Europe, as always, was fabulous. Although I am the biggest American patriot you will ever find, it is nice to sometimes leave the land of apple pies and baseball and indulge my wanderlust. I’ve been privileged to visit Italy many times in my life, but this recent trip was my first opportunity to visit the City of Love. It turned out to be quite an apropos title as well, because you see, I came home with quite the lovely souvenir:
That’s right, the wedding photographer finally has a wedding of her own to plan, and she COULD NOT be more excited about it! I can’t say it was a complete surprise, however. This proposal has been a long time coming!
For quite awhile now (over six months, according to my e-mail history) Jason and I have been discussing “The Ring.” Being a wedding professional, I see a lot of weddings and a LOT of rings, so as you can imagine, I’ve always had some very specific opinions about The Ring that I would be wearing for the rest of my life. Knowing me and knowing this, Jason didn’t even attempt to hide the ring-buying process from me, so we both jumped into it headfirst. We spent months looking at different ring designs, researching the four Cs, trying to find the perfect center stone, and checking out jeweler after jeweler. At times the process was much more emotional and frustrating than it should have been – until we met Eric Olschwanger. I’ll talk more about Eric later, but if you’re in the market for any kind of custom jewelry, Eric will save you time, money, and stress, and will give you an impeccably made piece for a fabulous price.
The Tiffany Legacy Ornate ring, which is the ring my lovely was based off of. Photo property of Tiffany & Co.
So fast forward to earlier this month. I had been subtly slipping Jason some hints that it might be incredibly romantic to propose in Europe, and he had not so subtly told me that pigs would fly before he would take our ring overseas and risk losing it or having it stolen or confiscated by security or some other completely irrational fear. It had gotten to the point where he actually seemed to be genuinely angry at me when I would bring it up, so I quietly began to lose hope for an epic proposal under a sparkling Eiffel Tower.
As we descended into Paris’ Charles De Gaulle Airport, I asked my beloved what he looked forward to most during the trip, maybe subconsciously hoping he would reveal his plan right then and there. Instead, he coyly deflected and quickly changed the subject. I was, naturally, oblivious. Later, as we unpacked in our hotel room, Jason proudly showed me an e-mail he had just received from our jeweler Eric stating that some “last minute changes” to the ring had just been finished and would be ready to pick up as soon as we returned from Europe. “Aren’t you excited?!” he asked. I tried (futilely) to hide my disappointment, gave up the last shred of hope I had been clinging onto, and just tried to enjoy myself in the most romantic city on Earth.
Attempting to look Parisian and NOT look disappointed.
On our second day in Paris, we spent the majority of the afternoon and evening with my clients Abby and Zach, the new Mr. and Mrs. Boatwright. They had just gotten married the previous Sunday, and Jason and I flew with them to Europe for their honeymoon to do a destination Day After session. We wandered around the Louvre, the Tuileries, the Champ du Mars, and finally finished up our photo spree at an illuminated Eiffel Tower.
You can’t see it (I hope) but these two are completely miserably cold right now.
It was approximately 20-something degrees and snowing, and Abby had been roughing it in a thin strapless wedding dress all day, so the poor girl was on the edge of frostbite. Finally I realized I could torture her no longer, so I announced that the shoot was finished and that we could pack it in and head back to the hotel. As I began to pack up my gear, Abby asked me if I’d like a photo of myself and Jason – you know, since the lights were already set up and everything was all lit up and beautiful. Not wanting to watch my client turn into a popsicle before my eyes, I initially refused, but she insisted (I later learned she was totally in on it, and although I’m sure she wanted nothing more than to find the nearest blazing fireplace, she kept her promise to Jason – I owe you one, Abby!!). I grabbed Jason and yanked him in front of the camera, wanting to get the photo done quickly, but for some reason he kept wanting to talk to me. At first I ignored him, but he kept talking, mumbling something about how I had asked him at some point what he was looking forward to most, and how this was it. I gave him the obligatory “Awwww,” a quick kiss, and resumed my pose so we could get the photo finished and get my clients to a heater pronto. Then he grabbed my hand and said “I’m not finished….”
I’m not exactly sure what happened after that moment, because it was all one big amazingly happy blur, but I think the photo proof speaks for itself:
Needless to say, I got my Parisian wish, I got my perfect ring, and most importantly, I got my white knight. Jason and I have been together for almost three years now, and they’ve been three of the happiest years of my life. We began our relationship playing saxophone in a parking garage stairwell, and it’s been an awesome ride ever since. He gets me like no one else, he knows my every emotion and pet peeve and fear and weird quirk, and he embraces all of it. I love him more than I ever thought I could love someone, and I am incredibly lucky and blessed and grateful to have found him (and kept him!).
I know that you guys are just dying to ask me who MY wedding photographer will be (I get that question roughly 736785 times a day) and let me just nip that in the bud right now and say I have NO CLUE!! I certainly have a list of people whose work I love and admire, but choosing my wedding photographer is a huge decision that will be influenced by several factors, so I’m not in any rush to make a decision. We have set a very tentative wedding date – 4.11.11 (yep, it’s a Monday!) – but we’re far from finalizing anything. We’re excited about taking our time and enjoying being engaged, and yes, planning the most epic, amazing, fun, creative wedding we can possibly imagine!
Sorry ladies, he’s aaaaaaaaall mine.
Jason Gulledge - I LOVE YOU POOKIE.
scotty - im jealous of jasons beard
Cathy Empey - Congratulations! What an exciting engagement story! I REALLY love that image of you looking so excited and blissfully happy! Have fun planning your wedding!
Claudia - What a FANTASTIC story! Congrats again Stacy! So happy for you! :D
Aaron Spicer - What wonderful newss! Congrats!
Abby - That is the best surprised face EVER. Congrats!
Lauren - jealous! - not of the guy, I've got my own :D Congrats!!!
Kate Monroe - Hands down most amazing ring ever. No ring will ever match the awesomeness of that ring. Gorgeous! And what a great proposal, well played Jason, well played.
Lindsey Brittain - Great image of you! Love how the red scarf and lips make it pop!
Catie Ronquillo - Yaaaay! That's the happiest reaction photo EVER! Love it. Congrats you two!!
Abby - Aww congratulations you guys! We are so excited for you! I'm so glad we could be a part of your special day. I'm just glad my shutter button finger didn't get frostbitten, cause I was really worried! Zach says we didn't see any French squirrels! wtf! Guess we'll have to go back.
ken kienow - yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!
M.Partovi - I second the beard comment. So happy for you guys!
Rachel Perry - Congratulations! My fiance proposed to me in front of a camera as well and I was confused as to why he was acting funny. :-D Congratulations again!
Eugene - Wonderful story! Congrats Stacy!!
Michelle - How exciting! Congrats! And what a beautiful place to get engaged. Have fun planning!
Kelly Ry - That "happy-surprised-jumping-up" picture may be one of the most awesome, emotion-filled images ever. Excitement is radiating through my screen. Congrats!
serena grace - congrats stacy!! your ring is gorgeous! love the pink stones in it!
Fotograf Lublin - Congratulations from Poland.
Gail Kelly - Congratulations & what a beautiful ring. Can't wait to see your engagement/bridal/wedding & day after photos!!! ;-)
Sarah - Wow, congrats! I've been reading your blog for a couple months now, as I've been doing wedding planning of my own, and it's a thrill to see you get engaged.
Steven Hodgson - Congrats! What will your business be called then?
Sarah Neal - wow... your outfits even matched! congrats!!! :) That diamond looks huge!
Britney - Congratulations!! That is the most awesome story - you're going to make a gorgeous bride...now let the wedding planning fun begin! :)
Dennis Pik - I have been planning my wedding for the last two years with my fiance and we are now less than 3 months away (it sneaks up on you like crazy) I have to tell you it is very strange being on the other side of the wedding biz. Enjoy though, and congrats.
shannon - that is so awesome! congrats!
lisa chang - Love your reaction shot!!! Congratulations. :)
Jeremy Gilliam - Congrats! Excited for you guys! Beautiful image of Zach and Abby by the way.
Bill Millios - Awesome. Congratulations to you both. Amazing ring!
Eric Olschwanger - I'm just so happy I could be a small part of it. What a fantastic experience!!! Thanks for letting me share in this with you guys!!!!!
kari - so happy for you:)
imthiaz houseman - congrats Stacy! your ring is to die for and what a beautiful post. can't wait to see you blog about your planning. :)
Kayla - How romantic!!! Congratulations!!!! So exciting!
Jen Movassaghi - Doing a little happy dance for you! Such a gorgeous ring!
Sweet Caroline Photo - So AMAZINGLY sweet, I almost teared up but held it in since Ben was around... Oh Jason, you tricked her good and I of course LOVE the reaction shot :)
Catherine Guidry - Congrulations! Thanks for sharing!
Charlie - AWWWWWWWE!!! Congrats Stacy :)
Shelley Torgerson - Congratulations! The ring is beautiful and the proposal looks like it was a perfect surprise!
Carrie Short - The best engagement story I have ever heard! Congratulations to you both... gorgeous ring and priceless reaction photo. Best Wishes!!!
Mike Reed - I just cam across your site and engagement story, that was great... you look SOOOO happy. Congratulations!
Alex Luton - Congratulations and Best Wishes! We couldn't be happier for the two of you!! The ring is GORGEOUS! Great job Jason!! :)
Bob Tribit - Well done, Jason. Right on...right on.
Ryan Chan - Congratulations Stacy! It's wonderful that you and Jason were able to capture the moment! Now you get to update your "Relationship Status" on your "About Us" page!!! Cheers
Amanda Basteen - aww your description made me cry. I'm happy for you! I LOVE the pink in your ring! Congrats! I can't wait to see who you choose for your photog! :)
Lidia boicu - This is the most romantic story ever. Even though you told us the story at the workshop I was so captivated by your writing and the way the whole set up took place.. It was like watching a movie.. Congratulations!!! Thank you for the awesome workshop!
Stacy McEnaney - Stacy I started crying when I read this amazing blurb about one of the most amazing days of a girl's life. Not only am I in LOVE with Paris but I am in LOVE with people being in love. SOOOOOO happy for you both. Best wishes and all our love to you.
Zahra - OMG!!! I cried.(shouldn't be saying that publicy, bc I don't know you personally)lol. But, your man deserves recognition...that was like one of the best proposals I've ever heard...especially when he said, "this is the part I was looking forward to". GOSH!! I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE HOW IT FELT TO BE UBER SURPRISED LIKE THAT...God Bless. :)
allison - Hi Stacy! did you know that "souvenir" also means "memory" in french? so you've got the ring and the Parisian memory... very nice headline for this posting.
Liz - Congratulations, Stacy!! How exciting and WOW, what a gorgeous ring!! You look so happy!!
Kristi Wright - Stacy, what an amazing story. I got a little teary eyed reading about your adventure. That photo your bride caught of you jumping up and down is downright cute. Congratulations!
Erica Velasco - Congratulations! Love the ring...how beautiful!
AmyPunky Photography - Awwww what a fabulous proposal!!!! Congrats!!!!
Lauren Larsen - I love it! What a great story for two beautiful people. Couldn't be happier for you two. Way to go, Jason.
Kate Miller - Congratulations!!! I enjoy reading your blog and this was a delightful post. BTW, thanks for your photographer's resources. Your pricing guide has really helped me to see what I need to do to make sure my business is sustainable. Thanks for sharing!
Scarlett Lillian - Awwwww... how cute! LOVE the pink ring! :-) So jealous the proposal happened in Paris. Awesome!
Benita - Congratulations on your own engagement!! Your work is beautiful and believe it or not... somehow I stumbled across your page while looking for rings! And boy am i ever glad I found this entry!! (It'll be a 10yr anniversary for me and my hubby next year and we're upgrading my ring. YAY for me!) I wish you all the best for your upcoming wedding and I hope you will thoroughly enjoy your engagement period. :) xox
Lori - You need to change your "About us" section! Jason is not just your boyfriend anymore! ;)
Abby & Zach’s European Day After Sessions « Dallas Wedding Photographer Stacy Reeves | Vintage Modern Wedding Photography - [...] shots at the Eiffel Tower before the snow and wind got the better of us. We finished the session on a high note and headed back into the warmth of our hotel. After a few days of sightseeing and a very [...]
Wedding Colors: Vintage Purple ~ From Stacy Reeves Photography | Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog - [...] From Stacy’s blog … [...]
AnnC - I must say I almost shed a tear, that's soooooo cute ! And yes, I agree, even for a french girl, Paris is THE perfect place for a romantic proposal :) PS for Abby : french squirrels are usually much wilder than those american ones. To see one, you'll have to walk a bit in forests and be patient... or go to a park where there might be some (the Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon for eg. !).
Kelly Cummings - what a wonderful story! I love your excited/happy face. And how awesome that you get to plan your own wedding now!
Real wedding – Vintage purple « My Italian wedding Blog - [...] after shoot”! There are lots more stunning photographs and you can read the full story here, here and here on Stacy Reeves photography as well as on style me [...]
Sarah Lee - Congrats Stacy!! I'm sure your wedding will be nothing short of amazing!
Mari - WOW what a ring!!! Congrats :)