This Culturally Infused Engagement Session Looks Like an Editorial

This culturally infused engagement session captured by Patti Darby Photography has an elegant editorial side too! Lan and Brandon show off their sweet and playful love in scenes at The Creative Chateau, an airy rooftop, and Main Street! This adorable couple’s love story first began when they met at church in 2015. After shooting looks across the room for several months, and even years, Lan decided to talk to Brandon first, and they’ve been happily together ever since! Now, they will be wed in just a few weeks on October 25 in a classy and elegant ceremony in shades of blush and ivory! However, Lan says the part she’s most excited for has nothing to do with décor. “[One of my favorite details is] being able to celebrate one of our most special memories with our closest family members and friends,” she says. “We enjoy that we get to be surrounded by our supportive family and friends for one day and cannot wait to spend the weekend together.” So sweet! We love that Lan chose to wear her traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai to elevate these editorial shots since she won’t be wearing it on her big day! We’re all about incorporating heritage as well as old wedding traditions in modern and fun ways! Read on for the sweetest story from this bride-to-be about how he popped the question, as well as a note from Patti Darby Photography about this couple’s vision for their chic downtown Houston engagement session. Cheers to Lan and Brandon! 

Photos // Patti Darby Photography

From the bride: “He got together with my sister and made me think I was going to take some graduation pictures since I was graduating from nursing school in just a week. Little did I know, he would be waiting for me there in the Japanese Gardens in a secluded and intimate area. He sat me down on a stool and washed my feet as an image of the selfless love that Jesus demonstrated for us. He then prayed over our future and marriage, expanded on his love for me and for the Lord, and gave us time to cherish this sweet moment together and did not rush asking the big question. We’ve been wanting this for so long and he was patiently waiting for me to finish school. I’m so glad he thought it all through! By taking his time, our proposal felt so special and wasn’t so much of a blur. After that, we were supposed to have a celebratory double date with our best friends. However, he brought all our closest friends to a pizzeria downtown and they all surprised me. It was so sweet to be able to celebrate immediately after! He even set up a wall to take pictures with cute props. He truly thought of everything and planned it all so well.”

From the photographer: “Lan and Brandon had a very specific vision for their engagement session! They wanted something very editorial to feature her traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai. She is not wearing this dress for her wedding and wanted to find a way to honor her heritage. In addition to an editorial feel for the first half of their engagement session, they wanted a downtown feel for the second half.”

Plans to tie the knot soon yourself? Check out some of our favorite Houston wedding vendors here to get the planning started! Cheers!