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Be Inspired, Venues

A gorgeous and fun engagement shoot at Glasgow University

You don’t need us to tell you how beautiful Scotland is so it’s no wonder it’s quite the wedding destination for couples from abroad.

But even if they don’t bring their entire wedding to our shores, the gorgeous Scottish landscape tempts couples to visit for a fab engagement shoot.

English couple Chi-Chi and Obinna did just that, tying in his graduation from Glasgow University with a special pre-wedding photo session with Strad Photography.

Bride Chi-Chi tells us all about the proposal and the thinking behind these stunning images.

ALL PHOTOS | Strad Photography

“Obinna had really wanted to take me to his favourite restaurant in London but I was really unwell that day on my journey back from work and I told him it was best to just come to my house to watch a movie,” says Chi-Chi.

Having to change his romantic plan quickly, the groom arranged for Chi-Chi’s cousin and their friend to record the proposal from different angles when he popped the question at her house.

“It is in our tradition as Igbos (a tribe in Nigeria) that the man gets some of the things on a list that people from my side of the family give him,” explains Chi-Chi.

“His family was coming around the next day so he pretended that he was popping out to his car to get some of the stuff from the list.

“I was busy doing some work for my church so I wasn’t really paying attention.

“The next thing I know, Obinna is on my living room floor on one knee proposing whilst I’m sitting on my couch speechless.”

Chi-Chi of course said yes and the couple were due to be in Glasgow the next month for Obinna’s graduation ceremony so decided to organise an engagement shoot at the same time.

However, their original photographer fell through so the day before their proposed shoot they managed to book Shem from Strad Photography.

“I just searched via hashtags on Instagram #glasgowweddingphotographers #scottishphotographers #engagementshootglasgow,” says Chi-Chi.

The couple had a clear idea of the style they were after; plenty of greenery and a different backdrop for variety.

“Shem suggested we shoot at the Botanical Gardens and at Glasgow University for contrast,” says Chi-Chi.

“So after Obinna’s graduation he met us at Glasgow University and we started the photoshoot there (Glasgow University is beautiful by the way!).

“We even have some photos with Obinna in his graduation gown which are lovely!

“We really wanted to maximise Glasgow’s natural backdrop, we didn’t want it to look like we had taken the photos in London! (We both love London but we wanted something different).”

Attention to detail

Chi-Chi and Obinna wanted to combine two contrasting looks within their engagement shoot and thought a lot about their wardrobe.

For a more formal look she wore the turtle neck and skirt set she’d donned the day after they got engaged and felt “amazing” in. Then for the more informal – “very romantic” – shoot she mixed it up with a red dress while her fiancé switched to a blue shirt.

Bride’s advice

Chi-Chi and Obinna are delighted with how their engagement shoot turned out and have plenty of tips for other couples considering have a pre-wedding session.

“Relax and have fun with your spouse!” the bride smiles.

She also advises others to make sure they are comfortable and confident in the clothes they choose and suggests researching poses on Pinterest – though Shem had a lot of ideas for them on the day.

“I would absolutely look around at the photographers’ portfolios before picking one,” she adds.

“We really wanted someone who didn’t edit to the point we looked too fake or didn’t know how to capture black skin well on camera.”

And the verdict…

“[The photos] were amazing,” says Chi-Chi.

“Shem really captured our personalities together and our beautiful setting so well that the photos felt like they told a story.”

They even used their very favourite for their save the dates.

“We’re dressed in our ‘formal clothes’ in a formal University setting but we’re being playful,” says Chi-Chi.

“I adore this photo so much!”

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