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Natalie & Alex

When I visited the Cook Islands in December, I’m not sure I realised how much I would fall in love with this  paradise. So seeing others who love it just as much, who choose it as the backdrop for their engagement photos makes me oh so very happy. The couple hired Gemma Clarke Photography and wandered around the island at sunset for what turned out to be a stunning engagement session.

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Of their proposal, Natalie remembers “Alex surprised me with a weekend away to Queensland and popped the question on the last night we were there.”

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On what Natalie loves about Alex, she says, “I love the security and safety he brings to my life, I love the life we have built together over the past 8 years, I love that I know what he is thinking without him having to say anything, I love that I don’t have to ask for compliments, he gives freely. I love that he is the calm in our life to help control my ‘control freakness’ and constant over thinking of things.”

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Natalie recalls, “Our sunset photo shoot was set up as an opportunity for us to feel more comfortable in front of the camera prior to the wedding day and also a great opportunity to explore the island. Gemma had spent a few days scouting the island for the best spots and discussed the options with us. On our way to the first spot Black Rock we passed a little gift store with flower head leis out front, a lot of the women in the Cook Islands wear these so we thought it would be a nice addition to my outfit and to embrace the culture.”

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On what Alex loves about Natalie he says, “I love that she puts her family first and look after the needs of others, I loves all the little things she does that make a big difference and how she make a house a home, I love her motivation for making her dreams a reality (planning things in our life), and I love how open, honest and trustworthy she is.”

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Natalie tells, “We don’t have any really funny relationship stories but the best part of the photo session was having fun with my husband, which started with him dropping me in the water! I don’t have one place in particular that is my favourite as the whole island is just so beautiful. The views of the mountain were amazing and watching the sunset go down over the still waters was breathtaking, such a lovely moment to have captured. This photo session really captured the love we have for each other.”

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