Garth & Lauren: Spring Engagement Photos at Coxhall Gardens

When they met as coworkers, they “didn’t want anything to do with one another.”

A few years ago, Garth and Lauren were both working at Verizon, and according to Lauren, they “didn’t want anything to do with one another.”

When Lauren started, Garth had already been at Verizon for a few years, and Lauren just assumed that he didn’t care for her since she was new and still learning the ropes. Throughout their time working together, though, they got to know one another a little more, put their guards down, and became more like work acquaintances than friends.

As a result, when Lauren put in her two-week notice, she was shocked when Garth asked her out.

While Lauren thought Garth simply wasn’t her biggest fan, Garth—being the gentleman that he is—didn’t want to make his coworker feel uncomfortable by sharing his feelings while they still worked together. How sweet is that?!

While Lauren was confused when Garth asked her out, she agreed to go out to dinner and was shocked by how easy Garth was to talk to. Dinner ended, but the talking continued, and Garth and Lauren spent hours sitting on her couch getting to know one another in a non-work context.

Before Garth got down on one knee, he told Lauren they were just taking a photo.

Fast forward a few fun-filled years later, and Garth and Lauren took a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where Garth suggested they rent a UTV and drive it up the mountains.

While they’d certainly discussed marriage and Lauren—who is a planner—knew the question was coming, Garth and Lauren are a very adventurous couple who value travel and just having a good time, so Lauren wasn’t at all suspicious of this suggestion.

While they drove up the mountain, they noticed a trail that led to a waterfall, so they got off to take a look. When they reached the top, Garth told Lauren, “Let’s take a photo by the waterfall. If you go stand over there, I’ll ask someone to take our photo.”

Lauren—who is always ready for a photo op with her man—was thrilled by the suggestion, and while she staked out a good spot, Garth gave his phone to another hiker, explained that he was going to propose, and asked her if she could get the moment on video.

After smoothly getting in position and smiling for a “fake” photo, Garth got down on one knee and asked Lauren to be his wife with the whole precious moment captured on camera!

Garth, my friend, you deserve major props for planning such an epic proposal!

Garth & Lauren decided to take spring engagement photos at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana.

Garth and Lauren will have a beautiful fall wedding at Finley Creek Vineyards in October 2022. Wanting their engagement photos to have a slightly different vibe and season than their wedding photos, they decided to take spring engagement photos at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana, which is a perfect location for early April engagement photos!

While Indiana is usually pretty brown and gray until May, Coxhall Gardens does an incredible job of maintaining their grounds and landscaping. This gave Garth and Lauren’s engagement session pops of green. Plus, the mansion and other architecture (1) added interest to photos and (2) blocked the crazy wind!

Like I mentioned, while it looked beautiful outside, Indiana winds seemingly came out of nowhere. And, as a result, Garth and Lauren’s spring engagement photos at Coxhall Gardens were taken during gusts of 30-mile-per-hour winds!

It was frigid, but Garth and Lauren were such troopers and stayed positive throughout the whole shoot. Looking through their engagement photos after their session, I decided that their photos are proof of (1) how truly stunning this couple is and (2) that Garth and Lauren enjoy being together so much that they can make every situation fun—even freezing!

Congratulations, Garth & Lauren!

Garth and Lauren, I was excited for your wedding day before, but after your engagement photos, I cannot wait for the big day to arrive!

I mean, between how much fun you guys are, the lovely Finley Creek Vineyards, and the fact that Crista of Blissfully Simple Events is your wedding planner, I have no doubt that every aspect of your wedding day is going to be wonderful.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting me to be your wedding photographer. I cannot wait to get you in front of the camera again, but in the meantime, I hope you love your spring engagement photos at Coxhall Gardens!

Spring engagement photos in front of Coxhall Mansion in Carmel, Indiana Garth and Lauren are such a classically stunning couple that I thought a little Prince Harry and Meghan Markle posing inspo would be a good idea! Spring engagement photos at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana Despite 30-mile-per-hour winds and Lauren wearing heels in the cold, the future Mr. and Mrs. Gist were such troopers. I’m convinced they can’t take a bad photo!