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young man in blue polo placing engagement ring on young woman's finger in front of Ferris wheel in cincinnati ohio

Hannah + Kyle

Proposals

“Oh my God, oh my God… Are you serious?… oh my god…” Hannah exclaims on Saturday afternoon while clasping her hands over her mouth as the love of her life, Kyle, knelt before her on one knee near the water fountains in downtown Cincinnati along The Banks.  After a few moments passed, a resounding Yes escaped her shocked mouth and he slid a rose gold diamond ring on her finger. 

young man in blue polo placing engagement ring on young woman's finger in front of Ferris wheel in cincinnati ohio

As they were celebrating their 2nd anniversary, Kyle was planning how they would start moving towards the next step in their relationship.  Over the past couple of months, he may have slipped in a couple small white lies while meticulously planning the perfect way to pop the question.  According to his bride to be, Hannah he was a good liar… we’re not sure if that’s a great way to describe your future husband, but in this case, these few small lies were perfectly acceptable to keep the special nature of the day intact.

According to Hannah, Kyle had thought of everything… from selecting the perfect ring, organizing a date day, and even finding time to secretly asked her parents for their permission!  (Insert small white lie… she believed he was at class when he was meeting with her parents).  One detail that was a priority for Kyle was making sure this special time in their lives was captured!

This is where we entered the planning process!  Hannah and Kyle were no strangers to being in front of our camera.  This past December they modeled for us in front of the SkyStar Ferris Wheel.  At the time, it was scheduled to leave the Cincinnati skyline and we wanted an adorable couple to have a session with it. We were lucky enough to have them agree.  When Kyle asked for us to capture his proposal, we were thrilled.  However, there was a major CHALLENGE.  Hannah KNEW us and Ryan defiantly has a distinct look to him!

As the day arrived, we headed to The Banks on the outskirts of downtown Cincinnati while Kyle took Hannah out for brunch at Pleasantry in OTR near Findlay Market.   As their brunch date progressed, we were kept in the loop.  After lunch Kyle mention they should go ride the SkyStar… however, Hannah was not a huge fan of this idea.  For Christmas, she had bought passes to enjoy the experience with her parents and now, he was going to “ruin” it because riding it second time wouldn’t be the same.

Kyle led Hannah towards the ferris wheel and we were waiting outside of the Carol Ann’s Carousel located above the Anderson Pavilion.  Being creepers, we watched the two approach walking hand in hand from their car towards us!  Before their ferris wheel ride, Kyle told her he wanted to get a photo together.

When they arrived, Kyle took off his sweater and laid it across his arm.  With water springing up in a synchronized pattern from the water fountains embedded in the ground, Kyle grabs Hannah by the waist and begins to tell her how much he loves her… in words for only her to hear.   As he was nearing the important question, he took his sweater and tossed it away from him towards the carousel, only after taking out the ring box that was stashed there all morning!

young couple hugging in front of water fountain in downtown cincinnati
Shocked woman standing near water fountain as man holds engagement ring box downtown cincinnati

When Kyle got down on one knee, Hannah began to realize just exactly what he was doing.  During the time, she was in shock and questioned if he was serious (mixed with a lot of Oh my Gods).  Smiling from his knee, Kyle patiently waited a few moments for her to compose herself enough to answer the all important question “will you marry me” with a very confident Yes!

young man in blue polo on one knee proposing to young woman's finger in front of Ferris wheel in cincinnati ohio
Shocked woman in downtown Cincinnati when she realizes her boyfriend is about to propose
young man in blue polo on one knee proposing to young woman's finger in front of Ferris wheel in cincinnati ohio

After placing the rose gold diamond ring on her finger, Kyle stood up to give his fiancé a kiss and they were greeting with a big congratulations from a group of women watching the event unfold inside of Carol Ann’s Carousel.  After a brief moment to thank you group, the couple shared a few more kisses and hugs with each other!    About this time, we approached them, and this was the moment Hannah realized it was all caught on film!

Man in blue polo shirt and woman in torn blue jeans and pink off the shoulder shirt hugging in front of water fountains in downtown cincinnati ohio
Young woman in blue jeans and pink off the should shirt showing off engagement ring after surprise proposal in cincinnati ohio
young man and woman couple laughing after surprise proposal downtown cincinnati
young couple kissing as she showcases her diamond engagement ring in cincinnati ohio

After the proposal, we took the opportunity to get a few “just engaged” portraits and for the most part, Hannah was still in shock.  Kyle was relieved and stoked everything had gone as planned.  All of his hard work paid off.  Plus, Hannah couldn’t take her eyes off her newest fashion accessory (and no we don’t mean Kyle).

Man in blue polo shirt and woman in torn blue jeans and pink off the shoulder shirt posing in front of bridge
young couple sharing a kiss in front of a ferris wheel downtown cincinnati
Man in blue polo shirt and woman in torn blue jeans and pink off the shoulder shirt posing in front of a ferris wheel in Cincinnati Ohio

The raw emotions and the pure joy we witnessed during their first few moments of being engaged was indescribable.  They both sported smiles ear to ear, shared sweet side glances at the other, many kisses and a few twirls.  However, one of the best moments was when Hannah looked at us with a huge smile and simple stated, “I have a fiancé!”  It was as if it all finally sank in and she realized she was engaged! 

woman adoring engagement ring after surprise proposal in downtown cincinnati
Man in blue polo shirt and woman in torn blue jeans and pink off the shoulder shirt posing on bride in Cincinnati Ohio
Man in blue polo shirt and woman in torn blue jeans and pink off the shoulder shirt posing on bride in Cincinnati Ohio
young couple kissing as she showcases her diamond engagement ring in cincinnati ohio
Man in blue polo shirt and woman in torn blue jeans and pink off the shoulder shirt posing on steps in Cincinnati Ohio
Man in blue polo shirt and woman in torn blue jeans and pink off the shoulder shirt posing in front of bridge in Cincinnati Ohio

As they left us, Kyle had one last surprise for his now fiancé… a surprise party!  Place a blindfold on her, they traveled to his friend’s house where family and friends were gathered to celebrate with them.  Initially, Hannah had plans to go out with her cousin for her Bachelorette party, but Kyle had pre-cancelled her plans for her (cough cough, white lie, cough cough).  Not only were local family and friends in attendance, Kyle had arranged it so a few out of state friends would be in town as well to celebrate! 

Man blindfolds young woman in parking lot with black tie

Hannah and Kyle, we’re so thankful to have been able to witness this monumental moment in your lives together!  The love and pure happiness you both expressed on Saturday were beyond words and nothing we could say would ever do you justice (hopefully the photos speak those words)!  Hannah, thankfully Kyle didn’t get you a heart shaped Claire’s ring or whisk you way to get married in the “purple” package without ever proposing to you.  Your proposal was nothing like you had dreamt of earlier in the week but everything you had imaged it would be!  Now the fun times begin… wedding planning!

Congratulations,

Nicole and Ryan

  1. Hannah Tobin says:

    Nicole & Ryan,

    This was perfect! All so true and such a perfect way to relive this beautiful moment. I’m still feeling beyond shocked and blessed that Kyle pulled off the best surprise of my life!!

    Thanks for being there and documenting it all <3! It was amazing to see familiar faces after finally saying yes too! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

    -HanTobes, soon-to-be HanCombs 😉

    • Nicole says:

      You’re SOOOO welcome! We had such an amazing time Saturday and are super excited for the two of you! I love the HanCombs!!!!

  2. Mandy says:

    What a beautiful moment! You captured it perfectly 🙂

  3. Alecs says:

    I love proposals!! You captured her surprise so well too!

    • Nicole says:

      I do as well! Personally, they’re one of my favorite things in the world to capture… especially when it’s a true surprise!

  4. Alissa Moore says:

    I love this! Such a cute story. Congrats to the happy couple!

  5. Krystal Troutt says:

    Soooo sweet! I can feel the excitement and love between these two just by looking at the moments you captured! Congratulations to the soon-to-be Bride and groom!!

    • Nicole says:

      They were so animated during the proposal and we adored it!!! They are just such a sweet couple and we’re beyond happy for them!

  6. Those bridge pictures are beautiful!! Such a sweet story! Congrats!! ❤️

    • Nicole says:

      Thanks so much… we were beyond excited the bridge was closed to car traffic and decided we had to use this rarity.

  7. Oh my goodness, I love the joy you captured in these images, and how special it is for them to always be able to treasure these moments through the pictures! <3

    • Nicole says:

      Yes they were beyond the happiest couple we’ve had the pleasure to capture! Even days after, she was still in shock!

  8. Krista says:

    She looks so surprised!! Looks like the perfect proposal and how fun they asked you to capture it! Awesome job 🙂

  9. Mandy says:

    These are absolutely gorgeous!! I just LOVE the picture where she’s lifting her glasses with such a stunned look on her face and then their BIG smiles!! perfect captures!! great job

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