“Happiness, not in another place but this place. Not for another hour, but this hour” – Walt Whitman

This past weekend winter came to the west coast. The temperature dipped and on Friday the snow fell. On Saturday we woke up to sunshine and below freezing temperatures. This season is one of my favourites. Christmas and brisk weather, yes. But proposals and engagement announcements make my heart smile even bigger. It’s a season of people saying yes to “I love you always” and commitment and being intentional with each other.

Last week Guido messaged me asking me if I was available for a photoshoot. More specifically, if I was available to photograph him proposing to Emma. Proposals are probably my favourite thing ever to photograph. And these two were no exception. After some last minute location changes, Guido decided on one of the lookout towers at the Serpentine Bird Reserve. A couple of hours before sunset we met up there and walked to the tower, arms full of Christmas lights, candles, mason jars, wire, and THE RING. Along with another good friend, Garth, we got to work setting up the perfect scene. Okay, I didn’t actually do very much but it was so fun to see Guido’s vision come to life. He had literally thought of everything. He wanted the ring to lower down as he proposed. I wasn’t sure how he was going to make it happen but the engineer in him came out and he made it happen. It was pretty neat to watch his mind work as he thought about and constructed the perfect spot to ask Emma to be his wife. At 4:45 we walked back to our cars, frozen but excited for what would happen in a couple short hours. Code words were put in place, and a schedule was solidified. Guido picked Emma up and they went for dinner while Garth and I spent a couple of hours at a local Starbucks waiting for the text. We got it and and hurried over to the lookout tower to light the candles and hide in the bushes below. The ring was up in the red lantern that would be lowered and before all of the candles were lit, we heard Guido and Emma coming up the path. Hahaa, the panic was real folks. I lit faster, Garth grabbed the matches and lighter and garbage and go ready to hide and at the last minute, just before they came around the bend, I managed to get the last candle lit and jump behind the trees. I don’t think we had to worry, it was pretty dark but I kind of felt like a ninja so that was fun. Guido and Emma went up the stairs and as soon as they were at the top I followed. As I rounded the corner, Guido was down on his knee telling Emma how much he loved her. After a bit of delay (hand signals are hard to see in the dark hahaa) the lantern lowered and Guido asked Emma to marry him. It was the best. Definitely worth the cold.

I love you guys and am so excited for you. Can’t wait to see my big brothaaaa marry my favourite (and only) snortie!

I am now booking for the 2015 wedding season. Email me at michelle@michellekarstphotography.com and we’ll go for coffee {my treat} to chat more about YOUR big day!