Engagement Photos Exploring Downtown Lexington, Kentucky

For Kristen and Michael’s engagement session, we explored Downtown Lexington, Kentucky. We had so much fun walking around exploring all the historic houses and pretty gardens near Gratz Park, hearing all about Kristen and Michael’s love story. They both are such a joy to be around, and we can’t wait to celebrate with them this September!

Kristen and Michael met on the dating app Hinge on Kristen’s 30th birthday. They chatted for about a week and got to know each other through the app messaging and then by text. They went to a craft beer bar called Carmine Street Beers in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, for their first date. Michael was surprised to see Kristen order Cider and Champagne at a place known for its beer selection. Little did he know she didn’t drink beer, but she was a good sport! No surprise to Michael now; within 10 minutes of the first date, Kristen jumped right into the meaty topics: religion, politics, and her frustrations with the male gender. Unbeknownst to Kristen, Michael had booked a dinner reservation for the same night at a nearby Brazilian restaurant called Berimbau, just in case the date was going well. The date did go well, and they ended up going out for dinner and had a great time. Kristen still makes fun of the outfit Michael chose for their first date. Kristen and Michael love to work out together a few times a week, doing lots of “stretchy fitness lady videos” that started as an alternative to the gym during Covid quarantine and developed into a pretty serious routine. Kristen has taken up Michael’s hobbies of golf and skiing in a major way, and Michael has reciprocated and joined in on Kristen’s road biking. Urban exploration is a big thing they share. Kristen and Michael love to walk, and they love to eat and drink. They love discovering new neighborhoods, dishes, and tasty cocktails.

Michael knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Kristen. Ahead of a month-long trip to Paducah, Kentucky, Kristen and Michael decided to take a 3-day mini-vacation/farewell tour of their old neighborhood in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Kristen and Michael stayed at a hotel they had always run by near McCarren Park, and on their last night, they visited their favorite neighborhood restaurant and favorite bar. Michael suggested a final walk through a park they routinely ran by called Domino Park, right on the East River with a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline. Michael unsuccessfully scouted for a private spot in the park and failed. With time running out, Michael brought Kristen to a spot with a good vantage point and told her, “he’d been thinking about this for a while,” to which Kristen responded, “we’re breaking up?”. Michael then dropped to one knee and asked Kristen to marry him. Kristen was incredulous but accepted. They smooched and grabbed a car to the rooftop bar at their hotel, where they enjoyed champagne and french fries. The night was capped off with a trip back to the hotel room where Michael had splurged for the “romantic package” of faux rose petals, faux candles, a giant bouquet of Kristen’s favorite flowers, and more champagne. Michael has taken to Kristen’s background as a Kentuckian. Kristen has adopted Michael’s background as a French-born American citizen, studying French for their upcoming honeymoon to Paris and the French Riviera. We can’t wait to capture the rest of their love story this fall at Springhouse Gardens. Stay Tuned!