In case you’re wondering why it looks like we’re dressed for a tropical vacation in these shots, our proposal story takes place in early August ? Amidst all of the craziness of NYFW, moving, buying our first home, etc., in all honesty, I kind of just forgot to create this post! Horrible, I know, because our proposal story is really special to me, and I definitely want to share it with you. I hope you all enjoy!

In late July, Mark and I flew to Columbus, Ohio, to visit with his family. His sister and her husband flew in from Florida, and the rest of his immediate family was already in town. It had been our history to fly out to see everyone at least once a year, and it’s always a really fun time. During one of our first trips, we visited the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a nature museum of sorts. It features one of my favorite types of installations, a butterfly pavilion. You can ask Mark, I’m pretty obsessed with them!

Mark told me several days into our trip that his mom wanted everyone to dress up to take some family photos at the Conservatory to frame and present as a gift for his grandfather. I thought it was a lovely idea, but I hadn’t brought anything remotely fancy to wear! Thankfully, his mom had recently thrifted a gorgeous floral maxi dress that fit me like a dream!

Dress / LOFT // Sandals / Steve Madden // Clutch / vintage // Necklace / Rocksbox

We were joined by Mark’s best friend, Joe, as well as his mom’s friend who was our photographer for the day. We walked around the park for at least an hour, exploring the different scenes. They had everything from a desert to a forrest with waterfalls.. A little bit of every type of landscape. And of course, I didn’t think anything of people taking our picture the whole time!

We took this picture during our first trip there, years ago, and I knew coming back that I wanted to recreate this shot.

OK, so not exactly the same, because they had removed the benches, but it’s the same spot!

After we finished up inside, we stepped outside to the coy pond and bamboo garden. To this day, I still don’t know where those shots went.. We were all trying to figure out the best lighting and arrangement for group shots, and it was kind of a hilarious disaster. Maybe none of them turned out? After the group shots, the photographer said, OK, now, time for couple’s shots!

It was unbelievably hot and humid that day… And at the exact moment that I was turning to Mark to tell him that I felt like I was about to pass out, I looked over to see him getting down on one knee! I was pretty much in shock, and to be honest, didn’t hear much of what he said. I feel pretty bad about that bit, but I was in shock! I remember saying “YES, YES, OF COURSE!!” and then hugging him really hard. I then looked to his family who all had this sly look on their faces… They were in on it! I called them something cheeky, and they congratulated and hugged us. I love his family! It meant so much to me that we had them there to take part in this special moment. And I love how much planning he must have put in to it all!

I told his mom that I really did need to go inside and get some water. I grabbed a seat on a bench and took a moment to admire that shiny new piece of jewelry. It’s exactly what I asked Mark for.. an emerald cut, with stones that don’t go all the way around, a gold setting, it was perfection! Sometimes, I accuse him of not listening, but this was not one of those times, haha!

We stepped outside to the balcony, and tried to make our announcement phone calls, but were only able to get ahold of one out of the three people we tried! My papa was asleep, and my mom was in a meeting, as it turned out. My papa, when he woke up from his nap, unfortunately didn’t remember by the end of the conversation why we’d called, but I know he was so happy for us in that moment. My grandparents were probably the most persistent of our family members, encouraging us to get married. They’ve both since passed away, but I know their love will be felt all around us on our big day.

That’s our proposal story, folks!
I hope you enjoyed!
Now, feel free to send those wedding prep tips my way, I’m still definitely in need of them!

Photography by Jerri Shafer.