I had the honor to photograph this absolutely beautiful spring engagement near Thousand Oaks recently!
With engagement photo sessions I always encourage my couples to think of it as a date: where would you like to spend it? What brings you joy? Maybe something fun to do during it? What speaks true to YOU?
When I asked Matt and Win what their perfect date would be like, they answered right away: having a romantic picnic! So surrounded by oaks, blooming flowers, and all of the greenery, they couldn’t have chosen a better location for their romantic date!
Matt and Win are truly the sweetest: so kind, fun, outgoing, easy to connect with. They are an international couple as well which I think is so great! Matt is Thai-American, born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles. He is finishing his degree in Ethnic studies at UC Riverside and aspires to work within ethnic communities in Los Angeles. Win is from Myanmar where she lived until she was 18 years old and then moved here to the US for college. She works with children with special needs providing behavior therapy. Outside of work, she enjoys cuddling with her fur babies (2 dogs and 1 rabbit) and watching movies. Together, they enjoy watching scary movies and exploring new restaurants for date nights.
Their love story is like a Hollywood movie: a few exciting twists and with a happily ever after! =)
They met each other through a mutual friend, Milan, who was one of Win’s first friends in America and Matt’s childhood friend. After about a year of being acquaintances, Matt and Win bonded and became best friends. Though in separate committed relationships, they both always felt a connection but remained with their partners and continued being friends. After a few years, each person’s relationship eventually ended, while they stayed friends.
One night, Matt professed his love to Win, but was told the feeling was not mutual. He decided to take space from Win to figure things out. During the holidays, they connected again and Win now admitted she might have had feelings for Matt as well. They were certainly unsure about dating since they did not want to lose their friendship. But as they say: better to find out rather than never know what could have been! And they jumped in and have been inseparable since!
They got engaged on Matthew’s 30th birthday. Win was planning a big surprise birthday party and invited all of their friends and family. Little did she know, Matt already knew this plan. In fact, he was the one who had her friend suggest the venue for the surprise party so he can do the proposal there. During the birthday, their mutual friends were singing songs. Win didn’t think much when Matthew joined the friends since he loves singing. That’s when Matthew got down on one knee and proposed to Win. You can guess her answer 😉
So here they are: so in love and having such a beautiful and romantic engagement session with a wedding in just a few months! Can’t wait for your big day to come, dear Win and Matt! Cheers to all of the exciting things ahead of you!
PS Check out their stunning wedding at the Gardens at Los Robles Greens here! =)