Symbol Photography, finally, engaged!
Posted on 15. Feb, 2010 by Symbol Photography in Wedding/Engagement
Boston wedding photographers engaged!
Let’s thank the great Almighty people for making this monumental moment possible. And Giselle Bündchen’s helicopter flight instructor.
Stacey Howe states: “Let’s celebrate the newly-married, Mrs. Cagwin’s wedding! She’s been married for months now and we haven’t celebrated yet!”
Please.
Right there, that should have been my red-flag. Stacey Howe would never allow such an important event to go uncelebrated. She celebrates like she gets paid to celebrate….she specializes in it. Brendan couldn’t have chose a better person to involve in his well-planned, thorough, Excel spreadsheet-laden proposition. They’ve never even met….but her legend precedes her.
“Meet Mipsy and I at Copley and we’ll head up to Top of the Hub and wait to meet the Almighty ladies, in all of their post-pedicure fanfare, and we’ll celebrate the newly married Emily!”
Stacey baits the line, and I bite. We meet, because I’m always up for some Almighty interaction. We 3 head up to the 52nd floor & we check-in with the hostess (who, in retrospect, seemed a bit bajiggity.) She struggles with where to seat us and I make the brilliant suggestion to seat us near the window while we wait for the rest of the group and despite other people lingering at the bar, waiting to sit, she ok’s my suggestion and we settle in.
We chat about teaching. India. Running. Ex-girlfriend’s coffee cups. It wasn’t necessarily deep conversation, but it was important, nonetheless, as girlfriends always work to know their friends on a deeper level. And the whole time, I’m thinking “How long can a dang pedicure take? They’re just a block away, for God’s sake….”
Mustafa, the TOTH manager, swings by our table and asks how things are and shares a pair of binoculars with us, saying “Ladies, you have a great view and we like to share binoculars with our customers so that they can enjoy the scenery from this high up.” Nice touch, I thought. Sounds reasonable.
So, Stacey oohs and aahs over the view…..takes her time looking around. Melissa does the same. She’s excited and she’s pointing things out. They finally hand the binoculars to me and I gaze out a bit. Look some things over. Put them down for a minute so that I could get back to gazing at my wine. Then, they point out that “Look! A helicopter is coming this way!” So, I look. I see it coming. I’m not all that overwhelmed – I mean, it’s not like it’s Air Force One flying in the airspace between the Hancock Tower and the Prudential.
But, I notice it’s coming in quick and as it begins to get closer to the windows, I can make out the word “Marry”, so I immediately say “Oh, look! Someone’s getting proposed to.” and I hand off the binoculars so that Stacey can see. And she pushes them back at me and says “Yeah, it’s you!”
Natalie: “Huh?”
Stacey & Melissa, in unison: “That’s Brendan! This is for you!”
Natalie: “For who? Wait…what?”
…and then, with my mouth hanging open and sheer confusion all over my face, Mustafa comes over with a big sign that reads “YES” on one side and “NO” on the other and everyone tells me to stand up and respond to him! To put the sign up against the window and tell him YES! Photographer friends appear out of nowhere and are snapping each dim-witted look on my face.
Everyone in the Top of the Hub is standing up and clapping and waiting. BRENDAN is outside, in a helicopter, hanging in mid-air with a sign that reads “Natalie – Marry Me!” and I still am just standing there – punch drunk and speechless.
Finally, I make it to the window and I put my hands up to the glass and I hold that YES up high. He waves – and he flies away.
People are clapping. Two photographers are shooting at me (now I know how you feel, brides) and I’m dazed. Stacey tells me that Brendan is landing the helicopter at Logan and coming over right away. I wait. Champagne appears. Hugs. Shrieks. Questions. Congratulations.
…and finally, he was there. Wearing the same DC sweatshirt that he was wearing when he left the house earlier that day, telling me he was going to wash his car. The same sweatshirt he was wearing when he weaved a web of perfectly organized fibs – all with the plan to enact the most epic of proposals. And epic it truly was. TOTH staff noted that this was the very first helicopter proposal where the man was outside the window, waiting, ever. They almost exclusively get planes with banners.
More clapping. Kisses. Huge, silly, loony-looking smiles. He’s on his knee with the most perfect ring for me – a ring I couldn’t believe he was capable of choosing himself. An ideal blend what he wanted for this moment and what he knew I would want for myself.
The hoops that were jumped through, the walls that were scaled, the roadblocks that were overcome to make this possible cannot be explained. City permits for helicopters. For landing at Logan. Police permits for flying an aircraft between two buildings. My words cannot truly do it justice – he had it all figured out, down to the smallest detail.
And today, we spent the day in Montpelier. Killington. Woodstock and Rutland. It was a perfect day of aimless driving with no plans, that followed yesterday’s perfectly planned, perfect day. One year ago today, we were in Derry, Ireland and I sat there at dinner, wondering when this would ever happen. And now, I’m thinking that this year went by way too fast. Don’t miss out on enjoying the moments with the person you love, preparing to enjoy future events. It’s taken just 24 hours for me to realize that, now that I’m faced with preparations, all I want to do is enjoy the moments.
So, now….a Boston Wedding Photographer is just….a bride. And a groom.
So, Almighty & Emily – it was because an opportunity and a celebration were dangled in front of me that I was coerced over to TOTH, so keep on being your bad selves.
We’d like to take a minute to thank everyone that made this possible. Stacey Howe, Stuart Matsumoto, Melissa Mips, Don Lavange, Amol Patankar, Jessica Lavange and lastly, but surely not least, Mustafa @ Top of the Hub Restaurant. Also, the FAA, BPD, Boston Properties and probably Homeland Security (You can take the undercover van off our property, now).
Our friend Serjeo of Boston for crafting the perfect, fine hand sculpted diamond ring: Serjeo of Boston
Our friend Stuart of Metropolitan Helicopters: Metropolitan Helicopters.
Mustafa Hadria(Manager Top of the Hub Restaurant): Top of the Hub.
…and most important of all to Brendan, for choosing me – and for hovering and waiting for me to say ‘YES’.
Finally, the Photos & Video:
Preparing for takeoff from Marshfield, holding my 5DMKII with 14 2.8II and Rode Videomic:
Coming in over Quincy:
Here we come over South Boston:
Destination Top of the hub!:
Amol is shooting away, Stuart is questioning how i talked him into this:
Holding sign and 5D:
Holding sign and 5D:
Holding sign and 5D:
Holding sign and 5D:
Whoa, a plane in the background. Good timing Don!:
Tiny, but still visible:
I was told the whole restaurant gasped. Then they stood up and cheered:
Visual Trickery, we are less than 400FT away from the Prudential and about 800ft away from the Hancock building:
Stacey telling Natalie, check that out, it’s a helicopter:
Natalie doesn’t see her name on sign, tells Stacey someone is getting proposed to:
Natalie learning it’s me on the Helo and it’s she getting proposed to. Notice deer in headlights look:
Dumbfounded:
Dumbfounded and excited?:
Natalie Excited, TOTH’s Mustafa looking on in background:
Probably questioning why i wrote ‘yes’ and not ‘no’ also.:
Don Joking with Natalie:
Natalie trying to catch her breath, and Don shooting away with his 500mm:
Natalie still comprehending:
Looking back out at us, still comprehending:
Giving Stacey Howe of NewBalance a big hug:
Stacey and Melissa of NewBalance enjoying the view:
First thing first, call mumma 
:
Can’t believe what just happened:
Can’t believe what just happened:
Said Yes/No sign:
Finally arrives from landing at Logan and driving back:
The ‘proper’ on-knee proposal:
Admiring Ring:
Loves the ring! Score!:
Symbol Photography Proposal 3 from Symbol Photography on Vimeo.
Symbol Photography Proposal 1 from Symbol Photography on Vimeo.
Symbol Photography Proposal 2 from Symbol Photography on Vimeo.
Jason Johnson
15. Feb, 2010
“epic” indeed! congratulations!!!
Loxhi & Dave
15. Feb, 2010
Congratulations:)
Snir
15. Feb, 2010
Amazing!!! Congrats you guys!!!
Allen
15. Feb, 2010
Great engagement story! Congratulations Brendan and Natalie!
Tina Raposa
15. Feb, 2010
Congrats Natalie on your engagement. Your mother is on cloud 9. She is soooo happy for you. You found the pot of gold when you found this one. How romantic was that proposal. Great Job Brendan!!!!!!
Emily Cagwin
15. Feb, 2010
What an incredible story. I am ecstatic for you both. Stacey actually extended an invitation to me to join at TOTH and I would have be honored to be present for such a special day, but sadly we already had a trip planned to Atlanta to visit my parents for the long weekend.
Enjoy being the bride & groom. Nothing compares to it.
Lots of love,
Emily
Carole Estrella
15. Feb, 2010
OMG, AMAZING STORY…
Shirley and Nick
15. Feb, 2010
We are so happy for you! and yeah, I’m going to say it…
)
“It’s about time!!”
That is the best proposal story ever!
Brendan, you did good.
Jessica
15. Feb, 2010
Honored to have been a part of it!
Debbie
15. Feb, 2010
Congratulations!!! So glad your mom shared this with me. Best Wedding proposal story I have ever seen!! Good luck to both of you. Your photographs are GREAT!!!!
Debbie
Frank Doorhof
16. Feb, 2010
Congrats man, lovely way to propose.
Luckily she held the sign the correct way
marathonmummy
16. Feb, 2010
I was sent over to have a look by Jessica – these are just the most beautiful photographs. I feel like I was standing there alongside you all! Congratulations!
Melanie Cobb
16. Feb, 2010
Congrats Natalie!! I am very happy for you both. I love the story of how Brendan proposed. I know your Mom is very excited for you too!! Best Wishes.
STACY VAILLANCOURT
16. Feb, 2010
HI NATALIE, I WORK WITH YOUR MOM. SHE TOLD ME YOUR AMAZING STORY. CONGRATS.
Ashley Coffeen
16. Feb, 2010
Congratulations!!!!!
I love the photos, priceless…..
What a wonderful memory:-)
Alex
16. Feb, 2010
AWESOME, so cool, congrats Guys!!!!
uberVU - social comments
16. Feb, 2010
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by frankdoorhof: congrats to Brendan on an unique way of getting engaged, go Brendan
http://bit.ly/9fHLei…
Todd Van Hoosear
16. Feb, 2010
Congratulations — What a great photo essay!
Aunt Charlotte
16. Feb, 2010
Nat, I’m still crying! (With joy, that is!) Love you!!
Jessica Benetti-McQuoid
16. Feb, 2010
Natalie,
Looks like an amazing engagement. Congratulations. I know I haven’t seen you since middle school but I knew it was you in the pictures. I actually got the link from a friend who thought it was completely romantic. Again, congrats!
Jessica
Linda
16. Feb, 2010
Congratulations on such a beautiful and lovely engagement.
MeLissa
17. Feb, 2010
Congratulations — again! Thank you again for letting me be part of such an exciting day for the two of you. It was perfect in every way.
I can’t wait to see what excitement the future brings for both of you.
–mippsy
liz farias
17. Feb, 2010
i was so delighted to hear the news… what a proposal brendan and wow natalie arent u lucky … i am so happy for both of u … ur mom nat. is so excited … how great .. congrats
Leah Sullivan
17. Feb, 2010
I am so happy for you!!!! Happy is finding the love of your life, and holding on tight til’ the end! Congratultions on an excellent proposal, and a long and happy marriage:) xoxoxoxo luv ya!
Jeff
18. Feb, 2010
He is my hero. I often come up with ideas that would be amazing, but require numerous seemingly insurmountable obstacles to implement. My wife gives me a “suuuurre…” look, and I know their liklihood is very low. But now the gauntlet has been thrown down. I have nothing currently in mind, but on some anniversary/birthday/birth, etc. over the course of our lives, I’ll have this proposal to keep me motivated.
Congratulations. You both are very lucky.
Viva Romance
Jeff
Don
18. Feb, 2010
I keep looking at these over and over again. This sure was a great experience for all! Fun to be a part of it!
I think a lot of single guys are wondering now, “What can I possibly do to match this?”
Stuart the Pilot
18. Feb, 2010
Love it ,, great job you pulled it off, and love the look on her face.. any time my friend any time..
Jennifer DeCesari - Rhode Island Wedding Photographer
19. Feb, 2010
Ok, this totally beats the fenway engagement I shot last season. What a awesome album these would make up! Wow!
Bartek
02. Mar, 2010
Congratulations, great idea!
Mike
04. Mar, 2010
Brendan, that is going to take some beating. Congrats to you both and hopefully will get the chance to meet you both when you guys come over to us on the Emerald Isle.
Michael Caswell
09. Mar, 2010
Fabulous story, guys… easily among the best proposals I’ve ever heard about! Congrats!
Warren Williams
15. Mar, 2010
Stunning story, and amazing set of photographs!
Congratulations Natalie and Brendan!
gualvalorgo
28. May, 2010
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!
Thumbs up, and keep it going!
Cheers
Christian
gualvalorgo
29. May, 2010
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!
Thumbs up, and keep it going!
Cheers
Christian,