Set against crisp fall backdrops at the historic Castello Di Amorosa in Calistoga, California, this elegant vineyard engagement session is giving Prince and Princess vibes with 3 outfit changes and gorgeous Indian attire.
Raina & Kevin’s love story began in May 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. After matching on Hinge, the couple did what any newly-matched folks did during Covid: got takeout and met in an outdoor space. Their takeout of choice was In-N-Out Burger and their first-date spot was the beach.
We quickly realized this relationship was different and fell in love. He checked all the boxes and I kept trying to find a fault, but I think after 6 months I gave up and realized he is perfect and we are perfect together!”
– Raina (The Bride-to-be)
Following a sweet surprise proposal, the couple is set to say I-do on August 29th, 2023, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Before exchanging vows this year, they celebrated their love with an elegant engagement session at the Castello Di Amorosa. Captured by Sarah Eichstedt Photography, their engagement photos are a perfect ode to their romance.
With bright fall foliage of the surrounding vineyards and a romantic castle as their backdrop, Raina incorporated her South Asian and Indian culture by wearing a stunning teal blue and sparkly white sari. Kevin sported a clean black tux for his formal looks. They both changed into casual white outfits for their final walkabout the vineyard.
More sweet details from their love story below!
- Couple: Raina Poria & Kevin Marks
- Occupations: Raina is a Pricing Manager in Biotech & Kevin is a Business Manager
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: August 19, 2023
- Wedding location: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
- Location of Engagement shoot: Castello Di Amorosa in Calistoga, California & downtown St Helena, California
How they met…
On Hinge.
Their first date…
In-N-Out Burger at the beach! It was COVID and all we could do was get take-out and be in an open space!
The proposal…
In July 2022, I had a trip planned with Kevin’s family to Cancun. I was living in Chicago for my MBA internship at the time, so I was supposed to fly directly from Chicago while Kevin and his family flew from LA. About a month before our trip, he surprised me and told me that he got me a flight to LA a couple days before the trip and that we would be attending one of his clients’ dinner party in Santa Monica.
On the day I flew in, he picked me up from the airport and we went to lunch, then we hung around Santa Monica as if it was a normal Saturday. He had booked a hotel room for the night, so it could be a mini-staycation for us in the city. After lunch, Kevin told me that we would be getting drinks with a friend of his and his wife at Elephanté, so we would need to get ready for the dinner party before drinks.
A sweet surprise…
After I got my dress on and finished my makeup and hair, he told me to come out into the room and sat me down in front of a window overlooking the ocean. He handed me a wrapped box the size of a shoe box. I thought “awww he got me a cute pair of heels to wear with my outfit, how sweet!” As I unwrapped it I noticed that it was OnCloud Sneakers and I had been wanting a pair! He told me to open them up and try them on and I was thinking “well these aren’t really going to go with my outfit today.”
He was super insistent, so I grabbed the first shoe and reached in to take the stuffing out, when I saw…a little black box. I was in shock and in love! He knew shoes were my weakness and what a unique and amazing way to surprise me (which is really hard to do). He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and of course, I said YES!
After the proposal we did meet his friends for a drink and we popped a bottle of champagne. The clients dinner party was a surprise dinner party with my whole family and Kevin’s whole family! The next day, off we went with his family to Cancun and it was the best way to celebrate our engagement. It was the sweetest proposal ever and I can’t wait to tell our kids about it one day!
When she knew she found “the one”…
Kevin and I started dating in May 2020, during the COVID lockdown. We quickly realized this relationship was different and fell in love. He checked all the boxes and I kept trying to find a fault, but I think after 6 months I gave up and realized he is perfect and we are perfect together, and he must be “the one!”
Engagement session & theme…
We did not have a theme, but after seeing the pictures the theme was definitely Prince and Princess. The outfits, the castle in the back, the whole look feels very magical!
Favorite thing to do as a couple…
I would say our favorite thing to do together is try new restaurants!
Wedding planning so far…
So far the wedding planning process has been going well! We had a few hiccups in the beginning, but once I found a planner I loved, it became fun!
What Raina is looking forward to most…
I am most looking forward to marrying my best friend and sharing our love with all our family and friends!
Looking for more vineyard engagement sessions?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Photographer: Sarah Eichstedt Photography
- Hair + Makeup: Novoa Hair and Makeup by Veronica Novoa
- Venue: Castello Di Amorosa
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