Elizabeth & James | Engagement Session



Here’s a rare wedding bird these days: A Charleston-raised couple prepping to say “I do” here in their own backyard. As Elizabeth and James keep on with the planning, here’s a little about the adorable couple who just so happened to net one of the cutest engagement shoots we’ve seen of late. With shots these lovely, we’re going to have to hunt down their wedding website for sure (creep much?)!

The Wedding Row: Fill in the blank time. You met ­­­­___________.

Elizabeth: It seems like we have just known each other all along: our parents live right around the corner from each other, our sisters were close friends in high school, and we have had tons of mutual friends over the years. It was a running joke for a while that we should get together (although our mothers and sisters seemed pretty serious), but the timing was never right. Officially, we met at New Year’s Eve party in 2011. We became friends through our shared love of Harry Potter; in early 2015 James became persistent about “hanging out” every time he was back home from school or work.

TWR: Here’s another. The proposal was ___________.

Elizabeth: My little sister, Caroline, started her own floral design business (Juniper & Jasmine) last December and I quickly became her self-appointed marketing manager and stand-in model when she had extra flowers. Because of this I didn’t think twice when she asked me to do a quick shoot one Saturday morning before James and I were planning to head to High Water Festival. The plan was to head to James’ family’s dock on Sullivan’s; again I didn’t question anything, even when James and his younger sister Hannah rolled up after we’d taken a few very windswept photos. I kept up my mediocre modeling until finally James took the bouquet from me. After he got my attention and I realized he was down on one knee, I naturally freaked out. I was also super hung-up on if Hannah and Caroline had been in on it, and if my dad knew what was going on. Once I finally regained composure we headed back to my parent’s home on the golf cart to see our families. On the ride James had to confirm that my freak-out was in fact a “yes,” which was obviously (to me) the case. Afterward, we headed downtown to Home Team where I was completely surprised by some of my closest friends. The rest of the day was a blur as we hugged, laughed, cried, and celebrated with everyone.

TWR: Well-played, people! How did you choose the places where you’d get your engagement photos taken?

Elizabeth: We were both born and raised here in Charleston, so doing our engagement photos here was never a question. We split up the session between downtown and Sullivan’s Island since those are parts of the city that we really cherish.

TWR: Any advice for engagement photos?

Elizabeth: I don’t know that we are qualified to give any advice because we are so awkward in photos. I am so glad we found Justin with The Happy Bloom because he kept us laughing through the nerves. So tip number one: Find a photographer you feel comfortable with! Also, try not to take things too seriously. I tried to keep in mind that it really was just practice for the Big Day. Last, it definitely doesn’t hurt to grab a drink or two beforehand.

TWR: Anything for you to add, James? Favorite things about each other, anything …?

James: I like that we have complimentary weird personality traits.

Elizabeth: If I had to pick, I would probably agree that our complimentary “weirdness” is a huge factor. I love that we are able to be totally ourselves and bring out the best in each other.

Images by The Happy Bloom

The Wedding Row

April 21 2020
A Globetrotting Courtship When Patrick (United Kingdom native) met Liz (Mizzouri born) in Atlanta, they hit it off …  and then realized they only had a few weeks to get to know each other. Five...

April 15 2020
A Charleston Pup-Posal Dena moved to Charleston from New York City and Andrew (Drew) moved to Charleston from Columbia, South Carolina … then eHarmony worked its magic to bring the pair together....

April 14 2020
Swipe Right On a Sunday afternoon in Michigan, Meghan downloaded Tinder … and there was Robert (Rob). “He was SO handsome, like movie-star handsome, and his profile was interesting and genuine,” she...

April 9 2020
One of the blessings amidst the worry and tragedy of COVID-19 has been stories of everyday people serving their communities. The Lowcountry is filled with good-hearted helpers doing what they can....

April 8 2020
Hello There James moved to Chicago from Ireland to experience life American-style; Kierstin had moved to Windy City from Atlanta to pursue her PhD in childhood special education. His roommate knew...

April 7 2020
The year: 2009. The setting: a high school homecoming dance in Columbus, Ohio. The cast: Hayley, a junior and Collin, a senior. The sparks: flew. That sweet start propelled today’s cuties into a 10-...

April 3 2020
First, take a deep breath. Lisa Thomas, the guru behind Charleston, South Carolina’s Ooh! Events (an event goliath that’s part planning hub, part florist, part rental house, etc.) and owner of the...

March 31 2020
We can’t say it enough during these worry-filled days: a planner sure takes the worry off your wedding planning plate. Not only do they thrive in the middle of fast-paced crises, their fix-it selves...