When Kelsey and Nick told me they wanted cemetery engagement photos, I’m not going to lie— I was pumped! As venues and locations go, this one is totally outside-the-box. I loved the idea of mixing a haunting backdrop with romantic photos, but mostly I just loved Kelsey and Nick— and the fact that they were game for it!

These cemetery engagement photos are totally lovely, a little spooky, and truly unique. If you’re drawn to the Halloween feel and foliage, or if you’re just looking for a little engagement photo drama, this is an idea you’ll want to steal.

Meet Kelsey and Nick

I’ve known and have been photographing many of my clients for years, but Kelsey found me on Google just a few months ago, so I was really excited to get to know her and Nick. (And of course, to hear the proposal story!)

Here’s what Kelsey and Nick had to say:

How They Met

Nick and Kelsey share a best friend, who brought Nick to a Christmas party Kelsey was throwing. They didn't talk much that night, but Nick later told Kelsey that he fell in love with her when she put on a song he didn't know and started dancing. After a year of being just friends, they finally got together in 2018, realizing that they were a perfect match for each other on so many levels.

“Nick is so sweet and kind,” Kelsey told me. “I love how much he cares for other people and that he stands up for what is right and seeks justice in the world. He is a true empath.”

“Kelsey is enthusiastic, brave, and jumps into the deep end of life,” Nick shared. “She inspires me not to be scared of going after the things I want and she's made my world feel larger.”

How can you NOT be on team Kelsey and Nick after reading that!?

Love Is In The Details

I specifically asked the couple about a quirk, a personality trait— something unique about the other person that they just love. 

Kelsey told me that she thinks it’s so cute that Nick is literally a person who stops to smell the roses. She loves that he’s fascinated by plants and trees, and will stop at any point to check out something that looks cool to him.

Nick said he loves that Kelsey compulsively acquires spooky and creepy decorations for their home (which feels very on-brand to me!).

The Proposal

Kelsey let me in on the fact that she had been not-so-subtly nudging Nick to propose for a while. Case in point: in preparation for a weekend trip they were taking with friends, Kelsey got her nails done and joked with Nick about how it would be the perfect weekend to propose since her nails would look so good in photos. (I just love the boldness!) Little did Kelsey know, Nick had already planned to propose the next day.

When Kelsey got home from work, she walked in to see that Nick had decorated their apartment, covering what felt like every inch of it with candles and pictures of them. He even had their song playing in the background. She can’t remember specifically what he said, but there was definitely a question and a ring and a “Yes!” and it was all perfectly lovely.

The Cemetery Engagement Photos

Kelsey loves Halloween and all things spooky, and she’s a big fan of the beautiful fall colours, which led her to the idea of cemetery engagement photos. They’re getting married next October (fitting!) and they had just gotten their sweet puppy, Remedy, who came along— so an outdoor, fall vibe just made sense.

We lucked out and found some tall trees at Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver, around Fraser and 41st ave. The haunting, autumnal backdrop it provided was dreamy, just a little creepy, and perfect for them on all fronts.

Nick & Kelsey’s Advice for COVID Engagements

Since Kelsey and Nick got engaged and are planning their wedding during COVID, I asked them to share some advice for other couples experiencing the same thing. Here’s what they shared:

Stay Flexible

Kelsey told me that when it comes to wedding planning, everything is more difficult during COVID because you can't really guarantee that any of it will actually happen. In her case, going with the flow and realizing that everything they’ve dreamed up might not happen exactly as they imagined it has been key.

Check Your Expectations

Kelsey recommends rolling with the punches and keeping expectations in check by remembering what really matters. “It won't actually matter what the venue looks like in the end, as long as I get to marry my best friend and celebrate with our loved ones,” she said.

Focus On The Future

If you got engaged during COVID, you have so much to look forward to. Your wedding day will probably be even happier than it would’ve been ordinarily because once this lockdown ends, everyone will just be so pumped to be together! 

Kelsey told me she’s so looking forward to having a great time celebrating with all of their friends and family in the future, and to meeting a lot of Nick's family for the first time. Since they live on the East Coast, so they’ve only ever been together over Zoom.

So take heart, COVID-engagement couples. Your celebration is poised to be an incredibly joy-filled day— one where no one takes a single moment or detail for granted.

Book Your Engagement Session

I love working with down-to-earth couples who are chill, in love, and looking for an experience that feels true to who they really are (read: nothing fake, forced, or cheesy).

If I just described you guys, then we should probably chat! Book a complimentary consultation call with me and over a (virtual) coffee or a beer, we’ll daydream about your photos while making sure we’re a fit.

Whether it’s hiking the trails, watching the sunrise, or cuddling with the pets at home, we’ll come up with a game plan and bring your vision to life!