September 6, 2021
I photographed Amanda’s brother’s wedding just a few weeks before this Palos Verdes engagement session. Engagement sessions are always such a fun way to get to know my couples before the wedding day. Maybe it was the beachy SoCal vibes, or maybe it was that I so recently worked with her whole family. Either way, Amanda and Tommy’s engagement photos felt so natural and relaxed.
Four years prior, Amanda and Tommy connected on Coffee Meets Bagel. SO many couples I work with meet online, it’s definitely the new norm and I love hearing the story of how things kicked off in real life. Amanda knew Tommy was “The One” before they even went on their first date, and Tommy was pretty smitten from the start. After a memorable first date at esteemed LA restaurant Bestia, things quickly progressed into meeting the family on date #2! And by date four, they made a deal that they would either break up or get married by year five.
In a heartwarming blend of modern mishaps and silver-screen worthy romance, Tommy’s epic proposal unfolded over three days, paying homage to the nearly three years they had been dating. It all began with an unexpected twist when Tommy’s location at Robbins Brothers jewelry store was leaked to Amanda via her Find My Friends app. Whoops! He was able to pass it off as though he was merely perusing the mall. Undeterred, he embarked on his meticulously planned three-day tribute.
1st DAY: Tommy invited Amanda to grab coffee and bagels to start their day. A subtle nod to how they met.
2nd DAY: A dinner at Bestia, where they had their first date.
3rd DAY: Tommy’s proposal reached its peak as they were getting ready to embark on a hot air balloon ride above Temecula. Amanda was busy trying to FaceTime her mom—who had requested to be a part of the momentous occasion. When her mom picked up, she turned to find Tommy on one knee, struggling to voice his profound feelings over the roar of the balloon’s flames. Amidst the noise and excitement, Amanda said “YES!”.
For their Palos Verdes engagement session, we made our way down to Abalone Cove. This beach is a great location for engagement photos as it has a few unique features that I love. A winding winding trail down to the shore, lifeguard towers, and beautiful cliffs in the background all make this spot extra dreamy.
Counting down the days until their December wedding at Redbird LA!
I offer Palos Verdes engagement photos at various locations. Interested in working together? Let’s chat more!