You would think after years of writing about romantic proposals, happily-ever-afters and the joys of W-day I would become somewhat immune, complacent even.
But I don’t.
I still take a sharp intake of breath every time something beautiful drops into my inbox, I still get completely swept away by the fairytale of it all.
And although personally I was not your classic storybook bride, all layers of tulle and delicate pearls, I really think those of you that genuinely are look breathtaking.
Take JJ and her fiancé Leo from London for instance, for their engagement shoot they enjoyed the best of both worlds – their everyday quirky cool and the ultimate in a Once-Upon-A-Time love story.
I’m not exaggerating when I say they look like something straight out of a (incredibly stylish) movie.
So if like me you want to spend this afternoon being completely swept away then have yourself a butchers at these gorgeous images by Jesselynn Quinn and read all about the romance involved.
JJ: We met through work back in early 2008… actually the first contact was through a business phone call. we became friends later on and started dating in Sep 2009. It took Leo that long to finally ask me out!
Leo proposed to me at Konigsee, Germany, in the middle of a hike… this was the place of our first overseas trip together back when we first started dating, so it was very special to us.
I think our best advice for couples planning on doing an engagement shoot would be to choose a photographer that you trust and feel at ease with who can make the whole shoot fun and relaxed!
My gown was bought in China so no real fashion brand!… Leo’s suit on the day was from MOSS Brothers, the cool T-shirts are from David & Goliath
Jesselynn Quinn: The whole shoot took about 9 hours and was spread out over two days because of the fickle Oxford weather. The couple travelled from London and stayed at The Randolph hotel, which coincidentally provided an excellent venue to take pictures in. We went all over Oxford doing the shoot, including stealing into Blackwell’s bookstore and sneaking a few pictures when nobody was looking.
When we took those pictures where JJ was wearing the wedding gown, it was a freezing 5 degrees outside! Poor JJ was slowly being turned into a human popsicle, but Leo was the sweetest thing ever, always ready to jump in and wrap her up in her coat once I was done taking her pictures.
I was gratified to capture a picture of him embracing her with her coat…I think that pretty much summed up their relationship.
I asked JJ and Jesselynn Quinn to supply the source of fashion purchase as I obviously need to buy Adam an “I Love Nerds” T-shirt (or should that be “I am a nerd”….?)
Are you a Princess bride?
And if you are can you do some running in your frock a la JJ (I recommend flats…) so you can have an image like the film-esque black and white above and then send it to me to swoon over?
Thanks ever so.
Big Is there anything more romantic than your partner giving up their coat so they can freeze their butt off rather than you Love
Charlotte xxx
The tshirts are from David and Goliath
Ahhh, love love love! I so want their his ‘n’ hers t-shirts too. That shoot is stunning.
x
These two are so adorable! I love a big fairytale dress on other people. I didn’t even try a big meringue on when dress shopping, although wish I had just for the experience.
When we got engaged, we were sat freezing our bums off in a garden in Antwerp, and I asked the Mr for his coat (he wasn’t about to offer it up!!). He panicked because the ring was in his pocket, so he had to do the proposal right at that moment, rather than making me think he was being mean by not giving up his coat!
I am sooooo all over the princess bride thing at the moment! Did you see Blair’s wedding in Gossip Girl this week….granted it was a disaster but my, my, my, the dress was amazing, the maids were perfection and come on, don’t we all want to run down 5th Avenue in New York in a Vera?! With a Harry Winston tiara on our bonce?
These two a seriously cute – they make me feel like a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows does…
And, I can I just say I am FEELING those bows on the back of the dress!
I LOVE that wedding dress, how fun to dress up in such a big way for an engagement shoot. Love it.
I am a Princess bride and I’m proud
I think JJ looks amazing, I hope she chooses a dress like this for W-day!
I keep refusing to have an engagement shoot, just not sure I would feel that comfortable. When I see this kind of thing though it makes me think I’ve made the wrong choice
Afternoon lovelies!
I want a David and Goliath T-shirt! and a big princess dress. I would probably get away with wearing the T-shirt on more occasions though I think….
@Lauren A – that is such a sweet story! (I hope you treated him to a nice hot cup of tea afterwards!)
@Pamela – I haven’t watched gossip girl for years, I clearly need to so I can see all this Vera Wang?!
@Faye – Is there still the opportunity for you to have one? your photographer should make you feel at ease and even though for some (including me) it can be really uncomfortable you feel better as the day progresses, promise!
Charlotte xxx
Thank you so much for the feature, Charlotte! And thank you for the kind comments everyone…I really appreciate them!
@ Faye: Like Charlotte says, there’s always time for a couples shoot! Just talk to your photographer about it and ask if they can do an hour-long session before your big day. One of the biggest reasons why I offer an engagement shoot with all of my wedding packages is so that couples who are camera-shy will have the chance to get comfortable and get used to feeling fabulous in front of the camera.
@Charlotte – get your face back into the Girl of Gossip…it is the only trash tv that the Big C can stand…he enjoys a bit of Chuck Bass…
Indeedy, there is an awful lot of Vera on show, but more importantly, Blake Lively and the lady who plays her mum in the show are a masterclass in accessories and working a bit of print on print! I love print on print!
xo
So glad you found out where the t-shirts are from. Now you have no excuse Charlotte. You know how I love a statement T.
I am also loving the bobble hats with colour contrast bobble,very cute.
I get the feeling that these guys would look the bomb in anything they decided to throw on!!
Great shoot – fun fun fun.
Adam x
Loved this shoot when I saw it on Jesselynn’s blog – it’ just so pretty and perfectly captures the couple. Jesselynn was my wedding photographer and her photography is fabulous!
I need that t-shirt!!!! Beautiful pictures. I am also enjoying those bobble hats very much.
I am crushing on these two like crazy! They are adorable. x
Seriously swooning over these pics-that black and White shot showing the back of the wedding dress is just divine. If these were my engagement pics I would have them plastered all over the inside-and outside-of my house xx
Ahhhh, this is gorgeous! Just love the dressy look and the nerdy look combo! Sweeeeet!
Love this. Love. It. I really regret not doing an engagement shoot. I told my fiance who said: “Why don’t we get some couples shots done? I’ll pay…” and I had to say “Um, right dear, it’s just it’s five months until we get married and we kind of have some other things to pay for…” So we’ve decided to have a first anniversary shoot instead!