I have known Stan’s family for YEARS. Gosh, I cannot really remember a time I didn’t know them! We grew up in the same hometown, and his family owns The Corner Deli (YUM!)! I believe I heard that Duck Dynasty visited their deli not that long ago? So fun!! When Abigail reached out to me about photographing her and Stan’s engagement, I was excited to have the opportunity to not only meet Stan’s fiance but get to know her! When we met at the beautiful Hartland Orchard Farm in Delaplane, VA for their fall engagement portraits last week, I was so glad to see that Stan ended up with such a sweetheart!! She’s not only sweet but full of joy! I love how evident that is in these photos below. 🙂
I LOVE FALL. And I’m totally feeling fall in these photos! Although I’m not sure I should admit this… it was close to 90 degrees when we did these fall portraits! YIKES. We weren’t going to dress in summer clothes for a fall session, so Stan and Abigail toughed through our time together and made it look like a BREEZE. I’m sure they wished there was an actual breeze being in layers! But they looked great, and you cannot even tell how hotttttt we were. 🙂 We had many laughs as we walked around the property and enjoyed some time chatting! I’m not sure if it was because it was so hot outside or if I was just so excited about their session, but I found myself making up lingo as I gave them directions. HA! Like I tried asking Abigail and Stan to go “cheek to cheek” and smile for the camera … Somehow, that came out as “CHI! CHI! CHI!” <= Steph, what is wrong with this?! HAHA! We had a good laugh, and of course, I had to carry that on as our little inside joke the remainder of the session. 😉 I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and I know that same joy will carry onto their wedding day! I CANNOT WAIT.
Stan & Abigail’s Love Story
How Stan and Abigail Met
from Abigail’s point of view
When I met Stan, in 2013, it was just one of those friendships where it was the right people but the wrong time. We met at his family’s restaurant, The Corner Deli. We were co-workers in different stages of life, but that didn’t stop us from hitting it off from the beginning. We could always tease each other or build each other up when times weren’t exactly ideal. When it was time for me to decide where to go to college, Stan was right there helping me find the perfect school; coming along with me on tours, helping me fill out college application after college application and reading over my essays, and even driving to my house to pick up my college acceptance letter because we couldn’t wait any longer. I like to say that he was everything I never knew I needed. Over the years, I grew to love him and his family more and more. I knew that Stan was someone I could trust and we share so many weird and quirky characteristics that I can be completely myself around him and I never had that before. It took us awhile to figure everything out and make our way to each other, we started dating in 2016, but after that first date I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life loving him.
How Stan Proposed to Abigail
from Stan’s point of view
Not too long after I knew she was “the one,” me and Abigail began to talk about our future. We went casually to look at rings and she found one she adored. I went back and purchased the ring and kept it under lock and key. Fast forward to a year later, we found ourselves going to vacation in one of my favorite places, in my beloved Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg. I had this great idea of proposing in front of the governor’s palace on the Fourth of July. It rained the whole day and they were setting up fireworks, so plan b it was! So on July 5th, after a very informative historical tour of the governor’s palace we exited the main gates to take a picture in front of the palace. I was so nervous trying to find someone to take our picture, secretly of our proposal, and I thought I wouldn’t find the right person. Out of nowhere this family comes up and the father precedes to tell me he’s been coming to Williamsburg with his family since he was a young boy and how it holds a special place in their hearts. I told him what was about to go down, and he was game. I got down on one knee and gave the speech of all speeches to seal the deal……”umm umm Abigail Ludke …. Will you um marry me? …..” even with that lack luster speech she said yes. The pictures are beautiful and now no one would have never know about that speech being so horrible if I didn’t type it down for the blog.
Thank you, Stan and Abigail, for coming out on a beautiful (yet hot!) October day to capture your love! <3 Stan, I’m so happy you found the woman who makes you the happiest!!! I cannot wait to see you both again next fall for your WEDDING DAY!!!! YIPPPPE! Congrats and enjoy this preview from our time together! XOXO!
Flowers by Erika Warner
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