Tips for a Successful Same-Sex Engagement Session

Same-sex couple wedding photography experts Thea Dodds & Kathryn Hamm shared some good tips for a successful engagement session:

1. Be a Team: “The clients and photographer need to be a team with a shared set of goals. This is a key time to establish connection and build rapport.”

2. Let the Photographer Know you Better: Let your photographer know how each of you express him/herself most comfortably, especially with regard to gender expression. “How do you relate to each other? In what ways have your “coming out” experiences impacted you and your family relationships?”

3. Take the Right Pose: Here are two examples from the Capturing Love book:

“Seasoned photographers will recognize this pose from the traditional wedding playbook for grooms and their best men. This casual, yet connected pose generally conveys a connection of friendship and support. In this image, however, the direct and meaningful gaze shared by the two men indicates a much closer, more intimate relationship.”

“Nothing says love like a nuzzle. The challenge with a couple of the same height (often occurring for same-sex couples) is getting the couple close without covering up too much of their faces. Layering their bodies is key to solving this challenge. Guidance with phrases like, “put your shoulder into your partner’s armpit,” can reduce confusion so the couple can stay in the moment and focus on their nuzzling.” 

 

Written by Thea Dodds and Kathryn Hamm, featuring stunning example photographs from 38 of the top gay and lesbian wedding photographers, and showcasing 46 same-sex couples, Capturing Love debunks the myth that “same-sex couples are just like straight couples” and can be photographed the same way.

Photos by Chard Photographer and Meredith Hanafi.

Guy Proposes Despite Warning

If a girl gives you a warning– I think you’d heed it. ESPECIALLY, if it’s about your proposal.

After 7 years of dating, this guy was finally proposing to his girlfriend. However, he was purposely proposing in a way she warned him not to do: PUBLICLY.

Well, he did it anyway. They both worked at an Apple Store and he even got the rest of their coworkers in on it. She was all ready for her next appointment, which was scheduled on her iPad. It took her awhile before she realized the customer’s name was “Will U. Marryme.”

Despite being thoroughly shocked by the proposal and by the fact that it was public even after she told him never to do that, the lovely bride-to-be said “yes,” surrounded by all their coworkers who were just as thrilled as she was.

This guy got lucky. Usually if a girl gives you a tip for her proposal, we’d suggest following it.

Check out their proposal below.

Nikki

Hayden Panettiere’s Engagement Ring

Rumors are Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko are engaged! After the couple got back together in January, it seems that they are planning their summer wedding. We haven’t seen the ring yet, but we can still try to guess… What do you think of this one?

See more Artcarved engagement ring >>

Photo via UsWeekly

Elle Macpherson’s Engagement Ring

Elle Macpherson showed off her (huge) engagement ring in London Tuesday night. She’s now engaged to her billionaire beau Jeffrey Soffer. Check out her amazing rock:

Looking for a similar style?

See more Leo Ingwer engagement rings >>

Photos via  UsWeekly and StyleBristro

Family Didn’t Know They Were Part of Proposal!

For many girls, it’s a great idea to get their family in on being a part of the big moment. Whether it’s a huge party where the family can witness the actual proposal, or really just passing on Grandma’s ring, if your girl values family– she’ll love having her family part of the special moment.

But of course, the downside is what if a family member accidentally spilled the beans?

This guy didn’t take any chances, but still pulled off a beautiful proposal with the family involved– only, they didn’t know they were actually part of the proposal.

The independent filmmaker put together a music video that was part montage of him and his lovely lady’s special memories, another part of him singing and another part of family members passing along an imaginary item from frame to frame. The bride-to-be starts bawling as she sees familiar face after familiar face of loved ones.

The family thought they were passing a necklace he would give her on their dating anniversary. What he ended up doing was passing the imaginary item “through” the TV and proposing with a gorgeous ring.

No one saw it coming! Check out how creative this proposal is below. The actual movie starts at minute 1:07.

Nikki

He Proposes With His Mother’s Ring

John was shocked when his mother offered him a ring to propose with. It was truly unique, but Anita wanted a very simple solitaire, and he wasn’t sure of how to proceed. He needed help. That’s when he met Rita Fusaro.

“The ring had been given to my grandmother by my grandfather when they were young.  My mother called it a “dinner ring.”  It was beautiful! It had a blue sapphire between two diamonds in a beautiful base with lots of tiny diamonds surrounding it. But because it was so unique, I still labored over the notion over whether or not to buy a “normal” engagement ring.  

I know Anita loved the ring because my mother had showed it to her when they first met, even before I laid eyes on it.

I spoke to jeweler after jeweler, but couldn’t find a solution. I definitely needed help.

I set an appointment with Rita Fusaro at her home, which happened to be very close to mine at the time.   During our visit, she showed me all kinds of designs and explained a lot to me. She’d spent a good amount of time dealing with me.  and yet, she came back to her original idea:  “I’ll clean this ring up, re-size it, and you propose with it.  If you decide afterwards that you want something else, then we’ll go from there.  But this is really unique, really special.  It’s worth a try.”

I never considered the role any jeweler would play in making this moment (and process) so memorable and special.  But I’m so incredibly grateful that for having experienced it.  Rita set the whole trajectory of my proposal, wedding, marriage and life on a particular course.”

See more Fusaro engagement rings>>

News Anchor Reads Own Proposal LIVE!

Every girl wants to be surprised with her proposal. But this Alabama news anchor was not only surprised by her proposal– she actually read it out loud herself!

In the middle of the news, her producer started yelling in her ear that there was some breaking news and she needed to read the teleprompter. She reads straight through before she realizes that the breaking news is that an anchor is getting proposed to right now.

Then her longtime boyfriend walks on set while her two co-hosts make a quick exit, and he lets out a heart felt proposal. Her tears of joy lead into the weather forecast and it was definitely a happy ending for this new station.

Check it out below and the controversy that CNN reported on regarding it (apparently some viewers weren’t happy about having to watch a live proposal).

Nikki

Would you spend $45K on a proposal?

They say you can’t put a price on love, but more often than not, our society is seeing bigger and flashier proposals each and everyday.

Future grooms are shelling out tons of cash to make the perfect moment to ensure that special “Yes!” But how much money is it worth? I guess for many men, it’s their “insurance policy”…at least they hope so.

Josh Ogle spent $45,000 on his proposal to his special girlfriend, Nataliyia. However, what’s really shocking to me is the order in which he did it.

According to ABC.com, it seemed like a pretty typical date night before he popped the question. It wasn’t until after she said “Yes!” that he whisked her off in a vintage car to enjoy a meal prepared by a celebrity chef. After that? Oh it didn’t stop there. They then jetted off to Europe for some more post-engagement festivities.

Geez! Usually that good stuff is to butter up the girl for the “Yes!” I guess maybe he was thinking no matter what the answer was, he at least had a great meal waiting for him. That, or he was super confident in her answer.

How much is too much money for a proposal?

Nikki

Guy Recreates First Date

This adorable fellow does so many things right with this proposal. Gentlemen, take notes!

For their one year dating anniversary, he decided to recreate their first date. So, they meet at a local coffee shop, drinking coffee and laughing over the little things they say in casual conversation, like its just any other day. Eventually, they exchange anniversary cards.

He plays it cool the WHOLE time and waits until after she’s done reading her card. It’s only then does he get down on one knee and pop the question. She had no idea it was coming.

What an adorable, yet meaningful proposal. Important dates and locations are key when setting the atmosphere to make life long lasting  memory.

Nikki

Green With Envy? 5 Ways to Deal with Pre-Proposal Anxiety

So you thought you’d be engaged by now, huh? Does watching other girls flaunt their sparklies as they plan their summer weddings make your blood boil and turn you as green as a leprechaun?

There’s a good number of girls who go through a period of time where they have to wait for the “perfect” moment, even though they think the perfect moment was like yesterday. We’ve been there ourselves and know how annoying it can be. But never fear! You’re not alone and we have some great tips for you to field your feelings of anxiety without taking them out on your (hopefully) future groom

1. Open a Dialogue
You don’t want to be annoying about the topic of marriage, but  the truth is, if you’re going to get married, it’s always a good idea to have a conversation about it. Sometimes the guy can do it, but when he’s particularly shy, you can help him out. Like if you’ve been dating for two years and he’s a regular at your family’s famous barbecue and Easter egg hunt, it’s fair to say, “Wow! You’ve really become part of the family” and see where it goes from there. If he doesn’t budge then it’s nice to throw in something like, “Well, it makes me feel better that you’ll fit in well with my crazy relatives if we ever get married.” If you had never talked about marriage up until this point, using the word “IF” is very important. It approaches the topic in a non-threatening way and lets him lead into the “when” portion.

BUT if you guys have already started talking about marriage but he still hasn’t put a ring on it, there are things you can do to get the conversation moving. Sometimes guys don’t think about the logistics of wedding planning. So if you have already confirmed with each other that you both want to marry each other and it’s only a matter of when, starting saying things like “I’ve always wanted a June wedding and probably need about 8 months to plan. Would you want to be married by next summer?” Guys can understand numbers and when he realizes, “OH! I have to propose with enough time to plan a wedding,” then it gets his creative juices flowing.

2.  Drop Hints Without Going Overboard
Sometimes guys are just stumped. A ring? A fantastic proposal? It can be overwhelming. If you have a ring in mind and you don’t think he’s bought one yet, tell a friend which ring it is and have her drop hints like, “Oh so I know you and Susie are serious now and she mentioned really liking this ring. Just in case you were thinking about it!” Sometimes it can plant a good thought in his head. And coming from another person, it makes the whole situation less threatening. Also, you can direct him to sections of Engagement 101 online or even buy one of our print issues and casually have it lying around (our special guy edition is fantastic!). Make sure you order a copy!

3. Double Date With Your Married Friends
Sometimes guys think marriage is the death of all things fun. Find your more fun and outgoing married friends and go on a fantastic double date. It helps if he’s friends with them too, but it doesn’t have to be that way (just make sure him and the other guy are compatible personalities). Being around a married couple who’s 1) in love and 2) super fun to be around may make him see marriage in a whole new light. Plus, your friend could ask, “HEY! When will you two tie the knot,” which can open dialogue for you without making it seem like you’re the pushy one!

4. Take a Step Back
So nothing’s working and your guys just seems to be impossible. Sometimes it’s good to take a breather. Drop the wedding talk. Stop the hints. Heck, even step away from your Pinterest page that you keep secret so no one thinks your a freak. Sure, it’s good to dream, but if it’s driving you crazy, it’s time to take a step back, enjoy a nice bubble bath and maybe a girls’ night out on the town. If he really is marriage material and truly loves you, he’ll miss all the attention you give him normally and maybe start thinking more about it.

5. Enjoy Your Relationship
It’s easy to get angry when you feel like your engagement is long overdue or you’re watching all your friends tie the knot, but remember: you like him for a reason. Don’t let your bitterness ruin a good thing. Enjoy going out. Go on special dates. Embrace the perfect cuddle session during a movie night in. Dating life is a special time and you should enjoy it. Plus, it’ll keep your mind off the proposal and let you truly be surprised instead of feeling like “IT’S ABOUT TIME!”

Nikki

Photo Credit: Celebrity with Style