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Us.

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Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Our engagement pics are in!

And they’re making me all –> ? ? ? ? ?.

Truly, Barclay and I love them so much. And, I’ve gotta admit that I especially love them because — as opposed to 95% of our photos up until this point — they’re not selfies! ?

Seriously, it was so nice to have someone else behind the camera for a change. And not just anyone else, at that — Barclay and I were thrilled that our dear friend, Becca, agreed to briefly come out of wedding-photography-retirement to shoot our wedding and engagement pics. I have been a total fangirl of her photography for years, so it was a treat on many levels to get to spend this time together, hanging out and seeing her in action doing what she does best. And — while I had initially been on the fence about whether or not to even do engagement pics — I was so thankful that Becca wisely suggested we take that time together as a “practice sesh” before the wedding, so that Barclay and I could get used to being followed around on camera. I naively figured that would be NBD for my and Barclay’s photographer selves. But as it turned out, I got super nervous and awkward the second the camera was turned around on me! Ha, thankfully, Becca’s warm and encouraging energy put me more at ease as the afternoon went on. And of course, Barclay was cool as a cucumber (as always), and kept a constant stream of snuggles and inside jokes going the whole time that kept both of us smiling. He’s the best. ?

We were also really thankful that Becca was on board to come down to my neighborhood and craft a shoot that felt so like “us”. Both Barclay and I have been fairly turned off by the generic “look” and pressures of the wedding industry these past few months, and have tried to be intentional about making decisions throughout the whole planning process that feel personal and fun and genuinely true to us. So — nothing against random alleys and open fields and sunsets — we were excited about the idea of a (literal) snapshot of our current everyday life that we love.

So on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, Becca came down to the River Market in Kansas City and spent time with us doing what we actually do IRL — we cozied up with a cup of coffee at our favorite spot, took a sunny walk through the neighborhood, went to pick up some groceries at the market, and then came home to my place to cook dinner for a date night “in”. Oh, and it just happened to be National Margarita Day. So of course, we had to pick up some limes and make those happen too. ?

All in all, it ended up being a totally fun afternoon, and I’m thrilled and thankful with the images that we ended up with. So excited to actually print and hang them on our walls when we move in together in two months. And more, have them to look back on fifty years later when we’re old and gray and have hopefully lived a wild and wonderful life together, remembering this early season together for the sweet gift that it was.

So anyway, for anyone interested, here are some of my faves!

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)
Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)
Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography) Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

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70 comments on “Us.”

  1. So, so, so happy for you two!!!!! Your smiles say it all! :)

  2. So beautiful. At the grocery store and cooking too – so you!

    Charmaine Ng

  3. Omg, I love your photos and I’m so happy for you Ali! Also, I can’t wait to see how married life changes your blog in the future.

  4. Aww you two are so adorable!! I’m so happy for you both xx

  5. Such beautiful photos, bursting with happiness. Congrats to you, Ali!

  6. Photos look great, I’m noticing that I see his hands much more than yours, I wish there were more pics of you and your ring. I’m thinking ring is the big part of engagement :)

  7. Love the photos! Congrats again!!

  8. Wonderful!

  9. you guys are so hot.

  10. Beautiful pictures of a very happy young couple!!! Blessings to both of you as you plan for that special day. Have there always been TWO dogs in your life??? They’re really cute.

  11. WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW
    LOVELOVEOVELOVELOVELOVE!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. I absolutely love the picture with the mushroom. Wait, you’ll find it’s the one you like best when you look back from that 50 year vantage point!

    You two look so happy, you make me happy.

  13. BEAUTIFUL pictures!!!! thank you for sharing your beautiful engagement pictures with your fans!! I look forward to your emails.

  14. you really make a nice couple and look good together

  15. Congrats! I love the idea of pictures that capture the couple in real life. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for your wedding.

  16. oh my you both look so happy great photos

  17. All of your pix are great, but my favorite is the black and white one where the two of you are side by side looking at the camera. A perfect engagement photo !

    Congratulations !

  18. Wow! These pics are just gorgeous!
    Congratulations to you both! I wish you all the best :)

  19. You two are adorable!! You look like naturals. CONGRATULATIONS!!

  20. Love the pictures. So generous of you to share. ?

  21. You two look like movie stars. EXCELLENT pictures of you two and then all four.
    It looks like you also had a great time posing for those pictures. Well done!! Congratulations and a few words of advise: “Don’t let one cloud obliterate the whole sky” by
    Anais Nin

  22. The pics are all awesome!!! So much love <3 Continued best wishes!!! God bless you!!!

  23. Congratulations to you both… on your forever! Wonderful pictures to capture your love for each other. Continued best. Soak it all up.

  24. You both look SO happy!  Congrats!!  What JOY leaps from your faces!

  25. Fabulous pictures. Thank you for sharing and may you be blessed with many happy years together!!
    P.S. Love your recipes too!!

  26. So lovely!! So fun to see some “everyday” photos that show reality at it’s best!! Congrats!

  27. Why do I have tears !!! These are absolutly adorable. My fav is with the doggies.

    May you create many memories !

    Karin

  28. Congratulations! Great pictures Thanks for sharing!!

  29. I have followed your blog now for a few years and enjoy it and your recipes very much.  I am so happy for the two of you and the pictures are wonderful.  The love that you have for each other just shines through in each picture.  Congratulations to you both!!

  30. Such beautiful pictures. I’m so happy for both of you. Love is an amazingly thing. 

  31. You both look so happy! Photo’s go a long way when you get old and grey like us.Enjoy the journey!xx

  32. This is so beautiful ❤️ Congratulations!

  33. Nothing but happiness, good health and all good things! AWWW on the pictures!

  34. Absolutely beautiful! Congratulations.
    Chris 

  35. Beautiful natural pic’s

  36. Tears of joy!! Many years of happiness!!

  37. Love them all! Can’t wait until the BIG day! So happy for you guys! xo

  38. Congratulations to you both!! You are a very cute couple and I wish you much happiness always!! What gorgeous pics!! :D

  39. So sweet ! ❤️

  40. These are so awesome!

  41. From one KC bride to another, congratulations!! I love you’re recipes and blog, and I’ve been secretly hoping you’d sneak in planning details, as I’m always curious what secrets the city has to offer. Happy planning and wishing the best to you both!

  42. You too are so adorable! I love the black n white ones where you are side by side. Great pictures-thanks for sharing !

  43. Lovebirds, love you both. The photos are Fantastic. Felicidades! Experiencing a wonderful time in your life. See you soon. Big hug.

  44. Love, love, love your pics! They’re so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. ?

  45. Oh my goodness. Love love love. I am so happy for you guys. 

  46. Wonderful photos!  Your love shines through your smiles!  Congratulations!!!!

  47. Congratulations!

    The groom is very handsome but the bride can cook!

  48. Wonderful sweet pictures. So happy for you and Barclay.

  49. Wow, these pictures are amazing. They seem so genuine. Can’t wait to see what she does with your wedding pictures. And Congratulations, such wonderful time ahead for you two.