I wanted to get this post up for Memorial Day (yesterday) but never got a chance. Mostly, to be honest, because I was too busy celebrating my birthday :)
I also wanted to let you all know that posting will be LIGHT this week. I have to go home to New Jersey for a family matter and will have little to no access to my blogging for the whole week. I promise when I am back though, that things will be extra awesome. We have a ton of sweet shoots in our arsenal AND a new giveaway!! But for today, we are kicking off the week with a beautiful DC surprise proposal by the Jefferson Memorial from Chris Ferenzi Photography (submitted via Two Bright Lights).
I also have all the rad details from the groom-to-be himself! I just love when grooms share the relationship details :)
Matt & Katie’s Surprise Proposal at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC
About the couple and how they met (from the Groom to be!):
About 6 years ago, I moved to Atlanta for a job. After living there for a year I met Katie. We spent most of our time going to country music concerts, Crossfitting, and looking around town for the best margaritas. Last October, I took leave from my job to join the Marine Corps Reserves. So now that we’ve been dating almost 5 years, and she has stuck with me through thick and thin (and the Marines), I decided it was time. So I got the ring, but was lacking a plan – and Katie was coming to visit the following weekend.
The Proposal Planning & Details:
I went out to dinner with a buddy and his wife and told them about my intentions (to propose), and my plan (none). She suggested I hire a photographer. It had crossed my mind at one point, but her suggestion made up my mind for me. After a little research, I got in touch with Chris. I emailed him on a Sunday morning asking if he was interested in shooting my proposal. I follow with, “you probably know the DC area better than me, and Katie really wants to cherry blossoms if there are any left” – which translates to “I want to propose, and she likes cherry blossoms, what can you do?” But there was a catch: I was leaving early the next morning for a field exercise and would be completely out of touch until Friday. After exchanging a few emails, Chris responded with “I’ll have a plan for you tonight.” I was incredibly relieved.
The following weekend, when Katie made it to town, we had no plans for Saturday (she thought), which was rare. I told her I just wanted to go into the city, and that the tidal basin area near the Jefferson Memorial was really pretty and might have more cherry blossoms to check out. At this point she has noticed that there really were no cherry blossoms out anymore. I wasn’t changing my mind, but was trying to stay as vague as possible. So we finally got down to the Jefferson Memorial, and I’m trying to get Katie into the position that Chris had planned (he was hiding in the trees in position). So I just start wandering around the memorial, I can feel my phone blowing up in my pocket from Chris texting me, but I can’t really pull it out and check it while being nonchalant.
At this point I’m trying to look down into the trees to see where he’s hiding, but I don’t see him ANYWHERE. All of the sudden, a couple walks up and asks me to take photos of them. This had to be a setup, the guy was wearing some bright green shirt, but I knew it wasn’t Chris. I snapped a few shots, and in exchange they did the same. After the guy takes our photo with our camera, Katie HAS to look at it. I hand her the camera. Now that she is distracted, I finally have the chance to look at my phone. Chris’s text have so many different instructions “stay there, go back, go up a step. STOP!! Go back AGAIN!” etc. Finally, while she is still looking at the camera, I get 1 last text that says, “go where they green guy is now!!” Katie handed me the camera, and I start walking. She’s continually asking me questions “What are you doing? Why are we back here? I’m cold… Why are you setting down the camera?” I get into position, set down the camera, and grab her. I guess from there, we all know what happened next.
Click inside for the rest of this DC surprise proposal feature ~ including some beautiful Washington DC portraits by Chris Ferenzi Photography.
Congratulations Matt & Katie! Thank you for sharing your beautiful proposal with us. A special thanks again to Chris Ferenzi Photography for sharing his images!
