I can’t think of a better way to celebrate being back in Indiana than by taking Chad and LauraJane’s fall engagement photos at Fairfield Lakes Park in Lafayette, Indiana!
On Monday night, Zach and I took the red eye home from San Diego (We were there for J.R. and Lizzie’s engagement session.) and got back to Lafayette around 10 am. After unpacking, taking a shower, and taking a much-needed nap, I got to meet up with Chad and LauraJane—one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing.
And, I’m so excited to share Chad and LauraJane’s engagement photos on the blog!
Chad & LauraJane met thanks to a friend’s dad!
Chad and LauraJane’s meeting story is kind of funny. You see, this darling couple grew up in the same small community but never met as kids. (Side note: Chad and my brother were good friends growing up. I’ve known Chad since he was a hilarious middle schooler!)
That said, Chad and LauraJane shared several mutual friends, including the Bahler family. LauraJane knew the Bahlers well because she worked at The Homestead, the Bahlers’ restaurant and shop. (Another side note: The Homestead is amazing, and they now have a location in West Lafayette!)
Chad knew the Bahler family well because he went to school with several of the Bahler girls and was around the family pretty regularly through work and other activities. Basically, Chad and LauraJane were both close to this wonderful family.
One day, Mike Bahler (the Bahler dad) decided that Chad and LauraJane would be perfect together. So, he asked LauraJane if he could give Chad her number.
This is very out of character for Mike, so LauraJane was surprised by the question. She told Mike no, but Mike was convinced that LauraJane and Chad were meant to be. So, for MONTHS, he kept asking LauraJane if he could pass her number along.
Eventually, LauraJane gave in, and she and Chad met up at Qdoba to see if Mike was on to something.
It turns out, Mike was right! And, Chad and LauraJane have been together ever since!
Chad asked LauraJane to marry him at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana
Chad and LauraJane had discussed marriage, so LauraJane knew the question was coming, but she wasn’t sure when.
Chad is such a sincere person and, according to LauraJane, isn’t a very good liar. So, LauraJane was pretty suspicious about the weekend they planned to spend together after she finished her summer classes.
They made plans to visit LauraJane’s sister in Indianapolis on Friday and were simply going to hang out on Saturday. So, LauraJane figured Saturday would be the big day!
However, when one of Chad’s friends called on Friday and asked if Chad and LauraJane could hang out at the lake on Saturday and Chad essentially said, “Yeah. That should work. We don’t really have any plans,” LauraJane was disappointed.
LauraJane shrugged it off and knew the question would come sooner or later, but she didn’t expect the question to be popped later that evening!
Chad and LauraJane had dinner with LauraJane’s family, and on their way back north, Chad asked LauraJane if she’d be willing to go for a walk at a nearby park, Coxhall Gardens. LauraJane was confused, but on the drive over, she started getting suspicious, especially after pulling into Coxhall Gardens and seeing how pretty “the park” was.
Chad and LauraJane started walking, and while she didn’t say anything in the moment, LauraJane spotted whom she was pretty sure was Megan—Chad’s sister who is a photographer—hiding behind a bush.
Realizing what was going on, LauraJane tried to quickly put her hair down and fix it for photos as she and Chad walked along. I just adore this girl!
When they got near the center of the bridge, Chad got down on one knee and asked LauraJane to be his wife. She—of course—said, “Yes!”
Chad & LauraJane chose fall engagement photos at Fairfield Lakes Park in Lafayette, Indiana.
Megan, Chad’s sister, is going to be a bridesmaid and get to enjoy Chad and LauraJane’s wedding. As a result, I have the pleasure of being Chad and LauraJane’s wedding photographer!
This darling couple loves being outdoors and after chatting with them, we decided that an October engagement session would be perfect! Hooray for the beautiful fall leaves in Indiana!
I met up with Chad and LauraJane for their fall engagement photos at Fairfield Lakes Park in Lafayette, Indiana, and they killed it! From their perfect fall outfits to how simply fun and genuine these two are, their session was what photographers dream about!
I mean, just keep scrolling! These two couldn’t be any more darling!
Stay tuned for Chad & LauraJane’s 2020 wedding at The Blessing Barn!
Chad and LauraJane will become Mr. and Mrs. Mussche in May 2020 at The Blessing Barn in Lafayette, Indiana. Their wedding will feature lots of cream/ivory, accents of dusty blue, and greenery. It’s going to be lovely!
Chad and LauraJane, I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am for the two of you or how honored I am to be your wedding photographer.
It’s an amazing thing to see two people who love Christ starting their lives together. I know your big day will be amazing, but more importantly, if you continue to put Christ first and prioritize one another just like you do now, your marriage will be even more incredible.
Congratulations, Chad and LauraJane! I hope you love these previews from your engagement photos at Fairfield Lakes Park in Lafayette, Indiana!
