After that, they spent the rest of the evening walking around Charleston and sharing stories. Kristi says it was every bit like a fairytale. At one point, they were standing on a pier when a dolphin swam by them, and later, they were serenaded by a saxophone player while sitting in the park talking.

They dated long distance for about five (almost six) months, which presented a unique set of challenges, and yet gave them a really great opportunity to get to know each other over the phone with just conversation, prayer and reading scripture together. Kristi’s parents often said that she’d never find someone to marry because her expectations were so high. But Michael surpassed and continues to surpass her every expectation.

On Friday, January 6, 2012, Michael told Kristi that he had to work in the morning but wanted to see her in the afternoon. Hearing that, Kristi had every intention of sleeping in and then getting a few things done around the house. But at 6AM, her phone rang. It was Michael. He asked her to come to the door and let him in where he then asked if she would like to come and watch the sunrise with him. Confused (because she thought he had to work), Kristi agreed to go, but requested that she take a shower first. He said ok, but gently reminded her that the sun would be rising soon and to not take her sweet time ;)

They headed out to Sullivan’s Island where Michael pulled blankets from the car for them to sit on and cuddle up in. As the sun rose, Michael pulled out the Bible they shared so they could read together. He turned to one of their favorite Psalms where Kristi found a personal note from him in the margin. Once she’d finished reading, he turned to another passage, then another, and another, allowing Kristi to read each of the notes he’d left for her. The last one asked her to stand up, turn around and open the front cover of the Bible. She did and then turned back around at the request of the note on the inside. There she found Michael on bended knee, a beautiful ring in his hand. She can’t remember what came next, only that she said yes!

{Behind the Lens with Britt Croft} Engagement sessions to me are all about having genuine fun, feeling amazing, and us all getting to know one another so that the wedding day is like hanging out with old friends (because that means more natural images, which are the best!). Most couples don’t quite know what to expect out of their engagement session, and the grooms are always dreading the “okay now, smile” thing that they’ve come to expect. My engagement sessions are pretty opposite. I always tell my couples that it’s all about having a good time and loving on one another. Easy! We never take ourselves too seriously. 

Kristi and Michael joked that it felt like they were on a date…they just brought me along. And afterward, Krsiti told me that Michael had so much fun and that it really made him look forward to all of the pictures on their wedding day. THAT is the whole point of the engagement session…a practice run for the wedding AND amazing pictures to boot that will bring back all of those feelings of anticipation and excitement! Can you tell I love engagement sessions? :)

Easily, what I hope for is that my couples leave their engagement session more in love than when they arrived. When else do you to get dress totally you, hang out in an awesome location, cuddle, kiss, and love on your fiancé, and have amazing pictures made? It’s such a unique experience and I want those pictures to take them back to how exciting this time is.

Kristi and Michael were incredibly genuine and relaxed. We laughed a lot, had so much fun exploring Charleston, and they literally look like the “couple next door.” You know, the couple you would LOVE to be neighbors and friends with :) Their story is unique in that they haven’t been together that long, but they believe so much in the path that God has them on to one another, and during their session, it was SO evident that there is nobody else either of them was made for but one another. They are like two puzzle pieces that literally complete one another, and come on, aren’t they absolutely gorgeous together? I love them and you could probably guess that I’m extremely excited for their May wedding right here in Charleston. It is going to be stunning!

And it was :) Kristi and Michael tied the knot this past weekend!!! You can see a preview of their special day right here. We couldn’t be happier for them both and can’t thank them enough for sharing their love story with us! Congratulations, love and luck to you both!! And a special thank you to Britt Croft for sharing their love with us today! xoxo

Britt Croft Photography is a fabulous member of our Vendor Boutique. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.