Berry College Engagement Session

Emily & Garner

Emily & Garner first met in 2017 at a Christmas party – how romantic is that! They were both grad students at the University of South Carolina and they immediately hit it off. Special thanks to their friend for introducing them – they have been inseparable ever since! Throughout their relationship they have found that trusting in God’s timing has made the biggest impact in their journey together. I love that!

We planned their fall engagement session to be at Berry college where their wedding will be next summer. Garner is a professor at Berry, so it really is a meaningful and perfect place for all of their photos. And we got a little sneak peek at where their wedding festivities will be. Berry College is one of the most beautiful college campuses. Every time I have visited, it is always so beautiful and serene.

We first drove up to the infamous “House of Dreams” for the first part of their session. It was a bit of a drive, but it was the perfect chance for me to get to know these two more and hear the story of how they got engaged.

Here’s their proposal story that Emily shared with me:

“Emily had made Garner promise that he wouldn’t propose until she had finished all of her written comprehensive exams for her PhD, which were scheduled for May 2018. Unbeknownst to Emily, Garner’s mom had offered him his grandmother’s diamond from her engagement ring to use over spring break 2019, so he had the ring made up. Garner came to Columbia to support Emily through her exams (which she passed!), and planned to propose on a hike before they both would head to Texas to see his family. On the day of the proposal, May 13, 2019, Garner’s initial plan was to go to Harbison State Forest for a hike and to propose on the hike there. Harbison was where we went on our third date that turned into a whole afternoon and evening. When we got there though, the park was closed for logging! Garner then had to think quickly, and decided to suggest a hike at Sesquicentennial State Park. We got to Sesqui, and Garner opted for the longer, more secluded hike around the perimeter of the park. However, as we got a mile into the hike, there were no benches to be found. We kept going, and still no benches. We went almost 5 miles and had almost gotten back to where we started, when we came to the campsite area that is wooded and had a pretty view of the lake. We sat down on a bench, Garner pulled out a letter written to Emily, and then got down on one knee and proposed.”

I am so excited for Emily and Garner! They are such a sweet and kind couple, it is such a joy to be there for them as they get married.

Here are some of my favorite photos from their session. These fall leaves were spectacular!! Talk a look!