A Love Story Years in the Making

Some love stories are meant to be, and Halle & Barrett’s is one of them. High school sweethearts who have been dating for several years, these two have grown together and are now attending Samford University side by side. Their relationship has been filled with love, laughter, and countless memories, and this week, Barrett took the next step in their journey with a dreamy Fairhope proposal.

The best part? Halle was completely shocked. They had talked about getting engaged in the fall, so she had no idea that Barrett had been secretly planning this moment for months. Every detail was carefully arranged to ensure she wouldn’t suspect a thing, making the surprise even sweeter.

A Perfectly Timed Walk to Forever

Halle had no idea what was coming. It was actually her idea to visit Fairhope for the weekend, looking forward to spending time with Barrett’s family and exploring the charming town. But what she didn’t know was that Barrett had a much bigger plan in store—one that included the most incredible surprise of all.

The evening began with what seemed like a nice dinner date. Barrett and Halle had 5:30 dinner reservations, but upon arrival, their table wasn’t ready just yet. To pass the time, they decided to take a walk through the stunning grounds of The Grand Hotel—right to the exact spot where Barrett had planned to propose. And there I was, waiting behind the scenes, camera in hand, ready to capture every moment.

As they strolled beneath the iconic Grand Hotel mossy oak trees Barrett dropped to one knee and asked Halle to spend forever with him. The pure shock and joy on her face were priceless—she truly hadn’t seen it coming! It was the kind of raw, beautiful moment that makes photographing proposals so special.

A Romantic Engagement Session at The Grand Hotel

After she said “yes” (of course, she did!), we took a walk around the stunning grounds of The Grand Hotel, capturing couples portraits. These two were absolutely precious together—so full of love, laughter, and that newly-engaged glow. Every moment between them felt so genuine and full of excitement for the future.

To make the weekend even more special, Barrett had another surprise in store—he had arranged with Halle’s parents to travel all the way from Trussville, and they had reservations to celebrate together the following evening at The Hope Farm. Knowing that their families would be able to celebrate together made the engagement even sweeter.

The Importance of Coordinating with Your Photographer

Planning a proposal is exciting, but making sure it’s beautifully captured requires careful coordination with your photographer. Barrett worked with both his mom and me to plan the details, from selecting the perfect location to deciding on the best time of day for lighting. We discussed multiple options and settled on the top-choice location that would be both meaningful and picturesque.

Some key things to consider when coordinating a Fairhope proposal with your photographer:
Location: Choose a spot that is not only beautiful but also practical for photography. The Grand Hotel’s mossy oaks created a stunning, timeless backdrop. This specific venue requires prior authorization for photos – Shout out to Chelsea Crawford for securing The Grand for us!
Timing: Golden hour (just before sunset) is ideal for that soft, romantic glow.
Disguise the Surprise: Barrett used their “waiting for a table” excuse perfectly, allowing for a natural, unsuspicious way to get Halle to the proposal location.
Communication: I knew exactly where to be so I could capture the moment without being noticed. A well-thought-out plan makes for the best candid reactions!

If you’re planning a Fairhope proposal, having a photographer who is in on the plan will ensure that every emotion-filled second is preserved forever.

Planning Your Own Fairhope Proposal?

It was truly a pleasure to be a part of such a heartfelt moment, one that Halle & Barrett will remember for a lifetime. Fairhope proposals like this are some of my favorite moments to capture—the raw emotion, the unexpected joy, and the love that fills the air make them absolutely magical.

If you’re planning a Fairhope proposal and want every special moment documented, I’d love to help you capture it! Congratulations, Halle & Barrett —I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you next.