Chris and Ashley’s Golden Hour Engagement Session in Evansville

“I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day.” – The Notebook

Out where the sunshine glows a little warmer and the breeze carries laughter through the fields…that’s where we met up with Chris and Ashley for the dreamiest engagement session in the Evansville area!! Surrounded by rolling hills of fields and that dreamy golden light, this session was giving allllll the vibes!!

These two brought along their sweet daughters for the first part of the session (cue the heart-melting family moments!), and we’re still swooning over how adorable they all were together….Blending their beautiful family is such a special part of their love story and it made the start of this session even more meaningful!!! After some giggles & snuggles with the girls, we stole Chris and Ashley away for their solo time…and let’s just say, the magic continued!! OBSESSED!! 😍 These two are best friends in love and it shows! Between the laughter, kisses, and a sunset champagne pop, it was a perfect evening with the sweetest couple!!

We cannot wait for their big day…if it’s anything like this session, it’s going to be full of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments! Snuggle in and scroll down to see a sneak peek of their magical session!!✨🫶🏼💕

 

How did you meet?

“Chris & I first crossed paths at the dance studio while the girls were practicing one evening. Mind you he had messaged me a few weeks prior this little message that went something like “Hey! I am pretty sure I work with your brother…” **crickets** I kindly responded “oh that’s nice I think he really enjoys it there!” … fast forward >>> seeing each other in person for the first time — I thought he was a cute, shy, nerdy type.”

What was your first date?

“We actually talked for a few months just as “parent friends” before I finally agreed to go on a real date ((3rd time asking was the charm 😉)) but I was nervous how our dynamic would change with the girls if it didn’t workout so we kind of did everything in reverse — serious talks, dreams, how we saw our life & how we were going to achieve it. & we creepily aligned with everything I almost stopped him in his tracks, but something just kept telling me “this is it, just be patient” >>> the first date was highly anticipated, obviously! we planned it on a night we didn’t have the girls, he picked me up, I mean came all the way up to the door, waited outside my house while I grabbed my last minute things & shoved them in my purse — it was like id known him my whole life. We went to dinner, sat there for hours talking, drove through the countryside just singing to music ((well me lol he just smiled & watched me belt my heart out lol)) he was a little nervous & I caught him by surprise when I kissed him goodnight — its like that romcom when you walk inside your house, close the door & melt ♥️ we both knew, honestly before the date, but that night — it confirmed everything we had felt already just from talking before”

When did you start dating?

April 22nd, 2024

When did you get engaged?

February 15th, 2025

How did he propose?

“For Christmas Chris had gotten me a trip for two to finally stay in one of the iconic treehouse cabins in Copperhill, TN — he planned it for Valentine’s Day weekend. The weeks in between made it hard to think wed actually be going on that trip after Chris was in the hospital for weeks… then my dad… then the week of finally came & Kennedy caught the flu… between nursing her back to health, my moms help & a lot of convincing from them both, we left late Friday afternoon to head toward the mountains & I definitely needed it! little did I know >>> we’d be welcomed with a lit pathway to our treehouse, a old school wood fired hot tub & a bottle of wine welcome us for the weekend ♥️ we snuggled in for the night. waking up to explore the town nearby, although misty that day it didn’t stop us! we ate, we laughed, we talked about life & our plans for the coming year — me clueless over here just enjoying out time together & daydreaming >>> to grocery shopping & prepping a cozy dinner together. watching a romcom & deciding to jump in the hot tub that looked like a giant barrel you’d see in one of those movies where people were squishing grapes ((my giddy self was so excited every time!!)) he ran back inside quickly so I walked over to test the water as he’s running back out telling me not to get in without him — those long legs can move quickly! I was in the process of saying I’m getting in now it’s chilly & turned around to him down on one knee, nervous as hell with a big grin on his face. If you know Chris, he’s a man of few words, but when he speaks from his heart it is profound & you know he means it! some happy tears & a happy dance later I was hugging & kissing the man I know get to call my FIANCE!”

What’s your favorite way to spend the weekend?

“We love to do things together; whether it be a home project, working in the garden, sitting on the swing & just starring at the gorgeous view — our favorite weekends are together. whether it is with the kids at the cabin, swimming in the lake or cuddled up on the couch at the end of a productive day watching a movie & eating popcorn — those are the moments we cherish!”

What are three things you love about your groom?

“As I’ve said before, if you know Chris.. he is a man of few words, but he speaks with intention & his actions always speak louder. I love the way he listens, although I know his hearing bothers him most days, a “flaw” as he calls it, he will watch you speak, with full eye contact & remember the tiniest things you say — whether it be a drink you enjoyed that day, a childhood memory that you want your kids to experience, or even the quiver of your lip if you’re trying to speak about something heavy on your heart — he truly listens & makes you feel heard. my mom had always told me I had to find a man who would out work me; whether that was truly at my job, projects at home or my ambition to achieve my goals — I needed someone who could allow my wild heart & mind to flow freely & wasn’t going to shut me in a box. not only did I find that, I found a man who had aspirations aligned exactly with mine — family, love, home life, all the way down to the garden with chickens & fluffy cows. I found the man who will love every crazy idea I have, allow me to process it & even change my mind with calmness, direction & the ability to bring my ideas to reality even when they may seem like chaos —- I finally found a man who leads with his heart & is a protector, provider, & a partner ♥️ the one who makes my soul feel safe for the first time.”

What are three things you love about your bride?

“I love her heart she has a huge heart and cares for everyone. The way she can hold things together and can always seem so calm even when I cannot! I also love that she is an older soul so to speak. we seem to have a lot of the same visions on things wed like our lifestyle to look like (livestock, gardening….). seems like I’ve defiantly meet my match as far as that goes for sure. I’m not a wordy guy so it’s hard for me to put into words what I’m thinking. and I honestly can’t think or pout into words the many reasons I love her. Shes my world and I could not imagine it without her in it anymore.”

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been?

“the treehouse cabins are hard to beat — but our most exciting time together would definitely have to be Chris taking me to go watch bull riding for the first time.”

Do you have any pets together?

“We have a wild duo: Buster Ryan, our 10 year old, one-eyed bull mastiff who still thinks he’s a puppy & sleeps under the covers every night & Bruce Lee, our charismatic 4 year old, mullet-rocking bernedoodle who thinks he is a human & shares my pillow at night we also has 3 bunnies: Taylor (Swift), Dill & Pickles — which are Flemish giant crosses so not quick a giant but larger than a standard set of bunnies lol”

Do you have a favorite date you’ve ever been on together?

“Honestly, we draw dates out of a hat on the New Year, one number from 1-31 & write down our date nights for that year January through December. part of the rules is your cannot redraw a number & you have to do the date night on the date it says for each month: no exceptions! I have loved every date, because we take turns each month & get to plan it out but the date night just picking all the date nights & laughing about the choices of activities we pick for each other is half the fun!!”

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

“32 years… I’ve dated. waited. prayed. tried again… it was all worth the life we have together now ♥️ without the past, we wouldn’t have our girls or be the people we’ve grown into through all of those years — the amount of love & appreciate that flows through our home on a daily basis is so uplifting! not without trials of life, but for the very first time we both feel seen, heard, supported — our girls are thriving we are truly living my (Ashley) fairytale country romcom”

What was your favorite part of the engagement session?

“Feeling comfortable — to be ourselves in front of others naturally, without posing or forcing”

Bride, did you get your hair & makeup professionally done for your session?

“Well, I am a cosmetologist soooo does that count when you do it yourself lol”

Where did her outfits come from?

Lulus & Versona

Where did his outfits come from?

Buckle & Dillards

Advice for other couples who are prepping for their engagement session?

“Ask all the questions, don’t be afraid to be different & pick poses that feel natural to you!”