Cody first contacted me about potentially photographing his proposal to my friend and sorority sister Madison about two weeks prior to the big day. When he told me that he wanted to propose at Old Salem, I immediately google searched the place and saw that it was full of history and romance. The date he chose was December 23rd, two days before Christmas. The place would be decorated for the season, and his chosen spot would be particularly decorated. The covered bridge at Old Salem is beautiful on its own, with its intricate wooden rafters and natural lighting on the inside. Around Christmas the bridge is decorated with traditional Moravian stars and pine wreaths. The weather was calling for 100% chance of rain, but with a location that had rain cover, he decided to go ahead rain or shine. Madison's younger sister Allie is my sorority little sister, so Cody allowed her to tag along to help me capture the day.
The two of us got to Old Salem early, but the couple left early as well, giving us less time to prepare than we thought. Frantically Allie and I hid in the railings on the bridge, hoping we wouldn't be spotted before he got down on one knee. At the last minute, Allie and I panicked because we realized that we had no clue which end of the bridge Cody and Madison would enter on. With us hiding, we needed to find out their location without calling him and giving up the surprise. Allie asked a lady passing on the bridge to go look for Cody and let us know if he was coming. When the lady spotted him, Allie and I were able to move from our previous hideout to a new location where we wouldn't be seen by Madison.
Adrenaline pumping and stakes at an all time high, we could hear them walking up the bridge towards the middle (where Cody planned to propose.) Neither Allie or I could hear their exchange, but we did hear Madison's excitement and tears once she had said yes. We waited for Cody to point us out, and we came out from our hiding spots. Almost immediately after she said yes, the Moravian stars lining the bridge turned on, making the moment so much more magical. We took a few more photos on the bridge, and allowed it to sink in that Madison was an engaged woman!!!
After our photoshoot, we braved the rain and headed to the Tavern in Old Salem. Lunch was delicious and when we had finished, the rain had let up. Madison and Cody called their family members and spent some more time exploring the town, whose beauty was only enhanced by the rain. It would seem that all of the surprises were over for Madison, but the day was only half over.
Allie and I parted ways with the newly engaged couple to "edit pictures in the car and then drive home." What she didn't know, was that the dinner reservations Cody had made for that night were for a party of 15 and not a party of two. Cody arranged for all of Madison's closest friends and family to surprise her at dinner to celebrate their engagement. Allie and I changed out of our "spy clothing," and into dinner attire. When Madison and Cody arrived you could see the happiness on her face. It was such a special moment and I was so happy to have been there to witness it all. The entire day had to be one of the most joyful days I've had in 2015. Seeing two people in love like that just puts an irrevocable smile on my face. If rain is good luck on your wedding day, it can only mean good things for it to rain on your engagement day, right?
