i will {engagement}

a sunny winter matthaei botanical garden engagement session full of romance

Winter Matthaei Botanical Garden Engagement Photos in Ann Arbor, Michigan provided by Kari Dawson, top-rated Ann Arbor wedding photographer.

I met Rachel and Blake in February for their winter Matthaei Botanical Garden engagement pictures and boy are they naturals. The Matthaei garden is so lovely inside and out. I will always be grateful that spaces like this even allow photography (reservation and permit required). In Michigan, we are limited for months on end on locations we can recommend that are lush and dare I say, warm. And we were blessed extra with a huge dose of sunshine!

Rachel and I originally connected (meeting in-person only once) in 2017 and have orbited and crossed paths through social media ever since. When she got engaged in 2021 she emailed me. I’ll let Rachel’s own words do all the explaining. “Next year, on June 3rd, 2022, I will be marrying the true love of my life, Blake Aaron Speck. He and I grew up together. He was the boy I loved when I was 14. He is my best friend, my teammate in everything, and the most kind, humble man I’ve ever known. The thought of being married to him everyday is more of a dream-come-true than our wedding will ever be.”

Like the rest of my couples, the wedding is fun. It’s pretty. It’s glamorous. It’s overwhelming, too. And it’s the vehicle that gets them to where they really want to be: MARRIED to their best friend. Every word that Rachel utters is pure kindness and full of gratitude. Blake is her biggest fan. Together these two are going to change hearts and lives as they journey through life together.

Rachel and Blake, I can’t wait to see you two meet each other at the top of the aisle. I’m honored to be part of your first day of forever!