Romantic Fall Forest Engagement Session

Escape into this fall forest wonderland that is Sarah and Gene’s beautiful engagement session. Kara Evans Photographer captured the moments between these two with Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve providing the perfect atmosphere for the occasion. Their trendy attire stood out against the all the crisp leaves that we can’t help, but love every moment. Fall weather is right around the corner and it’s never too late to get some engagement photo inspiration. Keep scrolling to see our favorite moments from this shoot!

How They Met

From the bride: Gene and I have actually known OF each other since high school. I am best friends with Zach and Alan and Gene happened to be friends with them as well. Fast-forward 10 years. I am a teacher, and over the summer I work at Chevy Chase golf course as a beverage cart girl. Gene happens to golf at Chevy Chase almost every weekend. One day I was driving around the golf course and I saw him and my heart dropped! I don’t know why, I can’t explain it. I was dating someone else at the time, and so was he so I didn’t think much of it. After seeing each other at the golf course all summer, we became pretty good friends and would talk all the time. Over time both of our then relationships ended and ours started. We then discovered that we lived on the same block as kids and would play sports outside together. ( He remembered me as the tom boy who dressed in baggy clothes and would play with all of the boys…. GUILTY!) We both believe in fate and know that even though we were born over 5,000 miles away, we were slightly connected throughout our lives and we were meant to be together.

The Proposal

From the bride: Gene and I like to take a “staycation” for our anniversaries. Our 3 year anniversary was a couple of months ago and he planned our staycation on Wonder Lake. Gene knows I am obsessed with pretty sunsets and gorgeous photos so he made sure to rent a house that would have great opportunities for both of those things. The plan was for us to just hang out during the day on the lake, and then go to a nice steakhouse for dinner. He told me to get “ready ready” (as I call it) because the restaurant is nice and we will take some pictures. So, after getting ready ready, I came down and Gene had poured some wine for us to toast to our anniversary. After saying the most amazing toast (I was already crying) He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! I was SO shocked! The next thing I know, my entire family walks in along with his family and all of my girlfriends. He had dinner catered in and we all celebrated all night. It was the perfect proposal to me, and I even got my sunset pictures!

Hobbies and Interests

From the bride: Gene and I live in Vernon Hills and love everything the suburbs have to offer. We are not huge “party people” so we enjoy the quietness and convenience of it all. We both enjoy being outdoors and being active, I am a yogi so I spend a lot of time at Core Power Yoga. I am an 8th grade History and English teacher, Gene is in the automotive industry and loves all things cars. Gene is a Chicago sports SUPER-FAN. He know everything there is to know about any sports team, especially basketball!