LORENA + JOE
MAGNOLIA AVE + FORGOTTEN TONIC ENGAGEMENT SESSION|| ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA
Sometimes, life has a way of leading you exactly where you’re meant to be — even if it starts with something as unexpected as a global pandemic. For Lorena and Joe, what divided most of the world actually brought them together.
They first met at work when their department paired people off to limit exposure during covid. Lorena remembers feeling an instant sense of comfort and connection—like she had known Joe for years. Their conversations flowed, their laughter came easily, and before long, they realized they were choosing to spend time together even when they didn’t have to.
Their first date was as pandemic-era as it gets: spontaneous, outdoorsy, and perfectly imperfect. With everything shut down, they headed north in search of mountain views, only to find their destination closed. But they made the best of it—parking by a lake, talking for hours as the sun dipped behind the trees. It was simple, sweet, and exactly the kind of memory you hold onto forever.Sounds like something out of a movie, right?
Fast forward to one of the most thoughtful, romantic proposals we’ve ever heard of. Joe had been planning it for over a year, with surprise dates, hotel bookings, and even decoy hints to throw Lorena off the scent. He brought her to The Beekman Hotel in NYC for an elegant dinner at Temple Court. Afterward, he scanned a QR code in the elevator that brought them to the rooftop penthouse — candlelit, covered in rose petals, glowing with romance — and asked her to spend forever with him. (She said yes, of course!)
Even though they live in another state, Lorena + Joe are planning their dream wedding in St. Augustine — and we don’t blame them. They took a spontaneous trip here and absolutely fell in love with the charm and beauty of the city. I mean… who doesn’t? They’re tying the knot at The Treasury on the Plaza, a venue that’s full of history and elegance — and yes, the bar is inside an old bank vault. How incredibly cool is that?
We were lucky enough to capture their engagement session in St. Augustine, and it was pure magic from start to finish. We started on the iconic Magnolia Avenue, with sunlight filtering through the trees and the sweetest chemistry between these two. Lorena wore a timeless white sleeveless dress with delicate lace trim, paired with white heels — she looked effortlessly elegant. Joe matched her vibe perfectly in a crisp white polo and classic black slacks, keeping it fresh and polished.
Then, we made our way to Forgotten Tonic, one of our favorite local bars, for a moodier, more romantic look. Lorena changed into a chic black dress with strappy heels — sophisticated and stunning. Joe looked sharp in a tailored black suit and open-collar white shirt, giving us all the old-school cocktail bar vibes. These two absolutely nailed both looks, and more importantly, they were just so great together. You can tell they genuinely love being around each other — the kind of love that feels steady, joyful, and full of laughter.
Lorena and Joe, we cannot wait to celebrate with you in the city that stole your hearts. Your story is already so beautiful, and the best part is… it’s just getting started! See you soon!
xoxo,
Kristina + Jerico
