I absolutely love when I receive submissions from brides and photographers and in 2011 I will be featuring many more real weddings, engagements, and all the lovely little details I can find.
Today I am so excited to share a surprise proposal captured by the super-talented Ariane Hunter Photography. I love everything about this - the preparation, the setting, and the sheer joy that is portrayed after she said yes :)
Meet Paul and Andrea, on the happiest day of their lives thus far.
Paul is adorable, and clearly head over heels for Andrea, as he wanted to make his proposal something she would never forget. One month before, he contacted the lovely Ariane of Ariane Hunter Photography with an email that started with: “I would like you to play a very important part in my life” - who could ever turn away something like that? Over the next several weeks, Paul and Ariane collaborated on ways for Paul to pop the question to his unsuspecting fiance-to-be, Andrea. Their plans finally came together on December 11, 2010, and involved Ellis Island, a hidden Ariane, a chilly winter afternoon and a sweet couple.
Lady Liberty provided the perfect setting.
Paul brought Andrea over to a secluded area on the island - little did she know that a photographer was there to capture the moment.
Love the emotion in this shot.
You hired a photographer?!
Once the initial surprise had taken place and she officially said yes, Paul and Andrea set off for some real engagement photos :).
Such a lovely couple (and such a lovely ring!)
And what better way to end the afternoon than a ferry ride back to the city, with their post-engagement glow to keep them warm?
Happy planning Andrea and Paul!
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
So very cute. So so cute… Love it… Good on Paul!!! And amazing photos Ariane!
awwww that is so amazing!!! :)
Lucky she said Yes!
So cute! And so smart of him!
that is so awesome! awww, congrats to them!
I absolutely love the fact that the e-session happened right after the proposal :) To capture all of the initial excitement is really wonderful!
I got teary-eyed! I love it when a guy tries to make the moment as special as possible. Totally awesome!
I love it!! What a fabulous surprise it must have been!
I love the initiative of Paul to hire a photographer :) she captured the moment perfectly!
This shoot put the biggest smile on my face this morning! So authentic and full of love - they look so darn happy!
I love it!
OMG how awesome is that! Seriously! I love NYC. And that made for some GREAT photo ops and backgrounds!
OMG!! Paul what a awesome idea, Andrea such a creative guy. Ariane you did a fantastic job capturing the moment.
I see the Beauty and Love all in one.
How adorable! I always wish I had a picture of the actual moment (despite how unglamorous mine was!). What a great fiance!
Oh my goodnes I got chills!!! How darling i s that. Surprise proposals are so great! How awesome to have that moment captured in photos!
so cute! i love that she jumped on him after. totally something i would do, ha!
and the statue of liberty does provide the perfect backdrop!
I love stories like this! So adorable, thanks for sharing!
That made me smile. It just looks so perfect.
SO sweet~! I love it!
I love the fact that he hired a photographer!!!
Absolutely beautiful imagery! I love Ariane's work and she's been a great photography peer to chat with via Twitter. I wish more couples would photograph the engagement on surprise. How clever and thoughtful.
AWWW….so sweet! <3 I love that she jumped into his arms and put her feet around him. PS…what a fashionable couple! Love her coat! They look so in love…what a beautiful surprise!
This is beautiful! I love that he hired a photographer! The shot where she's wrapped around him after he popped the question is pure perfection! I don't doubt that'll be the first one framed! It would be on my desk if it were me!
I love these pics! Can't believe he thought to hire a photographer, but I bet they are excited to have such beautiful pictures!
What an adorable couple, and a sweet way to propose!
Adorable! :-)))
and i truly just teared up reading this! SO sweet! congratulations to the couple!!
and i truly just teared up reading this! SO sweet! congratulations to the couple!!
and i truly just teared up reading this! SO sweet! congratulations to the couple!!
and i truly just teared up reading this! SO sweet! congratulations to the couple!!
and i truly just teared up reading this! SO sweet! congratulations to the couple!!
and i truly just teared up reading this! SO sweet! congratulations to the couple!!
i can't get over how cute this is!
I love legit engagement photos! To have that emotion forever captured in a photo is priceless! Those two are adorable!
That is just adorable!! What a thoughtful guy!!
Oh this is so sweet I adore the emotions caught on camera.
PS love what you've done with your blog gorg. Girl!!
That is SO cute. What a smart guy to hire a photographer!!! I love photos where you catch all of the emotion of such an exciting time :)
Very romantic!!!
That is an amazing story! Love it!