Engagement Photos
We finally got our engagement photos back from our photographer, Anita Martin!
We decided to have them taken at Wente Vineyards and were lucky enough to have perfect weather for the occasion.
Of course we had to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy during the shoot! We forgot the corkscrew though so Brandon had to run all the way back to the car {almost a half mile!} to get it. Then after he came back and caught his breath, he started struggling to get the wine open and was doing this funny straddle because his slacks were so tight.
It made for a good laugh!
We also brought some sentimental things with us including a few pictures of my grandparents.
They were married for fifty-three years and the day we had the pictures done was actually the fifth anniversary of my grandfather’s passing. We look up to them in so many ways: as husband and wife, parents, and grandparents; they have held our entire family together over the years.
It’s our goal to have a lasting and successful marriage like theirs.
After taking pictures at Wente, we drove to Concannon for the second set. The sun was just starting to set behind the hills which made for a beautiful glow in the background. I just love that golden light!
I plan on printing out a few to put around the house and was thinking of getting one blown up to hang over our mantle as well. That way we can stare at ourselves every day. What do you think?
That’s sarcasm, by the way. On a separate but related note, if you’re looking for a good hair and makeup tutorial for photo shoots, I found Maskcara’s post to be so helpful. I followed her hair tutorial and loved the way the waves came out. If you have longer hair then I highly recommend giving it a try!
As far as wedding planning goes, we already found a venue and set a date so next on the list is finding a dress. I have an idea of exactly what I want, I just have to find it…at the right price, eeesh.
Alright, I’m wrapping it up now. I hope your weekend is full of fun and relaxing moments!
Stunning! You two make a beautiful couple. I especially like the shots from the second location. Can’t wait to hear more about the wedding plans :)
P.S. You have gorgeous hair — is it your natural color?
Thank you! :) It is mostly my natural color but I have some highlights in there too. I go to a guy in SF. If you are looking for someone, he is awesome but I know it would be a long drive for you.
Wow I’m commenting these from my phone and I never do that. Sarah I love these pictures, you guys look amazing and I love the vineyard idea. Not much more to say besides the fact that I’m excited to hear everything about your wedding. Xx
Thank you for commenting from your phone Tara! I feel so special. :)
You two look sooo beautiful in those pictures Sarah! They’re stunning.
I love the background.
I think I like the second location and those pictures a little better because they seem more natural and less arranged to me if that makes any sense.
Hope you get everything you want for the wedding but I guess it will be unforgettable nevertheless :).
Thanks Anne! :) Yeah, the second location felt more natural since we didn’t bring any props or anything and the lighting was less harsh. Looking back, I think we should have done the whole thing there!
Sarah!! I love all of them! So beautiful. Seriously, the colours/lighting/everything looks beautiful. I find our photographers did a good job, but they didn’t have much variety when it came to ‘posing’ us. We had natural pictures but little guidance as to what we were supposed to be doing. Great outfit choices btw! Brandon did a great job picking his out! And you look stunning as always!
Absolutely gorgeous pictures!! You and Brandon look sooo happy and flawless. The last one is definitely my favorite too :) hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I think they came out great! But I bet when it’s my engagement photos I’ll be super picky too! lol But I LOVE your hair!
These pictures are STUNNING! You and your fiance are seriously photogenic!
Beautiful pictures! That’s too funny about the corkscrew — when that happened to us before, my boyfriend just used a pocket knife to force the cork INTO the bottle, not the classiest move and made a HUGE mess.
Bahaha! That’s hilarious! Silly boys. :)
What gorgeous pictures! You two make a beautiful couple and you are so photogenic! Love your red dress by the way!
Your photos are gorgeous girl, I don’t know where you see this contrast thing! And what a beautiful setting… I love them all! So when’s the date??! <3
Oh my wow gee golly gosh holy heck!
These are stunning!
And I see what you’re saying about the contrast, but to an untrained photographer such as myself, I think they are perfection. You, however, are a photographer so I can see how you can look at these pictures in a different light (did you like that pun?).
What a trooper for running back to the car to get the opener! I would have looked a mess after that.
Also: how do you get your hair to look like that? It looks gorgeous and effortless but beautiful all at once. :) Oh em geeeee your dress is going to be amazing, I can already see it. :)
I don’t consider myself a photographer but I thought something looked off in some of them. It’s probably all in my head though.
I curled my hair following a tutorial that I found on Maskcara’s blog. The link is in this post if you want to check it out! :)
I can’t get the chills to go away! I loved every single picture you posted! And I absolutely hope you put that one over your mantle. It’s perfection. I’m so happy that your happily ever after is happening…I love you!!
You guys are such a gorgeous couple! Seriously stunning pictures.
Oh my gosh your photos are incredibly beautiful! You both look stunning. I love your dress! The backdrop is just perfect. Awwwww!
LOVE THEM ALL. May your marriage last a lifetime. :)
I love the fall colors & both your outfits. Very pretty engagement pictures.
When I set out to find my wedding dress I had in mind what I wanted, and I ended up getting the complete opposite. I was trying on all these dresses I’d imagined myself in, and then finally a friend told me to pick one I never thought I’d like, of course that ended up being the one I went with. Good luck with the dress shopping! Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, but go with what makes you feel comfortable and the most beautiful.
Thank you for the great advice Kelli! :)
Gorgeous photos!! I love the vineyards as the backyard – just stunning. I really like the one of you guys on the picnic blanket (the one taken farther away). The sun coming through the trees looks beautiful!
What a set of beautiful pictures, you both looked great! The setting looks wonderful as well, and yeah, the last one is my favorite too! You do make a lovely couple!
You guys look absolutely gorgeous and relaxed! Love the light in these pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Love, love, love!! Seriously, the setting, the fall colors, the SUBJECTS…everything is gorgeous! :)
Sarah, you are GORGEOUS! That red dress…where did you get it?! And these pictures are stunning! Such a beautiful couple! I agree with Becky…contrast? what contrast. :)
you look gorgeous! I think the pictures turned out amazing, and I love your choice of outfits. That red dress is adorable and looks great with the colors in the background. And hey you’ve got some new pictures for your blog social media accounts too ;-)
Holy shit. Why are you guys so freaking HOT?! My favorite is the one in the big row of trees, with Brandon’s arms around you from the back and you smiling all coyly at the camera (<< I kind of feel like I'm describing a scene from a very classy porno).
And I get you on the Virgo thing… Being critical is in our nature.
P.S. We really need to get together again sometime soonish. We'll talk ;).
These are stunning- you could be a model! You both look great together.
These pictures are beautiful!! I love the picnic one with the huge tree, very beautiful!
Beautiful!! You are so gorgeous, and that second set of pictures is just amazing with the light, leaves, etc. Hope you are thrilled with the way they came out!
Aw I LOVE them! You look so gorgeous and what a perfect setting! I also really like your boot socks. You definitely to frame one of those suckers for the mantle.
OMG I literally have goosebumps looking at these pictures. You two are seriously the most adorable couple ever! I don’t know what you’re being critical about because they are all super super cute. As far as the wedding planning- I think I did a pretty good job and not stressing too much about it. My biggest advice is to get everything done as early as possible so you can be as stress free as possible with the months leading up to the wedding.
aahh this post made me all kinds of happy!! you two are gorgeous and these photos are beyond beautiful!!! your photographer did such a nice job, i love your outfits, and the scenery is perfect. its so exciting you set a date!! i imagine dress shopping is both the most fun and potentially the most stress inducing :) i hope you find what you want and at the right price quickly and easily!!
Your photos are simply stunning!
I adore your love and respect for your grandparents! I am the same exact way with mine, I don’t know what I will do when they are gone.
Your pictures are seriously GORGEOUS!! I absolutely adore the dress that you chose, too!
Umm…you guys are too cute. You look like an ad. And I’m now obsessed with your red dress!
SO GORGEOUS!! Wow, you two are gorgeous together and I think the pictures turned out beautifully :)
These photos are seriously beautiful, Sarah- all of them! I must admit I love the 2nd setting with the sunset lighting, though. You two look so natural and happy together!
P.S. I wouldn’t worry too much about being picky/critical about the wedding…While no one likes a Bridezilla, I think it’s important to not settle for something you don’t love- you want to know that the day and all its details will be perfect, you know?
I know, you’re right! It is one of the biggest days of my life so I hope it works out the way I want to. Even if I have to kick and scream, haha.
SOOOOO stunning! What gorgeous scenery! That last one is my fave too :)
I can’t even….these are perfect! You should contribute these to some sort of wedding mag or something because they are incredible! Ahhhh how do I get an invite to the wedding?!?!
Just Beautiful! :)
You look absolutely beautiful!! Just stunning! I love everything about these pictures, the poses aren’t overdone or fake and you both look so happy in them.
I’m going to go check out that hair and makeup tutorial now!
Aw, these came out gorgeous!! I can’t get over the background – it’s all just so pretty!
And I love that dress! The color and the lace … gah I want one! haha Have a great weekend!
Thanks Ashley! The dress is French Connection and I found it at Bluefly.com on sale. They had a bunch in stock if you’re in need of a dress!
These are gorgeous, Sarah! Love the color of your dress.
These are quite beautiful! Great location! I know that wedding planning can be draining, but it will all be worth it. I promise!
Wow these are beautiful. You are beautiful. The whole post is just beautiful :) Can’t wait to see more wedding stuff :D
Wow these are beautiful. You are beautiful. The whole post is just beautiful :) Can’t wait to see more wedding stuff :D
Oh wow. These photos are stunning!
Awwr lady! These pics are gorgeous! I love the location, your hair and makeup is amazing, and you and your man make such a good-looking couple! And honestly, I love that you pay attention to all the little details — I’m looking forward to seeing what else you have planned :D
Absolutely beautiful! The setting, the outfits … wow – everything! But, I think very best of all is how you can truly feel how much you guys love each other – the pics aren’t just gorgeous, but they radiate such happiness!
Wow, your pictures turned out beautiful!! Love your dress too. The wine picture is too funny!!
The photographer did a fabulous job, but remember, they can only capture what they see, which in your case is SO much happiness and beauty! You are absolutely gorgeous! Your fiance is a lucky guy! I love how relaxed and autumn like the shoot is! SO perfect.
The photos, and you, look gorgeous!! And I love your dress!
These are gorgeous! Congrats!
oh my goodness – these are SO beautiful, Sarah. I love the picnic blanket/ tree/sunbeam shot best. I think you should blow that one up. :D
catching up again on posts :) and damn, girl, those pictures are gorgeous!!! :D the sun, the colors, the love between you two. so very lovely.
What a stunning couple! OH my!! These turned out so well!
What a beautiful couple you two make! I love all the pictures…stunning!