Mary & Jon wanted a an Engagement shoot that was natural and full of love. So they planned a casual picnic at the beach while Anne Victoria Photography captured the essence of their love alongside the beautiful sunlight.
How did you meet?
We met at our college, The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. He was Mary’s upper classman crush, and she was Jon’s lower classman crush. We had eyes for each other before we even knew one another (since Mary’s freshman year!) and didn’t start dating until Jon’s senior year, Mary’s Junior. Jon made sure to visit the library where Mary worked FREQUENTLY just to get a little bit of an interaction– I suppose it’s more interaction than just passing one another in the hall and exchanging quick smiles. After years of gazing at each other longingly from afar, Jon finally worked up the courage to ask Mary out for coffee one December day, they talked and drank coffee for 3 hours that day and the rest is history.
How did he propose?
We moved from Duluth to the Twin Cities after Mary graduated from St. Scholastica, so we were back in Duluth for a day visit with friends and then to continue on to a romantic fall getaway further up the north shore for a long weekend. We were in the Duluth area and Jon was insistent on going to Billing’s Park in Superior, WI to go for a walk. We frequented this lovely park when we were at school, going for walks and watching the sunset (seriously, one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll see! Sets right behind Spirit Mountain behind a bay of Lake Superior). Mary did not want to go, because it was cold and cloudy and we were running late to meet a friend for lunch. But, Jon insisted, so we went (Mary was getting ideas in her head around this time…). We sat on the swinging bench over- looking the bay and Spirit Mountain for a few minutes and Mary decided it was time to go! She got up and started for the car, when Jon caught up to her, grabbed her arm, pulled her into a huge kiss, whispered “I love you” and proceeded to get down on one knee. Mary was crying instantly (sloppily, I might add!), not even remembering if Jon was on his knee. It made for quite an exciting lunch with a friend (who happens to be the photographer of this shoot and a bridesmaid of Mary’s)!
Tell me about the ring!
The ring is from a family owned jewelry design company called Wexford Jewelers, based out of Michigan. Mary found it online, not wanting a ring like anyone else’s and wanting one to be truly as unique as she. (Why get a single solitaire if it doesn’t match your personality OR your style??) Mary ran a few options past Jon and he liked this one the most. Mary left it up to Jon to buy it whenever he felt ready (or felt that they both were ready), so the timing was still a surprise! The ring itself is made up of two parts, but only the engagement ring is pictured. The wedding band is like a leafy vine that sits atop the main rose center with a smaller diamond intertwined into it. The most stunning ring Mary has ever seen.
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