Larisa and Ian met me out in the heart of Downtown Winter Park, Florida at the Rose Garden for an adorable engagement. Larisa’s kiddos Evelyn and Ethan tagged along for a few family portraits as well and to celebrate such a beautiful moment.
Larisa and Ian met back in the fall of 2013 while both attending chiropractic school at Palmer Chiropractic College in Port Orange. At the time Larisa was paired up with Ian to mentor him. Their mentorship turned into friendship as they began spending more and more time with one another. Two years later their friendship grew into romance when the two began dating.
It is the way that Ian is Larisa’s “calm and constant,” which makes her melt every time she looks into his eyes. She feeling of knowing she had found the one, the one who would be her rock for forever, is what made her fall in love. Of course his endless sense of humor and uncanny ability to always make her smile couldn’t be looked over either. Ian fell in love with Larisa’s “Gemini spirit” and (laughing as I write this) “Asian persuasion!” Truly he loves “her fiery spirit and her ability to know exactly what I need.” It is the give and take to their relationship that has built such a beautiful foundation for their love to grow upon. Supporting one another, laughing with one another, and understanding one another has truly been monumental in their love as a couple and family.
Roughly a year after the two began dating and the exact date of February 12, 2016, Ian told Larisa that they were going to Winter Park for dinner. Unexpected, but excited, Larisa knew something was up because he had told her that he bought her something just a week earlier. Of course, just to be prepared for the in case possibility, Larisa had her nails done and dressed up for the occasion. During dinner she was sure he would pop the question, but he didn’t. She figured that maybe he was going to wait a little longer and didn’t think much of it the rest of the night. After dinner the two headed back to the car to drop off their left overs before heading back to Larisa’s favorite ice cream shop, Rome Flavors. Fumbling around the car, Larisa was waiting for Ian to unlock the door and little confused by what he was doing. Well, Ian was attempting to fit a very large ring box into his pocket, which just wasn’t working out. He had planned to take it with them on a walk, but instead decided that their was no better moment than the moment of just being together. Right there in the parking lot, Ian asked for Larisa to marry him. She of course said “yes” and the two headed off to celebrate with a scoop of ice cream.
I love asking my couples about the best piece of wedding planning advice they have for received and would give to others. For Larisa and Ian, hands down I 100% agree and am over the moon with what they said, “the best piece of advice we received is you get what you pay for and to make sure you get the best photographer, because they can capture the best moments.”
Venue: Downtown Winter Park
