Golden Hour Engagement Session at Gold Creek Pond in Washington | Bonnie and Charles
Nestled in the breathtaking beauty of Gold Creek Pond, Bonnie and Charles’ engagement session was nothing short of magical. With the serene alpine lake as their backdrop and the golden light filtering through the trees, their love shone effortlessly. But before we dive into their dreamy engagement session, let’s rewind to the moment that started it all—the proposal.
How Charles Pulled Off the Surprise Proposal
Bonnie knew a proposal was coming—at least, in theory. She had given Charles plenty of ideas about what she wanted, and he had even told her when he decided on the ring and when it shipped. But she still wanted an element of surprise. “I told him I didn't want to know what the ring looked like or when exactly he was going to propose,” Bonnie shared. “So, I was left in this weird limbo. I kept telling him I would know when it was happening because he's terrible at keeping secrets when he's excited.”
But Charles managed to surprise her after all. He had the ring for two days before proposing, and Bonnie had no idea. The first clue should have been when he came home with flowers—something he didn’t normally do. But he dismissed it, saying they were too small and that he needed to find better ones. The next day, he arrived with a bigger bouquet. “I oohed appropriately,” Bonnie recalled. “But then he didn’t move. He just stared at me and said again, ‘I got you better flowers.’” That’s when suspicion set in. She started looking through the flowers for a ring, and sure enough when he rotated the bouquet, there was the ring box!
The moment was so beautifully imperfect, just like them. “I had just come home from work and had all my stuff in my arms and my jacket on. I think I yelled at him something like, ‘Wait, I have too many things on!’ before I started flinging things aside,” Bonnie laughed. “It took me several minutes before I realized he hadn’t actually said the words ‘Will you marry me?’ yet. And several days before I realized he forgot to get on one knee!” But it didn’t matter—they both cried, and it was perfectly them.
Why Gold Creek Pond Was the Perfect Engagement Spot
For their engagement session, we wanted to capture that same effortless, authentic love in a place that truly reflected their adventurous spirits. Gold Creek Pond, with its reflective waters, towering evergreens, and crisp mountain air, was the perfect setting. As the sun dipped behind the peaks, Bonnie and Charles embraced, laughed, and danced along the shoreline. The golden light wrapped around them, making the entire scene feel like a fairytale.
I love it when couples bring their personalities into their sessions, and Bonnie and Charles did just that. Whether it was the way Charles made Bonnie burst into laughter with an inside joke or the way Bonnie instinctively leaned into Charles’ arms as they stood at the water’s edge, their love felt so easy and real.
Gold Creek Pond has long been a beloved engagement session location for many photographers in the state, making its upcoming closure for renovations bittersweet. While it will be missed by so many who have created memories there, it’s also important to protect and preserve these breathtaking environments. Keeping places like this accessible for future generations means taking the necessary steps to maintain and restore them.
Their journey together continues, and I cannot wait to document their next chapter. Bonnie and Charles are getting married at Briarwood Estate in Mount Vernon, WA, and if their engagement session was any indication, their wedding day will be filled with just as much love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.
If you’re looking for an engagement photographer in the PNW or searching for beautiful engagement photo locations in the Pacific Northwest, let’s chat—I’d love to tell your story! Or please check out some more Washington sessions below!
xx,
Jennifer Lourie
