If you’re ever having a bad day or need a little pick-me-up, spend a day with an engagement photographer. You’ll be filled with hope once again! There’s something about being upfront and center for a huge act of love that makes you see the world in a more hopeful light. The day we photographed DJ and Amanda’s engagement was super special.
The Proposal
When DJ contacted us to photograph his proposal to his beautiful then-girlfriend Amanda, we could tell they were going to be a fun couple to work with. We met up with the pair at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The resort’s stunning interior and beautiful architecture are perfect backdrops for a surprise proposal. We spent the first moments of their engagement with them, and we think the pictures speak for themselves. These two are crazy about each other.
We left them that night in a cloud of bliss and met up with them again the next day for an engagement shoot at the Magic Kingdom!
The Engagement Shoot
The awesome thing about Disney engagement photoshoots is that they truly have something for everyone! If you want classy engagement photos in front of an adorable storefront, you’ve got it. Or, perhaps you want a picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle. We can do that, too! Disney’s parks are so vast and stunning that we can definitely find the perfect backdrop to represent your special day.
We loved the idea of a 2-day photoshoot! Day one was full of all the expected excitement of a proposal, but by day two, after the excitement settled in, DJ and Amanda were relaxed, happy, and extremely photogenic! If you’re considering a Disney proposal, we highly recommend this idea.
If you’re ready to pop the question to your beloved, contact us!
We LOVED Emily and Henry’s Magic Kingdom Proposal! They are the sweetest couple. Their families were there to make it even more special. I got this from Henry when we planned the proposal: “The proposed plan is as follows: My sister, Honey, will be taking photos around the park to help promote her new Disney jewelry products that she’s been marketing. As my girlfriend will be taking these photos (likely in front of the castle), my sister will at one point pull out a sign from her pocket/bag that will tell Emily to “turn around”, and at that moment I will be kneeling in behind of Emily with the ring (contained in a box-shaped like the My Adventure Book from the movie Up). At this point is where she will hopefully turn around and the moment can be captured! I’ll say a few words to her and await her answer. “
Read Emily’s story here: I guess we met in 6th grade (at least he knew me then) and we became friends in 7th grade. He’s basically the boy next door since we lived in the same neighborhood and we met on the school bus. I remember it clear as day. My friend and I were sitting together and then another boy came over on the bus and sat on the seat next to us. Henry followed him over and sat next to us as well but didn’t talk much. He was super shy and quiet, and I remember thinking he had huge hair! Us four became the new quartet and always did things together. But as high school started, it became just Henry and I. We became closer and closer by bonding over Manga, talking over AIM messenger, and biking around the neighborhood. The summer before 10th grade started, I definitely considered him my best friend, but I also started to like like him. However, knowing Henry, if anything was going to happen, I was going to have to make the first move. So, I did—I told him I liked him first! He said the same thing and I could say the rest was history, but it wasn’t that easy.
During the summer of 2010, we started dating each other. We didn’t make it public at first, but a lot of people easily caught on to this! Then, we went to separate colleges and even had 5 months apart by a 6-hour time difference when I studied abroad in Copenhagen. We had a lot of trying times together facing different personal and family challenges. However, through it all, we let each other grow and become our own person. I have never felt held back by Henry or tied down to him in a limiting way. I’ve only ever felt supported and unconditionally loved by him. We’ve been together for 11 years and we’ve grown as a couple and as our own independent selves. That is something I’ve always loved about us.
In August of 2020, Henry moved in with me to my apartment in Boston. This was another learning curve but was also a moment we’d both been waiting for for a while. Finally, we didn’t have to say “Goodbye” after a weekend visit together but just a “Goodnight.” After five months of living together we decided to look at engagement rings! The only problem is that I don’t like rings, but I wanted an engagement ring and I wanted something I would love. So naturally, I chose my own ring!
After we bought the ring in February of 2021, I tried to not ask questions or bug Henry too much about the proposal. I mean, I may have shown him dozens of Instagram reel of different proposal videos or watched Say Yes to the Dress in front of him many times. I may have also blatantly told him “You better propose by the end of 2021!” Little did I know he was actually planning the most perfect proposal for months in the happiest place on Earth—Disney World!
Disney holds special meaning to me, and Henry knows this. My parents had their first date and honeymoon there. I’ve been at least 15 times since I was a baby and I absolutely cherish the place. Back in March of 2021, we booked a trip to go there with his family for his sister’s birthday in August. I thought that’s all it was going to be, just a birthday trip. But then my mom got wind of our trip and also booked a trip for her, my dad, and brother to go there the same week as us. However, my mom is known for her spontaneity and I didn’t question it. I was actually kind of worried about both of our families being there and trying to make it clear it wasn’t a “joint” trip because I didn’t want to stress his sister out.
Fast forward to Monday, August 9th, our flight gets canceled, we’re running on three hours of sleep, it’s thundering and starting to lightly rain, and my family gets stuck on The People Mover. I guess these factors explain why Henry seemed to keep falling asleep everywhere we went: the hotel room, the bus to the Magic Kingdom, and under the canopy outside Casey’s Corner. Poor guy was freaking out! Meanwhile, I was just becoming more and more confused as everyone just stopped moving. Then his sister takes me to the Hub Grass and asks me to help her shoot some content for her Etsy shop. She explains to me that she’s going to hold up different signs for her shop and wants me to record it. As I’m recording, I remember giving my brother and mom a look saying, “What is going on?” But then once Honey reveals the sign that says, “Emily Turn Around,” everything froze. I was already crying as I turned around but when I saw Henry on one knee, that’s when the waterworks really started. That’s when I realized that this man planned everything for months and orchestrated the whole thing to have both of our families present for this special moment at one of my favorite places on Earth. I don’t really remember what he said, but I do remember feeling like my heart was going to explode from the love I felt. Then, he surprised me again with a photo shoot!? I was blown away! He honestly made me feel like a real-life Disney princess and I really can’t wait to live out my happily ever after with him. He says he waited 14 years for this proposal, and now we both can’t wait forever.
The phone call came first from Naim’s sister, asking for proposal information for her brother. They had an elaborate plan to take the New Jersey family to Disney’s Magic Kingdom for Naim to propose to his beautiful lady, Elina. The women in the family planned an all-girls trip to Walt Disney World for a few days. Elina had no idea that the rest of the family, including Naim, would be there too.
Courtney and I waited in front of Cinderella Castle for Naim’s sister to take photos. I asked them if they would like some pro photos, I could email them to her. “Sure!” Elina said. After a few shots, I asked Elina if she would also like photos of the whole family? She said, “No, it’s just us.” I said, “Well, what about all the people behind you?!”
At that point, the whole family walked up behind them, including Naim. Elina could not believe her eyes when she saw him there! Then a double surprise as she watched him get down on one knee and ask her to marry him! With lots of tears, Elina said YES! Such a fun couple and photoshoot! Congratulations Elina and Naim!
Andrew called me about his proposal long before he proposed, he had everything perfectly planned for asking Christine to marry him at Lake Eola in Orlando! The rose petals, the champagne, the perfect spot by the lake, and lots of loving families to witness it all. Congratulations Christine and Andrew!
Tommy called me from Seattle to ask us to photograph his Disney New Years proposal to his girlfriend Amanda. He had the whole night perfectly planned that included him on one knee in time for the fireworks over Cinderella Castle. All this took place on Disney’s Grand 1 Yacht! We had so much fun with these two and their friends that came along for the ride – Congratulations Tommy and Amanda! xo
From Tommy: I was friends with Amanda’s older sister – we all played hide-n-seek and Amanda followed me into the closet. We have been together eight years, high school sweethearts. The first time I went to Disneyland, I loved it so much that I decided to go to Disney World. That is when I found out about Grand Floridian’s Grand Yacht 1 and decided to set the standard for how guys should treat their ladies. That is why I did a Facebook live – and got over 2000 views. Lot’s of people say that we are the power couple – we both work for Boeing and just got approved for a house. Amanda is loyal, sweet and caring. She is my first love.
I love working with Courtney Hamill of Courtney Ford Event Design. She does such great work and I was thrilled when she called me to photograph Sarah and Rewny’s proposal! Sarah loves old trucks and Courtney set up the perfect romantic atmosphere for Rewny to propose, the bed of an old Dodge truck filled with pillows, roses and champagne. It was a beautiful night with market lights lighting up Artisan Alley in historic downtown DeLand. I love shooting proposal photography – I get to be there from the start xo
Flowers by The Floral Boutique by Nature’s Home Decor
Their story in Sara’s words: Rewny and I are both from DeLand, and actually grew up around the corner from each other. However, Rewny was five years older, so I never knew him growing up, just knew of him. One of my close friends from high school, Haley, got engaged to Rewny’s brother, Nat. At the time, I was living in Jacksonville and was in my first year of law school at Florida Coastal. I went on Haley’s bachelorette cruise, where I met Rewny’s mom, Alice, and sister, Leah. After a few glasses of wine, and few days of getting to know each other, Leah and Alice suggested that Rewny and I should meet. According to Rewny, they came home from the cruise saying that he needed to meet me at the upcoming wedding. I was so nervous but also excited to meet him. After his best man speech, he came up to me introduced himself, and kissed my hand. We got to talking, and we automatically just clicked. I gave him my phone number, and the following week, we had our first date. He recently moved to Jacksonville for his job, so it was perfect. He cooked me pasta carbonara at his house, and we talked, and talked the whole night. When he walked me to my car, we had our first kiss. I remember immediately getting into the car and texting my best friend that I just had “my last first date.” Rewny has truly been my rock and best friend since the day I met him.
In September of 2013 my dad had a brain aneurysm, that left him in a coma with a long road of recovery ahead. Seeing Rewny cry beside my dad’s hospital bed was the moment I knew we would truly be together forever. Not only did he love me, he loved my family, and I wanted him to be my husband. My dad passed away in October of this year, by far the worst time in my life, yet Rewny was there every single step of the way. Before he passed, Rewny was able to ask my dad for his permission to ask me to marry him. My dad told him he would like that very much. Rewny’s birthday was the plan for the day to propose. I think he tried to think of a day that I would least expect. We were supposed to meet my mom at Dally in the Alley for dinner at 5:30. We parked on New York Avenue, and walked down the alley. There was an old red Dodge truck sitting at the end. I have this obsession with old trucks that I always talk about. I was completely clueless it was for me. Rewny said, “Wow that’s a cool truck” and I said, “Oh yeah it is, I wonder whose it is?” We got closer and he stopped in front of the truck. He began telling me how much he loved me, and that he had been lying to me about some things. When he walked me around to the bed of the truck it was decorated with candles and flowers, and I just completely lost it. He said, “I have a question I’ve been dying to ask you…Sarah Beth Zimmerman will you marry me?” At this point I was hysterically crying and said yes. There was banging on the windows from inside Dally, where my mom, sister, and Rewny’s parents were watching. We went in to Dally and had a wonderful dinner to celebrate. It was absolutely perfect, and to make it even more special, my dad was there in so many ways. I was wearing my dad’s ring that night on my wedding finger (the only finger it fit), so I had to take his ring off to put on my engagement ring. Also, Rewny was wearing one my dad’s shirts and the flowers were arranged in my dad’s old watering can. It was such a special night. Rewny is so good to me, and has already been there for me for better or for worse. I know God sent him to me at the perfect time, and I’m so excited to be his wife.
