Engagement Sesh Time: A Vintage Picnic For Two

I told you about how I love the super special places people sometimes pick out for the engagement sesh.  And then I divulged the setting for ours.  But before we bought our tickets for the ferris wheel and got a sugar high from all of the cotton candy, our uhhhmazing photographer Brett Martelli decided that it was worth a trip to the spot where we spent time while we shared puppy love -- and the spot Mr. Sweets proposed -- Bolton Mansion, the old mansion between our two neighborhoods growing up where we sledded during the winter and hung out on bikes in the summer.

We had so much stinkin' fun with Brett.  I was super nervous about the whole idea of cheesin' for the camera, but that quickly went out the window and I totally forgot all about it and just had fun.  

Brett put up with my box of vintage props and me thinking -- I mean knowing --  that I could work it for the camera from watchin' a lot of America's Next Top Model.  He totally captured us having a blast...not to mention, he himself was so much fun to work with...  

And just when I thought that was enough, Brett completely blew me away with some of his teasers.  I had some prep I wanted to share before unveiling these beauts... But that was before I saw them. The teasers are so great, I could wait to show the hive.

One of my favorites from the Bolton Mansion shoot --

Although it's so hard to choose just one -- and this is from the teasers alone, hive!!

 Mr. Sweets loves that hat.  And I love Mr. Sweets.  (And I think he might like me too! ;) )

I totally made sure to steal the Ace of Hearts so that I could "win" ;)

 

I totally hammed it up with a vintage camera (borrowed from Papa Sweets), 

making believe I was taking tons of pictures of my honey.

 You may remember this carving that served as some inspiration for the wedding.  

It was also was perfect to serve as a backdrop for my 1920s bling.

 Mr. Sweets makes my heart skip a beat!

You can probably guess what our new last name initial will be after the big day.

We got a couple takes going down this scary hill on the bike.  It was so. much. fun.

Next up, we went to the fair.  So I can't wait to show you the ferris wheel, cotton candy, ride-til-u-puke fun we had there!!

*NOTE: All super UHHmazing pics are from Brett Martelli.

Did you have a blast at your engagement shoot?  Were you nervous but quickly got over it after the camera came out?  Did your photographer add to the fun of it all?

[Note to all Greater Philly area brides: Brett totally rocks!!]

Fair Game: The Oh-So-Uhmazing Locale of the Engage Sesh

I teased you with engagement sessions in meaningful, special places, like cooking classes, fishing holes and the garden plots.  And I mentioned that I almost threw our big idea into the can after seeing the super, super  amazing camping shots.

Your probably thinking: OK, Sweet Cream! What's this big idea anyway??

Well, hive... I might have mentioned me & the Mister's history that started in grade school, so we decided to take it back there... yes, way back there.

Ever since the beginning of time (OK. Maybe I am exaggerating just a little.  It was 1956 to be exact), our little Catholic Parish held the biggest fair in town.  People would get super excited to go ride the rides, eat cotton candy until they were ready to get sick & hang out with their pals.  The summers of the late 1990s, me & Mr. Sweets were no exception to this rule.  We just loved our town's fair.

Via Picable / Photographer: Lindsay Dean

So that is where we decided to have it: The Fair.

And apparently, many couples have oh-so-lovely shots from their town fairs.  Just look!!

 

Via The Wedding Chicks / Photographer: Asian Bees Photography

Midsouth Delta Fair in Memphis, Tennessee

Source: Silly Baby Blogging Girl / Photographer: Christa Kimble

Ohio State Fair in Columbus, Ohio

Via Kim Le Photography Blog / Photographer: Kim Le Photography

Orange County Fair in Orange County, California

Via Shannon Nicole Smith Blog / Photographer: Shannon Nicole Smith

Orlando, Florida

Via Hanle Productions Blog / Photographer: Hanle Productions

Wisconsin State Fair, West Allis, Wisconsin

Via Love & Lavender / Photographer: Britney Smith Photography

What can beat balloons, slides, cotton candy, snow cones, and cuddly kisses on ferris wheels?

So I know that it's going to be crowded.  And perhaps a little hot.  But the pictures we could get with the excitement, bold colors, delish super sugary treats & our sweet little walk down memory lane is totally worth it.  And I just know our uhmazing photographer, Brett Martelli will deliver.

So hive, any tips for the engagement sesh for me?   

Props? No props? 1 outfit or 2?  Bold print? Solid color? A stop-bein-so-darn-nervous sip of a little somethin' somethin'? 

Help me, puuhhhlleeeze!!  I'm dying to know what you know.

Location! Location! Location!

I must say that I absolutely am infatuated with engagement photos.  Maybe even more so than snapshots of the couple on the big day.

Personalities stand out, individual styles shine and sometimes, you really can catch a glimpse of the energy, love & feelings that these two people have for one another.

After booking our oh-so-amazing photographer, Brett Martelli, we started to think where the heck we would have our engagement pics shot.  Brett suggested something that was "us" and to tell you the truth, a plethora of ideas came to mind.  With my mind blurry with remembrance from engagement picture settings from couples gone before us and posted in the blogosphere, I knew it should be a locale that meant something to us...

Like some of these crazy adorable couples...

Via Kristin Korpos' Blog /  Photographer: Kristin Korpos Photography

Setting: BCAE Kitchen, Boston

This darling duo talked to their photographer about their love for cooking classes they take together... and look at just one of the amazing shots for the shoot! (Click this link to see more).

Via Grey Likes Weddings / Photographer: Alexa's Photography

Oh. Me. Gee!!! This super cute couple hoofed it to the Mister's secret fishing spot to capture some amazing shots...& it is perfection!  (Find more pics from the shoot here).

Via 100 Layer Cake / Photographer: Jill Thomas Photography

Styled By: Amorology Weddings

What can be more romantic then a bonfire, a tent & your sweetie?!  These shots almost make me want to throw our settled upon location in the trash bin!! Me & Mr. Sweets love to camp!

Via Inspired By This / Photographer: Dave Richards Photography

There are sweet, earthy, perfectly simplistic shots at this future hubby's garden plot in Long Beach, where he and his bride-to-be love to plant herbs.  (More sweet, earthy, perfectly simplistic shots here!)

Via Pictage / Photographer: Melissa Jill Photography

This couple -- who loves doing home improvement projects together -- chose their home-away-from home, the one-and-only, Home Depot for their stage.  Super. Super. Cute!

Before I divulge the locale for our upcoming sesh, tell me:

Did you pick somewhere that was important to you as a couple?  Did you have fun just doing what you two like to do?  Or was a beautiful scenery much more important??  Where did you pose for your shots?