Happy Wednesday, marblelous babes! 💕

In case you missed it last week on my Instagram Post, I’m ENGAGED!!!! 💍

Since today is our 4 year anniversary, I thought it was the perfect time to share with all of my marblelous babes how our Valentine’s Day photoshoot I’ve been planning for weeks turned into a proposal.

Earlier in January, I had this super cute idea to create some fun content surrounding Valentine’s Day. And since our anniversary falls on the 6th of February, I thought what better way than to include Vic in this Valentine’s Day themed photoshoot. After all, I’ve been trying to coax him into another cute couple’s photoshoot after our Veterans Day Photoshoot and Ugly Christmas Sweater Photoshoot that we did quite some time ago.

I don’t know about your significant other, but Vic isn’t particularly a fan of being in front of the camera. You might even remember how I had to bribe him with shoes in order to make that Veterans Day post happen. He definitely prefers being behind the lens, so I had to plead with him saying that this photoshoot could be like a cute way of documenting our fast-approaching 4 years together.

And he reluctantly agreed. Phew!

I knew I wanted this Valentine’s Day/Four Year Anniversary Shoot to exude allllllll the dreamy and romantic vibes, and when I found seriously THE MOST amazing evening dress from Faviana, I knew this was THE DRESS for this couple’s shoot.

From the gorgeous beaded scallop appliqué bodice to the lace-up open back, this Faviana formal dress was literally love at first sight. I absolutely love love love the mock deep v-neck that gives the illusion of a gorgeous deep v-neck without the boob spillage thanks to the mesh detail in the front. I also love that it already comes padded so you don’t have to worry which sticky silicone bra to wear. I mean, can we all agree that those weird sticky bras SUCK?!? haha

This Faviana S 10228 evening gown has three gorgeous layers, including a chiffon layer that flows so effortlessly. I mean, it literally was the perfect dress for twirling and seriously made me feel like a princess straight out of a fairytale. To top it all off, the beaded bodice reflects just the right amount of sparkle.

This formal gown comes in Black, Ivory, and Sea Glass, but I chose the gorgeous Rose Pink to align with the Valentine’s Day theme I was going for.

With my outfit for the couple’s photoshoot taken care of, I started my search for the perfect tuxedo or suit for Vic. I chanced upon ASOS and found SO many tuxedos and suits for seriously AMAZING prices. I loved how affordable they were and even better yet, they had very unique colors, prints, and designs than your conventional tuxedo or suit.

Vic ended up picking this super skinny suit jacket, vest, and pants in seriously the most breathtaking ice blue color. The baby blue color gave me alllll the heart eyes in the world and definitely got my seal of approval. The best part? It only cost $106 for the whole suit set.

I initially picked out a different bow tie for him, but Vic actually found an amazing deal on Amazon for 9 different pieces of pre-tied bow ties for only $13. The burgundy bow tie with the little polka dots was the perfect pop of color to his suit AND was still Valentine’s Day themed. SOLD!!!

The Friday before our Vday Shoot, I made my way to LEX Sunless Tan to get a spray tan so that I would be glowing during the photoshoot. She offers a classic solution tan (you can shower within 8 to 12 hours) as well as a rapid solution tan (you can shower within 2 to 4 hours). I also love that she offers mobile tans!

I got the rapid solution tan (because I’m a clean freak and can’t withstand not showering for a long period of time) and left her studio in under 20 minutes feeling like a bronze goddess! I also love that she applied the prettiest and sparkliest setting powder on me after the tan.

The day of our unbeknownst-to-me proposal photoshoot, I scheduled to have my hair and makeup done by the amazing Book a Birdie app, which allows you to book beauty services on-demand and they conveniently come to you, wherever you are and whenever you need.

I don’t know about you, but as someone who is busy being my own boss, sometimes it can be hard to schedule time in at a salon and actually battle through traffic and parking nightmares just to get my hair and makeup done. So I absolutely love the convenience of being able to get my hair and makeup done by specially hand picked stylists in the comfort of my own home. It just makes getting ready for a big day, event, or photoshoot that much easier!

For my hair, I chose to have the “Night Owl” which is a black-tie updo. I had several hair inspo images on hand to show my Book a Birdie stylist, and to say that she nailed it would be an understatement. I absolutely ADORED my hair, and even better, so did Vic!

Book a Birdie currently doesn’t have makeup services available to book through the app just yet, but I had the privilege of being one of the firsts to try out their full glam makeup look and I’m seriously OBSESSED! My stylist was seriously AMAZING and I can honestly say that I’ll be choosing almost the same hair and makeup look for my big wedding day.

In case you’re interested in trying out Book a Birdie for yourself, you can get 10% off a blowout with the promo code ✨ABBY10✨

 

Our Proposal Story

During our ride to our shoot location, Vic mentioned that he was getting nervous for the shoot. I was confused and questioned why since we’ve done shoots together before. It now all makes sense. haha

The whole shoot went smoothly and as planned, but towards the end of the shoot, Ashley, our AMAZING photographer, asked if we had anymore pose ideas since she thought we got all of the shots. Vic immediately chimed in and said “I have an idea!”

I was a little confused but at the same time kind of excited because I sincerely thought he was being a good Instagram Boyfriend and really had a cute couple post idea that we could recreate. haha Vic said he thought going back to the gazebo where we previously just shot at would be perfect for his idea, so we made our way back.

When we were in the gazebo, all he did was held my hands and looked at me all nervously. He did a few head checks to ensure Ashley was in position and ready for our supposed “pose” and even asked “Okay?” to Ashley. Or maybe it was “Ready?” 

I was admittedly SO confused and asked Vic what the big pose idea was because this hand-holding pose seems a little normal. He then started talking to me, and I could immediately see that he was starting to get all emotional. Before I knew it, he was reaching into his coat pocket, pulling out a ring, getting down on one knee, and asking “Will You Marry Me?”

By then, I was already an emotional wreck and ugly crying, ha! And it sure didn’t help that Vic was crying, too. I obviously said YES!!!! 💍

I honestly couldn’t think of a more perfect proposal. I’m SO thankful and happy that Vic knew how important his proposal would mean to me, and made it a point to propose in front of a photographer so that this special and intimate moment would be captured and we can look back at these images and treasure them forever.

Suddenly, out of the ordinary events that happened throughout the week leading up to the proposal that I initially didn’t realize started making sense. It finally registered that the night Vic suddenly and randomly said he had to grab something from his work truck at 1am but ended up disappearing for over 20 minutes was actually him calling my dad to ask for my hand in marriage. It finally registered that the day he was gone for 5 hours riding his motorcycle (when he usually only rides for around 1 or 2 hours) was actually him picking out a ring at a jeweler.

Vic was also sneaky enough to not bring the ring box with him because he knew I would notice the random big bulge in his pocket or maybe even accidentally feel it or bump into it during our couple’s shoot.

Words honestly cannot describe how much I love love loveeeeee these images taken by the lovely Ashley from AR Photography. She is seriously SO amazing at what she does and it was honestly so hard to even choose my favorites, which is why I have over 30 images in this blog post, oops! Sorry not sorry. haha

I’m so glad that I chose her as our photographer for this special Valentine’s Day photoshoot that turned into a surprise proposal photoshoot. I mean, YAY for Vic and I being her first ever surprise proposal!

Vic told me after he proposed that he actually wanted to get in contact with Ashley before the shoot to let her know he was going to propose so she can be prepared, but he had no way of knowing which photographer I chose for the shoot. He also said that he wanted to pull Ashley aside during the shoot itself and quickly whisper, “I’m going to propose” but he didn’t want to accidentally ruin it, either.

I personally think she did an AMAZING job because every time I look at these images, I can’t help but get all teary eyed. I seriously can’t wait to book an engagement session with her, eeeeek!!!

Thank you so much for those who have reached out to congratulate us with your kind and sweet words. We love you guys! 💕