I’ll be the first to admit, I wasn’t one of those girls who had plotted and planned every detail of her wedding before . I was however that plus size blogger who knew when that time came, I would need to do an epic engagement photoshoot and that’s exactly what Gio and I did! Shortly after getting engaged, I entered Gio and I into a Facebook giveaway to win an engagement photo shoot with Akron wedding photographer, and much to our excitement, we WON! And now, all of you win too because Gra Photography is offering $200 off Wedding Packages or a $200 boudoir credit when you mention ‘ReadyToStare’.

We met with Love Markel Gwaltney of Gra Photography in early September to discuss our vision for the shoot. A lot of the inspiration photos I found for an engagement photo shoot were very rustic which is cool but not a fit for a couple like us. I already had an idea for what I wanted to wear for one of the looks so I started with that vibe. I knew I wanted something highly elegant. We have a lot of casual shots together but nothing high end so we started there. Love showed us a whole range of past engagement shoots around the Northeast Ohio area. Seeing all of the past engagement photo shoots that she had done definitely both Gio and I at ease. She’s a total pro at capturing couples in love.

And when we got the results, I saw that we were no exception…

The First Look – The Museum

For the first location, Gio picked the Akron Art Museum. It has a cool blueish tint and we had seen another engagement photo shoot that Gra Photography had done there so that served as our inspiration. When we arrived here, it started pouring no less than two minutes after we pulled into the garage. The rain immediately put me on edge and I was so worried that our engagement shoot was going to be ruined. Looking over these photos, you really can’t tell that it was raining at all and that’s much in credit to Gra Photography working their magic!

My hair was by Akron and my makeup was by . Both lasted throughout the entire shoot!

MY OUTFIT DETAILS

Rachel Roy Plus  Size Cold Shoulder Metallic Wrap Dress – c/o Macy’s

– c/o Amazon

– Boohoo ()

GIO’S OUTFIT DETAILS

– ASOS

– Express

Slim Fit Blazer – JCPenney ()

Second Look – The Mansion

CAN WE JUST PAUSE TO APPRECIATE THIS IMAGE? When I say Gra Photography brought my engagement photo shoot vision to life – this is exactly what I wanted! I told Gio this is our Beyonce and Jay-Z shot. If we had a power couple moment, it was definitely embodied in this shot and this look! When I told Love we wanted a mansion, she knew just the place and brought us here. It’s actually a city hall but you know what? It’s our mansion today! Are you getting all of your elegant engagement photo shoot inspiration yet?!

MY OUTFIT DETAILS

Red Plus Size Off the Shoulder Slit Gown, c/o Macy’s

, c/o ELOQUII

Gold Platform Heels, Charlotte Russe ()

GIO’S OUTFIT DETAILS

, Boohoo

Boohoo

, Express

Marvel Superhero Belt, Hot Topic ()

  Nike

Custom Superhero Bow Tie, Beauxtyes by Jervon

BONUS LOOK

We won an engagement photo shoot for two looks. Love said if we changed quick enough, we could do a bonus look so that’s what this is. It really centered around our shoes and the idea that love between people of all sexualities and gender identities should be seen as equal!

OUTFIT DETAILS

, c/o Amazon

Nike

c/o Ashley Nell Tipton

THE RING SHOTS

The ring shoot is crucial for any good engagement photo shoot. I worried about them getting too cheesy but Gra Photography really found a way to make them feel authentic and true to us! I love that in so many of them my self-love tattoo is showing. That is a nice touch!

And everything else…

 

That’s all folks! Do you think I achieved my dream of an elegant engagement photo shoot? I totally think so! Don’t forget you can get $200 off your wedding photography package from Akron wedding photographer, Gra Photography when you mention, Ready to Stare!

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