Jeff & Taylour’s Surprise Wedding Proposal

Jeff & Taylour originally met at a friend’s Ugly Sweater Christmas Party about 4 years ago. They dated for a while…but somehow strayed and went their separate ways. Whey they reconnected about 2 years ago, sparks ignited, and everything just clicked!

This weekend they booked a fun weekend get-away at an Air B&B in downtown Charleston. Jeff reached out to me several weeks ago and we began hatching plans for the perfect Secret Proposal!!!  The best part is, he COMPLETELY kept Taylour in the dark…even having friends of hers tell her “it” wasn’t happening in Charleston.

This morning, before all the tourists rolled out of bed, Jeff had a private carraige pick them up at their Air B&B. Their driver was in on the covert plans and brought them to White Point Garden where he let them get off to “stretch their legs” in the park.

Jeff and I had already pre-arranged the perfect location for him to propose underneath a gorgeous avenue of old oak trees. Leading Taylour to the magic spot, he dropped to his knee and asked her to be his bride!!!  It was SO COOL!!!  I have never seen a bride-to-be so completely shocked before!  Taylour was so surprised that she was absolutely shaking afterwards!!!   🙂

To see the rest of their photos, visit:  http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/taylourandjeff.

CONGRATULATIONS Jeff & Taylour!  We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin your new journey together!!!

Jenna & Christopher’s Sunrise Engagement on Folly Beach

Christopher is the most AMAZING guitarist I know! Plus he’s a kind spirit and a gentle old soul. I love hanging out with this guy:  www.christopherteves.com.

I was SO EXCITED a few weeks ago when Christopher told me he and Jenna were engaged! Even more so, I was absolutely honored when he asked if I would photograph their wedding!!!

Yesterday the three of us met down by the Folly Beach Pier, which is where he proposed to Jenna. Jenna is absolutely stunning, vibrant, and full of life!  She’s super creative, and a joy to be around. I loved getting to know her.  And I can’t wait to photograph their beautiful wedding!

To see more of their engagement photos, visit:  http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/jennaandchristopher

We had a BLAST photographing their sunrise engagement session. We even captured a couple re-enactments of Christopher’s proposal in the very spot where he asked Jenna to become his wife! 🙂

Frankie & Rebecca’s Hidden Garden Proposal

Frankie’s Surprise Proposal in a private hidden garden in downtown Charleston is easily one of my absolute favorites EVER!!!

When Frankie contacted me back in March, I knew this was going to be a really special one. He had so many great ideas, and had really gone out of his way to make this extra special for his longtime girlfriend, Rebecca. He had contacted a friend, who knew someone with a beautiful home in the old historic district of downtown Charleston, that had an amazing hidden garden in the back. The home-owners had graciously allowed us to use this beautiful spot where Frankie was to ask Rebecca for her hand in marraige.

I made a special scouting visit several weeks prior to figure out the logistics of where the best place to propose would be, where the best place for me to hide would be, etc. When the Big Day finally arrived, everything went off like clock-work! The home-owners had even arranged for friends, Cory and Kayla, to hide with me and pop some Champagne for the beautiful couple when she said “YES”!!! It was such a beautiful moment, and I’m so honored to have been a part of this AMAZING secret marriage proposal.

CONGRATULATIONS Frankie & Rebecca! May your journey ahead be full of love and laughter all the days of your lives.

Larry & Joanna’s Surprise Proposal at Magnolia Plantation

Larry & Joanna first met at CrossFit. Joanna had moved from New York to Tennessee and started attending some classes at the gym where Larry was a trainer. She says he used to pick on her more than the others. Which, as we all know from our days in grade-school, when a boy picks on a girl it means he REALLY likes her!!! Am I right? 🙂

Sure enough, Joanna put out a couple vibes, and next thing you know Larry asked her out. The rest, as they say, is history!!!

Fast forward about a year and Larry knew in his heart that Joanna was “the one”. He booked a fun vacation for the two of them to charming Charleston. And he connected with me to help him capture that very special moment when he asked Joanna to be his wife.  It was such a beautiful secret proposal under a cathedral of giant oak trees at Magnolia Plantation.

To see the rest of their photos, visit: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/larryandjoanna.

I’m so honored to have been a part of this AMAZING day!!! Congratulations Larry & Joanna! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin your new journey together…

Preston’s Secret Proposal to Stevie at Magnolia Plantation

Preston is quite the gentleman! He contacted me way back in October to set plans in motion for his Surprise Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend, Stevie. He wanted everything to be PERFECT for her!!!

Well, the big day finally arrived. And everything DID turn out perfect. We had beautiful weather, very few tourists, and Stevie said “YES”!!! What could be better than that?!?

Preston proposed at the middle of the famous white bridge at Magnolia Plantation. What an iconic location to become engaged, right? Hailing from Kansas, he and Stevie have been dating for 8 years now. We wish them all the happiness in the world as they begin this NEW journey together as husband and wife!  🙂

Mackenzie & Ashley’s Surprise Proposal

It was almost a month ago when Ashley called to see if I would secretly photograph his Surprise Proposal. He and I have had so much fun making plans and preparing for this special day!

Ashley and Mackenzie have been together for several years now. They have fallen head-over-heals in love. And he couldn’t wait to ask for her hand in marriage!!!

Arriving in town after a short drive from their home outside Atlanta, Ashley brought Mackenzie for a short walk to White Point Garden before dinner. Spotting them coming down Meeting Street, I quickly hid in my spot and waited…heart pounding inside! Ashley expertly manuvered Mackenzie to the exact spot we had picked out, and dropped to bended knee, asking Mackenzie to be his wife. It was such a beautiful moment!!!

Afterwards, we had a really fun AUTHENTIC Engagement Session, while we explored the beautiful historic downtown area.  Then Ashley and Mackenzie headed off to a celebratory dinner at Circa 1886.

CONGRATULATIONS Mackenzie & Ashley! Cami and I wish you all the best for a beautiful new journey together. 🙂

Katie & Tom’s Secret Proposal at White Point Gardens

Under adverse conditions, with dreary weather, LOVE PERSEVERED!!!

It was such a pleasure to photograph Tom’s Secret Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend, Katie. The two of them have been inseparable for 4 years now, having met each other for the for the first time under a Christmas Tree.  At least that’s the story, and they’re sticking to it!  😉  They currently live and work in Washington D.C., where they raise the most adorable warm and fuzzy rabbits!

Tom initially connected with me about a month ago. We had so much fun covertly planning every detail of the moment when he would ask Katie to be his wife. When the Big Day finally arrived, and the weather moved in, I think I was JUST as nervous as he was!!!  We went back and forth by text, and came up with a “Plan B”.

By the time our meeting point had arrived, the showers eased up, the gazebo emptied out, and everything came together perfectly. KATIE SAID YES!!! 🙂

Congratulations to Katie & Tom. May your new life together be full and free!!!

Lindsey & Brian at White Point Garden

I first met Brian and his family when I photographed their beach portraits about six years ago. I can’t describe how excited I was when Brian and Lindsey picked me to be their wedding photographer!!!

I owe a HUGE thank you to his mom, Nicole, for keeping my contact info all these years, and letting me know about the exciting news of Lindsey & Brian’s engagement.

These two love-birds have been dating since high-school. True love is a real gift! I’m so happy for Lindsey & Brian, and so excited for what life has in store for them ahead. CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!!

Jaime & Brian’s Hampton Park Engagement Session

Earlier this summer I got this really sweet email from Jaime:

“Hey Chris! I recently just got engaged and wanted to talk to you. You did my best friends wedding a few years ago and the pictures were so beautiful…”

I’ve had so much fun getting to know Jaime over the past few months. Finally, I got to meet this very special couple over the weekend when they came to Charleston for their engagement session. Jaime is the sweetest, kindest, most beautiful person you could ever meet! Plus, Brian and I hit it off immediately because we share the same quirky sense of humor. We all had a BLAST exploring the picturesque Hampton Park, capturing their excitement and energy along the way.

I’d like to send a HUGE BEAR HUG to Melissa & Kevin, who’s gorgeous wedding I photographed at Middleton Place, for re-connecting Jaime and I after all these years. 🙂  I can’t wait to photograph Jaime & Brian’s amazing celebration in Woodstock, GA next year!!!

Ally & Matt’s Surprise Proposal at Magnolia Plantation

I woke up this morning before the alarm…butterflies in my stomach…excitement in my veins. It wasn’t for me. The anticipation of being a part of Matt’s Surprise Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend, Ally, had my adrenaline pumping before my feet hit the floor. It’s hard to believe that 9 years of dating had finally led these two soulmates to this perfect moment!

Matt and I have been secretly corresponding for weeks…planning out every detail of this AMAZING day! We selected a gorgeous avenue of oaks at the picturesque Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. Arriving early, I got all set up and settled into my hiding spot. A small group of tourists walked by and, hesitant at first, asked me why I was hiding in the bushes. After I explained my situation, the men wandered off slightly bemused, while the ladies burst into smiles and giggles, chattering among themselves as they strolled on: “isn’t that the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard of?!?”

Matt and Ally arrived right on cue! The first shot of them walking towards “the spot” cracks me up. You can see Matt’s brain is on high alert as he scans the brush to get a bead on my location. But more importantly, I LOVE ALLY’S REACTION when Matt dropped to his knee and asked her to be his wife!!! 🙂

After she said “Yes”, the three of us enjoyed a wonderful stroll around the plantation, stopping to photograph authentic Engagement Photos along the way. It was a beautiful morning with perfect fall temperatures and gorgeous southern light.  We had a BLAST!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Ally & Matt! You guys are a very special couple. I am truly honored to be forever linked to this beautiful day in your lives!!!

Heather & Andrew at the The River House

Heather and I are inextricably linked!

A flight attendant from Texas, Heather happened to be in Charleston a little over a year ago. It truly was fate that drew her into the small art gallery in downtown Charleston where our wildlife photography was on display. She fell in love with one of my images of a white egret soaring overhead. Not having her size in stock, we custom ordered one for her.

After Heather and I connected over this simple picture of a bird, she met and fell madly in love with Andrew! They were a match made in heaven!!! And what better place to celebrate such love, than here in Charleston?!? After introducing Andrew to our beautiful city, he agreed, and plans began taking shape. I was deeply honored when Heather, remembering her “photographer friend from Charleston”, asked me to be their wedding photographer!!!

Fast forward to this past weekend when, on a gorgeous summer day, Heather & Andrew were married under a majestic arch of live oak trees, on a grassy hill, overlooking the Ashley River, in a beautiful section of Lowndes Grove Plantation, known as The River House. Heather was absolutely stunning! The talented Loraine of Invitations Only Charleston made sure every detail was perfect. And the eloquent Kasey King led a touching ceremony.

Later that evening, Heather & Andrew met up with me for a fun “After Shoot”.  We strolled around the old historic streets of downtown Charleston, capturing beautiful images of their love as we went! For a grand finale, we caught the setting sun over the Ashley River as sailboats bobbed in the distance.

CONGRATULATIONS Heather & Andrew! We wish you all the best as you begin your new journey together!!!

Laurie & Allen’s Charleston Elopement

Laurie & Allen are the sweetest couple in the world. Being a part of their elopement to Charleston last week was a real joy!!!

I met up with them at the Meeting Street Inn where they were staying. After a few photos, a horse-drawn carriage arrived to whisk them away to White Point Garden. Laurie & Allen were married on the bandstand gazebo in the middle of the park on a gorgeous afternoon. It was such a beautiful celebration of love and commitment!

After the ceremony, the three of us enjoyed a fun walk around some of the old historic streets near The Battery, stopping for gorgeous photos along the way. Getting to know these two, and capturing these special memories for them along the way, was a real pleasure!

CONGRATULATIONS Laurie & Allen! We wish you all the best for a beautiful new journey together!!!