Last week, the forecast was full of rain and gloomy days. We were anxiously watching the weather all week, hopeful that during the session time, we might be granted a window of dry time. That’s exactly what happened for Erin and Jake’s engagement session! The overcast skies allowed us to capture some of the most beautiful portraits in downtown Jefferson City. Erin and Jake arrived to their session looking adorable as can be! They even had a suitcase in hand with outfit changes, shoes and accessories. Erin even had her mom come along for the first portion of the session to help make sure her hair was perfectly in place. knew from the first moment I talked with Erin, that she would be amazing to work with. Together, Erin and Jake create the most perfect pairing. Their connection is sweet and evident when you are around them.
We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better evening. Even when it began to sprinkle for a bit during the first portion of the session, Erin and Jake rolled with the punches and still looked happy as can be! It was so much fun documenting their love and strolling around the beautiful downtown of Jefferson City, Missouri. I love all the colors that are changing on the trees, and the landscapes in the surrounding area provided the perfect scenery for gorgeous backdrops. I enjoyed how fun-loving Erin and Jake are as a couple. They just seem like such a darling couple. Erin and Jake truly came out to impress for their engagement session with great outfits and amazing modeling skills. I was already excited for their upcoming summer wedding, but after spending an evening with them, I’m even more excited for their Big Day to arrive.
How They Met
Erin and Jake met in March of 2016. They bumped into each other at a local pub when Jake smoothly offered Erin a drink – where she said, “I’ll have what you’re drinking.” (whiskey and water). Later when they went their separate ways to go home, Erin was going to Snapchat Jake to thank him for the drink. Just as she was getting ready to hit send, Erin had a notification from Jake that he had snapped her first! Erin remembers thinking, it must be fate! Haha. She jokingly asked if he buys all the girls drinks at the bar, and Jake replied that it was “only the cute ones!” and how smooth he said that – Erin knew she was in trouble! The Snapchat streak continued from then on.
Erin and Jake shared a very casual first date a week or two later after they met. The two met up one afternoon to go drive around the county roads just talking and enjoying each others company. Erin was surprised how well they got along and how easy and natural it was to have good conversation! Erin knew very early on when they started dating that Jake was something special and could very well be the one! She remembers just looking at him and realizing that it had the potential to be something very good for a very long time.
How He Asked
Erin thought they were going to dinner with some friends, as John had called her the night before to see if they wanted to go to Dominico’s because he had won a gift card for teachers back-to-school. It was only a $25 gift card and Erin quickly told him that wasn’t going to get very far at Dominico’s. Erin told him that she had a gift card for Madison’s if they’d rather go there. Andie quickly said yes – as she loves their pasta. So they planned for the next night Thursday, August 5, at 6:30. Andie works till about 6 so they would meet after then.
That day, Erin worked at Capital Region and it was a crazy day. She stopped for ice cream after work at 4:30 and decided to get her nails done randomly, just to kill time while waiting for Andie to get off work. After that, Erin got ready at Andie’s house and looked much better than the no makeup, scrubs look from work previously. After getting ready, they headed into Madison’s and Erin remembers thinking how beautiful of a night it was. She wanted to go out for drinks afterwards since they never get dressed up and go to dinner with friends. Once they got seated, the table was perfectly made up with a white table cloth, red roses, and crystal glasses. Erin was very confused because she thought that was clearly not their table, since they were not that fancy. John took a drink of the water and exclaimed, “It’s our table now!” Erin looked at him funny and went along with it and sat down. The waiters took their drink and appetizer order, checking on them often.
Finally, the owner of the restaurant came out and handed Jake a ring box where he got down on one knee and asked the famous question (& a few other sweet words too!) Erin was so caught off guard, surprised, and shocked! Tears couldn’t stop rolling! They hugged and kissed, all while John and Andie sat across the table and documented the entire milestone moment. Erin couldn’t believe it. After that, she was no longer hungry and so they boxed up the food, took some pictures outside, and off to the bar they went.
Erin thought Barvino would be a nice place for post-engagement but they insisted on the sports bar JPhenny’s. Confused, but again, Erin went with it. They all walk in together and hear, “Surpise!!! Congratulations!!!” All of their closest friends and family were there to celebrate the newly engaged happy couple! Erin once again had no idea and the tears again couldn’t stop rolling. Jake had planned the entire thing, and Erin can honestly say it was the best day of her life thus far. All of the people who mattered most in their life were all there to celebrate them and the huge milestone in their life. The rest of the night was filled with drinks, celebrating, and happy tears. Truly the best day ever.
It’s evident that Erin and Jake are the perfect pairing and quite the darling match for one another! I cannot wait to have these two beautiful people back in front of my camera as the celebrate the best day of their life. Enjoy some of my favorites from their engagement session last week.
