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!!!

April & Ed

April & Ed are married!  🙂

They got married a couple weeks ago in a private ceremony, with an intimate group of close family and friends, in the back yard of their beautiful California home. Instead of wedding photos, they decided to have “honeymoon photos” done while they were here in Charleston! It was an honor and a pleasure meeting these two, and capturing some great memories for them while we walked around the old historic downtown.

CONGRATULATIONS April & Ed!!!

Loryssa & Tony’s Secret Proposal at Middleton Place Plantation

Yesterday I had the privilege of photographing Tony’s surprise marriage proposal to his longtime girlfriend, Loryssa, at beautiful Middleton Place Plantation!

Tony and I had been planning this surprise together for months! We had worked out every detail, and thought of every contingency…except the weather. The days leading up to the big event found torrential rains bombarding Charleston. But on the morning in question, the clouds magically drifted out to sea, and the sunshine rained down on a gorgeous spring day!

Arriving at Middleton Plantation extra early, I had time to set up a remote camera with a secondary angle to the one I was shooting from. Then I get hidden in place to wait for their arrival. Tony had done his research, and hit his mark perfectly!  It was a picture-perfect moment.  Hiding under my camouflage cover, my heart melted, and I may have shed a tear.  What a blessing to be able to witness this gesture of true love.

Here’s a little sneak peek of some of my favorite images. You can find the rest in their Online Gallery at: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/loryssaandtony.

Austin Asked, Courtney SAID YES!!!

This morning was a magical start to my day! Not only was it a crisp, fresh, glorious spring day, but I got to do one of my absolute FAVORITE things in the whole wide world…photograph two young people giving their hearts to each other!!!

Austin and I have been secretly planning behind Courtney’s back for months. We were making plans for his Secret Wedding Proposal to Courtney, his girlfriend of 2 years. Courtney is a bit of a history buff. And Austin wanted a majestic Avenue of Oaks. The majestic and historical Charlestowne Landing turned out to be the ABSOLUTELY PERFECT location!!!

After Courtney had caught her breath from all the excitement, we had a wonderful time exploring the grounds as we photographed their authentic Engagement Session. Courtney and Austin were so much fun to work with! I just loved how they melted into each other’s arms and couldn’t stop kissing. 😉  You just couldn’t imagine a sweeter couple!

CONGRATULATIONS Courtney & Austin! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you embark on this new journey together!!!

Dr. Giep Proposes to Michelle at Anson’s Restaurant

It’s hard to imagine two people more in love than Michelle & Dr. Giep!

I had the distinct honor of secretly photographing their wedding proposal at the renowned Anson Restaurant in historic downtown Charleston this evening.  They were the sweetest, kindest, most adorable couple you could ever imagine!!!  What a privilege it was to capture this special moment in their lives!

CONGRATULATIONS to Michelle & Dr. Giep! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin this new journey together…

Lacey & Paul’s Secret Proposal

Paul is the epitome of a true gentleman!

Evidence of that is the care and attention to detail he put into a beautiful weekend for his future bride. I was honored to be a part of his plans to propose to the adorable Lacey! We emailed ideas back and forth, figured out the perfect timing, and talked on the phone to fine tune each and every step.

This past weekend, Paul led Lacey into a private courtyard at the historic Mills House in downtown Charleston. With all the staff “in” on the secret, everything went off without a hitch…even when Lacey almost derailed it by asking one of the bell hops to take a selfie with her phone. 😉  Somehow, Paul got things back on track and in a touching moment, asked Lacey to be his wife!!! Celebrating with champagne, a private serenade, and a candlelight dinner, I left the two love birds to enjoy their evening.

The following morning we met up for a fantastic walk-about through our picturesque city streets. Lacey took over the engagement session with her gorgeous smile, bubbly personality, and creative eye. Paul was proud as could be, and happily put up with all our crazy ideas and fun poses!  To see the rest of their photos, head over to http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/laceyandpaul.

Many thanks to my good friend and amazing photographer, Roxy, for the kind referral.  CONGRATULATIONS Paul & Lacey! It was such a pleasure being a part of this special day for you both!!!

Chris & Mandi’s Secret Proposal at Middleton Place

I feel like a SPY!!!

Chris and I have been in cahoots for several weeks now, planning his really cool surprise wedding proposal to Mandi. Chris is an incredible guy! Everything he’s planned out, down to the finest details, has all been to make Mandi the happiest girl in the world. I think it’s so honorable when a man does that for his future bride!!!

Yesterday, the big day finally arrived! It was Mandi’s birthday. Chris had planned it that way so she wouldn’t suspect he was proposing until the last minute…pretty sneaky! They drove down for a fun weekend get-away to Charleston. The first stop on their list was to visit Middleton Plantation for a relaxing tour of the gorgeous gardens before their dinner reservations.

Before they arrived, I took all the picnic items, and the painted pumpkins, and set them up under the oak tree Chris had selected for “the spot”. With eyes on the target, I was able to follow the Mandi & Chris as they strolled around the grounds, sneaking a few shots as they went. Once they began approaching the picnic area, I got myself hidden and waited for them to come into view

With heart pounding and hands sweating, I gripped the camera and captured a ton of great shots as Chris asked Mandi to be his wife! Photographing all the cute moments of their picnic was a delight. Finally I came out of hiding so that we could create some beautiful engagement photos of them in the gorgeous “Magic Hour” right before sunset!

CONGRATULATIONS Mandi and Chris! May your lives be full of joys too numerous to count!!!

Christina & Jeff’s Secret Proposal at Magnolia Plantation

Jeff and I have been covertly corresponding about his Secret Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend, Christina, since back in March!!! It’s been so much fun coming up with the perfect plan together. It really showed me how much he truly loves this amazing young lady!

The Big Day finally arrived yesterday. As they were enjoying the House Tour at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, I was getting the stage set and getting in my hiding place. When the tour was done, Jeff led Christina down a winding path and stopped underneath a gorgeous live oak tree. He read a wonderful speech he had prepared for Christina. Than got down on his knee to ask for her hand in marriage.

SHE SAID YES!!! 🙂

Afterwards we spent some time walking through the gardens, photographing fun engagement photos, and enjoying the evening together. Christina was so excited. She could hardly keep her eyes off her amazing new ring.  And she couldn’t stop hugging and loving on Jeff the whole time!  🙂

It was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this special occasion for Christina & Jeff. CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!!

Meredith & Peyton’s Secret Proposal at White Point Garden

It’s been a looong time coming!!!

Peyton, with the help of his incredible family, has been secretly planning his proposal to Meredith in the heart of beautiful downtown Charleston for months! Yesterday, the big day finally arrived. The dreary weather had finally cleared away, leaving us the perfect day for him to ask for her hand in marriage.

But when I got to the spot we had so carefully picked out at The Battery Park, the city of Charleston had roped it all off to let the grass grow in!  After a flurry of frantic texts back and forth, we had an excellent “Plan B” in place. Fortunately, Meredith still had no clue what was in store.  So everything turned out PERFECT!!!

After she said “Yes”, the three of us had a wonderful time strolling through the park, around the old historic district, and along The Battery, capturing amazing engagement photos as we went. Returning to the park, his family was there to congratulate the newly engaged couple, before sending them off on a romantic carriage ride.  To see the rest of their images, visit:  http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/p393066554

Longtime sweethearts from ECU (and recent graduates I might add), Meredith and Peyton are absolutely perfect for each other!!! I was so honored, and had so much fun capturing this exciting once-in-a-lifetime event for them.

CONGRATULATIONS Meredith & Petyon! We wish you all the best for a beautiful new life together…