It all began in College Park, within the context of UMD Greek life. They’d see each other around at various campus events, always saying hello but never pushing it any further. “She played pretty hard-to-get; I had to work for a couple of months to get her attention.” He remembers being struck by her stunning blue eyes, she recalls noticing his eyelashes and curly hair. After a few months of a casual friendship that involved more and more late night chats and texting, Joe told Sara that it was about time he took her out to dinner. So they sat at Mama Lucia’s, talking about everything and nothing, a dinner they had no idea would be the start to something so much bigger.

For Joe, it took three months for him to be convinced that Sara was it. Sara knew after spending time studying abroad in Spain, when missing him became a constant source of frustration and anxiety. And so a few years later during an anniversary weekend in Williamsburg, Joe pulled out a beautiful sparkly ring and asked Sara to be his wife, and her answer was a resounding “yes!”

Joe and Sara, photographing you reminded me why I love love, why I adore engagement sessions. It couldn’t be more obvious to me that  you two were absolutely made for each other! Thank you so much for the privilege of documenting your love on a chilly Saturday morning- I am so looking forward to doing it again next April!

We began in the morning at the University of Maryland to catch that forever-beautiful golden light…

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

Sara’s flawless skin and gorgeous hair was made even more stunning by the talented Jordan K. Winn & Co. She looked amazing!

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

Ahhhh! I die!

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

Joe, you’re way better at this than you give yourself credit for.

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

Sarah, I can’t get over how incredibly beautiful you are!

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

FAVORITES!!!

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement sessionUniversity of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

So Byrd Stadium was technically closed that morning because there was a scrimmage scheduled for that day… but through some sweet talking and the mention of “alumni” and “engagement session,” someone let us into the stadium for a few shots. 🙂

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I just love them. A lot.

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

University of Maryland College Park Terapins engagement session

Yellow + pink dress: Lilly Pulitzer
Pink heels: Steve Madden
Wedge shoes: TOMS

Happy Thursday!

Before we say “I do”- Joe and Sara’s College Park e-session

April 19, 2012

  1. Spring says:

    Love these!!!! Your favorites with that likely are my favorites too!!! Beautiful 🙂 xoxo

  2. Ashley says:

    Ooooo these are absolutely amazing. I love your use of natural lighting. You go girl!

  3. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THESE ARE SO AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Stephen says:

    So purdy… I’m loving the light so much!

  5. WOW WOW WOW! I love them all, and her ring, hello gorgeous! You did a great job, as usual!

  6. Clarisse Bernardes says:

    You guys are so adorable! Love these pictures! Miss hanging out with you two!!!!

  7. molly says:

    oh. my. gosh. i think i am as in love with these as you are!!! SO gorgeous. and her LILLY DRESS i am obsessed with in addition to her shoes and this whole shoot is fabulous. SO FAB!

  8. Rebecca says:

    The one sitting in the chairs should be your save the date!!

  9. Julia K says:

    These are absolutely beautiful! You are both so cute!

  10. Clare says:

    Love. I agree with Reb, but I also like the two horizontal close-ups of your standing on the reflecting pool (one’s about 1/3rd of the way down the page, the other is about halfway down).

  11. Rebekah Hoyt says:

    Wow these are gorgeous Abby!! I LOVE that shot of their feet by the fountain and that one of them laughing (where it looks like he’s wiping tears or something) is beyond precious!!

  12. Nima says:

    Great Pics! Cannot wait for April 6th!!!

  13. Jean Hensley says:

    These are great photos. You really capture the love between these two. Beautiful job!

  14. Corey says:

    Awesome pics! Even though the great photography shows what a handsome devil Joe is, it’s pretty clear Sara is the real catch here.

  15. Jodie says:

    I love that you did this at UMD, where it all began 🙂 Absolutely love the photos, you two are so sweet together! Great outfits, great makeup, great hair (both of you). Picking out my fav for the fridge…going to be hard! xoxo

  16. Dalia says:

    Gorgeous photos for a beautiful couple! Love the chalkboard save-the-date.

  17. Kristine says:

    Lovely pics of you two!! Sara, your outfit is gorgeous!

  18. Sarah says:

    Very very very cute photos! I think my favorites are the ones when you’re on the football field. Or the one with the ring on the tree branch. If it’s not secretly taped to the branch, that had to take some skill. If it’s not secretly taped, that had to take some skill.

  19. Dawn Bitterlich says:

    What beauiful pictures! Congratulations to you both!!!

  20. Jeanne Rooney says:

    Beautiful!!! Congratulations to you both!!

  21. Cheryl - (Lexicon) says:

    Wow! Great photos! Sara is going to make a beautiful bride! What a beautiful ring too!
    Good Luck to you!

  22. Dave says:

    Let’s move this wedding date to May 2012, I can’t wait!

  23. Judy says:

    Gorgeous pictures! Beautiful couple! Congratulations!

  24. Carolyn says:

    The pictures are beautiful!! Congratulations!

  25. Mikey says:

    These are beautiful pictures, and I cannot wait to share this moment in your lives with you guys! See you soon! And of course, many years of happiness to you both!

  26. Nick says:

    You guys look awesome! Very excited for the wedding – it’s going to be a blast…and the start to a really great thing.

  27. Laura Gaiser says:

    What beautiful photos!! You wear that dress so well- Lilly Pulitzer would be so proud!!! XOXOXO

  28. LaLa says:

    Sara, your eyes are so sparkly! these pictures are 100% perfectly gorgeous in every single way and def give you supermodel status in my booook!

  29. Sam says:

    Great photos! Congratulations!

  30. Sue says:

    Very nice pictures!

  31. Wendy says:

    Beautiful pictures!!

  32. Neggie says:

    I can’t believe that my childhood best friend is getting married looking at these photos made me cry!!! Your photographer is AMAZING!!!!

  33. Arianna says:

    Beautiful Photos!! I am so happy for the best of you! I wish you the best in life!!!

  34. Badry Zahraei says:

    So beautiful!

  35. Matt Z says:

    Why aren’t there any pictures in front of 4805?

  36. Christine says:

    I love the light in these!! Stunning couple and images!

  37. Arianna says:

    I agree 100% with Neggie, Abby Grace is amazing with her photography!! Wow!! I had tears in my eyes when I fist saw these photos. I would like to get a copy of them if that is possible.
    I think I may have also found my wedding photographer as well!!!

  38. Karen Field says:

    Girl, you did a great job here! I loved them. The ring picture was beautiful. My vote for the save the date picture was the first one shown. The classroom looked cute, too, but i favor the first one. I’m glad other people are seeing your work!

  39. sara zabihi says:

    THANK YOU so much everyone for your kind comments!! <3 <3 and of course thank you Abby for everything!

  40. Amy says:

    Gorgeous pics! Love the stadium shots!

  41. Jenn G says:

    Beautiful pictures!! Love that you did them at UMD… 🙂 So many favorites! Excited for April 6th

  42. Ashley says:

    Sara, you two are insanely cute. Im impressed you got the mall empty. Great photos!!

  43. Jen says:

    Such beautiful photos!! Thanks for capturing how beautiful my best friend is. You did good abbygrace. I’ve already shared them with my family. Can I order one?

  44. Whitney clutter says:

    Literally crying right now…
    What a beautiful and happy couple. Love you both!!!

  45. Lindsay says:

    So many great pictures…it’ll be hard to chose! 351 days til the wedding!!! But who’s counting?!? <3

  46. love that last shot in the classroom with the chalk board! also – LOVE that you included the attire details!!!

  47. Leslie Morris says:

    Excellent pictures! Very excellent.

  48. Rachel says:

    You guys look amazing!! I love the spots you were able to take pictures, the best at school! I like the heart save the dates 🙂 love you!!

  49. mahin says:

    Such a beautiful photos. I love most of them.

  50. Fadia says:

    Hey Guys, These pictures are gorgeous. We love you both so much. Love Mom and Dad.

  51. Mr. Kek says:

    Sara I never doubted that you had excellent taste. Lots of love. Best of luck.

  52. Olivia says:

    Sara, you are absolutely stunning! And Joe, very studly! GREAT choice of location and time. Who would have known UMD at sunrise was so beautiful considering we were hardly up at that hour when in school. : ) I LOVE the one where you guys are in the classroom. No LXA or Cstone shots?! Hahaha.

  53. Neda says:

    beaaaaaautiful! Can’t wait for the wedding 🙂

  54. Allison Dietz says:

    Sara, the pictures are adorable!!!!! Super happy for you both!

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