I am not sure where to begin this story, but I will start by saying I got to be front and center as one of my very best friends said "YES" or maybe it was "I knew it!" then, "YES", to her best friend in Nashville! You can see the city in the distance from where he got down on one knee at Love Circle, it was a weekend I will never forget!
Bradley texted me in October "Do you have plans before Christmas, I may need a photographer". It took everything in me not to scream at the Caribou I was in. I knew he was the one for her and I remember when she told me he was the one too. I was thrilled he requested me to be there to capture it all for her. This will probably go into the top proposals of all time, because people flew in for this celebration from five different states! Her family, besties from college + besties from high school, it truly was such a surprise and celebration!
I wont go into every detail because lets be honest, it was a lot of back and forth from the day he told me down to the hour before the proposal. How he would do it, when he would do it, where he would do it, and how it took everything and anything for him to keep the biggest secret from the love of his life. At one point, let me add quickly, I was in the car with Bradley + Zach, Scotti called before she bored the plane to Nashville and we all froze. She was on speaker and we witnessed Bradley just lying as he was also dying inside, a face I wont forget.
Everyone flew in Friday and the big day was Saturday at 12:30pm. The amount of anxiety I had leading up to the moment was not as high as Bradley's but of course close. Not only was she going to get asked the most important questions of her life, but also ALL her favorite people would be waiting to celebrate after and I wanted to capture everything the best I could while shaking of excitement!
Zach + I got to Love Circle Park only a few minutes before Scotti + Bradley. WHEW. Since there was no place for me to really hide, we made the decision prior to the trip that WE were going to be the surprise! Spending the weekend with them in Nashville! Once she saw me, she definitely was taken back, but knew something was up. We started by just taking a few photos since Nashville was in the background of them, then Scotti would "take some of us". Zach was all set to go with my phone to record the whole thing, but he was nervous too, hoping he would press start on time and not mess anything up.
I don't think I remember what Bradley all said, but I know it was sweet and he had a big grin on his face the entire time. The ring was perfect.
THEY ARE ENGAGED!!!!
We snapped a few more photos before we were headed back to their condo which is also listed on Air Bnb ! The perfect place to stay while visiting Nashville.
I was texting the girls that were headed back but not everyone was there yet (Bradleys family + friends, he is from Nashville). We stopped at a cozy coffee shop and did our best to convince her we were there for the weekend and how we should plan our day to celebrate! My nerves were still an all time high and I don't think the delicious iced latte helped me cool down any. A short trip and back into the car to the condo. As we were walking in the house Bradly said we have one more surprise.... she may have been suspicious of something, but not what she was about to see.
I was able to race up the stairs because I had to see the reaction, duh. SURPRISE! Confetti flew, cheers screamed, laughs began, and tears were shed. What a moment.
I think it took a few hours for it all to settle in, we were all there, and she was engaged. We hit up the rooftop to take more photos and it was such a beautiful night. Bradley had arranged a private room for dinner with everyone and then we hit Broadway. Danced + sang the night away, a city I can not wait to get back to. Celebrating two wonderful people with fabulous people in an incredible city, priceless.
I could not be more happy for my best friend. Congratulations to the both of you and thank you for allowing me to be apart of such a special day! I love you both!
XOXO
Johanna
