Engagement Tampa Riverwalk

Tampa Riverwalk Engagement

Marah and Mike met me out at the Tampa Riverwalk for their engagement session along the water. The two live close to the area, and thought the downtown vibe in the background, along with the boardwalk lined water would be the perfect spot for their engagement photos!

How They Met

Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire is where my couple’s story began. Mike first laid eyes on Marah when he was a senior and she was a sophomore who had just transferred in during the Spring term. Getting to know one another, the two became closer and kept in touch after Mike graduated and left FPU. Over the next year, they took their friendship to the next level and began dating. Mike knew all along that he had found the one and wouldn’t let long distance separate them.

What They Love Most

Falling in love with Mike’s positive attitude and outlook on life, he has always been there for Marah. As she explains, Mike “supports me unconditionally, and constantly makes me laugh. I love that he has the biggest heart and is always willing to go above and beyond to help and care for his family and friends.” This big teddy bear might seem serious in (some) photos, but as soon as he would put his arms around Marah and bring her in for a hug or kiss, his face lit up with the biggest smile.

For Mike, the past eight years of being with Marah have been the most amazing years of his life. From girlfriend to now fiancé, Marah is the one person that knows how to keep a smile on his face and is also his best friend. As Mike dotes on Marah, “what I love most about Marah is her beauty is matched by her kind-hearted personality, which made her a perfect 10 from the day we first met.” Yes, you better believe Mike knew Marah was the one from the first time he saw her!

The Proposal

Mike definitely pulled out all of the stops for his proposal to Marah! Celebrating their anniversary on the day they began dating in December, Mike planned a horseback ride along the water in St Pete Beach. Marah actually grew up riding horses, so he knew it would be very meaningful to her. Riding along the water, little did Marah know that along for their ride was an engagement ring in Mike’s pocket. While he wanted to propose on their ride, he thought it better to wait until they were safely standing on the sand.

After their ride, they walked along the beach to a spot overlooking the bay with the Sunshine Skyway in the background. When another couple walked up near them, Mike reached out to them to ask for a picture of him and Marah with the backdrop – even though she insisted they just take a selfie and call it a day. Little did Marah know that Mike had actually also told the gentleman who he handed his phone too, that he would be proposing to Marah – clearly can’t do a selfie at the exact same time as proposing!

Turning to Mike after fixing her hair to prepare for the photo, she found him on one knee taking the ring out of his pocket. Popping the question, Marah immediately began to cry and even asked him if he was joking, which of course he was no, and of course she said, “yes!” Between the thoughtful horseback ride along the water and Mike being adamant about having their photo taken, Marah never realized the clues that came about before he proposed. It was absolutely a perfect day!

As my couple continues to plan for their wedding day in April, their best piece of advice to other couples would be “to plan together, plan early, and make it fun!” I couldn’t not agree more!

Looking forward to capturing these two tie the knot this April at The Resort at Longboat Key Club!