The watercolor sunrise drew quite a crowd to Pretty Place Chapel, looking out over the foothills of South Carolina. But Ricky was too nervous to get swept up in the view. His experience as a firefighter couldn’t prepare him for the adrenaline rush of proposing to Gabby. A mix of awe and anticipation stirred inside the open-air sanctuary, the tone of a beautiful new beginning growing more vibrant with the rising sun.

Ricky reached out to me on his own about a proposal shoot. I knew that kind of confidence would help him on the morning he asked Gabby to marry him in front of an audience. We surveyed the room, talking out what would be the best spot.

Then Gabby arrived. Family filled the weather-worn pews as Ricky got down on one knee. The blazing sky was the perfect backdrop for the scene, loved ones and strangers alike celebrating the moment. We stepped outside for some private couple photos before gathering both sides of the family for more pictures. For two people who love the Lord, it’s hard to find a more ideal proposal setting than sunrise at Pretty Place Chapel.