Chris & Elin
1st September 2020│Three Cliffs Bay, Gower
Instagram: @2021_daviestojohnson│Photos: Lucy Parker Photography
Why did you decide to have a pre-wedding shoot?
Neither of us have ever been confident in front of a camera and we are always really critical of ourselves in pictures! Our photographer, Lucy, offered us a pre-wedding shoot and it was included in the package we chose for our wedding photography so we thought it was a good opportunity for us to get some practice in before the big day!
How did you meet and how long have you been together?
Chris and I met when I moved to Cardiff to start my first teaching job in September 2016! Our first date was to Joe’s Ice Cream parlour in Roath (Joe’s ice cream is well known in South Wales – rightly so!) and we then had a walk around the park! We didn’t stop talking and I laughed the whole afternoon – nothing’s changed since!
Tell us all about your proposal story...
Chris proposed on a family holiday to New York in February 2019! His sister travelled to America with the ring – she said she’s never been that worried going through airport security before because she didn’t want to give the game away!
On our second day in New York we visited the Rockerfeller centre in the evening and Chris sent his sister a text just before we left the hotel saying ‘Can you bring the ‘item’ with you tonight – just in case!’
He said he didn’t know when he was going to propose but that evening just felt right!
We got up to the observatory of the Rockerfeller and Chris was fidgeting quite a bit! He’s not a fan of heights at all so this didn’t phase me one bit! It was really busy on the first level so kept going up higher to the next level! Eventually he was happy with the highest level where it was quietest, apart from our group there were only two other couples up there!
The view over towards The Empire State Building was breathtaking and I was busy snapping away so didn’t notice his sister, Becca, passing him the ring! Chris knows I’m a sucker for a good instagrammable picture so said for me to pose through the viewfinder and he’d take a picture of me!
As soon as I turned around and saw him on one knee I started blubbering and told him to ‘Shut the F up!’ very lady like – I know!
It was such a magical evening and the perfect location! We then went for a beautiful meal at Ellen’s Stardust Dinner – the best restaurant for any musical fans! All singing, all dancing and the food was amazing!
Why did you choose the shoot location?
Our photographer Lucy recommended a few locations down on the coast of the Gower, South Wales. It is such a beautiful location and we were drawn to Three Cliffs Bay! We had already postponed our shoot from the beginning of August because of the weather so I was so glad we had a beautiful evening for our shoot! The sunset was so gorgeous and Lucy has captured the evening perfectly!
Did you find the shoot helpful for helping you feel more prepared for the wedding day?
The shoot was definitely helpful! As i’ve previously mentioned we are both super critical of ourselves and after seeing the pictures I feel so much more relaxed! I know that our wedding day will be full of laughter and love and Lucy will capture that perfectly! I haven’t commented on my hair, make up or double chins at all whilst looking at these pictures because I just know that none of those things matter to Chris!
Did you feel nervous behind the camera?
I was so nervous as we were walking along the coastal path to the setting! I couldn’t stop talking and I’m sure I was mostly talking absolute rubbish! Lucy made us feel so at ease and I am so glad we had our shoot!
I’d met Lucy once in a wedding fayre but Chris hadn’t so it was lovely for us all to have the time to get to know each other! After the first few shots the nerves had totally gone and we were just in our own little bubble. As you can see from the pictures most of them are of me laughing – sums up our relationship perfectly!
Would you recommend that other couples have an engagement shoot or do you feel it is not necessary?
I’d definitely recommend an engagement shoot for other couples! Weddings can be stressful to plan and day to day life can be hectic too! We had such a beautiful evening appreciating each other and the setting – it was truly magical! The stunning pictures we now have a keepsake of that night are an added bonus!
Did your photographer give you any tips before the shoot?
I’m in constant contact with Lucy and I knew how lovely and relaxed she was – the shoot was no different! She gave us advice on locations as she’s local to the area and she obviously knew how to get the best out of us!
What advice would you give to other couples who do plan to have a pre-wedding shoot?
Don’t arrange your shoot on the first day back in work after the summer break! I had to do my make up in the car on the way down to the location – luckily Chris is a good driver!
Were there any stand out moments in the shoot?
The shoot in general really was amazing – the weather and sunset was a massive factor for this! We’d never visited this particular part of the Gower before but it was so stunning – it is definitely a new favourite of ours!
Tell us all about your wedding plans...
Our wedding is pretty traditional I suppose! We’re getting married in a rural chapel in Mid Wales and then on to a local hotel – The Falcondale! It’s a small Italian Mansion and we’re so excited to have more pictures in the stunning grounds!
Do you plan to incorporate any of the photos into your wedding?
We’re hoping to print some pictures to include in the guest book to give people a chance to have a look at them!
What are you most looking forward to about the wedding date?
I just can’t wait to be Mrs Johnson so we can start the next chapter of our lives together as husband and wife!
What has been your favourite part of wedding planning so far?
Researching and finding suppliers has been so much fun! I’m so pleased I created a bridal Instagram account too – I’ve made some great friends through it!
Photography by Lucy Parker Photography│www.lucyparkerphotography.co.uk│ Instagram: @lucyparkerphotographer
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