There are some love stories that are just meant to be, and Alyssa and Jose have one of those stories. They’ve known each other since they were in high school and while romance didn’t seem to be in the cards at first, they tried again many years later and as Alyssa said, “it’s been a fairy tale ever since.” Today, I’m so excited to be sharing their Vinoy Renaissance engagement session with you! It’s stunning and I had a great time with Alyssa and Jose exploring this part of St. Pete, FL.  

Alyssa & Jose 

This love story began when they met in high school, over 13 years ago. They dated briefly then and fell in love. But, Jose was two grades older than Alyssa and graduated before her. At the time, he enlisted in the military. They decided to end things because Alyssa was still young. Their love story took a pause then… until about 10 years later. At that point, Alyssa and Jose connected again and everything just clicked. It’s been a real-life fairy tale ever since! They’re best friends – and working with them made it so clear to me that they do belong together. Some love stories are just meant to be, like I said!

Their Greek Proposal

Alyssa told me that Jose’s proposal was perfect! On a trip they took to Greece for 10 days, Jose popped the question. In Santorini, they found a gorgeous spot to relax and look at the scenery, when Jose kneeled down. They caught the whole thing on video and now they’ll be able to enjoy that special memory for years to come! It’s such a sweet story and I’m thrilled that it’s going to be something they can look back on for years to come. How romantic, right? 

St. Pete Engagement Session at the Vinoy Renaissance 

One of the reasons I’m so happy that Alyssa and Jose chose to do their engagement session at The Vinoy is because it’s just got that coastal chic vibe that St. Pete is known for! With lots of white structures and some pops of color, it was a great blank slate for us to work with. If you aren’t sure where to have your session, let’s chat. I have some beautiful locations I LOVE around Tampa and we’ll find the perfect spot for you!

Alyssa wore a beautiful spring dress that was able to really pop under the patio at The Vinoy. Jose wore a sleek button down and even brought out his bow tie and suspenders for a few portraits. It was a great way to add some variety to their final images and added to the overall aesthetic of the session! 

What to Bring to your Engagement Session 

When deciding what props (if any) to bring to your engagement session, here’s a few things to consider. First, make sure your engagement ring has been recently cleaned so that it sparkles! (I know, I know… not really a prop, right?) For your engagement session, you may also want to bring a prop that will show off your wedding date to create save the dates down the line. This might be a sign, or a pillow, like Alyssa and Jose did. For my brides, consider bringing a small bouquet or floral arrangement! This can also add a pop of color to your session and give you something else to hold and use your hands for. I think the bouquets are always a fun idea – wait until you see Alyssa’s! 

I loved the playful vibe of Alyssa and Jose’s St. Pete Beach engagement session at the Vinoy! We had a blast and it was so fun getting to know them even more. 

Engaged? If you are engaged and ready to find the wedding photographer of your dreams, reach out to me! I would love to talk about all things wedding and capture your day in a way that will be cherished for generations to come.

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