Joy + Mena's Retro Picnic Engagement

It is a privilege to witness two individuals find each other, begin a relationship, get engaged, and become husband and wife. Joy & Mena have provided us with that privilege.

We met up with them last month at a quaint little colonial-esque community in Tustin for their E-session. And when I say they came prepared, I truly mean they came PREPARED.

After discussing the idea of doing a picnic-themed engagement session, we were just as excited as Joy & Mena. We love love love it when couples bring props to their engagement session and have a vision that can combine with our own to form something custom-fit to them as a couple and us as artists.

We began in front of this willow outside the main park area. We love to start with our couples with simple poses, instructing them on the basics and how our time will flow together. Tasha and I arrived a bit early to scope out all the different scenes we wanted to capture them in, and they were on-board with it each step of the way!

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Our job is easy when couples are this adorable...

Fun fact: In Coptic communities, it is custom to wear one's engagement/wedding rings on the right hand. Mena also has a wedding band on his right hand as well. He will get another on the day of their wedding.

We loved Joy's vibrant red nail polish and lipstick and how it just POPPED in contrast with her retro black & white dotted dress.

Show us that dress!

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Spot number two was this great archway that perfectly framed Joy & Mena and showcased the colonial community center in the background. Joy picked this specific location for its architecture...and its utter cuteness.

We love dope watches, and Mena's was picture perfect for their monochrome outfits.

Near sunset, we arrived at our picnic!

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Joy & Mena brought along a few books that meant a lot to them in their relationship.

They first met at a church book club hosted by mutual friends on June 25, 2015. Mena recalls this first encounter with his future wife: "I remember first seeing her at a church book club for the first time. She had gorgeous black hair that curled down to her petite shoulders. I heard her voice for the first time ever as she chimed in during the book discussion. I just remember her thoughts about the certain book that we were reading were exactly the same thoughts I had. And I said to myself , 'Wow, I thought I was the only one thinking this.' That first instant of her speaking definitely caught my attention."

Joy & Mena's dedication to crafting this picnic scene extended beyond what you see here. They went to four different stores to find this exact kind of soda to perfectly set the scene.

Song of Solomon 4:9, a verse that they hand-picked to showcase alongside their engagement bands.

Sometimes, picnics can be serious too.

No retro picnic is complete without popcorn and classic soda!

The bottle was a bit tricky to open. (Hint: red soda stains on a white dress...not good). 

Cheers.

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These two could not stop laughing! And we couldn't either!

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Of course, we have to have some fun with the popcorn.

The picnic was over, the light was fading, but we wanted some intimate portraits at the park before we headed to get some food at the 4th Street Market and some night portraits.

From there we went to Downtown Santa Ana to continue the fun!

We briefly stopped by the Yost Theater right across from the 4th Street Market.

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While there was a huge festival, wedding, and outdoor concert going on in the vicinity of the 4th Street Market, we found a quiet, secluded alleyway and decided to get our romantic night portraits here.

Joy braved the cold in her black dress and heals, looking incredible the entire time!

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Congratulations to Joy & Mena on your engagement! We are so excited to have seen you thrive in your relationship, and we cannot wait to witness you two get married later this year!

Want to see their breathtakingly, emotional proposal?

 

Hair & Makeup by Design Visage

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