Sometimes the rain hits and it doesn't seem like there's an end in sight. But once the rain finally lets up, the results are better than ever… a rainbow appears! This is exactly what happened during Rachel + Mike's engagement session at Long Hunter State Park! Ashley from Smash Studios Photography captured Rachel + Mike perfectly as the skies parted and a rainbow appeared. Plus, Rachel + Mike wanted their daughter to be a part of the shoot as well. Babies and rainbows in an engagement shoot? I don't think it could get any better! Here's more from Rachel and Ashley on how the day went…
Rachel Gauldin + Mike Prifti
Engagement Shoot Date | 6.4.16
Engagement Shoot Location | Long Hollow State Park
Wedding Date | 1.28.17
Wedding Location | Cedar Hall – Bartlett, TN
How did you get engaged? Tell us about your proposal:
Rachel: It was Christmas Eve and both of our families were filling into the dining room for dinner. Everyone is coming in with their plates and sitting down to begin eating. I notice Mike has put his plate down at his spot but he is still standing up and pacing nervously next to the table. I am glaring at him from across the table asking him if he needs another drink? Is there not enough room for him to sit down? What does he need?! Why is he not eating?!?! Finally everyone else is sitting and Mike gets everyones attention. He thanks my family for including his for the holiday festivities and he babbles on about how much it means to him. I am still looking at him with so much confusion. This is not like him at all. I honestly thought he had consumed one too many beers. Everything he said was a bit of a blur, but I quickly tuned back in when I saw him get down on one knee. After waiting for what was probably much too long of a pause, I blurted out, “ARE YOU SERIOUS??” We were surrounded by all of the most important people in our lives, on debatably the best day of the year and it was absolutely unforgettable.
How many guests are you expecting? Who have you hired for your wedding team so far?
Rachel: We are expecting 250 guests. We've choen our venue Cedar Hall, photographer (Ashely Olberding, Smash Studios), band (The Sensations) and floral designer (Kacie Cooper).
What’s your wedding style?
Rachel: Simple, stress-free and fun.
What aspect of being engaged has surprised you the most?
Rachel: How weird it is to say fiancé!
Tell us about your engagement session. Where did it take place?
Rachel: We took our engagement photos at Long Hunter State Park. Mike and I were a little uncertain about the whole concept of engagement photos, because while we obviously love each other, we don't typically enjoy being the center of attention or PDA. However, Ashley was GREAT! She knew exactly what she was doing and made us feel comfortable. All of our pictures turned out so natural and really show off our true personalities.
From the photographer Ashley of Smash Studios Photography: It was so adorable to have Mike & Rachel's daughter, Carter, with us! She made the session that much more memorable for them. It RAINED all day the three days before their session. While waiting on them in Long Hunter, it was still POURING. Then Rachel and Mike pulled up, and magically, it stopped. We even had a rainbow! It was so great because Mike had driven from Atlanta, and Rachel and Carter from Memphis, so we couldn't reschedule easily.
I'm so glad Ashley shared Rachel + Mike's session with us! You can follow Smash Studios Photography on Instagram here.
If you like Rachel + Mike's session, check out Hannah + Brandon's engagement session also by Smash Studios Photography!
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