https://www.marieskerlphoto.com » Marie Skerl Photography

Wow! It has been a long time since I have blogged, things have just been so busy. I have been updating my facebook page, instagram and twitter more-so than my blog, so if you are interested in what I have been doing recently check those out! Follow me, like me, send me a message 🙂

Before I start talking about this wonderful bookstore proposal story I have to mention that I will be out of the office December 19-January 4, my family and I are going to Hawaii! I am so looking forward to some relaxing time in the sun after a long few months of work with little sleep. I will return all your emails and messages when I get back.

I just want to say I am SO thankful for all my clients of 2014, you truly made my year and I feel blessed to know you and have been hired to capture your memories. If I don’t get a chance to say it later I will say it now; MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! <3 These are my most recent Christmas-y photos haha

Now here is what you have been waiting for, let’s start with what the groom had to say about the planning:

“Allissa and I began dating at the beginning of 2012, although memories together range back to dissecting sheep eyeballs in grade 8 science class, graduating together, and all the awkward stages and immature inside jokes in between. It wasn’t until two years after high school, with a little more maturity gained and a slightly more balanced idea of what we were looking for in a significant other, that we embarked on the adventure of dating. And, an adventure, it was! From wandering the streets of Rome to living a month in rural Jamaica, amidst chaotic family road trips and heated weeknight disagreements over cooking techniques, it didn’t take long for me to realize I had found someone I wanted to stick with and take on life’s many challenges with, until death do us part. Only question was- would she say yes?

The winter months here in Vancouver tend to take on a similar rhythm to the winters previous for us. Catching up on TV shows because the rain has returned, maybe a night out at the Vancouver German Christmas Market, family dinners and many mugs of tea and hot chocolate. But the winter of 2013 was different for me as I found myself in a new spot- various jewelry stores, doing my homework on the four C’s. After a bit of in-store advice, a lot of google research, a secret meeting to consult a good female friend of hers, and a disguised pinterest account to browse her preferred jewelry styles, I had a clear idea of what I was looking for. It was late January 2014 by now and I still had not found the right engagement ring or have any ideas where and how I wanted to propose.

One Sunday morning, as I was leaving church, I overheard one of the ladies showing off a recent ring her husband, Jim, had designed and crafted for her. The possibility of knowing someone who could custom build a ring immediately excited me! A few e-mails later, Jim and I met at his home. We sat down at his computer and, as I relayed desired characteristics, Jim electronically designed exactly what I had been looking for. After that, plans began to snowball into place.

While deciding on a location, I knew I wanted it all to happen somewhere that was meaningful to us. A spot that we either frequented, enjoyed visiting, or represented how we liked to spend our time together. Allissa is a girl who’s eyes light up when she walks past a bookstore, even if it’s one she’s perused through a million times. I am a guy who’s eyes light up when these bookstores that catch her attention offer warm drinks and chocolaty treats. Both of us share an appreciation for locally owned shops and find ourselves wandering the streets of Steveston quite often when we have a free afternoon. Village Books & Coffee House, in the heart of Steveston, has shelves made by the storeowner himself, which stretch top to bottom and cover every inch of the high ceiled space. Books, second-hand but gently used, create an exciting treasure hunt for every book lover. It also benefits from a rolling library ladder, an array of warm drinks and baked goods, and welcoming staff. Unassuming, meaningful, and local, this would make the perfect backdrop to our special day. Fortunately, the store’s owners, Ron and Angela, welcomed the idea and offered to help me in any way they could!

Now, I knew I wanted the proposal to be a surprise and I knew I wanted it to be on a Saturday afternoon during regular business hours, with her nails all done and someone in hiding to photograph the whole thing. This is where our good friend and talented photographer, Marie Skerl, played a key role in making this day happen. Marie and I met at her place about a month before the decided date, where I let her in on my top-secret scheme and requested her assistance. With her excited, and completely on board, we set the plan for the day.”

About a week before the planned date of Aron’s proposal, Aron brought me to Village Books & Coffee House to plan out the details photo-wise:

SO many books! The spot Aron had planned to propose just happened to be in the Historical/Romance section, very appropriate I think 🙂

Marie’s role (written by Aron):

Arrange a girl’s afternoon date out in Steveston for the two of them, ensuring that Allissa was in the area. While enjoying tea and getting their nails done, I would be at the bookstore setting up a curtained-off area for Marie to hide in with her camera, and placing the ring inside a strategically hidden hollowed-out book I had ordered off of Etsy. After they were done tea, I would drop by to pick-up Allissa so we could spend the rest of our Saturday together, as we so often did. While I occupied Allissa, exploring Steveston, Marie would beeline for the bookstore with her camera gear and set-up behind the curtains I had arranged. She would text me when ready. I would happen to pass by the bookstore with Allissa where, inside, I would happen to find a book that beckoned my attention (the very hollowed-out book containing the ring), while Marie stood hidden capturing every moment as it unfolded. That was the plan.

Here are some photos from Allissa and my tea after getting our nails done that day:

Aron: Looking back on the day, everything happened beautifully. I was excited and nervous, but determined to make the day a special one for both of us. To my surprise, Allissa took a bit of convincing to get her into the bookstore and no, the words I had rehearsed so many times definitely did not come out as smoothly when I was on one knee. But we managed to surprise her and, most importantly, she said, “Yes.”
Bride’s Side:

“The day we got engaged, Aron, unbeknownst to me, had arranged to have my friend, the lovely Marie, get me dressed up (including a nail appointment) under the guise of going out for high tea. When Marie and I had finished our little date, Aron offered to pick me up. After meandering through town for a bit in his car and a stop at the fish and chips shop for a snack, Aron pulled in to a space in front of the local coffee shop and bookstore. He suggested we go in to grab ourselves teas, to which I responded that I had bought new tea for us to try that morning. Instead, I dragged him inside the thrift store next door. When I was done there, Aron again suggested we go in to the book store. Now, if you know me, you’ll know that I have a certain fondness for reading. Most times you can’t keep me OUT of the bookstore. However, in this case, I told him that I was abstaining from purchasing myself books and that I should avoid the store at all costs. Aron clearly wasn’t having it, and with claims that they had the best earl grey tea lattes in town, coaxed me through the doors. The store, Village Books, has a huge assortment and floor to ceiling book shelves. When Aron pointed out a particular book and decided to climb the ladder (which I warned him was for employees only) to retrieve it, I briefly suspected something was up. When he brought down a book instead of a ring box, I brushed off any suspicion. Aron took his new find, entitled “The Circle of the Day”, and started browsing through the first couple of pages. He continued down the aisle with his find, facing away. Curiosity got the best of me, and when I followed him further in to the book cases, he surprised me by getting down on one knee and revealing that the book was hollow, and in it was a ring! Needless to say, he caught me off guard. Emotional and a little overwhelmed by the whole situation, I was shocked but pleasantly surprised when Marie made an appearance from behind a curtain for an impromptu photo shoot. All-in-all, a day I will not easily forget.”

And this is when Aron reveals that I just photographed the whole thing from behind a curtain:

SO pretty!

LOVE THEM!The book that held her engagement ring was cleverly titled “The Circle of the Day.”

After all the excitement it was time for some tea hehe

THEY ARE ENGAGED!!

Such cutie pies!! I am BEYOND excited for their wedding in June 2015, it is the first time I will be a maid of honour and I can’t wait to stand by Allissa as she marries Aron <3 <3 <3

Aron, thank you for including me in this wonderful proposal!