Our Romeo-in-training proposed to his Juliet.
And we couldn’t feel more blessed to have been there…
Or more stressed + nervous on the day of his proposal!
Seriously, I was probably the 2nd most nervous person when Russell proposed – because I had to keep the secret – and continuously build lie after lie (and I’m such a bad liar) to make this day happen.
the romantic proposal
Weeks before David and I brainstormed with Russell how to get Cara dolled up for his romantic proposal. And we had the perfect idea:
ANOTHER TEAM SHOOT FOR DPARK!
So I made perhaps an overelaborate plan involving vendors and all of our DPARK family in a series of emails, text messages and conversations around Cara about a fake team shoot and video we’d be shooting and filming. You should see the long emails I made up to make it look believable (because I’m typically overly detailed for everything – couldn’t let it be suspicious).
We contacted our fabulous stylist, Connie from Styled by Connie, to help coordinate an outfit and look for Cara.
David kept throwing Cara off asking about when Russell would ever finally just freakin’ propose.
We made up a fake engagement that David and Russell had to photograph so that they could be gone earlier in the day to set up and prep for the proposal. I think I even made fake names for the couple: Matthew + Laura. They were able to walk out of the house with all the photography gear without it looking suspicious at all.
Britney Moya from Rock Me Up sweetly agreed to get us all dolled up (I had to get prettified as well to make it believable – but, ya know, I was willing to take it for the team).
The whole time I was trying to freak out in front of Cara about how excited and nervous I was about the shoot while she sweetly tried to calm me and tell me how much fun it was going to be.
Cara getting dolled up and blissfully unaware of what was about to happen that day:
Britney and her assistant Mae were perfect! They kept asking her, “So what made you fall in love with Russell? How’d you know he was the one?!”
And I got to have her pose and show off how gorgeous she was because it was “just for the vendor’s portfolio”.
The “rest of our DPARK family” was going to meet us at the photoshoot location so Cara and I would be able to drive there separately and we could time her entrance perfectly.
As I drove Cara I looked at her feet and realized she was still wearing her flip flops and didn’t have her jewelry on yet. So I said, “Hey, Cara, wanna just put on your shoes + accessories here so you don’t have to carry it to the shoot?”
Cara: “Nah, that’s okay. I’ll just bring them and have Connie help finalize which shoes or jewelry I should wear.”
I cried inside trying to think of how in the world I was going to get Cara to have her complete look when she saw Russell.
Once we parked and walked over to the spot, I had a brilliant sudden idea.
“HEY CARA! Wow, these bushes + trees look so cool! Can I take a quick photo of you maybe doing the catwalk here?”
Without question, she said, “Sure”.
So she slipped on her shoes, picked some accessories and I got to grab her bags and have her be catwalk ready into the arms of her man.
She is literally, cluelessly striking a pose for me gorgeously as she walks straight to the perfect spot.
…whilst David and I get to photograph her reaction
I pointed towards Russell as Cara turns to look at him.
And then it hits her.
Her Romeo came all dressed in his evening best.
And escorted her to a romantic world of lights he had designed for her.
Hidden behind the walls and lights, she was shocked to find her dearest friends and family…
then he got down on one knee.
congratulations
Cara and Russell, we love you both so much.
We remember when Russell first excitedly told us about this amazing girl he was starting to think of – all the late night talks and prayers for your relationship and for each of you. You both have truly beautiful hearts and we are blessed to have you as a brother and sister in Christ, godparents to our Knightly, photographers on our team, and more importantly – among our dearest friends. We couldn’t be happier and we will never stop praying for and being here for you guys. We know God has an amazing plan for you both and for your future family – and He will be faithful to complete it. May our Lord Jesus bless you both, fill You with His peace, wisdom, and strength as you both become husband and wife. May He knit your hearts together and help you walk as one. It is going to be an incredible journey and we can’t wait to see where He takes you both.
Love you always,
David + Drexelle (and #mightyknightly)
vendors
- Proposal Photographers | D. Park Photography
- Videographer | Red 5 Studios
- Hair Stylist/Makeup Artist | Rock Me Up
- Stylist | Styled by Connie
- Caterer | Urban Plates
Capture your romantic surprise proposal and love story with the DPARK family today!
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