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Somehow, Trenton Howard and Rainen Harper are equally kind and ambitious. Since our virtual coffee date, I’ve been so excited to meet this darling 2023 VRP bride and groom—both of whom happen to be enneagram threes—in person. And, now, I’m thrilled to share their summer engagement photos at Newfields on the blog!
An Instagram disagreement resulted in Rainen & Trenton’s first date.
While Rainen and Trenton knew of one another during their time at Purdue and occasionally crossed paths, they didn’t know one another. And, they had never really talked until they had a disagreement on Instagram.
You see, back in 2020, Rainen posted a poll on her Instagram story, and Trenton responded. Not agreeing with his answer, Rainen sent him a message to further discuss.
While they may have disagreed on the poll, they did agree to go to dinner. They crossed the river from West Lafayette into Lafayette to go to Bru Burger, and once they started talking, they were both shocked to find that they felt like they’d known one another their entire lives.
Rainen and Trenton finished their last semester at Purdue together. Then, when Trenton was offered a job in Dallas, Rainen found a teaching position in Texas and agreed to move across the country with Trenton and embark on a Texas adventure.
During our virtual coffee date, Rainen said she knows it sounds crazy, but she and Trenton were so certain they wanted to share their lives that they didn’t think twice about meeting, moving across the country, and getting engaged within a year of their very first date. How sweet is that?!
Rainen’s cowboy proposed to her on the San Antonio River Walk with a poem.
While Trenton and Rainen had looked at rings and had certainly discussed marriage, Rainen didn’t know when Trenton would pop the question. Her request was just that she wanted to be surprised.
As it turns out, Trenton isn’t a very good liar, but he certainly still managed to plan an epic proposal!
Rainen and Trenton are both enneagram threes and planners. As a result, they’ve worked out a system where Rainen plans their at-home date night and activities, and Trenton typically plans their nights out.
As a result, when Trenton suggested that they go to San Antonio for a little weekend getaway, Rainen didn’t think much of it. Well, that was until Trenton told her to be sure to dress up for dinner and asked if she had plans to get her nails done sometime soon!
Rainen was pretty positive Trenton would propose during this trip, but she wasn’t sure of exactly when.
But, she got dressed up for dinner—as Trenton had suggested she do—and before their reservation, Trenton suggested that they check out the San Antonio River Walk.
Rainen and Trenton soaked in the city and walked along the river until Trenton stopped, shared a poem with Rainen, got down on one knee, and asked his best friend of one year to be his best friend and wife for a lifetime. On top of all of this sweetness, Trenton arranged for a photographer to capture this special moment on camera and to have some celebratory engagement photos taken afterward!
Rainen may have been suspicious, but I think it’s safe to say that Trenton still managed to plan a very sweet and thoughtful proposal!
Rainen & Trenton traveled from Texas to Indianapolis to take summer engagement photos at Newfields.
While Rainen and Trenton live in Dallas, their families live in Indiana. As a result, they come home to Indiana as often as they can, and they’ll become husband and wife at New Journey Farms in June 2023.
Wanting to come home before the 2022 school year starts for Rainen, to attend and help with livestock at Trenton’s family’s county fair, to wedding dress shop with Rainen’s girls, and to take their engagement photos, Rainen and Trenton came home to Indiana for a week to do all of this and more!
With Rainen’s family being in southern Indiana and Trenton’s family being in northern Indiana, they decided taking their engagement photos in Indianapolis made the most sense. And, after showing them photos of a few Indianapolis engagement photo locations, there was no doubt in Rainen’s mind that she wanted to take their summer engagement photos at Newfields.
And, guys, I have to say that I truly loved hanging out with Rainen and Trenton through their whole shoot! As an enneagram three myself, I loved how Trenton and Rainen almost looked at their engagement photos as a competition. I mean, they executed every pose and instruction perfectly and truly worked hard during their shoot. For example, when I had Trenton lift Rainen in front of the Lilly House, Rainen came out of the pose and said, “We can do that again. We can do it better.”
Now, not only did Rainen and Trenton crush their engagement session, but they also did an incredible job choosing outfits. I mean, their first outfit—which included a light blue, navy, and white color pallette—was timeless and made their blue eyes really pop. Then, to celebrate their Texas adventure, their second outfit was more southern inspired. And, it was clear Trenton was pretty thrilled to have a chance to wear his cowboy hat!
Side note: It just tickled me to hear Trenton say, “Yes, ma’am.” I was actually born in Alabama, and I think this southern endearment is so sweet and polite. Trenton, you’re one of the good ones, and Texas clearly suits you well!
With two very different outfits and Rainen and Trenton wanting to achieve two different vibes—classic and Texas—Newfields was the perfect place to take Rainen and Trenton’s engagement photos. I mean, in their more formal outfits, we were able to stay up by the Lilly House for a more elegant look. Then, for their Texas outfits, we went down below to utilize the gardens, which happen to very much remind me of some of the gardens in Texas.
Basically, Rainen and Trenton’s summer engagement photos at Newfields were incredible thanks to their determination and thoughtful planning. And, after their epic session, I truly cannot wait for their New Journey Farms wedding!
Congratulations, Trenton & Rainen!
Rainen and Trenton, in case it isn’t already obvious, I so loved hanging out with the two of you for your engagement photos! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting me to be your wedding photographer.
I cannot wait to share your full gallery with you, but in the meantime, I hope you love these previews from your summer engagement photos at Newfields in Indianapolis! 
Isn’t Newfields beautiful? Check out other engagement photos at Newfields!
