Jessica and Chase ~ A romantic woodsy engagement session
I loved everything about Jessica from the first minute I met her at our bridal meeting. Outgoing, super sweet, so much fun to talk with and GORGEOUS! Jessica is one of several of my brides (I think its a new trend!) who booked me for their wedding BEFORE she was actually engaged! Not only is that super flattering on my end but it also means I get to anticipate, fret over and get all excited about the actual proposal right along with Jessica :) Her real proposal came a few weeks later ( I think Chase really wanted her to sweat it out) in the form of the most elaborate, detailed and thoroughly planned engagement I have ever heard of. No wonder it took him so long! She said YES and we got ourselves a true blue engagement session, complete with a ring and all :) You can check out their super cute engagement story in Jessica’s words at the end of their post. Here are a few of my favorites from their session.
Both Chase and Jessica are produce farmer kids and both absolutly adore their families. We wanted to incoorperate some of their heritage into their session and since corn was in season at the time of their session we went with it :)
From Jessica~ I was walking out to my car and noticed something on my window as I approached. As I came closer, I could tell that the something was a letter carefully wrapped in plastic with my FULL name on it. First thing that came to mind was that I had a weird patient/co-worker stalker who was trying to be romantic. So I grab this weird stalker letter and jump in my car. I lock my doors and debate on whether or not to read it there, or just go on. I finally decided to open it, and as I tore through the envelope, I caught a scent of something familiar… Chase’s cologne. He had lavender rose petals in with a letter that notified me that “today is The Day,” and from then on I was going on a little adventure to find him waiting. I was ecstatic! In the letter he had instructed me to head home where “familiar” faces were waiting. I’m surprised I made it back and remember the trip.
So, I arrive at my house to find two of my best friends waiting on my bed with a second letter! I tear through this one to be informed that I have to pack my bags for not only a trip to Alabama, but also to the beach.
This is where things really get sappy. I get to his house and rush in where I’m greeted by a table; it’s decorated with orchids (my favorite flower), a lit candle, an empty Fed-Ex package, and an empty ring box. Next to all these novelties is another letter, the third of four, and behind this little set are more lavender rose petals, scattered in a path. The letter tells me that I’m now to relax and take a quick little refreshing minute and be ready to go by 11:30am to meet Chase in the final spot. The petals lead back to a garden tub surrounded by lit candles… It was absolutely serene. Also, the letter included a hand-drawn map as well as some Google-inspired directions to a destination which I did not know. There was also information that broke a little riddle Chase had given me a couple weeks ago. The riddle contained clues that if I had been able to understand it, gave me the tracking number of the package that contained my ring! If I had only known! haha
Around 11:40, I set out on the last leg of the journey to goodness knew where. I drove about forty minutes out to Elkmont, Alabama to which my last turn had me on a dead end road. At the end, waiting for me, was the Sheriff of Limestone Co. Yep, the sheriff. He had a horse tied to his trailer and a letter waiting on me. The letter gave instruction for me to ride this horse, Cajun, down a grassy trail to a little lace marker. At this marker I was to turn and ride down a wooded trail, again length and final destination were still a mystery. I have to explain that this horse detail was worked in because riding is my most favorite thing to do. I used to ride horses on a regular basis, and at one time had one of my own. I haven’t gotten to ride in a long time, but Chase knew how much I loved it. It took about ten minutes for me to find the lace, and another five to ten to walk the horse down the wooded trail to find Chase. He had ridden down ahead of me and was waiting at the spot.
If it could be described, it would take you being there to know how perfect it was. He met me as I dismounted Cajun, and we walked across a small creek that flowed away from a beautiful waterfall to a laid out spot complete with a blanket and food (since I had been up since the evening before and hadn’t made time for a breakfast that morning). By this time I had blabbed his ear off out of nervousness, and because I was exhausted from all the excitement, I just sat right down on the blanket and kept talking like the next few moments weren’t the most important of my life. Chase was so patient and let me jabber about everything normal, but finally interjected to tell me it was time. He asked me to stand, and gave me a hand up (because I was so emotionally torn up I couldn’t do it myself). He got ready to go down on one knee, and I was doing everything I could to keep him standing! Finally, he was able to calm me enough to drop to one knee and ask the question. I said “yes.” It was well worth the wait and couldn’t have been more perfect for us.
After he proposed, we rode back together. At the end of the trail waited both of our parents! He knows how much I love my family, and included them in the day for that very reason. They were able to capture us riding around the corner back to them. It was perfect!
Jessica and Chase, you guys are wonderful! I cannot wait to capture your wedding day!
by jenny lindsey
Kelly E. - Awesome story! I wish you all the best. Pictures are very gorgeous.
Twila (Jessica's mom) - I love them all. Jenny, you are really going to make it hard on me to decide on which pictures to get. Thanks for the BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!!
Lori Copeland - Beautiful pictures !!! Beautiful girl !!
Crissy G. - Beautiful pictures of a beautiful couple.
Jennifer - Love, love, love these!! Jess, you are so beautiful!! I can’t wait to see more.
Samantha - Those are the cutest pictures and I love the story! Congrats to you both!
Brandon - Nice pictures Chase! I like the corn pics. lol
Brenda Williams - These pictures are GREAT! Congratulations, and best wishes for a blessed and happy life together!
cindy gathright - These are beautiful!!! What a gorgeous couple!
Lina Littler - Such pretty pictures! I know my Jessy and Im so sure that Chase is going to make her really really happy :). Love the story, love the pictures! Absolutely beautiful pictures!
Janette - absolutley loved the pics…..u guys are such a cute couple, even in the “corny” pics!!!!!
Penny Tidwell - Love these pictures! Jessica, you look beautiful and I especially like your yellow dress!
Tricia Rapp - Amazing pictures! Love the lighting in the woods. Love the fun farm pictures. Looks like a great session! Congrats to you both! Xoxo
Yiwen - Congratulates to you both! Gorgeous couple!
Sarah - Love the woodsy feel to the photos. Congrats Chase & Jessica!
Barbara Jean McKenzie - Beautiful pictures! The pictures really capture both of there personalities! Jessica and Chase – congratulations and these pictures are amazing. You two look so happy. :)
Jessica - Thanks everyone! I’m SO proud of them! Jenny Lindsey, big props, my dear. Can’t wait for all the rest…
Courtney - These look great! Congrats to you both!
Dottie - Beautiful pictures! Beautiful couple! Congratulations!
Alyssa J - Jessica, what beautiful pictures of you both!! They proposal story is amazing. You are a very lucky girl and deserve nothing less. Congratulations!!
Khris - So lovely! Best wishes for a long and happy marriage full of much love! :-)
Melisa Warner - Jessica, the pics are great! Love them all. You guys make such a great couple!
Larry - The pictures look great! Congratulations!
Collin B. - Beautiful pictures!! Congratulations!!
robert - Great Pictures!
Netain Shrestha - Very beautiful pictures. I really enjoyed reading the whole story and could imagine how romantic it would have been.
jenny - Thank you so much everyone!!