Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

After our visit to Magnolia Plantation in March, Tyler and I knew we wanted to get engagement pictures taken there. We waited until the summer so all of the flowers would be in bloom. My family and I vacation at Myrtle Beach almost every summer, so we scheduled our engagement pictures during that trip since Charleston is just a couple hours from Myrtle Beach. Here are some pictures from the family vacation. This was the first vacation Tyler had ever been on with us, and I just loved having him there with my family! It was a great trip!

I had been planning for our pictures for months. I needed the perfect outfit, perfect makeup, perfect hair, etc. I had an image in my mind of what I wanted our pictures to look like, and I was hoping they would turn out just as I had imagined. On the day of our pictures, it poured the rain! We were driving from Myrtle Beach to Charleston, and it rained off and on the whole way. At first, I felt a sense of panic, and then I realized the weather was out of my control. I had my new HD foundation on and a UK blue Lilly Pulitzer dress - nothing could mess this day up! I just told my self that my pictures were going to turn out great rain or shine! By the time we arrived at the plantation, the rain had stopped, and it was hot and muggy out. Poor Tyler was so hot in his dress pants, long sleeved shirt, and tie. He was really a trooper. 

When we first started taking the pictures, we both felt a little awkward. The photographer is known for snapping "candids" and not taking really posed shots. After a few minutes (and some tips from Mell), Tyler and I started to get more comfortable in front of the camera. Mell captured some really great shots that day that I will cherish forever! I absolutely love her work. She did such an awesome job! She also photographed my cousin Taylor's wedding, which is how I even heard of her in the first place. Taylor's wedding pictures were stunning! If you are ever in the Charleston, SC area and need a photographer, I highly recommend using Mell Bell with Richard Bell Photography. (Link to see more about Mell Bell) By the end of the session, what my hair and makeup looked like was the last thing on my mind. I was in a beautiful place with the love of my life. Taking the "perfect picture" really didn't seem so important anymore. It really sank in during that photo session that I would be spending the rest of my life with this person, and I couldn't have been more grateful. I know it sounds cheesy, but I had a few epiphanies that day. 1) Life isn't going to be picture perfect. 2) Make the most of what you have. 3) If you are lucky enough to have someone by your side to make you laugh when it rains, you have it all. 

Okay, I am finished being a big cheese ball! Here are some of my favorite pictures from our engagement session! 

After we took our pictures, Tyler had a surprise for me. He made reservations for us at my favorite restaurant in Charleston - Hall's Chophouse. I was so excited to get to go back there. This was the time where the staff recognized us from the trip we had taken in March. It was hard to believe they remembered us from almost 4 months ago! After our wonderful dinner, we headed back to Myrtle Beach and enjoyed the rest of the vacation.