When we first met Rachel and Josh at a friend’s party a few years ago, they had just recently started dating. Their relationship was really new, but it was clear that they were already head over heels for each other. Whenever we ran into them after that, they were always having a blast together and cheerfully attached at the hip.

Guys, I love a good old-fashioned, secret proposal! I seriously can’t get enough of seeing how excited and nervous the guys get when they set up secret meetings with us to share their big plan. It’s so fun for us to see how much thought they put into making this a really special moment.

Josh knew he wanted a more intimate feel to his proposal and that he wanted to surprise Rachel with his grandmother’s original ring. To sweeten the surprise, he even secretly arranged to have both of their families waiting for them at a nearby restaurant. We settled on the VMFA as the perfect location and then found a pretty, sun-soaked spot that would most likely be really quiet on a Sunday evening.

Josh had the whole thing planned down to even what he’d say to get Rachel to walk with him to the tippy top of the VMFA where they don’t usually walk around. An hour before sunset, Josh lead Rachel towards the overlook as Sam and I hid inside and behind bushes.

When Josh dropped to one knee, the moment was serene and beautiful.

I highly suggest shooting a few portraits right after you become Engaged – you’ll be so happy you did! We spent maybe 15 minutes right after the proposal taking a few shots, and I’m obsessed with these images because they show the real-time, truly joyful emotion. 

Engagement Sessions are a fantastic, un-rushed time for learning our poses and getting comfortable in front of our cameras for your wedding day, but moments after you say YES!! is a time filled with genuine emotions you can’t recreate later.

Rachel and Josh are both just as sweet as can be, and it’s a total bonus that they’re hilarious! Josh had us cracking up when he said he once carried Rachel through the snow like this, using his super long legs to impress her. It worked!

The two are eagerly planning a wedding for December 2018, and all of us are THIS excited about it!

 

Josh + Rachel,

You guys are the bee’s knees. We love how easily and genuinely you two love each other. We’re just all levels of giddy thinking about how FUN your marriage is going to be! Rachel, I’m sorry we had to keep this secret from you for a little bit (and for tricking you into walking up that big hill in the heat!!!) but everything worked out better than we planned, and I hope you loved every second of it! Josh, atta boy – you rocked that proposal!! We love you both and are so very honored to be in this season of life with you!

Love,

The Tuckers