Black Tie Engagement Session in Jackson, Mississippi

When Mariah and Spencer walked into their college chemistry class, they did not know they’d get schooled on the chemistry of love.

They became friends and lab-partners, and while their attraction for each other grew, they did not act on it. It seemed their friendship was over when Spencer dropped out of Chemistry, and they lost touch. However, fate brought them back together. Mariah recalls, “Spencer had graduated from college but remained in Clinton, MS. I just made it back to Mississippi College for the fall semester, and as I was preparing to go inside an on-campus restaurant, I saw Spencer from the window. We caught up and he asked me to ride with him to Walmart that evening to pick up some supplies. Before he dropped me off at my dorm, we shared a kiss and the rest is history.”

Years late, Spencer pulled off a cute proposal on their son’s second birthday.

To celebrate their engagement they decided to head to downtown Jackson, Mississippi for an engagement session that showed off their sophisticated and causal sides.

Read more about their love story and see their gorgeous engagement photos below.

Couple: Mariah Duckworth + Spencer Taylor
Occupations: Mariah: Math Teacher & Spencer: Computer Science Teacher
Wedding date: September 26, 2020
Wedding location: Orange Beach, AL (Beach Wedding)
Location of Engagement shoot: Downtown Jackson, Mississippi

How did you meet?

In August 2014, one of my first classes at Mississippi College was Chemistry. When I walked into class, I sat behind Spencer. Before class began, Spencer turned around, asked my name, and invited me to Lighthouse Ministries, an on-campus ministry.

After class, Spencer and I walked to our dorm (Co-ed), formally introducing ourselves and getting to briefly know one another. Since neither of us was good in Chemistry, we decided to become lab partners, which probably wasn’t a good idea because we were always the last to leave lab.

After a few weeks of studying together and working on labs, I walked into class one evening and didn’t see Spencer. He later texted and told me he dropped Chemistry and would be changing his major to Kinesiology. We remained friends for a while, but eventually stop communicating before reconnecting in August 2016.

Spencer had graduated from college but remained in Clinton, MS. I just made it back to Mississippi College for the fall semester, and as I was preparing to go inside an on-campus restaurant, I saw Spencer from the window. We caught up and he asked me to ride with him to Walmart that evening to pick up some supplies. Before he dropped me off at my dorm, we shared a kiss and the rest is history.

What did you do on your first date?

For our first date, Spencer asked me out for a movie and dinner.

Tell us your proposal story.

We were celebrating our son’s 2nd birthday, and when it was time to open gifts, everyone was very adamant about me helping our son open this one particular gift. When I opened the gift, there was a green truck inside. Beneath the truck was a smaller box. And that’s when I knew. I opened the box and saw the most gorgeous ring (he picked out by himself). When I turned around, I caught a glimpse of Spencer on his knee, but couldn’t see anything else because my eyes were full of tears lol!

Describe your engagement session.

There was no particular theme, but we wanted to do elegant and casual attire. Spencer’s favorite color is green, so my dress was emerald (and wedding colors are also emerald).

What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?

We were introduced to a a video game a couple of years ago, so whenever our son is asleep for the night, we play. We also enjoy any competition. We are both extremely competitive.

How has wedding planning been so far?

Prior to COVID-19 we were planning for nearly 200 guests. In March, we had to pause wedding plans due to the pandemic. At the end of May, we decided we would do a beach wedding because we did not want to wait until 2021 to get married. We initially planned for 20 guests, but so far, we’re at 75. It’s been easy and stress-free so far thanks to my Maid of Honor for helping with the planning and finding vendors.