Leslie and Austin arrived to their Upper Bidwell Park engagement session with a lovely scent from their aromatic chamomile floral bouquet in hand.  Chamomile is Austin’s favorite flower, and it will also be incorporated into their January wedding at the Durham Catholic Church and will be bountiful during their reception at the Almendra Winery.  The chamomile was the perfect addition to their Bidwell Park location and suits Leslie and Austin perfectly.  To view more recent engagement sessions, please click on Rubie + Ryan, Karah + Dan, and Haylee + Derek.

How They Met

Leslie and Austin met in high school.  They started dating during their sophomore year, and they have not stopped!  They have been dating for nine years.  Lesley did some internships abroad, and they continued to visit each other during these long distance days.  They have tested out the long distance relationship, and they survived!  They are happy to be in the same town once again.

The Proposal

It was Easter Sunday at their church.  Their family, friends, and community members were all in attendance for the significant Sunday mass.  The priest asked if anyone had announcements.  Austin stood up.  Leslie thought Austin had misheard what the priest had asked, because he was up and out of his seat.  Austin turned to face the whole congregation.  He announced that he has fallen in love with a woman that he had grown up with.  Austin then called Leslie up on stage and asked her to join him in front of the whole Easter Sunday congregation!  Austin went down to one knee and asked Leslie to marry him with the people that are the most important to them present.  Leslie said yes!

Leslie and Austin, I am so excited to start the new year off by having you be my first wedding just a few days into 2019!  I see how much love you two share for one another by the way you interact, giggle, and respect each other.  I smile when I look through your engagement pictures, because you two radiate so much love and joy.  I adore the way you look at each other, and I hope that this never fades!  I am so excited to share some of my favorites from your engagement session.  I cannot wait to photograph your winter wedding!