Lorie + Jon : Proposal

So, remember when I blogged about our awesome TN vacation yesterday? If not, you should go read that, first. :)

Here’s the thing about Lorie and Jon- They’ve had a wedding date and location set for years, based around the 2010 World Cup (Jon is sorta kinda the biggest soccer fan I’ve ever met.) While they were already the definition of engaged (“pledged to be married”), they weren’t engaged. Like, the down-on-one-knee-I-love-you-so-much-here’s-something-pretty-to-wear kind of engaged. Which, in my opinion, is just as important as the whole “pledged to be married” part. Lorie had sent Jon photos of rings she liked, and obviously she knew the proposal was coming soon, but she kept saying she didn’t wanna know when it was coming. Does that makes sense? One of Jon’s best traits is that just like Nate, he’s honest. To a fault. That kid just can’t lie for the life of him! I knew the whole proposal thing would be tough, because as most of y’all know, it always takes some lying to make it happen. Like, some old-fashioned, stare right into your face-lying, the type I knew Jon just couldn’t do.

While Lorie and Jon are having a small destination wedding in Africa (only their parents and us are there!), they’re planning on coming back and having a reception for family and friends at this barn in Franklin, TN. Lorie had never actually been there, so she wanted to check it out, but she was 99% set on the place. We planned to take the guys there before dinner on our last night in Tennessee.

As soon as I knew this and the specific date, I went behind Lorie’s back and met with Jon while she was at work one day. I pretty much told him I had the most perfect proposal idea ever, but telling him about it would ruin a big surprise. So I told him about Lorie and my plan to surprise him and Nate with a trip to Tennessee. It was pretty much certain that this may be the only way to truly surprise Lorie- She’d never expect Jon to propose when she was surprising him with something. :) It was also perfect for Jon, because since he didn’t “know” about the trip up there, Lorie would never mention it to him, so he didn’t have to lie at all- That was all on me! :)

Still confused? Here’s the abridged version- Lorie and I planned a surprise trip. Jon proposed on said trip. Get it? Good! :)

The set up story was so easy since they’re used to us doing impromptu shoots with them on vacation- I told Lorie I wanted to take some long shots of them in front of the barn. :) Nate and I were really far away, so we couldn’t hear Jon’s speech. :) I love these first two photos, because Lorie still had no idea what was going on. :)

And then Jon went down on one knee. :)

My favorite!!!!!!!!!!!! Gah, I really wanna shoot more proposals!! :)

She said YES!

I believe this is when she yelled, “JENSEY! Why didn’t you make me wear waterproof mascara?!”

After 6 months of lies, I was thrilled to have a clear conscious again. :)

The final surprise of the whole trip- Jon, Momma Phu (Lorie’s mom), and I arranged to have their parents surprise her at dinner afterwards. She was teary through the whole engagement, but seeing her Mom brought the real waterworks. :) I should also mention that Momma Phu isn’t the best liar, either, but she was so great at keeping everything a secret, too! Lorie kept trying to call her parents to tell them when we were driving to dinner, and I told Momma Phu no matter what, don’t answer your phone! She did a great job. :)

As soon as hugs were done, the Moms whipped out their cameras for some ring shots. :)

The end. :)