The plane tickets were bought, we were all excited for Friday to come … and then the weather report tuned in saying heavy “soaking” rain/thunderstorms. WHAT?! We scrambled around brainstorming what to do since Greg was only going to be home for a short amount of time and won’t be home again until winter. It is certain that the weather is unpredictable and it just seems like I cannot have a sunny JMU engagement session so far as my last session there was all rain if you remember! Lol! Fortunately, these JMU sessions are still some of my favorites no matter the weather conditions! In the midst of my crazy schedule as well as their crazy schedule, we were able to make the following Monday evening work with the luck of extending Greg’s time for another day! We crossed fingers and PRAYED that the rain would stay away from us! Monday was yet again going to be another soaking day. Since we had the option of either doing this or not doing this at all, we took a chance to dance in the rain … fortunately for us, it did not rain one drop for our 1.5/2 hour session! SO fortunate and God definitely answered our prayers!!!
I absolutely love this couple for several reasons … 1) They are JMU Dukes (whoop whoop!) … 2) They are INCREDIBLY sweet … 3) They are getting married only just around the corner from where I currently live (sweet!) next spring … 4) Their love story! Who could not love these two?!  … 5) They chose to do their engagement session at JMU! And I have to say that I am obsessed with their session because it has so much meaning to me with the environment. 🙂
Greg & Alyssa’s Love Story
Greg and I met during our sophomore year at James Madison University in our English class, and our first date was actually a study date under a tree outside one of JMU’s libraries. We hit it off right away, talking about everything under the sun, and it’s been a never ending conversation since. Greg pursued me for about a month, taking me on dates and planning fun activities for us, before he asked me to be his girlfriend. Exactly 2.5 years after that, he asked me to be his forever under that same tree where our story began. 🙂
The proposal according to Greg: An engagement is something that a couple will remember forever as one of the happiest and most exciting moments of their relationship. This is the type of day I wanted to plan for Alyssa on April 16th, during our senior year of college. I told Alyssa that I was planning on taking her out to dinner for our 2 1/2 year anniversary that evening, but little did she know that I had much more in store for her! My plan was to have Alyssa go on a scavenger hunt around campus that would have her visiting special spots that meant something to both of us throughout our time at JMU. I had asked Alyssa’s little sister to walk around with her for the scavenger hunt, in order to secretly keep me updated on their location on campus, and because I knew how special it would be to Alyssa to have her involved on this special day. And instead of simply setting the clues at each location, I decided to have someone present her with the clue and a single rose at each spot. I got in touch with Alyssa’s close friends from high school who all attended different colleges across the state of Virginia. I was so grateful to have them all drive over to JMU to help me out with my proposal plan and to be a part of our special day. Once Alyssa reached the last location on the scavenger hunt and read her last clue, she knew to head over to the tree where we had our first study date at the beginning of our sophomore year. I hadn’t prepared any kind of speech for her when she arrived, but the words soon began to flow. I then got down on one knee, said the magic words, and presented her with her engagement ring. She said yes and we were both elated! A cheer went up from the crowd that had gathered, and soon after our friends surrounded us with hugs and congratulations. I had also asked one of her close friends and roommates to take pictures of the proposal, and they all turned out great. I then let Alyssa know that it wasn’t over yet and we still had somewhere to be. I drove us over to the JMU arboretum, and then Alyssa and I took some time to pray for our future marriage and just spend a couple minutes alone together. After that, we walked over and Alyssa saw both of her parents standing in the arboretum among a large group of our friends at a surprise engagement party for us. She couldn’t contain her happiness and started to cry, happy tears of course! I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day, and I’m beyond blessed that I get to spend the rest of forever with my best friend!
Thank you both for making the drive and extending your time here! I would say it was so worth it! I had a BLAST getting to know you two!!! <3 Cannot wait for your big day next May!!! xoxo
Don’t you just loveeeee their outfits?! How appropriate and perfect for this shoot!
Adorable!
Love this!
Gorgeous forehead kiss. 🙂
Cannot be a JMU engagement session without the splash of purple and gold in the backdrop!
Love this!
One of MANY favorites!!!
Cute!
OH MY GOSH! You twooooooo!!!!! My heart just melted!
Wow Alyssa!
We love because He first loved us
1 John 9:14
Gorgeous, Alyssa! Plus, I LOVE this ring shot!
Then off to downtown!
Great way to end the session! Adorable!
Thank you both for a more than perfect engagement session! I had a BLAST running around with you two!!! xoxo
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