A Grand Hotel Point Clear Engagement

I was shopping at Hobby Lobby one day several months ago when I ran into Julia. I recognized her from church, but this was our first time to officially meet. We did that whole “I think I know you” look and then stopped to chat. Julia actually knew my cousin from McGill and, as she and I talked, she mentioned she’d followed my photography for a while. Our conversation was like the kind you have with an old friend that you hadn’t seen in a while even though we had just met.

Julia told me about this guy she was dating, DP. I loved that she already knew he was the one even though they’d only been dating a short time. She also told me that when the day came for them to get married that she wanted me to photograph her wedding. After such a delightful conversation, I could tell that I would absolutely love working with Julia!

Fast forward to the day that I get the email from Julia saying she is engaged. I was so excited for her! At this point, we hadn’t seen each other in a while, but I had not forgotten our Hobby Lobby conversation. I was so happy for her and so thankful that I was not already booked with a wedding on her date! This felt like one of those moments where Divine Providence aligned everything and it all worked out!

Timing is Everything

Julia and DP have the sweetest love story. It all started when DP made the decision to leave seminary. A few weeks after coming home, he found himself at a Halloween party thrown by friends that Julia was also attending. The two ended up talking to each other for the entire party. In the weeks that followed, they both started trying to run into each other at the evening weekday Mass at church. Fun fact, this is when I first noticed Julia. The chapel at our church is pretty small, so you get quite used to seeing the same faces at daily Mass. Little did I know I was witnessing their love story unfold!!!

DP finally got up the nerve to ask Julia on a date and the two have been together ever since! He proposed to Julia in front of St. Joseph Chapel at Spring Hill College. This is also where they will exchange vows next year. She said it was the most perfect moment! I always love proposal stories, but it’s especially fun when you’ve been witness to part of the love story without even realizing it at the time!

A few clouds swooped in at just the right time to soften the sun. I love when this happens because it means I can take photos in this spot earlier in the session than usual!

Then the clouds started to clear and we had the most spectacular sky as our portrait background! Such a DREAM!

The light was ETHEREAL and you better believe I was soaking up every minute of capturing it!

Just when I thought the light might be gone for the day…

The sun and clouds combined to create the most stunning sky you can imagine! It looked like a watercolor painting. I was like, “y’all, this is going to be sooooo good!!!”

We squeezed out every last bit of light the Lord gave us on this beautiful fall day!