A few months ago photographer Jacques from Real Simple Photography emailed with some exciting news about their relocation from South Africa to the UK.  To celebrate, we launched a competition for one lucky couple to win their engagement shoot with Jacques in the beautiful city of Winchester.  Our favourite proposal story entry came from Julia & David, who travelled down to Winchester one sunny Spring weekend for their shoot with Jacques.

Here’s there story ~

My wonderful fiancé totally surprised me! He told me that there was a one off business trip to Paris that partners were allowed to go on ( I was so excited, as I hadn’t been on a holiday in several years!), so off we went on the Euro Star, next stop Paris! I packed us a picnic for onboard, containing freshly baked brownies, and a bit of sparkling wine. We eventually arrived in the wonderful city, and took a metro to the Eiffel Tower (I wasn’t paying attention too excited by all the fun of being in Paris). Our hotel was right there overlooking the tower! I was so excited looking at it, then turned around, and there on one knee was my wonderful man holding a beautiful ring, and he asked me to marry him!! I was SO shocked, there was a stunned silence before many a yes and tears!

Turned out it wasn’t a business trip…

We first met over 7 years ago on our first day at the University of York, where we lived in opposite flats. He thought I looked like a music teacher and got my name wrong (Julie is pretty much the same!). I pretended to like Family Guy to spend more time with Dave. Over the next few years we went to New York, Paris and Spain together before moving down to Weybridge to rent our first house together.

Our wedding plans are almost finalised. It has been constant fun for us two organising a day to celebrate our love! We are getting married in the beautiful church St Margaret’s Mapledurham (featured heavily in the Michael Caine film ‘The Eagle has landed’) where I used to sing as a child. We then, both being big foodies are going to ‘The Beetle and Wedge’ restaurant right on the river front in Moulsford. I will be wearing Sassi Holford and Dave Cad & The Dandy, we can’t wait to see each other looking our finest on the day! An intimate affair for our closest family and friends, we have delicious food, lots of great wine and a small boat for great photo opportunities!  The evening will have a photo booth, marshmallow toasting and lots of cheesy dancing!

We are both over the moon with the engagement photo shoot we won! Jacques and his beautiful wife did just a fabulous job of taking some, as you can see, stunning photos for us to treasure. You are engaged for the shortest time in your life, and it’s just been so wonderful to have this blissful time documented. I can highly recommend them to everyone! Thank you again for this wonderful treat, we are still so happy we won!

Such a pleasure Julia! We can’t wait to see your big day!

Looking for some more engagement shoot inspiration? Click here to see more!