Y’all, I am SO over-the-moon excited to share this blog post with you. It has been a LONG time coming! It all started back in March when Taylor told us that he wanted to start planning a dream proposal. I, of course, bawled because I was so excited that he was going to propose to Hannah Marie. Through weeks and weeks of different ideas, coordination, and covert discussions, July 4th was decided as “THE DAY.”

The Proposal

I’ll give you a shorter version of the whole story, because you can read the entire thing on The Knot’s How He Asked. Hannah Marie wrote an article about their sweet proposal. So the shortened version is this: I asked Taylor and Hannah Marie to participate in a mini Fourth of July styled shoot. I told Hannah Marie I needed new photos for my website, and I wanted them to get all dressed up since I wouldn’t be able to make a trip to them anytime soon. She bought it! We had Hayden’s mom, Dianna, and sister Hannah Beth do Hannah Marie’s, hair and makeup. While I set up our fake photoshoot, our families were adding the final touches in the barn for the proposal. Once Taylor and Hannah Marie were ready for the Fourth of July shoot, we headed outside!

After photographing for about 15 minutes, I told the two that I didn’t have any space left on my memory card. I asked them to hold tight as I ran back to grab another. Little did Hannah know, I was at the barn getting my camera set to capture the moment. Once I was all set, and I called Taylor and told the two of them that I must have left the other cards in St. Louis. Side note: I will admit, I was very impressed with my fake crying skills at this point. Thanks mom and dad for all those years of acting lessons and classes, they really paid off. I apologized for having them get ready only to stop so soon. I told them everyone was inside ready to eat, so if they could just pick up the few props, I’d see them inside soon.

Little did Hannah know, the fun was JUST about to begin!!

On their way to the house, Taylor “noticed” a few of the string lights at the barn were out. He suggested they go fix it for the movie night we were planning to have after the fireworks with family and friends. Side note: The movie night was a complete lie. It was actually a “YOU’RE ENGAGED PARTY!” Gosh, I love proposals. Anyway, after Taylor “fixed” the lights, he suggested they take a look inside the barn.

After a bit of slow dancing and chatting, Taylor pulled a ring box out of a nearby fern and got down on one knee. AHHH!! I popped out from behind the curtain and captured a few photos of Hannah’s stunned and pure joy response. I’m leaving out so many fine details, but y’all – IT. WAS. MAGICAL. I’m not kidding, it looked straight off a movie set.

After hugs and congratulations, we celebrated with a fun after party and bonfire. Y’all, I’m so excited to share these photos, and I can’t wait for their big day. I’m so thrilled for Taylor and Hannah Marie. They are such a wonderful couple, and Hayden and I are so excited to see how God uses them in this new chapter!!

Now, let’s plan a wedding!!!!
xoxo,

Here are a few from the fake photo shoot!

And then the fun REALLY began!!
Y’all, the ring is GORGEOUS!! My FAVORITE photo!! They are just SO adorable! So thankful that both families were able to be there!
U of L friends – Conner came all the way up from Louisville to help out. I’m getting another sister {& another named Hannah!}. I’m so so SO excited!!