There is really nothing like the love you feel when you’re on the beach. Whether it’s just you (or two) enjoying the sound of the surf, the sun on your skin, or the sand between your toes. It’s special. And when you share that love with the one you love – that’s the ticket right there. It’s exactly what Leigh Anne and Jordan did for their engagement photos. They laughed, danced, and kissed in the sand and surf, with eyes only for each other. It was much to the delight of their photographers, the fabulous duo of Jonathan Ivy Photography, who captured every beautiful, blissful moment.

Jordan and Leigh Ann met during the summer of 2005 at the apartment complex off campus where they’d both be living. Upon moving in, Leigh Anne decided to make cookies and go around introducing herself to her neighbors. Jordan was one of them. It was the only time they’d see each other that summer as Jordan went off to Europe. But that didn’t seem to matter much to Leigh Anne, she wasn’t attracted to him in the slightest after their first meeting. In fact, she admits, he reminded her of her brother… (Ouch. Mind you, she adores her brother, but still, ouch.)

Throughout the summer, Leigh Anne started hanging out with some of Jordan’s roommates, him too when he returned home from his trip overseas. Over the first semester, they got to know each other well enough that a bit of a crush developed between them. (I haven’t heard someone say “I’m crushing on you” in I don’t know how long. It’s adorable! I love it!) They began dating, although nothing serious, the following April. It wasn’t until Leigh Anne went away to Spain for the summer, that they realized they could be something more. She called him each and every day from a pay phone. She wasn’t sure what they were to each other exactly, but knew that she had to talk to him. (Aww!)

When school started again, Leigh Anne and Jordan were pleasantly surprised to find that they were across-the-street neighbors. In fact, they could see each other from their bedroom windows! It was fall of 2006, when they went to an air show to try something “new” that they realized what was between them was love. Leigh Anne whole-heartedly believes that the heart of their love lies in their friendship and the simplicity of it all.

The rest of their college years were spent together, and went by in a flash. After which they battled with a long distance relationship. They muddled through, a testament to how strong their bond really is. When Jordan finally moved to San Antonio to be closer to her, they were pretty much inseparable.

On May 30th of last year, Jordan finally proposed. (In the cutest, most simplest way ever. You’ll see.) They spent the day at the pool and playing games in the backyard before setting up the grill for a good ol’ fashioned barbecue. (Anyone else always spell that with a q first, before recognizing the error?) While Jordan manned the grill, he and Leigh Anne got to talking about their relationship. Out of the blue, Jordan approached Leigh Anne (who was perched on the picnic table), put his hands on her knees, told her he wanted to be with her forever, and asked her to be his wife. They cried. They hugged. They don’t remember the food they ate. But they were happy and they were in love. (Isn’t that just the sweetest thing? Makes my heart go flippity flop.)

{Behind the Lens with Jonathan Ivy Photography} We did not have the opportunity to meet with Leigh Anne and Jordan before they hired us, so meeting them in Galveston, TX for their engagement photos was our first in-person meet up. That doesn’t happen very often as we usually meet with our couples before to make sure everyone is a good fit. Needless to say, we didn’t know what to expect. I’d spoken with Leigh Anne on the phone a couple times – she had the sweetest personality and demeanor every time we spoke, so I was fairly certain they were going to be an awesome couple. And were they ever. We had so much fun running around the island taking photos with these two. You don’t have to spend more than five minutes with them to know that they are madly in love, and that Jordan would do anything for Leigh Anne. They are so encouraging to be around. We are so blessed to have the chance to photograph them and their wedding.

This particular session though, has an awesome twist. We drove in from Dallas to meet Leigh Anne and Jordan in Galveston, and they drove up from San Antonio to meet us. As we drove down we noticed that there were a lot of motorcycles on the road. As we entered Houston, there were motorcycles everywhere. As we crossed the bridge into Galveston we realized that we were literally the only ones not on a bike. Nearing our meeting place, we were frustrated that the block we had planned to shoot on was blocked entirely by bikes. Of course we scheduled the shoot on the day of one of the nation’s largest biker rallies. Thankfully, we arrived early enough to call our couple to warn them (nervous that they’d be just as freaked as we were). Leigh Anne, who grew up on the island, worked with us to figure out the perfect places for us to shoot. We found two great locations near each other with very few bikes around. And voila, we have this gorgeous photo shoot filled with beautiful photos of this precious couple.

They really are precious, aren’t they? You can see just how strong and true their love for each other is. It’s as sweet a love as it is simple, that much is clear. And it’s beautiful.

Best wishes to Jordan and Leigh Anne on their upcoming nuptials! I have no doubt that you’re wedding will be as sweet as the two of you! Thank you for sharing your love story with us today!

And a big thank you to Jonathan and Samantha of Jonathan Ivy Photography for sharing this couple’s engagement shoot with us! It is always an absolute pleasure to feature and see your work!

Happy Monday!

xoxo