Engagement Session Garden of the Gods
Matt & Michelle’s Engagement Session Garden of the Gods was a dream come true and I cannot believe that we started off this trip with such an amazing shoot.
Garden of the Gods was a last-minute change for Matt and Michelle’s session. We were originally going to go to Dream Lake at Rocky Mountain National Park, but because of the copious amounts of snow Colorado got before we arrived, we decided to move it to Garden of the Gods. Engagement Session Garden of the Gods
There is not one bad spot to photograph at this place. The red rocks were a perfect backdrop and the snow added such beauty to the images. Engagement Session Garden of the Gods
Michelle & Matt’s outfit choices were spot on and matched the red rocks PERFECTLY. Sometimes we go to sessions and the outfits aren’t always what we want them to be but Matt and Michelle did their homework and nailed it.
It snowed 4 inches the night before, so we were worried about driving down to the Garden of the Gods that morning, however it was well worth it.
When you come to a new location, you never know what to expect from a location. So we relied heavily on what Matt and Michelle knew of the area and I am so glad that we found this place.
This session was a checkmark off my bucket list. I am so excited that we had the chance to shoot at such an amazing location as this. Engagement Session Garden of the Gods
Matt & Michelle, thank you so much for allowing us to capture your love from behind our cameras. It was a dream come true for all three of us and we cannot wait to come back! Engagement Session Garden of the Gods
Congratulations to you both!
A LITTLE Q&A FOR THE BRIDE & GROOM
HOW DID THEY MEET?!
It was the fall of 2012, Michelle and her best friends went to one of their favorite bars in Austin, TX called Hotel Vegas to listen to some live music and hang out on the massive patio. Juli, one of Michelle’s best friends, also invited her boyfriend and his friends to join us.”
Matt was Juli’s boyfriend’s roommate. Matt and Michelle had met briefly but had never really interacted before. At that point, we began to hang out in the same circles. Matt would play records and make tacos for everyone and I remember he had a very clean car.
This impressed Michelle and apparently Michelle had caught Matt’s eye as well, unbeknownst to her turns out he was actively pursuing her already! So overall, we met through our friends who were dating!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST DATE!
Matt had a fresh dapper haircut with shined leather shoes, Michelle’s friends help her pick out a nice dress. Michelle remembers feeling so nervous because she hadn’t gone out on a date in years.
Matt picked her up on time, opened all of the doors for her throughout the evening, and they shared much about themselves with one another. Engagement Session Garden of the Gods
We talked about our upbringings, our aspirations, our dreams. We didn’t talk about surface-level things, but instead got a deeper understanding for one another – while stuffing our faces with delicious French food and wine!
Matt took Michelle to a French restaurant in downtown Austin called Arrow around October of 2012.
HOW DID YOU FALL IN LOVE?
“I think we both fell for each other pretty quickly, but we were both hurt before and didn’t want to say those 3 words to one another until we absolutely knew.”
“Whenever we felt the urge to say those words, we would say “olive juice” instead. When certain forces tried to pull us apart, we always ended up being stronger and continued to enjoy being around one another.”
“I think this is when we both knew we enjoyed life better together.”
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
Matt enlisted my friend Christina to help him plan his proposal. We were traveling to Denver to scope out possible places to live and were staying with my friend Christina. Matt suggested we go on a hike, which baffled Michelle because we didn’t have much extra time outside of looking at properties.”
“The three of us went to Dream Lake and Christina asked Michelle to take some photos of her. Then, Christina offered to take photos of Matt and Michelle. Matt looked sort of confused so naturally Michelle took control of the situation and told Matt to give Christina his phone (because he has a better phone camera). Michelle told Matt to stand next to her as he fumbled in his pocket.”
Michelle asked Matt, “What are you doing? Are you ready?” That is when Matt got down on one knee and asked Michelle “if she was ready” and then asked her if she’d like to marry him 🙂
“Matt proposed on April 9, 2019 ( the day before our anniversary) at Dream Lake”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR ABOUT YOUR WEDDING?
“We are most excited about the celebration – getting our friends and family together from different parts of the world. Michelle’s family lives in Panama and the east coast and Matt’s family lives in Texas.”
“So we are excited to get everyone together to celebrate a milestone. Also, very excited to give our dog, Tucker ( a 12-year-old dachshund) a part in the wedding as well!” Engagement Session Garden of the Gods
YOUR LOVE STORY IS MADE INTO A MOVIE; WHAT IS THE TITLE?
“Serendipity”
DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP IN 5 WORDS
“Laughter, Food, Travel, Puns, Comparison”
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT MEANS THE MOST TO BOTH OF YOU?
“Racial justice and social equality. Michelle is Black and Chinese and Matt is White. This past summer was difficult for us and especially navigating those conversations with our families.”
‘We want unity, which is why our wedding is so important to us. To bring us all together in celebration would be such a joyful moment during this dark year.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT EACH OTHER?!
“We love that we can make each other laugh so easily. We also love that we both have a good appetite. Laughter and food is definitely our love language.”
HOW HAVE YOU GROWN AS A COUPLE SINCE YOU STARTED DATING?
Matt: “Looking back on the time before we met, I realize now I lacked the skills required to be in a healthy relationship with another person.”
“Reflecting on that subject, my emotional toolbox has grown. I believe now that I have cultivated a healthy relationship with another person through time, patience, and empathy for one another.”
Michelle: “I have learned to trust again, to be open and willing to share myself. Being in a relationship means you have to work for it, even when it gets tough.” Engagement Session Garden of the Gods
“No matter what we are a team always rooting for each other and it feels good to have someone in my corner.”
FAVORITE QUIRK ABOUT EACH OTHER?!
Matt: “Michelle’s intense fear of bugs (house pests).”
Michelle: “Matt’s hidden sensitive side (he comes off as this asshole motorcycle rider, but he is really quite sensitive!)”
IF YOU COULD SPEND 24 HOURS WITH YOUR PARTNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING
“We would build a fort in our living room and not leave unless to go to the bathroom”
WHEN DO YOU FEEL MOST LOVED BY YOUR PARTNER?!
Matt: “In those moments when our friendship with one another shines – when I remember that she is really my best friend.”
Michelle: “When he makes me dinner, draws my baths, and rubs my ovaries when its the time of the month – really when he goes out of his way to take care of me.”
IF YOU COULD BE INSANELY TALENTED AT ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?!
Matt: “Racing motorcycles, in all aspects!”
Michelle: “A polyglot! I wish I could learn languages easily!”
FIRST IMPRESSION OF EACH OTHER
Matt: “She’s a rare flower.”
Michelle: “This guy loves records.”
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?
“Tequila”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDIES AND CHOCOLATES?!
“Recesses Cups and Mexican Candy”
VENDORS
Michelle: Dress – ShowPony, Sweater & Jeans – H&M, Shoes – Amazon and Khols, Ring – Kay Jewelers
Matt: Jeans – Levis, Flannels – Khols, Denim Shirt – J. Crew, Shoes – Kohls