Taylor + Taylor’s Engagement Session at The Historic Pearl

I almost forgot I was wearing a mask while telling this wonderful love story with my lenses. Working with both Taylor and Taylor was peaceful, fun, relaxing, enjoyable and effortless. These two casually took every direction I gave with stride, no matter how many instructions there were, put full trust in me, regardless of the unexpected thunderstorm that popped up on the radar and despite having been to the Pearl a million times to study together. We walked around, taking advantage of the smaller crowds due to the combo of COVID and a Thursday afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it! With a thin cast of clouds overhead, an incredibly heavy engagement ring (way to go, Mr. Taylor!) and outfits that spoke loudly of romance and true love, this engagement session easily made my favorites list of dreamy engagement sessions to always remember.

I hoped to be their wedding photographer and knew we were MFEO when Ms Taylor told me that they met while sitting next to each other, studying and having coffee! (author takes a swig of coffee before continuing to type) Of course, Taylor and I met over FaceTime and I waved to her mom, sitting with her as well. She absolutely LIT UP when talking about her fiancĂ©, and then some minor jealousy set in when she began talking about ICELAND!! I won’t give away any more – PLEASE read their love story’s beginning so you can be as excited for them as I AM!!! And if you’re dying to find out where their outfits are from, I have listed the vendor list below! Congrats, Taylors! Your wedding is going to be EPIC!

HOW WE MET

We happened to be sitting next to each other studying at Local Coffee on Broadway here in town. We were both medical students at the time (he was a medical student in Bethesda, MD but was in San Antonio for an away rotation, and I was a medical student here at UT Health SA). I looked over and saw he was reading a medical text, and I asked him what he was studying! 

THE FIRST DATE

He and I disagree when our first date was.. He’ll say our first date was at the Granary at the pearl, but I was convinced we were just friends getting dinner…But I invited him over to my parent’s for Thanksgiving because he was my friend, and he didnt have plans for Thanksgiving. We happened to kiss on the evening before Thanksgiving, and I STILL brought him home for Thanksgiving and he met my parents. And then we were spending all of our free time with each other. I was so devastated when he had to leave back to Bethesda shortly after, so we did long distance for about a year. Luckily he matched into his residency in SA while I was here finishing up my last year of school. Then I matched into my residency here in SA! 

THE PROPOSAL

We were on our second trip to Iceland, and it was the third to last day of the trip. We found a small, less touristy waterfall landmark on google maps, so we decided to drive for a few hours to see it! We parked the camper van, hiked a little bit to the waterfall, and were were completely alone! It was freezing cold, overcast and so windy outside. After a few minutes he said he was going to run back to the van to grab the drone. Though i was very confused considering the rough weather and suboptimal drone conditions, he disappeared into the rocks, and I stood at the waterfall waiting for what seemed like an HOUR but was probably 15 minutes. He reappeared without the drone, and I asked him where it was. At that point he wrapped his arms around me, said “there are a lot of rocks out here, some are shinier than others”, and got down on both of his knees still hugging my legs and asked if I’d marry him. Of course, I started ugly-crying and said YES!
~ Ms Taylor Watkins

VENDORS TO BE RECOGNIZED

HMU: Viva La Glam

The Ring: Diamonds Direct!

Taylor girl #1: Free people white cami, Morning Lavender maxi skirt, Lulu’s ankle strap sandal

Taylor boy #1: Proper Cloth button down, Levi’s Jeans, Ariat boots

Taylor girl #2: Lulu’s wrap dress, Lulu’s ankle strap sandal

Taylor boy #2: Hugo Boss shirt, Jos. A Bank pants, Johnston & Murphy shoes