Spring engagement photos in Boston Public Garden

Macey and I took spring engagement photos in the Boston Public Garden amidst blooming trees, colorful tulips and passerby. We were thrilled when we found out that we won a free photo session with Amanda and thought the garden in May would be the perfect time to celebrate.

How did you meet?

Alaina: Macey and I met on the first day of high school. We’re actually high school sweethearts, but we didn’t start dating until halfway through sophomore year. For the first year and a half, we were best friends. We did everything together—we went to the beach, we borrowed each other’s books, we had sleepovers where we’d talk about our past crushes and fears about the future. About a year into our friendship, I knew I felt something more. Loving Macey snuck up on me. So I told her how I felt, I gave her some space to process it and then I asked her out. And we were both terrified to mess up our friendship, but we decided to take that leap.

Who proposed?

I proposed to Macey on August 31, 2018. We were in Provincetown, Massachusetts, for the long weekend as a way of celebrating her birthday (I booked the trip as a surprise for her). She didn’t know that I was planning to propose for months, although I did drop a hint exactly one weekend before the proposal, in a note I left in her lunch bag to take to work with her since I work from home—and she didn’t entirely get the hint! The best part was when Macey got her hair down at a salon in Provincetown because we were going to be taking some professional photos downtown later. And I came into the salon holding this bouquet of sunflowers. On the way out, the people from the salon were all like, “Congratulations!” And I totally froze. Did they know? How could they know? I asked, “What do you mean?” And they said, “Aren’t you two getting married?” I said, “Not…yet.” And they gave us this knowing look as if we were about to elope that day!

What advice would you give to engaged LGBTQ+ couples?

Plan the wedding that you want. Macey and I are forgoing some of the traditions and keeping others. She’s wearing a white (and black lace) dress, but I’m not wearing white at all (my dress is primarily purple, my favorite color). A lot of people have asked me about my wedding attire because they know I’m very offbeat, and I always respond with confidence that my outfit will be really unusual and they can expect a showstopper that’s fabulous and pretty extra (I even have a cape and a tiny top hat). You might have to be prepared to defend you and your partner’s non-traditional decisions to friends and family, so just practice saying it with people you trust won’t judge you first.

Advice for vendors and venues working with LGBTQ+ couples?

Always treat your LGBTQ+ couples the same way you would treat anyone else! Amanda was great about this; she came prepared with options for how we could pose and was also happy to take our suggestions. I think vendors should be inclusive in their language and I wish more people offered their pronouns (and asked for their clients’) upon first meeting because it would make this become standard practice.

What are a few things that you two love to do together?

We love spending time outside, especially at the beach and in the water. We both love reading so we’re often reading in the same space, talking about books or going to bookstore events together (we went on a bookstore trolley tour in April).

What are you most looking forward to about your wedding day?

There are so many things but one that stands out is the first look. I’m really looking forward to seeing Macey in her wedding dress. I’m hoping we can take some photos in the Provincetown library earlier in the day before the ceremony. I’m also really excited about the vows because I’ve put a lot of time and thought into mine (which I’m still writing) and I know Macey’s are going to make me cry.