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!!!

Megan & Chandler’s Secret Proposal at Middleton Place

What is life without love in your heart?

When Chandler contacted me several weeks ago with his AMAZING ideas for how he wanted to propose to Megan, I knew he truly loved her. It’s always so refreshing to me when I meet REAL men, who are kind, thoughtful, and selfless! I loved his enthusiasm and his sincerity…and I knew I HAD to photograph his Secret Proposal!!!

Chandler and I planned out every detail together over the ensuing weeks. Yesterday at Middleton Place Plantation, on a grassy hill overlooking the Ashley River, surrounded by old oak trees adorned with Spanish moss swaying in the breeze, Chandler asked Megan to be his bride! It was such an honor to capture and preserve this beautiful moment between two young people in love!!!

Afterward Chandler revealed the secret that he’d had the whole affair photographed (I love Megan’s expression…HA!), we photographed their AUTHENTIC engagement photos. It was so much fun to stroll around the beautiful plantation, finding gorgeous backgrounds to shoot in, and getting to know them Chandler & Megan along the way.

We concluded our session near the Middleton Place Restaurant, where Chandler had made reservations for them to have a delightful dinner to celebrate their engagement. CONGRATULATIONS Megan & Chandler!!! We wish you all the best as you begin this new journey together…

Sarah & Oliver’s Pitt Street Pier Secret Proposal

Sarah lived in Charleston for a while, during which time Pitt Street Pier was one of her favorite spots in town. When her family decided to come down here to celebrate her mom’s 60th birthday this weekend, Oliver thought this picturesque pier would be the PERFECT place to propose to Sarah!!! 🙂

We lucked out with an empty pier because the tide was high and all the usual fishermen were further down the Ocean Walk, lined up in Pickett Park. The winds weren’t too high. The sky was clear. The late afternoon light was beautiful. And we even had gorgeous full moon rising in the east as the sun set in the west! Everything worked out absolutely perfect for Oliver’s Surprise Proposal!

Many thanks to my friends at Valerie & Co for the kind referral. And CONGRATULATIONS to Oliver & Sarah!!!

Allie & Andrew’s Kiawah Proposal

Allie’s family has been vacationing on Kiawah Island for almost 30 years! Last year they invited Allie’s long-time boyfriend, Andrew, to join them. The beauty and serenity of the island struck him. This year, when they invited him again, he privately called Allie’s parents to let them know his intentions to ask for their daughter Allie’s hand in marriage at The Ocean Course.

Allie and Andrew have dated since before they could drive!  🙂  As often happens in life, they went their separate ways a bit during college. But neither of them ever dated anyone else…and soon enough they were back together again. It was just meant to be!!!

Gayla and Scott helped Andrew in coming up with a grand plan, and fill in all the details. They arranged for me to photograph the momentous occasion on the beach in front of the club house, where they would all hide to watch as it unfolded. Afterwards, a private celebration dinner was reserved in the Atlantic Room, overlooking the beach where they got engaged. Several close family members and friends, including Andrew’s parents, flew in to surprise them!

It was such an honor and a pleasure to capture this AMAZING moment for Allie & Andrew! CONGRATULATIONS on a perfect match made in heaven!!! 🙂

Lizzie & Frank’s Secret Proposal

No matter how many proposals I photograph, my heart races with each and every one!

Frank and I worked hard to plan out every detail of his surprise proposal to long-time girlfriend, Lizzie. But when the big day arrived, there were “issues” with the spot we had picked. With my heart pounding, I texted Frank to let him know. He was AMAZING…able to think quickly on his feet so that we could shift the location for an even more beautiful moment!

Frank asked Lizzie to be his wife underneath a gorgeous avenue of live oaks at White Point Garden. It was such an honor to capture this special moment for them! Afterwards, we had a BLAST walking around old historic downtown Charleston, photographing some authentic engagement photos for them.

It was great to get to know this kind, caring, and wonderful couple. CONGRATULATIONS Lizzie & Frank!!!

Andrew & Melissa’s Kiawah Island Proposal

CONGRATULATIONS Melissa & Andrew!!!

 I had so much fun yesterday, capturing Andrew’s surprise wedding proposal out on the beach in front of The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island!  It was an absolutely gorgeous day to get engaged.  Andrew & Melissa are the sweetest, kindest, happiest couple you could ever hope to meet.  We had a BLAST hanging out and creating some fun images after she said “YES”!!!  🙂  What an honor and a privilege it was to be there for these guys, preserving this special moment in their lives forever!

Many thanks to Delaney and Jacob for all their hard work planning and organizing every detail.  You guys are THE BEST!!!