A Fall Engagement with Ryan & Alexis | Memphis Wedding Photographer
WHEW.
I fell absolutely in LOVE with my engagement session with Alexis and Ryan. I'm not sure if it was the obvious and evident chemistry between these two or if it was the warm, cozy, autumn colors but I couldn't get enough of it.
These two will be getting married next October at The Davis Home at Strawberry Plains, a beautiful southern plantation home turned wedding venue. Ryan and Alexis went to Mississippi State together. They started dating in fall of 2012, and, like most college students, they didn't have a lot of money to spare. Starkville is just outside of a wildlife refuge that they would go to and walk on trails together. The Davis home has a wooden platform that looks out into the nature preserve, and as soon as they saw it there was immediately no question: this was the place they wanted to marry each other. It was the perfect way to bring the beginning of their relationship to the beginning of their life together.
He asked...
"At the end of March 2016, we had just gotten back from one of our best friends wedding in Bay St. Louis, MS. Although a proposal was nearing, I received an overwhelming amount of family, friends and guests of our friends' wedding rave about how wonderful and helpful Alexis had been and that I should "lock her down soon". Well, I must have been bitten by the bug, because the Monday after we got back, I figured enough was enough... I went straight to the jewelry store first thing that morning and purchased the ring I knew she would cherish forever. Walking out of the store, waiting for the ring to be ready, I made phone calls to both of my future in-laws. We talked about when I would be popping the question and I figured I'd wait till that Friday before Easter. I've never had something burn a hole in my pocket faster and after picking up the ring that afternoon I knew I just couldn't wait. March 21st, 2016 started off as being a very cool first day of spring break and with light rain that morning, I knew the beaches would be empty. The beach has meant a great deal to both of us as that it was the first place I took her in Pensacola. I told her after work that we needed to head down to the beach because there were some prospective clients I wanted to make introductions with, and claimed we can do dinner while we were down there. As the weather conditions improved throughout the day, the temperature was still low so beach activity was scarce, and with the sun setting over the water, I couldn't have pictured or asked for a better scene. We walked down to the water and as I made nervous small talk I couldn't wait any longer. As she faced the sunset, I turned quickly and got on one knee and pulled the ring from my coat pocket. With no stutter I seemed to get the words out, "Alexis, will you marry me?" And her answer was quicker than I ever thought it could be, and the rest as they say, was history." -Ryan
"I just realized one day that he was the person I wanted by my side to do things with for the rest of my life.
The fun parts and the hard parts, all the highs and lows of our lives. I wanted him there! My favorite qualities of Ryan would have to be his determination for the things he cares about. How sweet and patient he is with me and Stark (our dog). His confidence, and of course, his sense of humor. He never fails to make me laugh, especially when he knows I need it the most. I can't wait to have all of our friends and family there to witness our new beginning. Im excited to officially be the team we always say we are. To be one." -Alexis
"My favorite qualities about Alexis is that she is the most caring individual I've ever met.. and she truly cares. The sacrifices that she has had to make for me is not something you ask of somebody, but when they do it willingly you know they are the person you are meant to be with. Loving, selfless, and passionate are just a few ways I would describe her, but that list doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. Should truly is the woman of my dreams and I can't wait to make her my wife. We love spending time with each other... whether that's on the couch on a lazy Sunday afternoon playing with our dog or traveling to new places and having adventures. Dinners, movies, beaches, and sporting events are at the top of the list, but I would say our most favorite thing is going back to Starkville Mississippi, and getting the opportunity to tailgate, go to football games, and hang out at our favorite spots like we used to in college, where it all started." -Ryan
