Dreamy Winter Engagement Session in Calgary
As soon as I sat down to meet Ellena and Kevin last summer in Calgary, I was so excited at the prospect of being their wedding photographer. They are so down-to-earth, funny, and did I mention LOVE EVERYTHING DISNEY!? Their story is absolutely amazing, and we had such a fun time during their engagement session. Scroll down to see more of their dreamy winter engagement session!
Their Story
Kevin and Ellena met online through eHarmony in August of 2015. After answering all the usual questions, talking for a bit over text and Kevin thinking that Ellena wasn’t interested, they finally agreed to a first date on September 5, 2015. Ellena met Kevin downtown by his apartment on busy 17th Ave in Calgary. Surprised that he hadn’t yet explored all the delicious eateries around the area, Ellena suggested Buttermilk, a restaurant that served various types of waffles (because who doesn’t like waffles for dinner!?). It was pouring rain and Kevin braved the cold and wet weather to walk several blocks to the restaurant (later finding out that Ellena had a second umbrella, oops!). They hit it off completely; talking for hours about their families, desire to travel and hobbies, even setting up a date for the next day. Being shift workers, it was easy to understand each others schedules and amazing to enjoy all the fun of a Saturday date night on a Tuesday. Over the next month they enjoyed seeing movies, going to restaurants and discovering each others’ funny habits! Kevin even learned to make Ellena’s favorite breakfast, scrambled eggs (for anyone that knows him, Kevin hates eggs).
In October, Kevin took Ellena on a romantic weekend getaway to Banff. After a day trip to Lake Louise, Kevin asked Ellena to be his girlfriend. The true test was yet to come when they booked their first trip together, Disneyland in January. Ellena really just wanted to see if Kevin was going to be able to handle her crazy Disney loving ways. Needless to say it was a magical trip especially when they exchanged “I Love You’s” in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle during the fireworks.
After deciding to move in together, Kevin learned pretty quickly that he clearly didn’t have any of the right kitchen tools in his bachelor pad apartment and that his big blackleather couches had to go. Otherwise, it was a seamless and comfortable transition, Kevin enjoying Ellena’s BBQ and Ellena enjoying the steak Kevin cooked on it.
In May, Ellena joined Kevin on a trip to his home town of Saint John, New Brunswick. Enjoying the company of his big family and amazing friends, some fresh caught lobster and many beverages later, Kevin knew Ellena was the girl for him.
The Engagement
Kevin recruited Ellena’s best friend Hilary to go ring shopping as a fun girls night out with the secret intention to find out what Ellena liked. With said ring purchased, Kevin planned to propose on Ellena’s birthday (July 23). Ellena hates surprises so this was Kevin’s chance to disguise engagement festivities.
After booking a birthday dinner for Ellena and all her friends the night of July 23rd, Kevin enlisted friends JC and Lea to help capture the moment when they visited that weekend. The morning of, the four hiked to the Lake Agnes Tea House in Lake Louise. At the very top after lunch as it started to rain, Lea mentioned that she wanted to take some pictures of the mountain scenery with her new camera. Setting Ellena and Kevin up in front of the lake, Kevin bent down on one knee, in front of many tourists, and popped the question! A cold, excited and very surprised Ellena said yes! To see their amazing wedding at the Lake House Calgary click here!
