{To-Be-Weds} Alissa & Greg…becoming a family!

Alissa & Greg are getting married this fall… but it isn’t a commitment between just the two of them. Greg has two kiddos that also are part of the deal. So they asked that their engagement session include Jenna, 8, and Cole, 10. What a fabulous idea.

Cerner is one of Kansas City’s leading employers so it’s no surprise that Alissa & Greg, like the bride and groom from my last post, are Cerner employees. Alissa’s role with the company forced her to travel a lot, but on an off-week that she was going to be in town, she was asked to assist with an event of a client of Greg’s. They ran into one another at the inhouse coffee bar and soon took their conversation to IM. (See a common theme with Cerner lovebirds?? 😉 ha)   They had their first date at Harry’s and have seen or talked to one another every day since. Most of their relationship developed via Facetime due to Alissa’s traveling schedule.

They are an outdoorsy couple, and on a hike around Lake Tahoe, Greg went down on bended knee, his hands holding a gorgeous diamond ring that Alissa willfully slid onto her finger after he asked, “Sweetie, will you marry me?”

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago for our session. The foursome got down to the River Market area before I did, so they scouted out somewhere that appealed to them. They found a spot I had never shot in before…and it had great light. Alissa & Greg clearly have amazing taste. I mean, check out their wardrobes!

They share a fondness for biking and fitness (please take note of Alissa’s arms…they are THE arms that most every bride covets… no fair!!!). So they brought along a tandem bike to incorporate at the end of the session and Jenna and Cole were all too ready to use it as a prop. They were two of the most cooperative, cheerful children I have every had the pleasure to work with. Props to mad parenting skills!

The sun was setting quickly on us as we set up along the river and I just kept shooting. I could have shot for another hour but rumbling tummies and loss of light were in our way. Darn it! Just kidding, we got TONS of great stuff.  It’s definitely a session of too many favorites. Such a great problem to have, no?

Their wedding is set to be a romantic, rustic affair. Alissa has a gorgeous vision and I can’t wait to see it come into play. And I love that their engagement/family session took place somewhere with such a different vibe than what their wedding images will portray. I can’t wait to play with them all again!!! I came away from the session knowing full well that this soon-to-be family of four was meant to be. They are picture perfect…and the kids AND their dad so obviously adore Alissa. She fits in so well that I’m pretty sure the official event in October will be a seamless segue to a long-lasting journey of memories.