Engagement Photo Session

As part of the wedding planning process, Philip and I of course had to find a photographer. We did our research, and looked at a couple of options, but ended up going with a suggestion from a friend. 

Making a big decision for your wedding, or anything in general, can be quite frightening. Are you making the right decision? Did you really look at enough options? No matter what the scenario, there are your normal jitters that come with making big life decisions, and choosing the one person to capture your wedding day... well that's up there on that big decision list.

As part of our Wedding Photography Package, Philip and I were given a free 1 hour Engagement Photo Session at a location of our choice. We ended up choosing Phillippee Park for a number of reasons. 

1.) Our Photographer had a ton of experience with that location and knew it like the back of his hand. His portfolio was full of beautiful pictures he had taken there.

2.) It had the perfect environment/atmosphere we were going for. A rustic/outdoorsy type of shoot with tons of greenery, beautiful trees, the opposite of Florida and beachy!

3.) Phillippee Park is kind of an iconic place for us. We spend a ton of time there! We take our pups there for swims, we've had family reunions there, my 23rd birthday party, it's just a really fun park with some really great memories. 

The day of the photo shoot, I have to say, my nerves were SHOT! I was a stress ball. So many thoughts ran through my mind.. Will this be awkward? Will I be uncomfortable? I don't know to pose!! I hate getting my picture taken. The list goes on. The one thing I can say about having a really great photographer, is having someone that makes you comfortable, pretty much immediately. From the very first picture we took, he had Philip and I laughing, smiling, and really making it a romantic and bonding experience for the two of us! We left feeling connected on a whole new level. My nerves and fears vanished within seconds. 

Oh, and if I had any doubt or concerns about my decision to choose Angela Clifton Photography for our wedding day, let's just say those concerns absolutely vanished when we got our proofs!! 

I am still keeping a couple private until we decide which one we are going to use for our Save the Dates.. we currently have it narrowed down to two so hopefully we can figure that out soon! 

Moral of the story is:

- Find a photographer that you feel comfortable and yourself around

- See your proofs and have the sense of feeling that you totally made the right choice

- Photo shoots with your S.O. are crazy romantic and should happen WAY more frequently. 

XO.

Young & Engaged...

I am young, and in love. 

I am young, and engaged. 

I am 22 years old, and with the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, so who's to say I am too young to know this? 

What is the worst part of being young and getting married you may ask? 

Everyone on the outside's reaction. Strangers, Acquaintances, even some family members. There is always the question of, why? Don't you want to wait a little longer, make sure he is the one? Why are you rushing? 

Here's my take or my response to everyone, if you're in the same situation, if your thinking to yourself that we are to young, here's my side of the story. 

In my opinion, the ultimate goal in life, is to live it to the the fullest, experience amazing things, travel, start a family, have a career that I love, and a home that I find solace in, make amazing friendships and change people's lives for the better. Leave this Earth with a sense that I lived my life fully and wholly and true to myself. Why would I not want to spend all of those moments with Philip by my side? 

Philip is my very best friend. I can laugh with him, I can cry with him, I can go to him for advice, I can fight with him, he is my person. He is the first person I want to call when I have good news, and the first person I reach out to for help after a bad day. He pushes me to try my best and strive for the best and motivates me to try new things. He doesn't hinder me from having a life outside of him with friends and hobbies and an identity aside from a couple. 

I have not lost myself in our relationship, I have found myself, and who I want to be. 

Philip and I have had our amazing days and we have had our dark days. We fight, all couples do, but we don't let those fights define us. We have experienced life together as children and as adults and have dealt with hardships that life can throw at you. We have seem death, loss, money problems, and I am not saying we are fully equipped to handle anything from left field, but I am saying that together we are stronger. 

There is no age limit to finding your soul mate, you can be 15 or 50. 

I found it quite interesting a couple of years ago when I would hang out with single friends and go out and have fun and what not, you know, girls night! I would go out expecting an all girls night, just fun times with my girlfriends. I would leave Philip at home and go out and realize that all my single friends were searching for what I had at home waiting for me. Everyone would get glamoured up and look absolutely stunning in the hopes of meeting a nice/attractive guy that you could find a connection with. 

If I have my perfect person already, why would I want to continue testing the water, trying to see if the grass is greener. 

Philip is the one for me, I have known that since I was 14 years old. There is something about love, that when it's real and it's right, you'll just know. You'll feel it from the moment you meet. There is an electricity between the two of us that just draws us towards each other and connects us on a level that only we can reach.

Being 22 does not mean I am rushing things, being together for 8+ years means I am ready to commit myself and my life to one man, until death do us part. 

I guess my point of this post, was just to spread the word, that not all people that get married or fall in love young are crazy or have a lack of reality. If anything, I think I have grasped reality, grasped what I want out of life, and someone just for me to share it with. 

XO