This was such a fun and unique engagement session and I loved every minute of it! Like I normally suggest to my brides and grooms before their session, I met Tatum + Brett for some drinks beforehand. If I am going to be shooting at Fort Fisher, I always recommend meeting at Sea Witch in Carolina beach. It’s a short drive to the fort and it’s also just a cool, beachy outdoor atmosphere, which I think is fun to take couples to especially if they are from out of town as these two were! And even though I have done this with couples many times, surprisingly enough, Tatum + Brett were the first to request a few photos at the restaurant! I am so glad we decided to make that happen because it was so different and the colors were absolutely perfect. I love how it added a fun little twist on their engagement gallery.
I absolutely loved getting to sit down with this adorable couple and learn more about them. I remember Tatum telling me on the phone before booking me that she had been in love with Brett since they were 15 years old. And I’m not sure why but those stories are always so incredibly sweet to me! I also got to hear from both of them all about the details of the big proposal. And I think it’s probably one of the coolest stories I have heard thus far! Brett proposed to Tatum ON STAGE at a CHRIS LANE CONCERT!! Like, what??! I asked him how he was able to pull off such a grand gesture, and he said his first step was “sliding into Chris’s DM’s.” I found it so awesome that the country music star was willing to make this happen for a deserving couple. And I give Brett all the props because it’s nerve wrecking enough to plan a surprise proposal, nevermind doing it on stage at a concert in front of tons of people!! But what an amazing memory that they will get to cherish forever!
These two had the MOST fun with each other all night. We even had Chris Lane music on in the background while we played around Fort Fisher. “I Got Some Big, Big Plans” is basically their anthem now after the proposal and I love that so much! Tatum + Brett never stopped laughing with each other and toward the end of the session they were having enough fun to get totally soaking wet and sandy before driving back to Garner. When couples are willing to do such fun things at their engagement sessions, I know their weddings will be a blast to photograph!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that these two opted for a coastal engagement session because they’ll be tying the knot in the mountains next summer! It is so fun to get to tell their stories from coast to coast. Not to mention their wedding venue, Chestnut Ridge, is absolutely spectacular and I cannot WAIT to have the opportunity to photograph it!
Thank you so much, Tatum + Brett, for trusting me to capture this sweet time for y’all! I know your “big, big plans” are going to be nothing short of amazing and I am so very honored and excited to be a part of it!
xoxo Chelsea
Makeup: Claire at Blush House of Beaute
