Est. 2012 | Colorado Springs, Colorado and Charlottesville, Virginia wedding & family photographer

When Preston reached out to me regarding his BIG plans to propose to Amanda, excitement overcame me! I loved that we connected through several friends through our church (thanks, Gathering Church!!!). I also loved that he had the vision of hiring a photographer to photograph his proposal at the Seaside Chapel in 30A, Florida!!! Talk about a DREAM! 🙂 With all of this excitement also came nerves to smoothly execute the plan! Just as much as Preston wanted this to be PERFECT, I did too!!! There’s a lot that goes into planning a proposal, so kudos to Preston for all of his efforts … Spoiler alert … It PAID OFF!!!! 😉

Seaside is a very special place to Preston and Amanda, which was why he wanted to make that THE spot! After all, that was where they had their first date. 🙂 How special!!! The Seaside Chapel is pretty unique and “so 30A,” but most importantly, it stands for everything they want in their future — God in the center of their marriage. <3

Proposal Day!!!

I hid behind a tree in the Seaside Chapel courtyard … Although, with my growing pregnant belly, I wasn’t so sure I would be able to hide as discreetly as I anticipated. 😉 HAHA! As I waited for their arrival, I had an older gentleman stare at me while I hid … Okay, I was caught! Ha! I told him that I was about to photograph a proposal so he didn’t think I was creeping in the neighborhood. Apparently, he took that as his sign to hang around and watch the proposal! HAHA!

In the distance, I spotted Preston walking towards the chapel with Amanda. I got excited as they proceeded towards my camera to the spot where rose petals were sprinkled on the ground. He used that as his marker to kneel down and ask the question. 🙂 Despite not being able to hear anything, she squealed and said YES as he put the ring on her finger!!!

After revealing that I was behind the tree and celebrated with them, we got to hang out and photograph during the sunset hour! It was so fun hearing about their first memories of each other around Seaside. <3 Between that and now their proposal, Seaside will forever be a special place!

Following their time at Seaside, Preston had another surprise up his sleeve. 😉 He told Amanda that they would be meeting up with her parents at The Gulf. But really, not only her parents were there, but family and friends!!! What a way to celebrate a perfect evening!! 🙂

I’m so glad that Preston pulled this off before he left for his deployment. I pray that he has a safe tour and that his time away will fly by so he can get back home to his sweetie. 🙂 I know it can be hard to be away during the Holidays, but I hope the wedding planning will keep Amanda distracted in the meantime. 🙂 Speaking of which … THEY ARE GETTING HITCHED!!!! YAY! CONGRATS!!!!

CONGRATS, PRESTON & AMANDA!!!!

Thank You!!!

Thank you, Preston and Amanda, for trusting me to document this extra special occassion for you!!!! What a way to conclude the year! <3 I left your proposal with my heart so full! God has big plans for you two, and I’m excited to see your story unfold. 🙂 CONGRATS!!!!!

Stephanie Messick Photography, LLC is a Navarre, Seaside 30A, Destin, Okaloosa Island, and Florida Panhandle Beach Proposal, Lifestyle, Wedding Photographer, also serving Northern + Central Virginia. Learn more HERE or contact her HERE and ask about the Destin, Florida Portrait Photographer Special!