Melissa & Chris had an absolutely BEAUTIFUL wedding today at Cold Creek Farm Dawsonville GA. Any Atlanta Wedding Photographer would LOVE to shoot here! Out of all our North Georgia weddings, this venue was magical! We couldn’t have asked for a sunnier day. Below is a quick sneak peek of some shots from the day. More to come!
We were SO excited when Fibia and Rob mentioned they wanted to do their engagement session at Centennial Olympic Park. These Centennial Park Engagement pictures were a BLAST to take – any other Atlanta wedding photographer would be jealous. Below is a quick interview with the bride and groom to be.
How did the two of you meet? What were your first impressions? Was it love at first sight?
Fibia: We met online, but we had friends in common. I thought he was good looking and he seemed cool, but I was tired of going on dates, so I wasn’t sure I wanted to go meet him. I showed his picture to my friend Vivi and she knew him…she said that “I had” to go meet him and if I don’t go, she’ll go! So I listened 🙂 She still takes credit for our relationship 🙂
Rob: We first met at Sweet Hut for a bubble tea 🙂 It was only 45 minutes because we had previous commitments, but we talked about everything and we both realized then that there was a good core and connection.
What attracted you most to each other? How long before you started dating? Where was your first date? Were you nervous?
Fibia: was mostly attracted by the fact that we shared the same faith. That was something hard to find and it was my number one non-negotiable.
Rob: Shared faith – common passion to travel, seeing the good in people/things, striking good looks.
Fibia: We had our first official date the same week; we started at Eddie’s Attic for live music, and then stopped by a couple of other places. I pretty much knew then that I wanted to see more of him and saw each other almost every day after that:)
Rob: Oh boy was I nervous! Sweet Hut felt like a fluke or maybe she was just being nice, because it seemed to go very well. Either way, thinking about Friday made me completely nervous. There was even one moment at Leon’s when I excused myself to step away for a minute and while out, I felt the overwhelming feeling that it was crashing badly. Quick prayer to God asking for help but telling him it was in His hands. Turns out that was also the moment she was thinking that she liked me and saw something different in me!
What made this person different from anyone else you’d ever encountered? Were you nervous about one another meeting your family? Why? Who said I love you first? How did you feel after these words were said?
Fibia: Rob is someone that I thought only existed in my dreams. I’ve always had really high standards, but he completely shadowed all my standards. I remember thinking for months that this couldn’t be real, that it’s impossible that someone is so perfect for me! Every time I look at him, I see the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received, the biggest blessing from God!! Haha, yeah I was a little nervous when I met his family, but not very…I think I was more nervous when I took him to Romania to meet my family…I knew they would love him and he would love them back, but it just wasn’t something that I’ve ever done much 🙂
Rob: I’m not sure who was more nervous, me because I didn’t speak the language her parents spoke, or her, to meet my fairly overwhelming family 🙂 Haha. Well, technically I did but totally stumbled over myself like I was back in grade school talking with my first ever crush. I don’t remember clearly but it seems to go something like “there’s something I want to tell you…” “What?” “Well…” “What is it?” “That you love me?” “Yes, I love you too – wait, what?”
Fibia: Hahaaa well…he did, but only because I told him that he wanted to tell me that he loved me 🙂 🙂 🙂
When did you know this person was the one? Was it a slow realization that crept up on you, or did it hit you like a bus? How did you feel when you had that “this is it” moment?
Fibia: I knew from the very first weeks that this had the potential to go somewhere…and I probably knew by the end of the third month that I wanted to spend my whole life with him. We dated with a purpose from the very beginning. We didn’t want to “just be dating”. We saw the potential early on and dated as we wanted it to last forever. It was one of these things that I never really believed in “when you know, you know”.
Rob: I don’t remember exactly but it was pretty early. Maybe in early June when I was working with her friends to surprise her for her birthday…either way, it didn’t take long because we both went into the relationship intentionally and weren’t wanting to just ‘date.’
How/ when did the engagement happen? Did everything go as planned? Who was the first person you told about your engagement? Leading up to and when the question was asked, were there butterflies? Was there any suspicion?
Fibia: Rob can tell the story, because he planned it all 🙂
Rob: Well, turns out that NYC is not only Fibi’s favorite city within the US, but it’s mine too. We had talked for a while about going traveling for the holidays so I knew instantly that I wanted to propose to her in NYC. If this is the memory that we will remember for the rest of our lives, I wanted it to be truly special. In addition to her favorite city being NYC, her favorite holiday is Christmas, followed nearly immediately by New Year’s Day. How could I pass up the opportunity to propose to her in her favorite city, on one of her favorite holidays? We watched fireworks in Central Park for NYE, then on the 1st, made our way around the city taking in all the energy and buzz that it’s known for. We arrived at the park just before sunset, and Fibi realized she wanted some hot chocolate, which was perfect for me, because that would buy us just enough time so we’d be in the carriage right at sunset. Walking back to the park with some mochas in hand, we found the line for the carriages and barely had to wait until we were stepping into the coach. My heart rate quickened as I knew what was coming up. I had everything mapped out in my head (or so I thought), even down to making sure she wouldn’t feel the box in my jacket. The driver started chatting us up and pointing out different things within the park… while both Fibi and I were not exactly there to chat with people 🙂 He caused my mental script to get off track. Heart started racing, while Fibi was snuggled into my side with her head on my left shoulder… fearful she would notice my heart racing, my mind started racing with “please don’t feel it, please don’t feel it, please don’t feel it!” Our conversation turned to all the adventures we had during the year and those we were planning for the coming years. This was the point I was going to slowly get the ring out of my pocket, guide the conversation to the fact that I didn’t want to experience any of those by myself and wanted her by my side for the rest of my life, I would get down on my knee and present the ring to her, you know… the usual image. Too bad that didn’t happen – I got the ring out of my pocket and of course she noticed. It’s kind of hard to hide a jewelry box… even at sunset. I started to propose as she was getting excited…I was able to get “will you” before she said ‘Of course’ before I could finish asking! 🙂 and I got stuck in the blanket that was covering us. As I set down my mocca so i could use my other hand to move the blanket, I spilled my coffee, struggled to not get any on us and ended up just handing her the ring… in the box. Laughing, she handed it back to me and said “put it on!”, “put it on!”
Fibia: I don’t even know how the ride finished…I was so overwhelmed with joy!! Not because it was such a big surprise, I knew it would happen at some point during our trip 🙂 But I was so excited to be now engaged to this wonderful man! We walked in Central Park for about 30 minutes to find good lighting so I can take a good picture of the ring and send it to our family and friends 🙂 It felt like a dream!
Last Questions! What’s the one thing about each other you couldn’t live without?
Fibia: I just couldn’t picture life without Rob anymore…I like what we have, we balance each other so well! He brings some structure to my life and I help him dream a little more 🙂
Rob: How can I pick one thing I can’t live without? There is so much that makes up who she is, there’s no way I could pick out just one. She is perfect for me and I can’t imagine life without her.
Any Atlanta wedding photographer would be super excited to work with a couple as awesome as Kelsey & Andy for their engagement photos at home! We weren’t scarce on engagement photo ideas and there was no shortage of engagement photo props. Some of our favorite engagement photo props were regular everyday things like books, blankets, and coffee mugs. We didn’t even really need any engagement photo poses – Kelsey and Andy were so natural in their own environment and in the way they acted around each other! If you’re looking for engagement photo ideas for a rainy day, look no further! Do your engagement photos at home. Below is a quick interview with the bride and groom to be.
Was it love at first sight?
No, we started off as friends.
How did the two of you meet?
Kelsey: We met in High School through his ex-girlfriend and an old friend of mine.
What was the first thing you remember about that moment?
Kelsey: I remember he was sweet and respectful. He thought I was shy, sweet, and reserved
What attracted you most to one another?
Andy: I was attracted to her kindness for others.
Kelsey: I was attracted to his laugh and goofiness.
What made this person different from anyone else you’d encountered?
Kelsey: His sweetness and gentle spirit towards me as well as his bear hugs.
Andy: I could tell her anything in confidence and she empathized and listened without judgment.
Where was your first date, and how long did it take you to get ready?
Kelsey: Our first date was at the Mill. He packed a picnic lunch and set up everything for us. I was nervous so it took me awhile to get ready for our date.
Who was the first person you told about your fiancé after your first date?
Andy: I told my best friend William first.
Kelsey: I told my best friend Malia first.
Who said “I love you” first?
Kelsey: Andy said “I love you” first. He’s such a goofy romantic.
How did you feel the first time these words were said?
Kelsey: I was shocked. I didn’t know what to think. It was our third date and I wasn’t even thinking about falling in love with him at that moment. I stood there with my mouth gaping and said “I’ll have to get back to you”
Andy: Happy I wasn’t rejected.
When did you each know that the other was the one?
Kelsey: When he showed up at my college dorm. I was sick with bronchitis and he drove all morning just to stay with me a day. He had to leave that night but he watched movies with me all day and helped me clean.
Andy: Her supportiveness through all my ups and downs in college.
How did you feel after you had that “this is it” moment?
Kelsey: I was giddy, happy and content. I felt at home.
Andy: Im the luckiest guy in the world and I still feel that way today.
Were you nervous about one another meeting your family?
Kelsey: I was excited about him meeting my family. A bundle of nerves as well but excited because I really liked him.
Andy: I was excited for her to meet my family. I knew my parents would be happy to meet her, my little brother wouldn’t care; the only concern I had was my sister. She can be very judgmental, and I was afraid of what she might say or do!
Who does your partner remind you most of?
Kelsey: My granddad, Boyd Goss. He is always so kind to others and puts my grandmother first in everything. The supportive, loving nature with a serious side.
Andy: My grandma, Peggy Bateman. She was always so happy and willing to help others. She enjoyed the little things in life, but there were times for seriousness too.
What’s the one thing about one another you couldn’t live without?
Kelsey: I couldn’t live without his goofiness. I am serious a lot of the time and he just pulls out my goofiness. He knows when to be serious but there is nothing I love more when he starts goofing off with me and we get into a tickle fight. Every time I think about it, I smile and laugh.
Andy: I could not live without her smile. Everyday I make a point or many points to make her smile and laugh. I want to be able to make her smile everyday, and I know the more I do make her smile, the stronger our relationship is.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We are best friends first. We love comics and we have a rivalry between Batman and Spiderman.
On our last day in Savannah, we stopped for some Wormsloe Plantation wedding pictures. Any Atlanta wedding photographer would LOVE to have this amazing venue in their portfolio. Wormsloe Plantation was actually where they filmed part of the movie Forrest Gump! We LOVED the long grove of trees and beautiful foliage. This was SUCH a scenic location. One of the best Savannah wedding venues around. Below is part three (and the last final part) of Paloma & Steven’s interview.
When did you each know that the other was the one?
Steven : I came home one day and she was in the kitchen making mole from scratch, grinding sesame seeds into a paste for the sauce… It was so beautiful and I was sure this was it (Steven is only half way kidding).
Were you nervous about one another meeting your family?
Paloma: He wasn’t nervous at all, my family knew him and already loved him and I knew they would only like him more.
Steven : I was super nervous, he’s the family favorite but he says he was sure everyone was going to like me.
Who does your partner remind you most of?
Steven : My dad and Gabriel Iglesias…
Paloma: He says I look like Lea Michelle…
What’s the one thing about one another you couldn’t live without?
Paloma: His sense of humor.
Steven : Her understanding (and cooking).
Anything else you’d like to share?
We are never serious and we love each other more than we can express…
Missed part one of the interview? Read it here – Brice Hotel Savannah Wedding Pictures | Atlanta Wedding Photographers
Miss part two? Read it here – Charles Morris Center Wedding | Atlanta Wedding Photography
Missed part one of the interview? Read it here – Brice Hotel Savannah Wedding Pictures | Atlanta Wedding Photographers
Miss part two? Read it here – Charles Morris Center Wedding | Atlanta Wedding Photography
We are still floating on cloud 9 from this AMAZING Willow Creek Falls and Vineyard wedding we photographed yesterday! Any Atlanta wedding photographer would easily agree that this is perhaps one of the most magical of all Blue Ridge wedding venues. We are SO grateful that Amber & Michael decided to share their special day with us. More coming soon! Like us on facebook and instagram for more sneak peeks!
More Atlanta Wedding Photography work can be found here.
