Dear Lauren + Drew,
Where do I even begin? Your engagement session will forever be one for the books — not because it went perfectly according to plan, but because it didn’t, and yet it turned out to be pure magic.
After months of trying to find the right day between weather, life, and wedding prep, we finally squeezed in your engagement session just days before the wedding. Things kept coming up, but you both showed up with the most beautiful attitudes — calm, joyful, and ready to make the most of whatever the day brought.
And just when I thought we were in the clear, we found out that the Botanical Gardens had closed early (bummer for me, right?). But that didn’t stop us! We pivoted and found a new location — one that turned out to be just as charming, laid-back, and full of personality as you two.
Drew, you were beyond chill the entire time, grounding the energy with that quiet strength that balances Lauren’s sweet, dainty presence so perfectly. Together, you two reminded me of something straight out of a rom-com — fun, real, and effortlessly magnetic. Think Kitty and Red from That 70s Show, but make it modern-day love with vintage flair.
You told me your story — how you met through Drew’s sister (who happens to be your tattoo artist), and how you’ve weathered so many highs and lows together: family struggles, loss, and the kind of life moments that shape two hearts into one. Through it all, you’ve remained best friends, finding laughter and light even when things get heavy.
Your session reflected all of that — full of fun, tenderness, and a quiet intimacy that words can’t quite capture. From the laughter between poses to that spontaneous feet-in-the-water fight at the end (still smiling thinking about it), every moment felt so genuine. The kind of joy that only comes when love has already been tested and proven true.
When you told me you wanted to look back on these photos and hear your laughter — I felt that. Because that’s exactly what these images do. They tell a story of love that’s fun and flirty, romantic yet grounded, imperfectly perfect… just like you two.
Here’s to your journey — to Stillwater Meadow, to the next chapter, and to a love that feels like home no matter where you go.
With love and joy,
Rae De Lain 🤍
Classic. Refined. Faith-Filled Weddings
