“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” – Dr. Seuss
This past Saturday was amazing. It was the weekend after Valentine’s Day and my wife and I were getting to celebrate a bit down in Indianapolis since we were both very busy on Valentine’s Day. To name a few things we did briefly since this post is really just leading up to what you all came here for–we threw axes for an hour (amazingly badass), we ate kolaches for the first time, visited with some old friends, ate the most delicious Italian in town and met some very friendly locals along the way. It was a great getaway and I know that we both very much enjoyed our time out of town.
Before we started with all of our fun, however, I got to hang out with Airan and Anthony, a 2019 wedding couple for their engagement session at Coxhall Gardens. A few years back, when my wife and I were planning our wedding, we viewed Coxhall Gardens as a potential spot to get married. Even in February, where everything is cold and gray and most of the plants haven’t come back to life yet–it was still stunning. The architecture, the history, and the vast landscapes set the perfect (and chilly!) tone for this winter engagement.
Anthony and Airan just celebrated 11 years together, on Valentine’s Day, in fact. That’s amazing! 11 years through some of the more awkward times of our lives through high school and college and beyond–now they are preparing to take the next step and become man and wife. As Ball State Alums (CHIRP CHIRP!) I had an instant connection with these two and enjoyed meeting them for their booking consultation. It was a pleasure and I’m so glad that we get to work together.
Our session was cold and so we broke it up into little sections and would photograph and then go warm up. Airan and Anthony received my style guide for engagements and were able to look it over. Airan was wearing a gorgeous gown that flowed in the breeze (brr!) and Anthony looked sharp in his button up. We danced (yes, I mean we!) to some of their favorite tunes which happened to also be some of mine. We both happened to love a South African rap group called Die Antwoord and so it was fun, although different to photograph a couple being intimate and cozy while listening to some of the silly and charged lyrics of my favorite zef-side group. But their session was entirely them. Airan brought roses to carry and use later to be showered by, they brought their favorite sports team hoodies (Go Rams!), and they got to spend some special time together keeping each other warm.
So cheers to you both, Anthony and Airan. Your wedding is going to be a stunner and it’s easy to say that because you both are so much of that already. I cannot wait to see (and hear) what your day will bring!
-Nate
New Adventure Productions is owned by Nate Dale, a Lafayette, Indiana wedding and elopement photographer. We travel nation and worldwide to capture beautiful and intimate weddings and elopements while providing a guidance, love, help along the way.
He is married to the love of his life, Felicia with their two doggies, Pika and Princess.