This post is in partnership withΒ Virginia Ashley Photography. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting those who support The Espresso Edition.
PSA: this post is very photo-heavy because I couldn’t pick just a couple of favorites. I love themΒ all!
This is a pretty special week! Want to know why? Tomorrow marks one year of being engaged to the love of my life. Friday is our three-year dating anniversary, and Saturday is exactly three months until our wedding! Whew – what a week, am I right? It’s cause for so much celebration, I thought it was the perfect time to share our summer engagement photos!
We partnered up withΒ Virginia Ashley Photography to take these dreamy golden hour pics, and I’m thrilled to announce she will be photographing our wedding as well! If you’re in the Richmond area (and beyond – she travels), definitely make sure to check her out! She’s so much fun to shoot with, has the dreamiest style of photography, and does everything from maternity photos to boudoir and beyond!
If you’ve been reading this blog for a little while, you may remember me sharing myΒ engagement story – and maybe even snippets about how Brandon and I met and began dating! It’s been quite some time since I really talked about how cute we are. Kidding, but not really. π I thought today was the perfect opportunity to give you the low-down onΒ us! Here’s our love story in a nutshell.
Brandon and I met at a wedding in May of 2015! Yep, we areΒ that cheesy couple who found love in the most romantic setting possible. It was basically like a chick flick come to life.
Oh, I forgot to mention – said wedding was in Georgia, but Brandon lived in Florida and I lived in Virginia. I pretty much assumed it would be some harmless tipsy flirting at the reception and nothing more, but by the end of the night, we’d friended one another on Facebook and started to really get to know each other.
It gets better! My family was going on vacation after the wedding – thirty minutes from where Brandon lived in Florida! Knowing we’d be so close by, he actually asked me out … but I saidΒ no! (Okay, in my defense, I’d just gone through a terrible break-up – so cut me some slack)! π
However, he didn’t give up. We kept texting and getting to know each other even after my family went back home to VA. It wasn’t long before he told me he was interested in more than just a texting friendship – and asked to come visit me!
In August of 2015, B took a bus ride – yep you read that right: BUS RIDE. This boy dealt with a gross bus trip up the East Coast to visit me and take me on our first date. We got donuts and went to a comic shop, by the way. Best date ever.
From that moment on, we knew it was meant to be. When he left to go back to Florida, I think my heart went right along with him. For the next year, we were in a long distance relationship – and that’s right folks, itΒ is possible to have a wonderful LDR! It takes a crazy amount of work, tons of communication, and an equal amount of respect and love from both sides. However, I wouldn’t have traded that time for the world, because it grew us as a couple and as individuals. We’re stronger now because of it!
After a year of being long distance, we said “Enough! We want to live in the same city, gosh darnit,” and Brandon took a massive leap by moving to Virginia to be with me. It was exhilarating to finally be in the same place and spend so much time together.
Brandon got a job at a local fitness club, started taking my blog photos, and after yet another year of our relationship – took things to the next level. We got engaged in August of 2017! You can read the entire storyΒ here – and I promise, it’s one of the cutest engagement stories you’ll ever hear.
2018 has been full of wedding planning, moving forward in our careers (Brandon got a new job, I celebrated three years of blogging, and we continue to inspire and support each other), and preparing for this new chapter together! I can’t wait to marry my very best friend!
Katie N says
These photos are adorable and such a sweet engagement story! Congrats on your future!
Rach says
I love reading your story and love all your post about your love for one another. It seriously makes me so happy!! And I can’t believe it has been a year since you’ve been engaged. I swear it felt like I just read about you getting engaged the other day haha! And these photos are adorable! I can totally see why it was hard to narrow it down!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Jordyn Sifferman says
Your love story is so sweet, I love that he moved for you & that you guys met at a wedding, so cute! Your yellow dress is gorgeous in these photos and really pops with your hair <3
Rachel says
Oh my goshhhhhhhh! I am seriously so excited for the both of you and this new chapter! Love these photos so much.
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Kim says
Ahh your wedding is getting so close! These pictures turned out AMAZING and you can’t beat their lighting! I can’t wait to see pictures from your big day!
xoxo,
Kim
Jordyn Sifferman says
Your love story is so sweet, I love that he moved for you & that you guys met at a wedding, so cute! Your yellow dress is gorgeous in these photos and really pops with your hair <3
Megan says
You two are so stinking cute! You need to frame all of these photos!
Megan | http://www.pipmegan.com
Kenzi || Life of a Sister says
Oh my gosh these pictures are so sweet! I love the outfits that you’re both wearing! I love reading other people’s stories of how they met, I love that you met at a Wedding!
Summer says
These are so stunning, Stephanie – and I love how you both took turns with fun patterns. Too cute! So excited for you two!
Tanvi Rastogi says
All of these pictures are stunning. You both look so happy. Love the outfits and the poses π
β₯ tanvii.com
Lily says
Could you guys be any cuter!?! Seriously in LOVE with all of these photos!
Ashley Welborn says
These photos are beyond gorgeous! You are a beautiful couple! Love that you shared your love story!
Megan says
You two are so stinking cute! You need to frame all of these photos!
Megan | http://www.pipmegan.com
Summer says
These are so stunning, Stephanie – and I love how you both took turns with fun patterns. Too cute! So excited for you two!
Helen says
Your engagement photos are beautiful! Y’all are such a lovely couple!
alyson says
Oh my goodness, what a sweet story — love how you met at a wedding, and could these photos be any more gorgeous?! They’re STUNNING!
alyson
http://www.themodernsavvy.com
Em says
aww love these photos! I remember taking our engagement photos- it felt so “real” and such a fun moment as a couple! Love how yours turned out!
Jasmine Vargas says
Your love story is beautiful and so are your photos. I just got mine done last month so I am hoping I get them soon. lol
Deborah says
ohmygosh these photos are gorgeous!! You and your fiance look amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your relationship story with us – I can relate to the cheesy part! My boyfriend and I met on Valentine’s day! Haha!
Nailil says
Congrats on your engagement girl! Such beautiful photos.
Helen says
Your engagement photos are beautiful! Y’all are such a lovely couple!
alyson says
Oh my goodness, what a sweet story — love how you met at a wedding, and could these photos be any more gorgeous?! They’re STUNNING!
alyson
http://www.themodernsavvy.com
Em says
aww love these photos! I remember taking our engagement photos- it felt so “real” and such a fun moment as a couple! Love how yours turned out!
Jasmine Vargas says
Your love story is beautiful and so are your photos. I just got mine done last month so I am hoping I get them soon. lol
Deborah says
ohmygosh these photos are gorgeous!! You and your fiance look amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your relationship story with us – I can relate to the cheesy part! My boyfriend and I met on Valentine’s day! Haha!
Nailil says
Congrats on your engagement girl! Such beautiful photos.
Melissa says
You guys have such a cool story about how you met. I really enjoyed hearing about it! Love both of the dresses you picked for your picks!
Sara says
These photos are so pretty and I love all of your outfit choices! And this reminds me to get some of our engagement photos up in frames!
xo, Sara
Melissa says
You guys have such a cool story about how you met. I really enjoyed hearing about it! Love both of the dresses you picked for your picks!
Annette Dattilo says
Yah!! These are definitely some exciting time for you. I wish you guys the best in your final months of planning. Your photos show so much happiness.
Kileen says
Omg so exciting babe! These pictures are so cute and you guys look so happy and in love, I love it!
Kileen
cute & little
KatWalkSF says
These photos are everything! I just adore them!
katie says
Couple goals! You two are darling!
Nicole Flint says
I’m loving these photos! I can see why it was hard to choose. You guys look great and so in love!