"Although we live in Denver now, Los Angeles will always be near and dear to our hearts. When we first began dating in 2011, we were both living in Santa Monica, and loved to spend our weekends together exploring the gorgeous mountains and beaches of LA. Our engagement shoot was very special to us since we were able to return to two of our favorite spots where we have so many treasured memories together.
Our first location was at Temescal Canyon in Pacific Palisades where we used to spend many weekend afternoons hiking together. We had to explore a little bit to find a good spot to shoot, but once we did it was perfect!
Our second location was at Dume Cove, beneath Point Dume in Malibu. This spot is one of the gems we had the luck of finding after walking along Zuma Beach, up a hilly beach trail and down a long narrow staircase to a nearly private rocky beach framed by dramatic cliffs. When we lived in LA we would often pack a picnic and return to this secluded beach to enjoy the views and a peaceful day at the beach without the crowds. At this location we wanted to have a picnic scene, so we brought along a bottle of champagne, a picnic basket, and a blanket, and set up on the rocky beach.
We had an amazing time returning to these two spots and couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our engagement than by reliving some of our most cherished moments from early in our relationship." -Amy & Brandon
Our first location was at Temescal Canyon in Pacific Palisades where we used to spend many weekend afternoons hiking together. We had to explore a little bit to find a good spot to shoot, but once we did it was perfect!
Our second location was at Dume Cove, beneath Point Dume in Malibu. This spot is one of the gems we had the luck of finding after walking along Zuma Beach, up a hilly beach trail and down a long narrow staircase to a nearly private rocky beach framed by dramatic cliffs. When we lived in LA we would often pack a picnic and return to this secluded beach to enjoy the views and a peaceful day at the beach without the crowds. At this location we wanted to have a picnic scene, so we brought along a bottle of champagne, a picnic basket, and a blanket, and set up on the rocky beach.
We had an amazing time returning to these two spots and couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our engagement than by reliving some of our most cherished moments from early in our relationship." -Amy & Brandon
Their love story: Brandon and I met on July 3, at mutual friends' 4th of July party in Hermosa Beach. We casually spent time together among friends while bbqing, before heading to a beach-side bar. We definitely hit it off right a way and spent most of the evening chatting and getting to know one another.
Brandon, the jokester that he is, ordered the two of us 'drinks' - a smirnoff ice (clearly meant for me as a joke) and an IPA... needless to say I quickly snatched up the IPA and enjoyed watching his friends poke fun at him the rest of the night while he sipped on the ice. I too embarrassed myself that evening, trying to play pool and setting up the table completely wrong. That night has always been a funny memory for us, and we love reliving it together. We had our first real date about a week later.
How he proposed: Brandon and I got engaged over labor day weekend in Miami. We were in Boca Raton for Brandon's work trip the week prior, and after all the corporate events we took the train down to Miami to spend the weekend together. Brandon had something planned for us on Saturday, that he wanted to keep as a surprise. Come Saturday afternoon we taxied over to the Miami Yacht Club, where a sweet couple, a Polish woman, and her Argentinian husband, took us on their 40+ foot sailboat for a private tour of the Miami harbor and the first key off the coast, Key Biscayne.
We eventually got to a calm cove along the coast of Key Biscayne, with a beautiful lush protected island in front of us, and gorgeous homes behind us, where we were able to jump into the water and swim around. After getting back on the boat, while we were enjoying the views from the bow, Brandon got down on one knee and proposed. It was a perfect moment, in a beautiful setting, and I know the two of us will always remember and cherish it. We then celebrated over champagne and dinner on the boat and sailed back while enjoying the sunset over the Miami skyline.
We eventually got to a calm cove along the coast of Key Biscayne, with a beautiful lush protected island in front of us, and gorgeous homes behind us, where we were able to jump into the water and swim around. After getting back on the boat, while we were enjoying the views from the bow, Brandon got down on one knee and proposed. It was a perfect moment, in a beautiful setting, and I know the two of us will always remember and cherish it. We then celebrated over champagne and dinner on the boat and sailed back while enjoying the sunset over the Miami skyline.
About their upcoming wedding: Our wedding is scheduled for July 3, 2015 (which is also the day we first met) in Beaver Creek, Colorado. We moved to Denver together in April of 2013. One of our favorite things to do together is to get away for the weekend to the mountains, whether it be in the Summer to hike, in the Winter to ski, or in the Fall to enjoy the beautiful changing aspen leaves. Beaver Creek is one of our favorite mountain towns to visit, and we wanted to have our wedding there to share its beauty, and one of our favorite places, with our wedding guests (most of which will be coming from California).
Our ceremony will take place at the top of the mountain, which will require our guests to ride up in a chairlift of gondola. Our reception will take place back down at the base of the mountain. Both venues provide gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains, which we hope everyone will enjoy. After our wedding, we plan to stay over the 4th of July weekend to enjoy the holiday with all of our family and friends.
Our ceremony will take place at the top of the mountain, which will require our guests to ride up in a chairlift of gondola. Our reception will take place back down at the base of the mountain. Both venues provide gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains, which we hope everyone will enjoy. After our wedding, we plan to stay over the 4th of July weekend to enjoy the holiday with all of our family and friends.
Photographer: Brian Evans Photography