Historic Berkeley Plantation Engagement by Nikki Santerre Photography

A spring engagement session in Charles City, VA

Mariah and Forrest met about 8 years ago. A mere month after a major health diagnosis for Mariah at the age of 16, she was out with friends at a party dressed in jean shorts, a black halter and a Yankee's cap; Forrest admits that when he saw her, he knew he wanted to be with “that girl.” A few hours after officially being introduced through a mutual friend, Mariah left the party (not before getting a kiss on the cheek from Forrest) with one of her now bridesmaids to meet curfew. A few months passed without much conversation, until one night Mariah received a less than friendly voicemail on her 17th birthday, and she knew she just had to call him back immediately – a true indication of their future of driving each other crazy one second and loving each other the next.

Weeks after their seven-year dating anniversary, they were vacationing at their favorite place, Avon, North Carolina. They both had visited the Outer Banks growing up, but Hatteras Island, especially Avon, was something they chose together as their spot. Mariah was in the ocean, and when she turned to walk back up to their beach chairs, Forrest was on one knee with Toby (their dog and center of their universe) nearby with “Will You Marry Me?” written in the sand, asking if she saw what “somebody” had written. Mariah was in such shock that it took Forrest asking, “So, do you say yes?” after a few minutes before she finally officially accepted.

This adorable couple's engagement session with Nikki Santerre Photography was at their wedding venue, Berkeley Plantation, and they brought along Toby and a celebratory bottle of champagne!