A Downtown Fairhope Engagement

Ben planned to surprise Marlee with a super romantic proposal that involved her family and a boat. But when the big day arrived, the water was too rough for using the boat, so they quickly switched to Plan B. Ben had Marlee’s family waiting at Playa Restaurant in Orange Beach. Marlee thought they were just going to dinner with family and friends that night. Little did she know she was about to get the surprise of her life!

As they approached the entrance to the restaurant, Ben suggested they walk down to look at a boat. Marlee was distracted by the looming storm clouds, so she didn’t even realize what was happening until Ben began to get emotional. He dropped to one knee and asked her to be his wife. It took her breath away and she said “Yes!” almost as soon as he asked the question. Then she saw her family and friends watching from the Playa balcony, which overlooks the marina. Her best friend had secretly come into town for the surprise! How sweet is that?! I think we can all agree that this is a major swoon-worthy proposal story and I loved hearing Marlee tell it when we met for her consultation!

Marlee and Ben met in college at The University of Alabama and now live in Birmingham, but the Alabama coast is close to both of their hearts. They selected the charming town of Fairhope for their engagement session. I’ve been in Fairhope a lot lately and it really is such a great spot for getting a variety of backgrounds for an engagement session. Marlee and Ben said they were up for whatever I wanted to do as far as specific locations. I have the most trusting couples and I’m so appreciative when they embrace all my suggestions! For this session we visited a couple spots I haven’t been to before and revisited some of my favorites!

The fall flowers were looking so pretty in downtown Fairhope the day of this shoot! It definitely gave an autumnal feel to their portraits! Marlee, Ben and I all agreed that October is one of the best months of the year. The day of their session was the first day of fall-like weather that we’ve had down south this year (of course it feels like summer again today as I’m writing this) and the sunset that evening was so beautiful! It left the sky with a watercolor look after the sun dipped below the horizon. Right after sunset is my favorite time to shoot on the bay. The sun is SO intense before it actually sets, so waiting until it’s already set means I get get that softer look that I love in the water portraits. I love those magical few minutes right after sunset!

Marlee and Ben, thank you for an amazing engagement session! I know that June 2019 will be here before we know it!!!

This light was so golden and magical!!! We stopped here just before racing down to the pier to catch the post sunset glow!

Now booking weddings for Summer/Fall 2019 and 2020!