Vanessa and Tai met me out in Downtown Orlando at the iconic Lake Eola for their outdoor city engagement. Rescheduling a few times due to a stormy weekend, we took a chance and truly lucked out with the most beautiful overcast morning that filtered out the harsh sun, along with the clouds holding back just long enough for pictures!
Both working in one of my absolute favorite Disney shows, The Lion King, Vansessa and Tai met while at work back in 2012. While they would chat here and there a little it, wasn’t until two years later in 2014 during their holiday work party, Deck the Halls Charity Ball, which gave way to time for them to hang out with one another. Enjoying one another’s company at the ball, Tai asked for Vanessa’s number the next day and began dating shortly after. Seriously, working at the most magical place on earth, along with spending time for the first time at a ball, could their not be a more perfect fairytale!
Over the past few years, Vanessa has feel in love with how generous Tai is. As she explains, “he always puts family first and takes care of the people he loves.” For Tai, he fell in love with how “selfless” Vanessa is from the way she too puts her family and friends first before herself. This mutual shared love for one another’s generosity has built a foundation at their core values of family, love, and communication, which has just increasingly propelled their relationship forward with each new day.
Of course everyone around Tai knew from the start there was something very special about Vanessa and when the time came to propose incorporated the most important thing in their lives to them, their family. Seeking out the help of their dear friend Chris, Tai rounded up enough tickets for their closest family and friends to attend the Lion King Broadway performance at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, along with a backstage tour. Meeting up with Chris, their group was toured around the set, but Vanessa pulled aside to see the giraffe costumes and headpieces in a smaller side costume room. After seeing the beautiful pieces, they met back up with the group on stage, where Vanessa was also welcomed by many of the cast members as well. Out of nowhere, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” began player and the singers began humming along. It was that very moment when Tai walked out from the group towards Vanessa and knelt down to propose. Vanessa of course said, “yes!” and the entire cast began celebrating with tribal dancing and an uproar in animal vocals based on their part. It was so perfect, as the Lion King was how Vanessa and Tai first met and now where their forever would begin.
With so much planning to be done for their big day, Vanessa and Tai had a great piece of advice that they wanted to share with other soon-to-bes, which is to “listen to one another’s ideas and have an open mind.” With so much to do, schedule, and book, it is important to remember to listen to your heart and the heart of the one you love.
Looking forward to our team capturing Vanessa and Tai’s big day this December at the beautiful Timacuan Country Club!
Venue: Lake Eola
