Real Couples // Carmel-by-the-Sea: Jess + Karolyn

Real Couples // Carmel-by-the-Sea: Jess + Karolyn

This wedding between two incredibly talented Irish photographers on a cliff in Carmel was fairly unplanned in that they were married the day before they intended, in a city they didn’t plan, on a cliff they hadn’t seen before, but in the end it was perfect. Their home in Northern Ireland is the only place in the UK and Ireland that doesn’t have marriage equality, so they’d been planning their Big Sur ceremony so they could get married somewhere beautiful—to finally have a piece of paper that said they married. But the week of their ceremony, the storms had been brewing in Big Sur and didn’t seem like they weren’t letting up. Warnings of weakened bridges to Big Sur, the intended wedding destination, and pictures of washed away cliffs filled my inbox as I drove from the airport to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Karolyn and Jess realized that I was there an extra day, the one day it was expected to not rain, so they decided Carmel would be the place they would get married. They were married with the sun shining down on them, hands clasped together, over the rushing sounds of waves, while greenery was hanging off cliffs for as far as the eye could see. And this is the story of how they were  finally married. 

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Real Couples // Natural History Museum Engagement: Jess + Karolyn

Real Couples // Natural History Museum Engagement: Jess + Karolyn

I was enjoying swimming in a sea of accents as the bustling group of tourists funneled their way into the Natural History Museum in London. Karolyn and Jess told me about their engagement story as we walked through the crowd. They pointed at the staircase and told me it happened upstairs, a small private corner of the museum all to their own. This is where they got engaged, this is where they come to remind themselves of how it all started. This is where we took photos in loud whispers, in the echoes of the monumental stone walls, before wandering out into the rare sunlight of London for a walk in the park. 

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Real Couples // A British-American Wedding: Tammy + Hayley

Real Couples // A British-American Wedding: Tammy + Hayley

"I first clapped eyes on Tammy in Leeds nightclub SinCity in 2013," said Hayley, "She was surrounded by women. When she caught my eye my heart was beating fast, I loved her sparkly eyes and beautiful smile. I didn't think that I would have a chance. On our first holiday together to the USA I knew that I wanted her to be my wife and when we arrived at Miami Beach with it's beautiful views I knew that's where I wanted to propose to her.

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Real Couples // Knoxville, Tennessee Soulmates: Randall + Jenna

Real Couples // Knoxville, Tennessee Soulmates: Randall + Jenna

We met in 2014 at Carson Newman University. I had just graduated from UC Santa Barbara and transferred to Carson-Newman to finish graduate school and my last year of volleyball. I remember the first time I saw him. I was in the cafeteria, and he strolled up on me trying to ask me whole a lot of random questions like I was the new one at school. He was good-looking, so it didn’t bother me too much. Soon we started to hang out more and more and became really good friends. I remember always having the feeling that we were going to know each other forever, but I thought just as friends. I wasn't ready to get in a relationship, and he was still being whoever he was. But eventually, a love began to blossom between us. Fast-forward two years later to the weekend of my graduation, my family all came down to see me and out of the blue, he popped the question!!! I was so surprised but very happy. What I like best about our relationship is that nothing felt forced. Everything just felt easy and natural.

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Real Couples // Spontaneous Friday the 13th Elopement: Mariam + Fernando

Real Couples // Spontaneous Friday the 13th Elopement: Mariam + Fernando

I never wanted to plan a wedding, as I think it’s a waste of our time and money. I always believed that the plan would reveal itself when we’re ready. So a week ago, we jokingly talked about getting married before Trump becomes president. We looked at the calendar and saw Friday the 13th and thought it was perfect! Shortly after, we picked what to wear from our closets, we asked friends (and our witnesses) to come over on Friday, and we spent less than $500 in food, drinks, etc. We had no plan. Our only plan was to enjoy each other’s company.

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Real Couples // Austin Engagement: Kristin + Delilah

Real Couples // Austin Engagement: Kristin + Delilah

We met at a bar in Austin, where we found ourselves sitting at a red picnic table with a mutual friend, drinking Lone Star Tallboys. Kristin cried over her beer because she didn’t know how to tell her conservative family that she was questioning her sexuality. Delilah listened and shared her own coming out story, trying to comfort Kristin by divulging vulnerable details about her journey. That night was the first of many that we would spend talking for hours. We started dating a couple of months later. It was the first time either of us had been in a serious relationship with another woman. We faced several challenges during our first few years together as we both became more comfortable being ourselves and living more authentically. We created a home where we are fully loved, respected, and accepted. We’re passionate about being social workers and love our quirky Chiweenie, Noodle. We plan to get married this October, exactly five years after meeting at that red picnic table.

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Real Couples // Long-Distance Love Story: Jen + Amy

Real Couples // Long-Distance Love Story: Jen + Amy

Amy: I lived in California, Jen lived in Chicago. A mutual friend introduced us, and our distance apart couldn’t hold us back from experiencing an instant, electric connection. I bought a plane ticket to meet her in person, and as each day passed, we posted a hand-crafted number to count down to our first meeting. We had a little over a month to learn everything we could about each other, and by the time we physically met, so much care and trust had been built.

Jen: By the time the countdown ended, we had learned so much about each other and had grown so much closer. In addition to the daily countdown, we were also sending each other letters and packages and accidentally staying up until 3am on 6-hour Skype calls! We had fallen for each other, and meeting each other in person only validated everything we had been feeling. Amy and I also started an Instagram account and blog to keep sharing with each other through the distance.

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Real Couples // Love Hard, Dance Hard: Crystal + Michaela

Real Couples // Love Hard, Dance Hard: Crystal + Michaela

Crystal and Michaela have been through so much with one another, and they finally got married. They both unknowingly bought really similar dresses, which was super adorable when they finally saw one another. They also “shared" their bridesmaids back and forth, and during prep all of their friends were running from one room to the other. When it came time for the ceremony they walked each other down the aisle in a real show of their love for one another. They partied that night until their feet and the bottoms of their dresses were completely dirty and black. It was such an amazing day for two amazing women. 

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Real Couples // Virginia is for Lovers: Hana + Kaity

Real Couples // Virginia is for Lovers: Hana + Kaity

Sometimes I dream about the kinds of wedding I’d love to shoot. Those in distant places, like Africa or Asia, with simple details and big landscapes. I often think it would make me a better photographer, to have a portfolio with these weddings. But I’ve come to realize the kinds of weddings I want to shoot are the ones like this. 

We met Hana and Kaity a little over a year ago and quickly became friends. Their wedding day was full of genuine, real love. They asked to have their closest friends and family present for their first look. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but afterwards I looked around and saw that we were all crying. It was my favorite part of the day.

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Real Couples // Winter Solstice Elopement: Will + Ruby

Real Couples // Winter Solstice Elopement: Will + Ruby

Will and Ruby eloped on the winter solstice, December 21, 2016, at Charlotte Beach in Vermont. Will built a fire from drift wood to warm their hands, much to the confusion of their puppy, who continuously tried to start a game of fetch. A truly intimate event, the only people present were myself and the officiant while they exchanged their vows on the shores of Lake Champlain. It was incredible. 

"We chose to celebrate our marriage on the winter solstice to create a glowing memory to brighten the shortest and darkest day of the year. The lake and Charlotte Beach hold a wistful and romantic place in both of our lives. We could not have picked a more memorable and moving time, place, and photographer to engrave this moment into our memory." - Will

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Real Couples // Lin-Manuel Miranda-Assisted Engagement: Leah + Rachel

Real Couples // Lin-Manuel Miranda-Assisted Engagement: Leah + Rachel

Leah is a theater director in New York City. Rachel is a history teacher. What better place to get engaged than the set of Hamilton with the assistance of Lin-Manuel Miranda?! Yes, that actually happened. These two are the quintessential New York City couple. For our engagement session, we started at their place in Bedford-Stuyvesant and then headed out to the New York Transit Museum (which is my favorite place in NYC), ending in their old neighborhood of Prospect Heights, where they lived together for years.

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Real Couples // Surprise Proposal: Tomasz + Jessica

Real Couples // Surprise Proposal: Tomasz + Jessica

Today we’re sharing a surprise proposal at the one and only Metropolitan Museum of Art. It took place last March, on our sweet couple’s fifth dating anniversary inside the Temple of Dendur. It was a perfect location for a classic NYC proposal because it was as picturesque as much as it was unique and exciting. And spacious! Having lots of space to walk around and get different angles is always so important when capturing a proposal! Associate Photographer Emily Tuttle captured our couple from the moment they entered the temple until that special moment when he got down on one knee and she said yes. It was unforgettable in every way, as these two were lucky enough to be surrounded by masterpieces, works of art, and plenty of onlookers, too! We’re honored to share this perfect NYC surprise proposal with you all today. Enjoy this recap and, if you’re looking for a Proposal Photographer in NYC, contact us so we can start planning!

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Real Couples // A Superhero Wedding: Elena + David

Real Couples // A Superhero Wedding: Elena + David

The Bonifays have a unique love story, which began before the two of them even knew it. Both born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Elena Bonifay, born Elena Washington, crossed paths with David Bonifay in various ways before the couple ever met. Both have artists as mothers: Elena’s mom, Vicki Meek, is a visual artist and David’s mom, Elly Lindsay, is an actress. Both women taught at the local Arts Magnet High School and brought their children with them on various occasions to work. With this is mind, David and Elena have technically been acquainted since they were toddlers. The two would meet again in elementary school on the playground when both found each other about as interesting as watching paint dry. But it was the high school meeting that would change everything. The summer after senior year the two began dating for what was intended to be a “summer fling,” but soon grew into something much more. The two became inseparable, attending college together and securing work in the same establishments. They both currently work for Elena’s family business and local newspaper, The Dallas Weekly.

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Real Couples // A Community-Created Wedding: Blanca + Cody

Real Couples // A Community-Created Wedding: Blanca + Cody

Blanca and Cody met in Seattle in the summer of 2007. Cody was 21, and Blanca was 24. They dated for nine years before tying the knot. They're a couple that's always on the go! Cody is an amazing cook at a local hot spot in Ballard, and Blanca is a talented photo stylist for Zulily.com. Together the couple also runs an Airbnb and are superhosts! Their home has also been featured on Apartment Therapy.

Blanca: We didn't have a traditional engagement. We came to a decision to get married together while in traffic. Then we planned a 2-day wedding in only three months! We planned and executed it ourselves with the help of friends.

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Real Couples // Dirty Dancing Inspired Engagement: Blanca + Cody

Real Couples // Dirty Dancing Inspired Engagement: Blanca + Cody

I'm a commercial photo stylist, and I love conceptualizing creative shoots! So when Cody and I got engaged, I decided we needed to go all in for an awesome, original engagement shoot.  Needless to say we love Dirty Dancing. We're both huge Patrick Swayze fans; Cody particularly loves his work in Point Break, and of course I prefer him as Johnny Castle.  

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Real Couples // An Artistic and Playful National Gallery Engagement: Marc + Laura

Real Couples // An Artistic and Playful National Gallery Engagement: Marc + Laura

Marc and Laura are one of those couples that even when they're not trying to, they look like they belong together. Throughout their entire engagement session at the National Gallery of Art, I kept photographing these two puzzle pieces fitting together like they had been married a long time. Laura is spunky and fun (just like her dress) while Marc is more reserved and sweet. Their ability to enjoy each other in every moment shows in their photos and moments. 

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Real Couples // Love and Activism: Bianca + Christina

Real Couples // Love and Activism: Bianca + Christina

Going to a protest as a first date was fitting for these two Chicago land activists who are planting seeds of change all around their community. Bianca and Christina are passionate about making this world we live in a better and equal place for all. Love just happened naturally and sprouted fast for these two. They may even admit that it was L-O-V-E at first sight for the both of them. As they approach two years of being together, it still feels like fireworks and butterflies to them.

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Real Couples // A Family Affair: Toni + Amy

Real Couples // A Family Affair: Toni + Amy

These brides wanted to spend a night with their closest humans...despite the fact that some of the most important people in their lives didn't approve or show up at the wedding because of the fact that the couple is gay. Toni, our black bride, was married to a white man, and her family was fine with that. But after she divorced, she later fell in love with Amy, and it has caused a rift in her relationship with her parents. Despite this, the couple stayed true to themselves and celebrated the love that they KNOW is right for them.

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Real Couples // Two Awesome People: Alex + Kris

Real Couples // Two Awesome People: Alex + Kris

How long have you known about yourself?

A- I knew when I was 12 years old. I knew immediately when I laid my eyes on Laura, this perfect girl who wore hoop earrings with her bikini, that I wasn’t straight. I didn’t know what I was, but I knew I wasn’t what the church told me to be.

K- Jeez I don't know...kindergarten or first grade. I didn't know what to call it. I didn't have words—I just knew that I liked girls better than boys. I remember having my first crush on a girl when I was in first grade. I just liked her so much more than a regular friend. 

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Real Couples // Bamboo Green Florida Wedding: Nathan + Marcella

Real Couples // Bamboo Green Florida Wedding: Nathan + Marcella

Nathan and Marcella met in their early twenties while they both worked at the same place. While it started out as a friendship, they were no denying there was true love blossoming. The two dated for a few years before Nathan proposed to Marcella and they began wedding planning! Marcella and Nathan are so kind, genuine and their hearts are so full of love for each other and their families.

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