I met Shauna through my relationship with her sister and brother-in-law, Ciara and Mark Edge. I went to high school with Mark, almost 20 years ago (holy cow, how is that possible?!) and when him and his wife, had their first baby, I got to photograph their first born, Conner’s newborn session. We’ve kept in touch over the years and I’ve gone on to photograph many family sessions for them. I’ve loved getting to know them! Their babies are INCREDIBLE!! I’m not just saying that either. I really mean it! They have the most joyous children and I know it’s because of how they are raising their babes. . .they are my serious goals!!
When Ciara’s sister got engaged, she suggested Shauna get in touch with me about photographing her wedding. I can’t thank her enough for that kind gesture! When I met Shauna and Patrick for the first time during our consultation, I fell in love with them both! They are the sweetest couple! They shared their proposal story with me and it’s just so romantic!
While in college, Shauna and Patrick met through mutual friends almost 11 years ago. Throughout those years, they remained good friends, seeing each other at annual events. No matter how much time would pass between events, they always hit it off and would pick back up right where they left off, joking and being silly with one another. It wasn’t until they went to a friend’s Halloween party that they finally saw each other in a different light!
Patrick, dressed in jeans and a Batman mask, and Shauna in her handmade Hamburgalar costume (somehow, she wasn’t the only Hamburgalar at the party!), the two hung out and enjoyed each other’s company all night. They parted ways for the evening but ended up meeting back up the next day! While navigating the chaos at the end of Georgia Tech’s homecoming game, Shauna came across Patrick. The night before, Shauna’s interest in Patrick had been peaked but he didn’t know it. After spending time with him, that next day at the game, they became like magnets the rest of the day. That next week they went on their first official date. Although, Shauna almost turned him down - eek! The idea of a “first official date” may have freaked her out a bit but luckily she went! It was immediate chemistry for the two!
They dated for two years and during that time, their love grew for one another. Although, they both had spoken about their future together, Shauna wasn’t convinced of a proposal anytime soon. What she didn’t know, is Patrick was about to blow her mind and give her a surprise of a lifetime!
Shauna’s sister, Ciara, is a chorus teacher. She had been teaching her kids about the play, Aladdin and she saw that the Fox Theatre was offering that show. Ciara, turned it into the perfect field trip for her students and when Shauna found out about it , her love of theater kicked in and she wanted in too! Ciara’s husband, Mark, is a police officer and is friends with the security officers that work at the Fox Theatre. The two surprised Shauna with an invitation for a backstage tour of the Fox Theatre! It turned into to be a huge event for their entire family, as it was also, Shauna and Ciara’s dad’s birthday too! Soon, the entire family joined in but they couldn’t leave Patrick out! Patrick, reluctantly accepted an 8:00am touring of the Fox with Shauna’s entire family.
They arrived, early that morning and began their tour with the head of security as their personal tour guide. They walked through the magnificent rooms and finally found themselves on the roof top in front of the iconic Fox Theatre sign. Patrick pulled Shauna in front of her entire family, he dropped to one knee and asked her if she would marry him! Shauna, shocked and totally elated, began to hug and kiss Patrick - she totally forgot about the ring! Patrick put that gorgeous ring on Shauna’s hand and the two left the Fox Theatre, no longer boyfriend and girlfriend but ENGAGED!!!
As it turns out, Patrick had been working with Shauna’s entire family to come up with the ruse to lure her to the Fox Theatre and share this special moment with them all. Man, he’s good!! Shauna and Patrick, I am so excited for you two and I cannot wait to photograph your big day later this year!
