Let the Philadelphia contest BEGIN!
So here’s how it works. Very simple. Comment on the story you like the best. One comment and vote per person. (I’ll be approving the comments to make sure there are no spammers.) Please tell us why you think one couple deserves the grand prize more than the rest.
Contest details and prizes offered by JPG Photography:
For one week, we will select the best stories from among our submissions and post them on our blog, allowing our fans to vote. The winners will be announced on Valentine’s Day!
Prizes will be awarded:
1st place: $100 gift certificate to Franco’s Trattoria (Joe and Rebecca’s favorite romantic restaurant in East Falls) and a 1 hour engagement shoot at the location of your choice
($275 value)
2nd place: $100 off any JPG Photography engagement shoot package
($100 value)
3rd place: Two free 8×10 enlargements with any JPG Photography package
($50 value)
Please forward this information to any engaged friends or family. The more comments in your favor, the better chance you have to win! The only rule is that you must be engaged but not yet married.
THE STORIES: (In order they were received)
COUPLE 1: Regina & Kevin
“We scheduled a trip to WildWood on 8/22/2008. I purchased the most beautiful ring and this trip was the perfect opportunity to propose to her. The whole ride up, I was trying to figure out how I would make the proposal. I decided that I would give it to her while on the Ferris wheel. After playing a few games I was getting nervous because I knew we were about to get on the Ferris wheel. She is afraid of heights, but I convinced her to get on. She was clinging to my arm the whole time before getting on. The conductor opened the door; I took a deep breath and we sat down. The Ferris wheel started and as we reached the top, a rain shower started. So not only was she scared, now I was too! We were about 5 stories in the air! As I try to keep cool for the both of us, I thought about how this was ruining my opportunity to propose. After 20 minutes of sitting idly we calmed down, the rain stopped and the sun shinned bright. All we wanted to do was get off the ride. We gave each other a huge kiss and hug cause we survived this experience; still in the moment of embrace, I took her hand and got on my knee to pull out the ring. She screamed and accepted the ring. We received a round of applause from NJ park visitors. It was the perfect engagement.”
Couple 2: Robin & Brice
“Our band was on tour in Europe, so Brice carried this ring through several airports and many cities, when we arrived in Hyeres, in the South of France to play the MIDI Festival. We had three days in Hyeres, but had soundchecks, a show to play, and others to watch, and we were determined to make it to the beach. On July 27, 2008 we woke up at 6:00 a.m. to catch the first bus to L’Amanarre beach. We arrived at the rock laden beach, where on a Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. people are scarce, and the waves are only several centimeters tall. We walked a little, and as the sun continued to rise, we lied back on our towels. Brice began to talk. He said such lovely, sweet things, that I’m not sure I can repeat them here for Brice may blush. Then, of course, I opened my big mouth and said, “So when do you think you’re going to propose?” I didn’t think it was happening. He said, “How about now?” I didn’t believe him, and he continued to talk. The butterflies began to flutter and swim in my stomach, until Brice rolled over (he was lying on his back like you do on the beach in France) onto TWO knees. He reached into his wallet, and pulled out the ring, saying, “I’ve had this for awhile…Will you marry me?” I promptly replied, “REALLY?” in a tone so high only dogs could here, followed by, “Yes!” We took pictures, and I dove into the Riviera for a victory lap. We enjoyed our first breakfast as engaged in a neat surf shop, yummy espresso and France’s version of belgian waffles – all of which came out of a vending machine. It was perfect!”
Couple 3: Vanessa & Jermaine
“So everyone knows that the relationship between Jermaine Miles and Vasella Pendleton can be compared to a Reservation with two Chiefs and No Indian. So on this Christmas Eve, It wasn’t any different. Fussing and cussing this middle of the street Cause Jermaine feels as though he has to say just one more thing out of his mouth. So but they time I leave him, he’s talking to himself and I’m going the long opposite way cause, who wants to hear that crap! SO we get home, wrapping Kari’s presents, they day goes on. That Night around 6:30 pm a FedEx Handler comes to the door with a package I’ve been waiting for all day, wasn’t sure it was going to come. So now I’m not nervous or frustrated anymore. Jermaine and I put our ‘Wild Child’ to bed to prepare herself for Santa Claus. Like anyone, the night of Christmas Eve is solely for the parents. The Spirits started pouring, we sit at the Dining Room table for hours talking back and forth. Around 11:30 I asked Jermaine did he want to open his gift (That FedEx package) so he did. He was Happy, Excited and Overwhelmed! While playing with his gift, I stated “Yeah, I didn’t want to get you something like half assed or what you didn’t want, If I wanted you to get me a Diamond ring I wouldn’t want you to get me a Cubic Zircon; Just like if you ask for an mp3 player you would want the Real Thing!” Jermaine wanted me to repeat that statement, so I did. He smiled. Around 12:30 am I found it kind of odd that Jermaine didn’t want to go upstairs, normally he’s crying because his back hurts from our crappy couches. So I say, “I’m going upstairs” He says “ok, I’ll lock up everything!” I went on upstairs. I’m watching South Park on the edge of the bed going to town on some Ritz Crackers, after 20 mins Jermaine Finally comes up the stairs but only to stop at the step were he can see into the room. I look over with cracker in my mouth I say “What?” He’s like “No?” I’m like “Dude, what are you talking about?!” still with Ritz in my mouth. “You didn’t read the note?” He said. “Huh” I said about to eat another cracker. I look on my side of the bed it a note by the pillow says: Hey, Will you marry me? Boxes to check Yes or No. The note also has Arrows pointing to the pillow. About to choke, cause I’m Tearing up and for the first time at a lost for words. I said yes before I opened the box. Then I saw the ring I just started balling (for people that may not know Balling: crying uncontrollably to the point of leakage from everywhere on the face, unable to breathe, or uncontrollably scream) in which I did all three while I stood up and Jermaine and I sobbed and laughed in the middle of our bedroom floor. I haven’t stopped smiling ever since.”
Comments are counted VALENTINE’S DAY! Best of luck to our couples.
Joe G & Rebecca
(Photos of Kat and Matt who got married this fall! I shot these earlier this year in Cambridge, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore.)
