- What did you do on your first date?
- How did you know you found "the one"?
- The proposal...
- Describe your engagement session.
- What's your favorite thing to do as a couple?
- How has wedding planning been so far?
- What are you looking forward to most on your wedding day?
- Looking for more "Old Money" chic engagement sessions?
- Vendors:
Lauren and Corey’s romantic North Carolina engagement session embodies the chic aesthetics of Ralph Lauren with a classy old money feel.
The couple, whose love story started through their shared love of Track & Field, evolved slowly and steadily over time. As Corey describes it, “It was like a track race delayed by weather, but instead of minutes or hours, it was like waiting months or even years for the right moment.”
Corey first saw Lauren at various state track meets. At first sight, he was smitten, but anxiety always held him back from making his move: “I often wondered, ‘Would she respond to me? Am I her type? How would this work with us living on opposite sides of the state?”
After going their separate ways for college (Lauren at NC State University and Corey at Western Carolina), they eventually became mutuals on social media, exchanging a few likes but nothing more.
It wasn’t until September 2020 that their race to romance officially began with a simple “Hey” from Lauren on social media.
“Little did she know that ‘Hey’ ended years of anxiety and self-doubt for me,” Corey reveals. “At that moment, I knew our race had started. Despite the hurdles and barriers, each year we run another lap together—reflecting, loving, and finding happiness. Though our race has only just begun, we’re both ready to leave it all on the track, just like it started.”
Keep scrolling for more details on their love story, including their proposal, what they’re looking forward to at their 2026 wedding, and so much more.
Cheers to the future Alstons!
- Couple: Lauren White & Corey Alston
- Occupations: Lauren is a Customer Success Manager | Corey is an IT Project Manager
- Wedding date: October 10, 2026
- Wedding location: The Lumen House
- Location of Engagement shoot: Hill House Durham
What did you do on your first date?
On our first date, I took Lauren to a food festival in Uptown Charlotte. It was an instant connection for us, sharing a mutual love for food and festivals. Afterward, we visited a pumpkin patch, where we picked two pumpkins—a moment that sparked a tradition we’ve continued for the past four years to celebrate the memory of our very first date.
How did you know you found “the one”?
Corey: I knew Lauren was “the one” after just about a year into our relationship, when she planned a surprise birthday party with my closest friends and family to celebrate and usher in another year with me.
This was monumental, as it was the first time someone truly special had planned something of this magnitude for me. Birthdays had always been a source of dread for me, a reminder that time was moving forward and things were changing. However, Lauren gave me the chance to feel deeply loved, appreciated, and grateful for those around me.
Lauren: I knew Corey was “the one” when I was out of town for a few days and a massive snowstorm came through Charlotte.
I had an elderly dog named Laci at the time, and Corey was going to watch her while I was away. Unfortunately, the roads were so bad that Corey wasn’t able to drive over to my place, and I thought there was nothing that could be done. However, he told me not to worry and that he would get there to take care of her. I didn’t expect him to walk about 4-5 miles through the snow on multiple trips to care for her. That was the moment I knew I could trust him, and how he cared to do that little task, I could only imagine how he would care and love me in the future.
The proposal…
It was Easter weekend of 2024 in Charlotte, NC. I (Corey) had been planning this special day since Christmas 2023—three months of stressful planning to keep a secret from someone who asked endless questions. I booked the presidential suite of an uptown hotel with a view of the city skyline. The top floor also had a rooftop bar and lounge, where her family could watch the proposal without Lauren knowing. I convinced her to dress up by saying we were attending a high school friend’s rooftop gala.
As the date closed in, there were little hints (or should I call it slip-ups) by family members who started to give the occasion away. However, I maintained that this was a special event hosted by a friend, and that afterwards we would be meeting up with family. As we arrived and entered, she was hesitant to walk in, unknowing that in the next few minutes, I would confess my love and ask her to marry me. As we walked down the hallway, I knocked on a door for the special moment to be captured.
Describe your engagement session.
Our engagement session was truly special! We wanted to capture the activities we love sharing together while reflecting our wedding theme, “Old Money.” We began at The Hill House, with its regal Spanish colonial aesthetic that perfectly embodied the essence we aimed to portray. The arched doorways, rich wood details, and lush outdoor surroundings created the ideal backdrop, allowing Daniel and BJ (our videographer) to beautifully capture every moment.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
One of our favorite things to do is wake up on a Saturday morning, discover a cozy coffee shop, and then explore local farmers’ markets and unique shops. Later, after dinner, we love finding a charming speakeasy to enjoy a few cocktails, capping off the perfect day together.
How has wedding planning been so far?
Wedding planning has been seamless so far. We’ve been working with Lauren O’Brien, an amazing wedding planner who goes above and beyond. She’s not only incredibly helpful but also very personable, taking the time to connect with each of us individually.
What are you looking forward to most on your wedding day?
The thing we are most looking forward to on our wedding day is spending time with our family and friends, who each have a special place in our lives, making the day feel even more intimate. We are also incredibly excited to finally share this special day together, to say our vows, and marry the person that God has placed in our lives.
Looking for more “Old Money” chic engagement sessions?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Photography: FRAMED by Daniel
- Videography: BJ Productions
- Wedding Planner: Lauren O & Co.
- Hair: Tamra Hair Talk
- Dress: Matters Store (Monaco Dress)
- Tux: Upscale Mens Fashion
- Location: Hill House Durham
