Michelle and Jaime

I have such a romantic engagement session for you today, Jaime proposed in a sweet, romantic way and Michelle? She documented it all. Today, along with their dreamy engagement photos taken in Perth by Natasja Kremers Photography, Michelle shares their story.

“The necklace was handmade by Jamie from a large piece of jarrah driftwood that he had found and (ambitiously) took home with him. I had actually helped him carry the huge plank of wood to his car that night, which made the necklace much more sentimental. He proposed with the necklace (it was a complete surprise – and shock!) and the rest is history…

The invitations were a combination of DIY (by me) and by a silk screen-printer all the way in Mississippi (Erin from Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence). Erin made the handkerchief invites for us, and then kindly shipped them over to us in Perth. Jamie and I then boxed them up ourselves at home (after purchasing some custom stamps from etsy) and I designed all the little details on the front of the box. We thought the hankies were the coolest thing we had ever seen – and thought our guests could take them along to the ceremony in case they got a bit teary! We wanted our wedding to be a little offbeat, un-traditional, and very rustic so we thought the hankies would reflect that perfectly.

Jamie and I got to know each other through our mutual love for photography, and when we were just friends, he took me to this spot by the river called Point Walter one night to capture some photos under the moonlight. He proposed at that very same spot a year later just as the sun was setting – it is definitely a sentimental place for both of us as, even to this day, it evokes so many sweet memories of when we were just getting to know each other, and when he asked me to marry him!

I actually used to keep a journal/blog and wrote about how the proposal unfolded. Just to give you a few more details, here it is:”

Eight months, three days, four hours and 56 minutes.

And it all comes down to this:

The sky boasts a Gaussian blur of pale tangerine and vanilla, parading a bespoke sunset that is spectacular to their eyes. They wander towards the place where their love unfolded, and it’s as if their encore had begun on cue: a crescendo of adoration and lyrics of romantic proportions.

Yes, that was how it was, and this is how it still is.

To her, it can’t get any better than this. Candlelight flickers atop solitude tables as they flounder past the cafe; games of cricket holler through the pleasure garden; the poetic sound of the rippling tide sings its way to the shore; and as they walk a little more quietly, minds can’t help but wander back.

Because it was this place, that beautiful things happened. And it is this place, that will create more beginnings than they will ever realise.

* * *

Camera shutters purr along the jetty where they nervously stood eight months ago. And Nikon in hand, the once-photography dilettante captures dusk in a way he’s never seen before.

To him, it can’t get any better than this. He planned it all along to bring her here tonight. Because what he was about to do was something he had spent his whole life crafting. And what she was about to say was something she had waited her whole life for.

And so it all comes down to this:

He leads her towards the place where her tripod stood before the shore, eight months, three days, four hours and 56 minutes ago.

And as she listens to the sound of dove-like waves mellowing towards the sandbar, she notes how it still sounds as god damn beautiful as it did back then.

She stretches out her feet, immersed in sand and a beautiful calm.

And before the sun can set, he excitedly clutches her hand and pulls her in close.

“I made you something.”

Reaching into his bag, he pulls out a velvet pouch adorned with gold accoutrements.

And he smiles at his girl.

Then she loosens the gold drawstring.

And there, in the palm of her hand, lay a pendant he had made for her. It was made of carefully carved driftwood, sanded down to reveal his bona fide intentions.

Admiring the brilliance of his dexterity and the love that spurred him on, she finally comes across four most incredible words he inscribed on the pendant.

Will you…

marry me?

Cheeks rose, smiles materialise, and tears tumble.

Love fetches, nerves dissipate, and arms wrap around each other.

Kisses appear, hearts caper, and the rest of their lives begin.

And without an ounce of hesitation, she finally says this:

“Yes.”

Photos by Natasja Kremers Photography