White Point Garden is one of the most underrated spots in downtown Charleston. If you hit the timing just right, you will catch the evening light reflecting off of the soft blue ocean and filtering through the grand oak trees. The garden has a magical, fairytale aura to it during this hour; the golden light illuminates the pathways that guide you right up the stairs of the iconic gazebo. When Connor asked me to photograph his surprise White Point Garden proposal to his long time girlfriend, Shelby, around Christmastime, I knew immediately that this shoot was going to be what dreams are made of.

Connor and Shelby’s love story is one out of a storybook; the two met one August afternoon at a mutual friend’s birthday celebration. They hit it off better than anyone had expected and the rest is history. The only hurdle that set them apart was distance; for a majority of their relationship, Connor was in school at College of Charleston while Shelby was at Georgia College. While distance was hard for the couple at times, the two prevailed. “I always new she was the one. From the moment I met her, I just knew. It’s funny how love works like that,” Connor told me during his initial inquiry.

After making hundreds of trips over the years back and forth from South Carolina to Georgia to spend time with Shelby, Connor was eager to propose. He told me about all of the times that he had thought about getting down on one knee before; the timing had just not been quite right yet. “I want to make this extra special. Shelby is my whole world and she deserves the most romantic and memorable proposal ever,” Connor said to me during the planning process.

And, oh, how romantic and memorable it truly was! Connor convinced Shelby that he had hired me to take photographs of them together for their Christmas card; she had absolutely no idea what was to come.

As dusk was quickly approaching, the lights in the Garden flickered on. It was like a moment out of a Hallmark movie.

Connor began guiding Shelby to the gazebo where he was planning to ask the big question, but not before showing her how to shag.

After much anticipation, Connor giddily guided Shelby to the center of the gazebo, pulled out the ring box, and proposed to her in one of the sweetest moments I have witnessed in my entire career. This White Point Garden proposal was one for the books and I cannot wait for their small wedding in Charleston to happen!

Book a proposal or engagement session with me HERE.