I am beyond excited to feature my first real engagement session on Something Pretty. I don’t think there is anything more inspirational and fun to read on blogs than real life stories and pictures, and I’m hoping to feature lots more in the future!

This e-session is particularly close to my heart because the couple consists of my best friend since I was three years old, and her wonderful fiancé. Angela and Mark had their engagement pictures taken by Tom Sanderson in Colonial Williamsburg. Read on for their story, and enjoy their gorgeous pictures!

{The Beginning} Mark and I met about six years ago. We attended the same high school and went to the same church. We became closer friends during our senior year, and I roped Mark into helping me with Calculus by trading my amazing baking skills for tutoring. After spending a lot of time together (I really sucked at math), Mark asked me on a date. He took me for some delicious ice cream and a nice walk through Colonial Williamsburg.

{The Proposal} After church on our five year anniversary, we went to Bonefish Grill for a delicious dinner and glass of wine. When we finished eating, Mark drove, but instead of going home, he brought us to Colonial Williamsburg. It wasn’t exactly the perfect night for a walk…it was January, and quite cold out! Despite the cold, the night was perfect–I think my excitement actually warmed me up some too. The stars were out just like they had been on our first date, five years ago. Mark took me out into the middle of the field behind the courthouse and we just stood there holding each other, staring up at the bright stars. It was very romantic. Just when it couldn’t get any better, Mark turned me around and got down on one knee. He asked me to marry him and of course I said yes!

{The Engagement Pictures} Since Mark is really into music and plays the guitar, we knew we wanted to incorporate the acoustic guitar into a few of our photos. Those are actually some of my favorite photos! We chose Colonial Williamsburg as the location because it has such special meaning to us. We went there for our first date, and it is where we got engaged. Our goal for the shoot was to get some good photos while having fun with it! We have both the cute, romantic shots, as well as some more lighthearted ones that capture our personalities pretty well!

{The Upcoming Wedding} October 7, 2011 is the big day and I can’t wait! For years, I’ve been planning how I want my wedding to be (mostly with my BFF, Lisa Olson!), and now I have finally narrowed it down. We will be having our ceremony at our home parish and then heading to the Williamsburg Winery for our reception. I will be incorporating a lot of wine reds, golds, and olive greens into the details to create a rustic, classy, Italian feel. I am a photo-fanatic, so in addition to lots of candles on each table, my vision is to add a few antique gold frames with snapshots of Mark and I during the last five years of being together. One thing I am excited about doing is making my own wedding cake. Since I am known for my baking and art skills, it is one thing I really want to try! The one thing I am looking forward to most about my wedding though is being able to call myself Mrs. Mark Sumner, and spending the rest of my life with the love of my life!

Thanks so much, Angela and Mark! I am counting down till the wedding :)