately after dropping her off at the airport. Instead of getting on a plane, she followed clues that led her around their neighborhoods, high school, first date spot, and so many other meaningful memories that make up the years spent together. One of the clues led her to her own house where Joel had chosen a dress for her to put on. She had told Joel before she wanted to know the proposal was coming so she would have plenty of time to prepare. Now, that time was here. She could take her time doing her hair, her make up, praying, and preparing to go meet the man she wants to marry. Finally, it all built to her final location: a park where Julia had always talked about getting engaged at. By the time she started walking up to the gazebo, she was fully ready to say yes. I met her with flowers, she made the long walk to her man. They embraced each other and Joel took his time sharing all about their relationship and reasons why he knows he wants to marry her. As for as proposals go, this was one slow, long, intimate, and dripping in sentiment. There was still the surprise element but also applied wisdom, thoughtfulness yet very emotional, romantic yet stable. In fact, the photos show it all better than words...