We love stories! Every couple has their own & one of our favorite parts about being wedding photographers is meeting with newly engaged couples & hearing theirs. The joy of it. The freshness of it. The excitement of it. We can’t get enough! And at the end of it, our couples always ask, “What about you?” So, we decided to share our story too. From our college campus to building our dream home, here’s our story from “I noticed you” to “I do.”
Part 9: To Whom It may Concern
The date started like any other would have, cloaked in ambiguity. Alec loves surprising people, so their dates were typically top secret (and they still are). Katie only knew to dress “fancy” for a fun night.
It was the perfect Alabama day, cool enough that they could spend most of the day outside. Alec had planned the best surprise night for Katie, ending with a proposal & an engagement party. The first stop on our grand mystery date was the spot where they had their very first date: Flip Burger. Alec seemed nervous, but Katie dismissed his strange behavior as him being tired. The thought of a proposal didn’t even cross her mind, especially after the speeches he had given about it not being the right timing.
They sat down in the cool white booth and Alec’s stomach was in knots. He had friends texting him asking him 1000+ questions & he was nervous that Katie could tell something was up. He had a plan though and went into action over dinner. They would talk about how far God had brought their relationship & look back instead of forward.
They laughed at how awkward their first date was, reminisced over some favorite memories, and celebrated how much they had grown together. Really, Alec’s hope was to look back at the past to throw Katie off, she just thought he wanted them to relax and be thankful for where they were. Over french fries & milkshakes they talked joyfully about their relationship and Katie temporarily forgot her worries.
Stop two on the date night brought Katie & Alec to one of their favorite locations: Vulcan Park & Museum. It was their first time there together & they made it there right before the sun began its descent. Both of them were obsessed with the city, really any big city, but Birmingham especially. From the top of Vulcan they could see the city where our relationship grew. UAB, the place where they first met. The spot where Alec’s car broke down after their first date (for real, not like in all the country songs). The apartment where he first told her he loved her. So many sweet memories all brought to life in one single moment.
As they watched the sun fade over the city, Alec began a monologue filled with his signature thoughtfulness (and humor, because he can only be so serious & so mushy). Before Katie even knew what was happening, Alec was down on one knee. It literally couldn’t have been more perfect. When she went to say yes she knew exactly what she would say & hearing it come out of her mouth… “bring it on!!”
Afterwards, as they headed back to Alec’s place (or so Katie thought) he said they had one last stop to make. They just had to go to the creamery that Katie worked at to show her best friend the ring. When they got there, Alec had 20 of their closest friends there to celebrate the proposal! They spent the rest of the night being loved on & enjoying the amazing newly engaged feeling…
