Untraditional Engagement Session at Allerton Park | Madison + Austin

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Madison and Austin don’t really do anything by the books, and that is EXACTLY why I love their relationship and their engagement session SO much! Everything from their film inspiration of their engagement photos, them both wearing engagement rings, and even Austin taking Madison’s last name is 100% them and I am here for it all! Their engagement session at Allerton Park will give you a small glimpse into their love story and hopefully some inspiration to live the way YOU want to.

2 photos side by side, the left is of a couple smiling while the man lifts the woman's leg up in the air as she laughs while they stand in a park, the right is a black and white photo of the same couple in the same position but kissing

Madison and Austin’s Love Story

Before we dig into Madison and Austin’s engagement session at Allerton Park I want to spend some time talking about what led these two wonderful people to this point. Some fun facts about Madison and Austin: they were set up by Madison’s high school bullies, their ideal date night is one in a pillow fort they made watching movies and eating snacks, and lastly Austin didn’t actually propose to Madison. You see, Madison isn’t really into the idea of proposing, so instead Austin planned out an entire date day for the two of them and told her that sometime during that day he would pop the question. How freaking CUTE! 

Now the two are planning their intimate wedding with close friends and family that I am SO pumped for. Lastly, I mentioned how Austin is taking Madison’s last name which I think is so cool. Gender in a relationship doesn’t have to matter if you don’t want it to. As clearly evidenced by Madison and Austin’s relationship, whether it’s Austin taking Madison’s last name, or him wearing an engagement ring alongside Madison, they are living breathing proof of that idea!

2 photos side by side, the left is a black and white photo of a woman smiling as a man lifts her leg and kisses her on the neck while they stand in the park, the right photo is of the same couple staring at one another and embracing while touching noses in the same park
2 photos side by side, the left is of a couple touching their cheeks together and smiling at the camera while in a park, the right photo is of the same couple standing next to one another and smiling at the camera in the same park
Close up photo of a woman laying on the grass, her hand with an engagement ring on it is holding the hand of a man which also has an engagement ring on his hand
3 photos side by side, the left is of a man and woman sit in park and look at the camera, the man is sitting while the woman is laying with her head on his lap, the middle is a black and white photo of the same couple in the park touching noses together and smiling at one another, the right photo is of the same couple sitting together in a park holding hands and smiling at each other
2 photos side by side of a couple standing in front of a greenhouse together while holding bouquets of flowers, the left they are looking at one another and the right is of them looking in opposite directions in black and white
2 black and white photos side by side of a couple standing next to one another and holding bouquets of flowers, the left the woman is smiling as the man touches her hair, the right is of them hiding their faces behind the bouquets
During their engagement session at Allerton Park, a couple stand in front of a greenhouse with bouquets of flowers held in front of their faces, the photo is in black and white
Close up black and white photo of a couple standing in a greenhouse next to one another with a flower bouquet in the foreground of the photo during their engagement session at Allerton Park
2 photos side by side, the left is of a man smiling at the camera while a woman rides on his shoulders smiling to the right, the middle photo is of the same couple kissing in a greenhouse while holding flower bouquets, the right is a black and white photo of the man smiling with his eyes closed while the woman smiles down at him while riding on his shoulders

Their Allerton Park Engagement Session

Alright, now that we have an idea on just how awesome these two are and how they like to do things their own way, let’s dig into their engagement session at Allerton Park! As it stands, Allerton Park is a wonderful location for an engagement session for a wide array of reasons. The park, located in Monticello, Illinois, is absolutely beautiful. With 1,500 acres, the park has a ton of space and in turn a ton of locations perfect for engagement photos. From formal gardens, a statuary, natural prairie, forests, and walking trails, the space really gives you a LOT to work with. 

Madison and Austin’s session included the Vine Walk to House of the Golden Buddhas as well as the gorgeous Fu Dog Garden. I have to give a huge shoutout to Madison and Austin again for being absolute troopers and putting up with my crazy ideas, even with the insane heat. The three of us were so sweaty by the end of the session, but also it was SO worth it!

Waist down photo of a man and woman standing in a field during their engagement session at Allerton Park, the man is holding a flower bouquet while the woman is swapping the shoes that she is wearing
2 photos side by side standing in a field, the right is a black and white photo with each of them holding a bouquet, the man is facing a way from the camera and the woman facing towards it while both look to the right, the right photo is of the woman smiling at the camera while resting her head on the man's shoulder while he faces away from the camera
2 blurry film photos side by side of a couple walking in a park together while holding flower bouquets and looking at one another, the left photo is in color while the right is in black and white
2 photos side by side, the left is of a couple hugging in a park and smiling at the camera, the right is a black and white photo of the same couple standing next to one another in the park and holding hands while touching their noses together and smiling at one another
Black and white photo of a couple from the shoulders down dancing in Allerton Park during their engagement session
A man and a woman lay in the grass during their engagement session at Allerton Park and look up towards the camera while touching hands
2 photos side by side, the left is of a couple laying in the grass opposite directions so their heads are side by side, they are smiling at one another with their faces touching with their eyes closed, the right photo is of the same couple walking through a doorway holding hands as they exit into the park
2 photos side by side, the left is a black and white film photo of a woman leaning against a doorway leading outdoors as a man leans against the wall to kiss her, the right is a color photo of the couple in the same doorway kissing one another
2 photos side by side of a man looking up a spiral staircase towards a woman who is smiling back at him, the left photo is in color and the right is in black and white
3 photos side by side, the left is of a man and woman standing next to one another and smiling while touching noses together in front of a railing looking over a forest, the middle photo is of the same couple at the railing but with their backs facing the camera looking out at the forest, the right photo is black and white of the same couple in front of the railing, the woman is laughing while the man kisses her hand
Close up photo of a man and woman's hands, each with an engagement ring on them, laying on top of one another while holding flower bouquets during their engagement session at Allerton Park
Black and white photo of a man and a woman's hand, each with an engagement ring on it, reaching out and holding one another during their engagement session at Allerton Park

Madison and Austin’s engagement session was seriously one for the books and I’m beyond excited for their wedding day to come around! If you’re looking to see and read about more love stories like theirs be sure to check out my blog page. Ready to book your own wedding and engagement session with me? Head to my contact page to send an inquiry!

3 photos side by side, the left is a far away black and white photo of a couple standing in a field in front of a forest dancing with one another, the middle is of the same couple holding hands and kissing their hands while laughing, the right photo is of the same couple laying in a field next to one another in front of a forest

Engagements

September 21, 2023

Rachael McMillan

  1. Amy says:
    September 27, 2023 at 6:39 pm

    this is one of the cutest couples stories i’ve ever read & i am absolutely living for all of these shots!! you constantly make me wish i would have found you & met you before the day of our wedding. (bless carissa for bringing you as the additional shooter!) the relationships you build with your clients are so personal, beautiful, & amazing.

    Reply

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