The Pinery Engagement Session
Alicia and Willie’s big day is here and I am so happy to share The Pinery Engagement session that I captured for them last summer. The golden hour and sunset light on the beach and forest in the Pinery wooded areas and at the beach were just perfect and made even better by the love that you can see the two of them have for each other and for their gorgeous dog Peanut! I still have availability for engagement sessions this summer and would love to be back on the beach!
Tell us the story of how the two of you met.
My mom purchased a house with her then-boyfriend, now stepdad. It happened to be about five houses away from Willie. We were in grade seven. We ended up going to the same school together, and walking to and from school in the mornings, afternoons, and at lunches. This left ample time to build a beautiful friendship. We got to know each other, had on/off crushes on each other, gave each other dating advice on other people- you name it. We started dating in grade ten but it was short lived, about 6 months. We weren’t ready yet to be together. We were so awkward and lost our comfortability we had with each other, unsure how to behave around each other. Post-breakup was a time for growth and slow-burn building romance. We flirted incessantly and spent a ton of time together. When we (finally) got back together in grade twelve, it was like coming home. We were nearly inseparable and beyond happy. We have been together ever since.
What were your first thoughts on seeing each other?
Alicia: I thought he was so handsome and hilarious. He was giving class clown energy. He was so full of energy and life and so authentically himself. I was instantly drawn to him and wanted to get to know him.
Willie: She was pretty quiet and I didn’t know if my being loud and disruptive in class bothered her or if she thought it was charming. She was attractive and mature-seeming; seemed smart which is also sexy.
Tell me the proposal story
We were waiting until I was done school to really commit financially to our dream wedding. I wrote my last exam and it ended at 10 pm. He told me later he nearly proposed that night. But he waited until the next night. He took me out for a lovely dinner. We were in a glow of happiness to be post-education. We came home after dinner and I was looking for something comfortable to change into, and I turned around and he was down on one knee. I was completely surprised. Yes, of course, I feel we expected to spend our lives together but I was not prepared for it so soon post-education. It made it feel like he was just counting down the seconds to make me his wife. I was honoured and speechless and left him waiting for several moments before being able to articulate my “absolutely I will”.
What is your favourite memory together (other than those mentioned above)?
travelling out west for three months in a trailer was amongst our most romantic and wonderful memories to me. It was hard to pick just one memory for this question, but I feel like this extended period of quality time and sight seeing was truly special.
What do you love most about each other?
Alicia: His heart. He sees the best in people, including me. He sees my truest intentions in my actions. He wants the very best for me and pushes me to go for it. He encourages me and he gets me, and he truly sees who I am at my core and center. He makes me feel valued and cherished and loved beyond belief. He is my home.
Willie: She keeps me on track. She’s so caring and sweet to me. I like that she snuggles with me and listens to all of my bad stories. She’s a good cook. She’s good with kids and very maternal. Obviously sexy. She has a nice face and nice teeth. She likes good food and has good taste in things.
How do you hope your friends and family see your wedding?
Alicia; Like a true celebration of a love that has grown for over a decade. We want a romantic, wonderful party with the people we love most
Willie; Catalina Wine Mixer
Have you thought of anywhere in your house you would like to hang your wedding photographs?
Hallway, bedroom, living room, office, at Willies work
Why did you choose us?
Alicia; We fell in love with the work we saw and knew we had to
Willie; we liked your photography style and liked that you worked with a team.
