They met in college where she was a Kappa Delta and he was a Sigma Chi. Their first date was in a rose garden and when the time was right Sean tricked Jessica into going back to that garden where he was waiting with a ring to surprise her. Sean and Jessica’s family had made all the arrangement unbeknown to her including talking to her boss to get a couple days off! He flew across the country and then drove hours to her parents house to ask their permission and pick up her grandmothers engagement ring. Sean even roped their friends into getting her to the rose garden and being there to take pictures of his proposal! Needless to say Jessica was super surprised to see him and as you might guess said “Yes”!!!!!
Sean is a Marine and when Jessica contacted me about doing a 1940’s theme engagement session I was all over that!!! She had already picked out a location, the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. Sean looked very vintage in his uniform and Jessica nailed the 40’s theme with her pin curls and peep toe pumps! When we walked into the hangar at the museum I thought I had walked into heaven, the light was gorgeous and bouncing all over the place, it was photographer heaven. We really lucked out in that there was an event taking place that night so they were wheeling the planes outside. We were able to shoot part of the session under the beautiful blue sky and the rest in the hangar with the amazing light! Sean is training to become an aviator and as Jessica pointed out early in the session he know all about planes. She was right, I bet he could identify every plane in both of those hangars and he shared some great information on some of them. I really enjoyed hearing stories about different features of the planes. Sean and Jessica were so great to work with, it is so easy to see how much they love each other. Jessica was a beaming bride to be and Sean was looking at her like he was the luckiest guy in the world! I love being able to capture that!
To see more of Jessica & Sean’s Virginia Beach engagement session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!
Show Jessica & Sean some love by commenting below and sharing this post with your friends! 20 comments will earn them a complimentary 8×10 Fine Art print of their favorite image. Thanks!!! (All comments are approved so your comment will not show up right away, no need to re-submit it will be approved shortly!)
Melissa Arlena is an award winning lifestyle newborn photographer in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia who has earned her Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in maternity, newborn and family photography. Her natural and simple work has been featured in magazines and online blogs worldwide. She has been named Best Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA in 2024.
Soo cute!! Congrats you two!
Amazing location! And love the style of the shoot! Great job 🙂
Awesome session Melissa!
Melissa, this is ADORABLE! So lovely. 🙂
love this!! i totally felt like i was looking at photographs from way back when. 🙂
Beautiful…you captured the Love and FUN!!!
Wow,the photographer captured the LOVE between Sean and Jess perfectly. I can’t pick which one is the best shot because they are all the best. KI
These are awesome! Jess and Sean, Congrats!
Cute Pictures!!!!!!! You guys look great !!!! Bet you didn’t know I knew how to email !!!!!
This is awesome!!! So amazing! And it is such a great story too. The couple is cute and angelic!
Love the photos, especially the vintage black and whites. All the best to you both for a wonderful marriage!