Breanna & Logan’s Surprise Proposal on Middle Atlantic Wharf

For over two months now, Logan and I have been secretly planning his surprise proposal to his sweetheart, Breanna!

These two beautiful souls started dating when they were just 15 years old. And when you find your soulmate, you hold onto them, right?!? That’s why Logan decided it was time to ask Breanna to spend the rest of her life with him!

After fretting about the weather all week with Hurricane Michael bearing down on us, the big day finally arrived. And WOW, did we end up with a gorgeous day after all!!! I arrived at our planned location early and hid myself out of sight. Right on cue, Logan expertly guided Breanna to the exact spot, dropped to bended knee, and asked for her hand in marriage. In my dark hiding place, I had to fight back the tears so that I could stay focused on capturing the big event!

In life, we are each given a handful of rare moments that take our breath away and fill our hearts with pure joy. This was one of those moments for me.

CONGRATULATIONS Breanna & Logan! We wish you all the best as you begin your new journey together!!!

Pat & Adrienne’s Surprise Proposal at Magnolia Plantation

Sometimes I feel like I get MORE nervous than my clients when they are about to pop the big surprise marriage proposal!!!

This morning, Pat was as cool as a cucumber as he escorted his beautiful girlfriend, Adrienne, onto the famous White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation! He and I had been working out the details for me to capture this very special moment for the two of them. He had carefully picked out the PERFECT spot, with a gorgeous southern background, that would take her breath away. My heart pounded in my chest as they reached the top of the bridge. But Pat calmly dropped to his knee and surprised her with a GORGEOUS diamond!!!

Afterwards, we enjoyed a fun walk-about together. While exploring the plantation, I captured some AUTHENTIC engagement photos for them to remember this amazing day and this special time in their lives!

CONGRATULATIONS Adrienne & Pat! We wish you all the best as you begin this new journey together!!!

Paul’s Secret Proposal to Amber at White Point Garden

When Amber & Paul were trying to figure out if they wanted to move to Charleston, one of the places they fell in love with was the picturesque Waterfront Park.

It was the PERFECT spot for Paul to ask Amber to be his wife!!! So he and I hatched a sneaky plan to entice Amber to the dock at the southern tip of the park, where he would pop the big question, and I would capture the amazing moment! 🙂

Arriving at the spot early, I was delighted that the dock was empty, and the lighting was perfect! Spotting Paul as he and Amber walked hand-in-hand down the path towards me, my palms got sweaty and my heart quickened. Would she follow him to our planned spot? Would she spot me sitting there, pretending to read a map? Would a stray tourist walk in front of me and block “the shot”?

All my fears for for naught. Paul expertly guided her to our designated location. Everything worked out beautifully. And Amber said “YES”!!! 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS Amber & Paul! You two are such an AMAZING couple! It was such an honor for me to be a part of this special day with you!!!

To see more of their images, visit:  https://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/amberandpaul

P.S. Funny side story…my friends and amazing photographers, Valerie & Ed, showed up shortly after the proposal. They had just photographed another couple getting engaged on the other end of the park. Love is in the air! CONGRATULATIONS to their couple as well!!!

Dustin’s Surprise Proposal to Ashley at Waterfront Park

I’m SO EXCITED to share a few favorites from Dustin & Ashley’s Secret Proposal this evening!!!

Ashley & Dustin live in Nashville, where they met through mutual friends. Dustin is a manager at Lucchese Boots. Ashley practices law. In fact, she lived in Charleston for a bit while attending the Charleston School of Law. Which is why Dustin thought this would be the PERFECT place to propose!

He began scheming and planned a fun get-away for the two of them to visit the Holy City. She thought it was just a fun get-away so that she could show him all her favorite old haunts. But he had secretly asked her father’s permission to marry his daughter, had talked to all her closest friends to get ideas, had set up a fake Pinterest account so that he could see what kind of rings she liked, and had even contacted me about photographing it!

We spent weeks planning out every detail. Finally the big day arrived…and everything worked out perfect 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS Ashley & Dustin! You are a very special couple. I’m so happy that each of you will soon get to marry your best friend!!!

Cody’s Proposal to KC at Magnolia Plantation

Cody is an AMAZING guy. And he’s head over heals in love with KC!!! He and I have spent the last few weeks going back and forth to plan and prepare, making sure everything would be perfect for his Surprise Proposal to KC. 🙂

The big day finally arrived. Earlier this morning, on a beautiful summer day, on the magical white bridge at the picturesque Magnolia Plantation, Cody asked KC to be his bride!!!

Afterwards, we wandered around the gorgeous grounds, photographing their AUTHENTIC Engagement Session. KC is absolutely gorgeous! I can see why Cody is smitten. But the truth is, their love runs even deeper. Finishing each other’s sentences, stealing knowing glances at each other, laughing quietly and hugging each other as we explored avenues of oaks draped in Spanish moss…I could tell these two truly share something special!

Visit http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/kcandcody to see more of their delightful photos.

CONGRATULATIONS Cody & KC!!! We wish you two all the best as you begin your new journey together!

Laura & Ryan’s AWESOME Proposal on Daniel Island

Laura has been working with Cami and I for several years! She’s our second-shooter, our confidant, and our friend.  We were overjoyed when she found true love in Ryan. But our excitement DOUBLED when Ryan told us he was planning to ask for Laura’s hand in marriage, and that he wanted us to capture it!!!  🙂

It was easily the most AMAZING secret proposal I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. Laura’s friend, Shelly (who’s wedding I photographed several years ago) was also in on the surprise, keeping Laura busy up until the perfect moment. Plus, to top it all off, my good friend and incredible photographer, Peter Finger of www.peterfingerweddings.com, joined in to capture the excitement from yet another angle, as well as sneaking a few fun shots of me setting up! Ryan & Laura literally had a TEAM of behind-the-scenes characters working together to pull this off. How appropriate since they are the most loving, giving, and wonderful people to be around!!!

I can’t tell the complete story NEARLY as beautifully as Laura can. I was literally tearing up as I read it!!! So head over to her blog to experience their wonderful story for yourself: http://gallerybylaura.com/blog/2018/06/04/the-most-life-changing-secret-proposal-i-have-ever-been-a-part-of-my-own/.

CONGRATULATIONS Laura & Ryan!!! May you find love, joy, and laughter for the rest of your lives with every step you take together!

Holly & Huston’s Charleston Wedding Proposal

Last month I got a lovely call from a VERY proud mother, asking me to photograph her son’s Surprise Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend!!!

Originally from Kentucky, Huston and Holly are currently in the Rally/Durham area attending dental school together. After whisking through their last patients of the day, they headed down to Charleston for what Holly thought was just a relaxing weekend get-away.

Their first stop in town was the beautiful Magnolia Plantation. Unable to hold the secret any longer, Huston proposed to Holly on the famous white bridge, surrounded by tall cypress trees with Spanish moss blowing in the breeze. She said YES!!! 🙂

Later that evening, we met at Washington Square Park for their authentic engagement shoot on the very same day they became betrothed. It was fun re-creating Huston’s brave gesture of undying love on bended knee. Both relieved and excited at the same time, we then enjoyed a lovely walk around the old historic downtown district, capturing beautiful images of the two lovebirds along the way!

CONGGRATULATIONS Holly & Huston!!! You are true soulmates! We wish you both the greatest of happiness as you begin your new journey together.

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!!!

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!  🙂

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!!!