"Enchanted Royal Garden" Engagement Session in Atlanta

William knew Cori was the one after their first date. He was so sure that he brought his mother to meet Cori on their second date!

Love for family would play a big role in their relationship, and on Christmas Day, after a family prayer, he asked Cori to be his wife. Cori recalls, “The entire room broke into emotion. There was crying from everyone in the room. Our relationship had been nurtured and embraced by both sides of our families so everyone was invested and overjoyed.”

To celebrate their upcoming nuptials, they decided to have an engagement session with the theme of an “Enchanted Royal Garden.” Cori shares, “this theme will remain consistent through to our wedding. I have always loved crowns and castles even as they are depicted in Medival times. The name of our wedding will be Sovereign Smiley.”

We are sure their wedding will be just as spectacular as their engagement session. See all of the regal photos below.

Couple: William Smiley and Cori Smith
Occupations: Mechanical Engineering, Ophthalmology, Event Production
Wedding date: November 7, 2020
Wedding location: Biltmore Ballrooms-Atlanta
Location of Engagement shoot: Cator Gardens in Atlanta

How did you meet?

William and Cori knew of each other early in high school. It wasn’t until years later that they would reconnect and fall in love.

What did you do on your first date?

William and I went to dinner for our first date. It was not too long after that I was going to dinner again with him. The next dinner would have a special invited guest, his Mother, the late Teresa McClain Bowman.

Tell us your proposal story.

On Christmas Day, after a family prayer, William made a once in a lifetime speech. William spoke about Cori being his queen and being his support. Then he lowered to one knee and asked Cori to be his wife. The entire room broke into emotion. There was crying from everyone in the room. Their relationship had been nurtured and embraced by both sides of their families so everyone was invested and overjoyed.

Describe your engagement session.

The theme of the engagement session was Enchanted Royal Garden, this theme will remain consistent through to our wedding. I have always loved crowns and castles even as they are depicted in Medival times. The name of our wedding will be Sovereign Smiley.

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

We love exercising together. Our conversations are the best during nature walks or even laps on a running track.

How has wedding planning been so far?

It has been great. William is definitely a minimalist when it comes to events, so I have put extra effort into making sure the event is as magical as I would like without being too over the top. I truly believe wedding planning is the first major compromise of any marriage. :) Then there was the global pandemic that completely turned all plans upside down. We have tried to remain calm and stick to our date, but we will do what is safe.