This is one of my all time favorite posts because….

MY BROTHER IS ENGAGED!!

Which means we’re adding another sister to the Brown clan and I’m so pumped!!

We love these two so much & it was such an honor for Drew and me to capture this special day! Proposals are quickly becoming one of my favorite things to photograph 🙂

This has been in the works for quite some time! In the fall, Justin told us his plan & we were 100% in. I texted them both asking if they’d be willing to model for me for an upcoming bridal guide that I’ll be giving to all our couples (this is no lie!! coming soon!) and on page 5 specifically I wanted a couple in the winter since I didn’t have any winter portrait sessions. She was all in & excited which made it even better!

The day before, Justin, Drew, their best bud Alex, and I went to scope out the location. I sent Katie a picture of Drew + Alex letting her know we found a fun spot for their portraits. Little did she know Justin was there too and it wasn’t just for portraits…it was for their proposal!!

On the actual day, Drew and I met them at a cute little restaurant in Marysville (Katie’s hometown). Guys…I almost blew the surprise during lunch!! Both of our immediate families had planned to go to church + have brunch together the next day and I had no clue….I would have cried if I ruined it!! PTL Justin was able to play it off & she didn’t piece it together until later 🙂 The food was delicious and we all were in the clean plate club.

Next up, we drove about 10 minutes to a tree farm close to Katie’s house. I just loved how these turned out with all the trees! There was a fresh layer of snow and it felt so magical. 

I know I’m biased, but they’re such a good looking couple!!

After that, we drove about 40 minutes to Highbanks Metro Park. On the drive over, Drew made the comment to me at least 3 times that he couldn’t believe Justin was old enough for this. Classic older brother…

When we arrived at Highbanks, it was FREEZING! Like. SO. COLD. It felt like the temperature had dropped 10 degrees. As a result, we sped up the timeline quite a bit more than initially planned. We took pictures for about 10 minutes at one location then headed toward to proposal spot we scoped out the day before.

About that time, I just so happen to”forget my favorite lens in the car” (let’s be real…it was on me the whole time) so Drew went ahead to “go get it” (i.e. assume his hiding spot behind a tree up ahead). I told them to casually walk ahead of me so I could get pictures of them holding hands and after about 20 seconds I disappeared behind a tree. Once we were completely out of sight, Justin began the actual proposal. He wrote Katie a letter (at 3am the night before- us Browns work best under pressure 🙂 ) which is such a fun idea- something they can both look back on for years to come. At the bottom of the letter, he told her to look at him. He got down on his knee and asked her to marry him! It was SO fun to watch her reaction and also SO surreal to watch Justin propose!! I cried.

Katie yelled, “Yes!!” 🙂 She was in shock. And it couldn’t have been more perfect.

We got coats on them STAT!! SO. COLD. SO. WORTH IT.

Drew and I popped out to hug them & celebrate. We took a few more pictures then we went ahead to get the sweet tea glasses (her fav drink) and flowers ready. We took a few more newly engaged pictures & surprised them with 2 small gifts then…

Katie Facetimed her family and they played it off SO well!! They were actually in route to the engagement party during this conversation. Good job Morgan family! 🙂

After that, Drew and I left Highbanks to head Aunt Marilyn’s house. Katie had no clue that some immediate + extended family were waiting to greet them with dinner and dessert. When they walked in, everyone yelled “SURPRISE!” It was such a fun evening with family & we are all SO pumped to have Katie officially part of the family next summer! Feeling so so blessed to have them in our lives 🙂

all of the siblings +Brown SISTERS below 🙂

Katie’s immediate family 🙂

The BEST in laws ever. Seriously!!

Thanks for following along with this sweet couple + proposal! Stay tuned for a lot more where this came from 🙂

Xo

Mon