Bria & Conan’s Surprise Engagement (Dallas, TX)

As told by Vanessa Martins Photography:  I remember seeing a photo of Bria and Conan a few weeks ago and I thought I have to take their photos. So I proceeded in messaging Bria about taking their doing a couples shoot and they accepted. Not long after Bria’s friend messaged me saying that Conan would get into contact with me because he wanted to propose to Bria during the couple’s shoot. We were all super excited! Conan called me not long after so and we quickly made plans on how he would propose to her.

Bria and Conan drove from Tyler, TX to Dallas, TX (3-hour drive)!!!

We had decided that we’d start off the shoot at Tiki Loco in Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX so and afterward walk around the town until we reached the proposal spot. We wanted her to think it was a regular couples session. After they had tacos and taking photos at a few spots in Deep Ellum we finally reached a secluded area in the busy streets of Deep Ellum and I proceeded in guiding them to their next pose. I asked Conan and Bria to turn their backs to each other allowing Conan to pull the ring box out of his pocket. Then Conan got down on one knee and I asked Bria to turn to him. And to her surprise, he asked her to marry him! Bria was so excited and was in total shock. Conan had informed me over the phone that Bria was expecting him to propose to him in the sand dunes of Monahans, TX in August, but he wanted to completely surprise her and make it special. We ended the photo session with delicious pies and they were both off to fun night to celebrate their engagement!

Location: Dallas, TX
Event Date: July 14, 2019
Location: Emporium Pies
Photographer: Vanessa Martins Photography

Q1: Let’s start at the beginning. How did you two first meet?
A1: Conan and I met at a party when we were teenagers.  It had to be fate. He was from a city about half an hour from the little country town where I grew up, and I don’t know exactly why he decided to spend his Saturday night at a party in someone’s barn, but I’ll always be grateful for it. I partied a bit too much (as teenagers tend to do) and this beautiful stranger took care of me for the whole night. He left me with my friends at the end of the night, but the next morning I found his number in my phone. We went on our first date the next day, and I’ve been smitten ever since.

Q2: What makes your relationship special? Tell us some things that you both value in your time together. (example: pushing each other to new limits, love to travel, huge comic book fans, foodies, etc.) What makes your relationship unique?
A2: We have had some amazing highs and devastating lows in our relationship. We have loved each other in so many different ways, but through it all has was always one of my best friends.  I have always been able to talk to him about anything under the sun. There has also been so much joy and laughter between us. Conan will stop and dance with me anywhere. As long as I’m smoking, He’s happy. He’s also my biggest supporter. I own a small business, and I know that any goal I share with him, no matter how big or challenging it may be, his response is always, “what’s the first step we can take to accomplish that.” He’s even gone as far as to come out in jobs as my assistant. Everything I prayed for in a partner is what I’ve gotten from my fiancé (wow that word still makes me smile like crazy!)

Q3: How did you know your partner was the one? When did you first know this in your relationship? (these may often be the same moment, but aren’t always)
A3: Watching him be an amazing father to our son has definitely played a part in solidifying our bond, but the thing that really makes me want to say say “I want to spend the rest of my life loving this man” was the way he deals with conflict. That might seem kind of weird, but it’s easy to be sure of someone in the good times. It’s when someone is steadfast in the hard times that matters. Conan absolutely refuses to leave an issue unresolved. He makes us sit down and talk through our thoughts and feelings until we reach an understanding not only of the situation but also of each other’s emotions. Knowing that I get to grow old and build a family with someone who is constantly working to understand as a person (and vice versa) makes my heart so happy because I know he will keep my heart safe.

Q4: Give us all the details about the proposal. How and where did it happen? Was it a surprise? What was the planning process?
A4: I was SOO surprised! He did so much in just a few days to prepare for it. He asked my father for his permission. He recruited my friends for help. We had a casual session scheduled, and he reached out to the photographers to scope out a place to do it.  I had no clue during the session. She asked us to stand back to back for a shot, and I felt him turn around. I turned around, and he was on his knee. I was so shocked, my first answer was “Shut up!” Followed by “Stop playing!” I eventually calmed down and said YES!

Q5: We’re all about the bling… Tell us all about that ring!
A5: It’s amazing! Conan knows I’m not into diamonds, but I’m obsessed with crystals and gemstones. The center stone is morganite, which is a love stone that cleanses the heart chakra. There’s so much special meaning in that, and I love that the ring I’m going to be wearing forever is more than just a pretty rock.

Q6: Are you excited to start planning your wedding day? Do you have any ideas in mind yet?
A6: I am a wedding photographer, so I’ve been planning my wedding bit by bit for years. We are having a super intimate wedding in Austin fall of 2020. My maid of honor is a jewelry maker, so all of the accessories for the day will be made with love from quartz we mined ourselves. Another one of my close friends is a florist/ wedding planner, so I know every detail of our day will be planned with love. As excited as I am for the wedding,  I’m more excited for a lifetime full of love with my best friend.