Kelly and Andrew are the type of people you can meet and feel like you’ve been friends with FOREVER in just 5 minutes! The first time I spoke with Kelly on the phone, one thing that struck me is how warm and kind she is. I was so excited to meet these two in North Carolina to take some Raleigh engagement photos! I knew it was gonna be GOOD!!! Kelly and Andrew are college sweethearts and have been together for quite some time. They were long distance for a couple of years after college but after a while decided they wanted to pick a town together and start their life somewhere new to the both of them.
They decided on Raleigh last summer, and the day before Valentine’s Day Andrew flew up to DC to ask Kelly’s parents for their blessing to marry their daughter. Andrew just said he was in a long client meeting, and Kelly had no idea! About a month later it had been really snowy and cold weather in North Carolina. The both of them were getting a bit of cabin fever, and talked about taking a walk around the lake and going to dinner afterwards on the first nice day of spring weather. They decided they wanted to go to the Olmsted (a manmade lake) and so they drove up, walked around for a little, and then sat down on a park bench overlooking the lake as the sun set. Suddenly Andrew said Kelly’s mom sent him a weird text. He pulled out his phone and showed picture of him with mom and dad at an airport with a ring! Kelly was SO confused until Andrew explained how he had flown up to DC for the day about a month prior and then… he got down on one knee, almost fell into lake (hilarious to picture, especially after you’ve met Andrew!!!) but then grabbed the ring box out of his sock where he had hidden it because he didn’t want it to show during their walk!
They sat there together for a couple of hours calling everyone to share the news and then realized it was 10:30pm and they hadn’t even had dinner yet!! They celebrated at their favorite restaurant and the rest is history! Now we’re gearing up for their May 2016 wedding (the same month Justin and I are getting married!!!) and needless to say, Kelly and Andrew’s wedding will always hold a special place in my heart. I loved hanging out with these two around their town and these engagement photos are just precious. I can’t WAIT for their wedding day in less than 6 months!! Ahhh! See you two so soon!!
We started their shoot at the North Carolina State Capitol Building. It was the perfect backdrop!
Ohh you two!!
Then we headed to this AMAZING historic Victorian home that I had seen while scouting before their shoot and I’m so glad they were up for squeezing this spot in! It was phenomenal!!!
Ahhh what?!?! This belongs on a canvas!! ;)
Loved the blanket as a prop!
We stopped by the bridge to take a few photos overlooking the city and it was so cool. This city is amazing!
Then it was time to head to JC Raulston Arboretum, which is basically a huge garden full of gems. I could have shot here for days!!
These next few are some of my favorites… this little rooftop was perfect!
Then we wandered over to the Japanese Garden! Loved this little house!!
Kelly you are STUNNING!!!
The ivy!! Honestly could this session have been more perfect??
Ahhh favorite!!
That’s Kelly’s ring… sitting on a CACTUS… I only got poked once!!
Thanks for an unforgettable shoot, you two!!! Xoxo!!
Could you please tell me where this house is ?
Ahhh it was a short drive away from the Capitol building in downtown Raleigh!! I wish I could remember an exact address! If you drive around the surrounding streets I’m sure you will see it!!!