We stood in the bustling lobby at Hammock Beach Resort, Kim looking oh-so-chic in her vintage-styled outfit. With her dainty little hat, Mary Jane heels, and pencil skirt, it could have been 1945 — except that she was holding my BlackBerry to her ear, trying to get a hold of Darin. Last we had heard, he was at one of the resort’s pools. But then he stepped out of the elevator, suspenders, cap, and all, and I watched Kim’s face relax into a serene smile.

Danny and I saw it again and again throughout their engagement session and wedding day: Like every successful couple, they’re good on their own, but they both know they’re even better together. This couple shares something truly special.

Their engagement session was something special, too. Everything came together — the lovestruck couple, their sweet vintage wardrobes, the beautiful backdrops at Hammock Beach, the hazy sunset light — and created a photo shoot that was an absolute dream. Kim and Darin, I am so in love with your engagement photos, and beyond delighted that you wanted to put the extra effort into pulling off a themed shoot! You two really shared your personalities in front of the camera. If your everyday interactions are half this loving, you two have a truly blessed life!

The grounds at Hammock Beach Resort are a photographer’s paradise — really, the only bad spot for photographs that I came across was the parking garage — but we headed straight down to the beach that evening. Here’s why.“Cute” doesn’t even begin to describe the way Kim and Darin were together. They were absolutely overflowing with love every time they locked eyes.I’d like to take this opportunity to gush over Kim’s ring. According to the social etiquette of Facebook, every time a new bride-to-be posts a picture of her bling, her online friends must comment that her groom chose the ring well. I rarely comply. But Darin chose really well. Really-really. Kim’s ring is a cushion cut diamond set in a halo of pave diamonds, and let me tell you, when I ran around shooting detail shots on their wedding day, I didn’t mind the extra weight from having to wear her ring on my finger, right next to my own engagement ring. Hellooooo, sparkles!
I really don’t know what I would do without Danny. While I directed, he grabbed all sorts of candid shots from different angles, and  some of them are pure magic.I feel the need to mention that I was really excited about Darin’s rolled cuffs. For some reason, rolled cuffs just scream “old timey!” and “beach vacation!” to me. And then Darin rolled his cuffs up before I even got the chance to ask him. That’s kind of the way this session went — Kim and Darin just seemed to know what Danny and I were about to ask for in picture after picture. (Have I already mentioned that this shoot was a dream?)We left the beach as the distant treeline swallowed the sun, but we weren’t quite ready to call it a night, so….
As complete darkness fell (and the allotted time for the engagement session was well past), we still were going strong. Coming full circle, we went back into Hammock Beach Resort’s now-deserted lobby. Although Kim swore she hadn’t remember what the lobby looked like when she chose her outfit, her colors coordinated with the decor perfectly, which was just another way that their session completely nailed it.
What’s more vintage beach vacation-y than a grand seaside hotel with an evening of games in the drawing room, followed by some musical entertainment?
So much love. Just the way it should be. <3

See the whole album on Facebook.

Venue: Hammock Beach Resort
Hairstyling and makeup: Jennifer Bissonnette (The Spa at Hammock Beach Resort)

~ Laura