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hey weren’t dating, but they spent almost every day together. They were the closest of friends for almost four years, hanging out nearly every weekend enjoying the outdoors, playing beach volleyball, paddle boarding, going out to eat, traveling, going on adventures, spending time with family and friends.

Sarah and Dustin met almost eight years ago at their first jobs in San Diego. Dustin is from Wisconsin and Sarah is from Syracuse, New York.  As soon as they met they hit it off as great friends and were inseparable. Their friends and family often joked with the two of them during those four years of “not dating.” They knew that Sarah and Dustin were meant to be well before the two of them admitted that they were more than “just good friends.”

It’s been four years since they finally admitted that they love each other… and their amazing friendship is clear in their relationship. They laugh together A LOT and you can’t help but laugh along with them. It was such a fun day hanging out with Sarah and Dustin. They’re super down to earth and kind.

We started our engagement session in a local watering hole, called Union Kitchen & Tap in Encinitas, CA. Sarah and Dustin grabbed a pint of beer before we headed to the beach. Below are a few favorite engagement photos of Sarah and Dustin in Encinitas.

Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.comUnion Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.comUnion Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.comUnion Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Gold Engagement Ring | Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

 

Ring shot | Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Portrait of Groom to Be | Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Portrait of Bride To Be | Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Sarah’s engagement ring is beautiful. I love the simplicity and understated elegance of a solitaire diamond on a classic gold band.

Gold Engagement Ring | Union Kitchen and Tap Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

We headed to Swami’s beach for the second portion of our engagement session in Encinitas. Swami’s is a favorite spot for San Diego surfers.

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

 

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.comSwamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swami's Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swami's Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

It was a bit overcast that day in Encinitas, but as our engagement session progressed closer to sunset, the sky put on a spectacular light show for us!

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Candid happiness! I love it!

Swami's Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

They are best friends, I tell ya. I was smiling pretty much the entire time while editing Sarah and Dustin’s engagement photos.

Swami's Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.comGold Engagement Ring | Swami's Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

 

 

Couple running into ocean | Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swami's Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.comSwamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swami's Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

 

San Diego sunsets are my favorite. This particular day was simply magical. The sky was pastel pink, yellow, and purple…

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

 

Swamis Beach Sunset Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

 

Romantic Swamis Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

 

Swamis Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.comSilhouette of Couple | Swamis Beach Engagement Photo | Encinitas Wedding and Engagement Photographer | Kristine Marie Photography | © www.kristinemariephotography.com

How He Proposed:

 “Dustin proposed in August 2014 when he flew to my home in Syracuse. We were set to spend the weekend in Lake Placid, which is a very special vacation spot and near and dear to my family. That particular year they were giving an award out to honor my father, who passed away almost 10 years ago. Dustin knew it would be a really special and meaningful weekend so he decided to do it then.
Ironically,  my brother and Dustin had both been planning proposals at the same time. My brother had just gotten engaged the week prior, and I was so elated for him and his new fiance, and wrapped up in their engagement that I had no idea that it was coming. Just when I thought the week couldn’t get any better Dustin popped the question!
He proposed right when he landed and it was one of the best moments of my life. We laugh now because I almost ruined it because I was so unsuspecting at the time. It was very us, it was perfect, and we got to spend the next four days surrounded by family. When we came back to San Diego my brother and his new fiance flew back with us to spend a week in California. It was such a whirlwind and one of the best weeks of our lives.”
Dustin and Sarah’s wedding is going to be the party of the year. Their friends and family are flying from the east coast to celebrate them as they tie the knot in San Diego, CA. I am so excited to be their wedding photographer!
Be sure to leave a comment to congratulate the soon to be Mr. and Mrs.!!!
xoxo,
Kristine blog Signature_Calligraphy

 

 

Credits:

Engagement and Wedding Photography: Kristine Marie Photography

Special thank you to my awesome husband, Rex, for second shooting and assisting during this engagement session!

Makeup: Socal Hair and Makeup

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COMMENTS

[…] To see their full engagement on the Kristine Marie Photography blog, click here. […]

Wow. Sarah your Dad would be so proud of the man you chose to live your life with. God bless you and Dustin in all that life brings you.

love the ones of them by the water– especially the one where he’s kissing her forehead!! so sweet =)

Love those beach shots!! Great work!!

Love these Kristine!! I really love that ring shot! Urban is such a cool location to shoot and you can’t help but smile with them at the beach part of their session. So cute 🙂

Thank you Renee!! They were naturals in front of the camera!

Thank you, Deb! Yes, Dustin and Sarah were awesome models. 🙂 🙂

Happy tears for the happy couple! They're are awesome together. 🙂

It was a pleasure to photograph Dustin and Sarah! Thank you so much for your kind words, Julie!

Thank you Kristine for these photos. A real treasure! Beautiful!

Wow! This is beautiful! I love both locations! Perfect!

Stunning!!! There's so much goodness here, I don't even know where to start. Beautiful couple, amazing photographers.

This is a GORGEOUS session, Kristine. Love the first location, and you totally nailed the beach.

I love, love, love everything about this beach session!!

There are some unbelievable pics in the group. Well done (The subjects help…)

Absolutely beautiful!! Such a wonderful story Sarah and Dustin…..

Honey I cannot tell you how very happy I am for you and Dustin! The pictures are just beautiful! I wish you both all the best.

I am bawling in bed reading this right now! Love you guys so much! Beautiful pictures and can't wait for the big day!!

Absolutely Love!!! I am so incredibly happy for you "2"…Your smiles tell it all…I am Dustin's Aunt and Godmother and can't wait for me and my family to be a part of this special occasion…Love you both To The Moon and Back!!!

I love love these pictures! There is so much love and joy with you both! I am so happy and excited for them. I love Sarah

Need a tissue..these are just beautiful . I am over joyed for you both !!

These pictures are beautiful! Of course, my Grandaughter is a beautiful subject. I love them both. Sally Grove