Valerie + John’s Fun Hillsboro Village Engagement Shoot
Friday, June 24, 2016
I was overjoyed hearing the news that my friend Valerie got engaged to her teen sweetheart John! They are an adorable couple - and they've weathered much of their relationship long-distance. And after 8 years of dating, John popped the question! It was a special day and I have Valerie here to tell the rest of their love story...
Valerie + John
Proposal Date: December 5, 2015
Wedding Date: September 25, 2016
Wedding Location: Belle Meade Plantation
How did you get engaged?
Valerie: On Saturday, December 5, John asked if I wanted to have a 'date day'. I really didn't suspect a thing! We had a leisurely brunch at Marchè, saw Christmas lights at Cheekwood, and picked out our very first live Christmas tree.
In the midst of our date, my sister, Laura, texted me about a double date she was planning with one of our best friends, Meegen. She asked if I'd like to get ready with them before my dinner date with John. Meegen is one of the top hair and makeup artists for country music celebrities, and every time she works her magic on me I feel like a queen. I excitedly joined in the fun. What a treat! Laura and Meegen sat me down and insisted I get ready first, saying that their dinner reservation was much later than mine.
Over a wonderful dinner at Margot, John asked if I'd like to see the Christmas lights at Opryland later that night. We had been talking about this for weeks and I really did want to go. Naturally, I sent texts to our friends asking if they wanted to join. I didn't hear back from anyone - which was very strange. I hadn't even heard from Laura in hours.
The traffic heading to Opryland was at a near standstill. I suggested maybe we go another night - the traffic wouldn't be so bad and our friends would probably want to go too.
John was really adamant about going to Opryland. He's usually pretty flexible and likes to go with the flow - but he was insistent about this. Then his phone pinged with a text - and he tried to hide the screen. Not soon enough! "ETA?" from Laura Howard. What! She was supposed to be on a date and still hadn't answered my text asking where she was going for dinner.
We inched along on the exit ramp to Opryland and everything started coming together. My nails were manicured, I looked glamorous (thanks Meegen!) and all of my friends were hiding from me. Something was up - my nerves shot through the roof!
As John marched through the maze of lights at Opryland, I followed behind in a daze. I don't think I saw a single light. I was anxious, excited, nervous, over the moon, terrified and head over heels in love. The first thing I really did see was Laura, standing in front of the lit up gazebo. Her eyes were huge, realizing that we were making eye contact. She turned quickly and practically dove into the bushes.
When we got to the gazebo, John got down on one knee and we both started crying. After 8 years of dating, this boy I met at Starbucks when I was a 16 year old barista was asking me to be his wife forever!
You can read more about our engagement here on my blog: http://www.thetwentiescrisis.com
How many guests are you expecting at your wedding?
Valerie: 300
What’s your wedding budget?
Valerie: We didn’t establish an exact number. We are just trying to make things as cost effective as possible.
Who have you hired for your wedding team so far?
Valerie: Lighting: Bright Event Productions
Photographer: Anna Rebecca Weddings
Catering: Actual Food (Dan Forberg)
Cake: Yummy Cakes
Hair & Makeup: Libby Barnes and Meegen Pearson
We’re bringing people on one at a time for our budget's sake.
What’s your wedding style?
Valerie: Fun, whimsical and rustic.
What’s your most fun purchase/hire to date?
Valerie: All of them!
Bright Events: John actually worked at Bright Events when he first moved to Nashville. He loved the team and he especially loved working for the owners, Clint and Abby. During his time at Bright he set up lights for a lot of weddings. He got to see first-hand how great lighting transforms each venue. When we got engaged, John knew exactly where he wanted to get married and that Bright could create a perfect atmosphere for the wedding. Bright was the first vendor John wanted to meet with and so far they have taken incredible care of us!
Actual Food: I met Dan Forberg because he does a lot of artist’ catering for tour rehearsals. I fell in LOVE with his food, but also him as a person. He uses as much local products as he can and all fresh ingredients. He is a game changer and I begged him to do the wedding!
Yummy Cakes: Jackie Lewenski, She is a therapist by day, and a baker by hobby. For every cake she makes, she donates a cake to those who can’t afford a birthday cake. She gave us a huge list of cake flavors, icings, and fillings and we chose 5 flavors to have a variety of cupcakes. She is also baking a smaller wedding cake for us to cut!
Libby Barnes and Meegen Pearson: They are the best of the best hair and makeup artists! I have never felt more confident or beautiful then when I am in their presence. They are also some of the funniest people I know.
And of course Anna Rebecca Weddings: We knew we wanted to work with her from the moment we met her for an introductory coffee. She immediately put us at ease, talked us through our dreams and fears, and worked with our budget. She is everything we could have dreamed of in a photographer.
What aspect of being engaged has surprised you the most?
Valerie: I had no idea how much closer John and I could get throughout the process of planning a wedding. All of the decisions that have to be made are daunting, but it has been incredible learning how to make decisions with someone else. I’m a very independent, strong willed person, so learning how to be interdependent has been challenging and super rewarding.
What have you most enjoyed about being engaged?
Valerie: I LOVE how much our friends are involved in planning the wedding. John and I are so lucky to be surrounded by the best people and it has been so fun to see their love intertwine with ours.
Tell us about your engagement session. Where did it take place?
Valerie: Revelater Coffee and Jeni’s Ice Cream in Hillsboro Village and Centennial Park.
What’s the significance of the location(s)?
Valerie: We combined our favorite things, coffee, ice cream and Nashville. I live in Hillsboro Village so it was extra special to include my neighborhood.
Who shot your engagement session?
Valerie: Anna Rebecca Weddings
What was it like working with your photographer?
Valerie: She was absolutely incredible! We felt like we won the lottery working with her. She had an amazing eye for detail and provided so much direction (which we really needed haha).
What did you like most about the session?
Valerie: We felt completely spoiled. Libby Barnes did our glam and came with us to all of the locations. John and I felt like we got to give everyone a peek into our normal lives (except with a professional makeup artist and a great photographer following us around, haha). It was so personal and so sweet. Anna encouraged us to be us - which is competitive and fun.
We really had a power team. Libby and Anna Rebecca provided great insight and direction, but they also kept reminded us to soak every bit in.
Would you recommend the photographer and why?
Valerie: Absolutely. Anna Rebecca has an incredible way of mirroring your personality and bringing the best out. She is encouraging, hilarious, and great at providing direction. She asked what our favorite things were and where we wanted to shoot, and then she picked everything else. She is extremely fast at finding where and how she wants to shoot to capture the best lighting. We felt confident and comfortable in her hands!
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Thank you so much for sharing your engagement story, Valerie + John! We love how she incorporated many Nashville hot-spots to make the photos truly "them"! We cannot wait to see photos from their wedding!
All photos by Anna Rebecca
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Posted on June 24, 2016 |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Real Nashville Brides,
