Proposal | Ellington Agricultural Center — Nashville, TN

I love proposals — I mean who doesn’t? Seeing people get engaged, even if just over FaceTime or social media, is so so sweet and special.

But seeing people get engaged right in front of you? Now that is something special. It’s an honor. A privilege. Something you can truly never say no to.

For a photographer, there’s just something about hiding (under a table or behind a tree) and witnessing the start of a new chapter of a couple’s love story. Of seeing one person on their knee, and the other unable to contain their joy and excitement. Of seeing the months of planning come to fruition and create a beautiful, enchanting, time-stops-still aura. 

It gives me chills. In the best of ways.

SO, when Rob emailed me a couple of months ago about proposing, I FREAKED OUT (yes, tears were shed, obviously). Andddd with photographer-client privilege, I couldn’t tell anyone else (I actually have no idea what photographer client privilege is and if it’s even real, but I adhere to it. I do the same thing with pregnancy announcements. I’m not ruining your moment! Sorry to all the people I’ve lied to rip). But anyway, the only person I could tell was my mom, and so she celebrated with me!

Anyway, for the next two months, Rob and I exchanged emails continuously. I checked out the place a couple of times (once with my parents, because I needed some fake models for lighting and to find a good hiding place) and Rob KILLED it you guys. First, he found this place in Ellington, which is STUNNING and ENCHANTING. Then he asked permission from the owners, bought beautiful decorations to spice up the area, arranged a secret engagement party (yes, socially distanced) with Connie’s closest friends and family, and even surprised Connie in all of this (anddd found a way to make sure Connie had her nails done, which I’m stealing from now on). I’m so amazed by his devotion and care for Connie, and it was an honor to help his vision come to life. Rob, you’re truly so amazing and generous.

Connie was very surprised and was in shock the entire time. Every few seconds she would kinda just freak out and look at the ring, and I can’t blame her in the slightest. Thennn we headed over to the secret engagement party, and man did she have so much fun seeing all of her family and out of town friends. It was SO sweet and everyone there was just a ball of joy.

Ugh. My heart is so full. This evening is one I will never forget and the world will just be so blessed by the union of these two. Check these photos OUT.