Bok Tower Gardens Engagement Session in Florida

The luscious backdrop of Bok Tower Gardens in Florida set the scene for this romantic garden engagement session.

Lauren and Nathanael’s love story began as many do these days: on a Dating App. Matching on Hinge, they exchanged a few messages and soon planned their first mini-golf date. While they are different in almost every way, except for their foundation of faith, the pair embraced the task of introducing each other to new things. Lauren writes, “In this exchange of culture, a native from Michigan and a native from Trinidad discovered a love they always prayed for.”

Set to tie the knot in September this year, the pair are ecstatic to share their love with the world! Captured by our very own MunaCoterie member, Stanlo Photography, Lauren and Nathanael’s love radiates amidst soft golden light and beautiful Florida greenery. Styled by the bride-to-be herself, Lauren’s first look, a sleek silk orange gown with white accents, paired perfectly with Nathanael’s burgundy suit. They also wore white attire for their second casual looks.

Keep reading below for more sweet details!

Couple: Lauren Smith & Nathanael Paul
Occupations: Lauren is the Vice President of Olbali Brands and Nathanael is an Executive Producer for Spectrum News
Wedding date: September 30, 2022
Wedding location: Planterra Conservatory, West Bloomfield, MI
Location of Engagement shoot: Bok Tower Gardens, FL

How they met…

There are two words many hope to avoid in their dating journey: Dating apps. An application designed to match you with someone that best fits your interests, without meeting them in person first. For some, it’s a last resort and a move that can be downright scary. In the case of Lauren and Nathanael, one dating app will forever be a part of their love journey.

It was in December of 2020 when Lauren and Nathanael decided to take a leap of faith and join Hinge. A newer app that had been getting some hopeful reviews. It was not long after joining, that the two found each other’s profiles.

Their first date…

After a few messages back and forth, these two were already planning their first date. Mini Golf at Universal City Walk may not sound like the most romantic of settings, but for Lauren and Nathanael, the 18-hole course provided the dialogue and interaction that would set them on par for future dates filled with adventure and new experiences.

Different in almost every way, except for their foundation of faith, Lauren and Nathanael embraced the task of introducing each other to new restaurants, workouts, music, and family traditions. In this exchange of culture, a native from Michigan and a native from Trinidad discovered a love they always prayed for.

How they knew they found “the one”?

It’s the little things you always hear about in your favorite songs and movies. The electricity from the touch of each other’s hand, the warmth that builds from gazing into each other’s eyes, and the escape from reality with each kiss. Lauren and Nathanael shared a love and a passion for each other that could only go in one direction from here.. up!

The proposal…

That love would level up in November of 2021 when Nathanael decided to ask for Lauren’s hand in marriage.

Lauren thought she was joining Nathanael as his date to an important work dinner. However, this dinner was served up with an appetizer of trickery involving an actress who played Nathanael’s ‘co-worker’ and worked to distract Lauren as long as possible so Nathanael could get ready for the main course. That, being a surprise proposal, served up with a ring, music, and the presence of Lauren’s and Nathanael’s closest family and friends both in-person and virtually.

The anticipated sweet dessert was the nod of yes by Lauren accompanied by tears to the question everyone in attendance waited on pins and needles to hear… Will You Marry Me? For the person asking the question, and the one receiving it, it was yes, yes, and yes 1,000 times over. That answer not only confirmed the love that everyone knew was there, but it put a deposit down to the next chapter of this love story… marriage!