Couple: @elizabethrparker, @austin_schmidt

Photographer: @lemonsandlumens

Location: Amelia Island

In their words:

How we met: Austin and I both graduated from the same University without ever actually meeting — unless you count the moment Austin swore he met me while he helped move my old roommate into our college apartment, who he knew from leading a camp with.

Right after graduation, I started my first job where I met my bosses and their son, who also works for them - Austin. Within only a few minutes of talking, we discovered that we had many mutual friends, one of which who happened to be my college roommate. The familiarity made my first day a little less overwhelming, and we quickly became friends while working together.

By 2024, Austin was searching for a church community and knew how much I loved mine. After a few Sundays of sitting together and chatting afterwards, he finally asked me out — carefully, nervously — both of us fully aware that dating a coworker could lead to complications.

We were worried his parents would disapprove, considering they were our bosses at a smaller company and things could get messy, but decided to take the risk. Our first date lasted more than eight hours, filled with easy conversation and nonstop laughter.

A few dates later, my current roommate, who is also my best friend, spontaneously performed for Austin and I as a fish — yes, a fish — and somehow, the video went viral on TikTok. It became a running joke between the two of us that a fish costume had somehow solidified our relationship. From that point on, we’ve been inseparable.

How he proposed:

We were staying at my parents’ house in Amelia Island over Thanksgiving, and everyone was getting ready to “take the family Christmas card photo” over on the golf course. There was a local food drive happening in the clubhouse, so Austin and I were tasked to go find a good picture spot while the rest of my family helped carry food inside to drop off.

We walked out onto the course, the marsh glowing under a soft, golden sunset. PERFECT for the “Christmas card”. Then, Austin stopped. Before I could ask why, he dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. Everyone came out overjoyed and cheering in celebration of the start of our future together.

We chose Ken & Dana because we felt it checked every box we were looking for. Great quality, customer service, and beautiful, unique designs.