The beginning of forever...

San Miniato al Monte, Florence, Italy
A smiling couple embraces on a stone balcony surrounded by cypress trees in warm golden hour light.

The beginning of forever...

San Miniato al Monte, Florence, Italy
Couple sharing a romantic embrace on a stone balcony terrace at golden hour with lush green trees in background.

The beginning of forever...

San Miniato al Monte, Florence, Italy
Man proposing to surprised woman on scenic stone balcony surrounded by lush trees at golden hour.

Reflecting on the trip of a lifetime.

Looking back a year later, I can't believe how fast time is flying. A whole year since getting engaged to the man of my dreams, and yet our trip to Italy feels like yesterday.


When I was little, I always said that if I ever traveled overseas, I wanted to go to Italy. When we found out Jackson's college roommate was getting married in Malta, I offered to be their photographer and soon realized my dream was actually going to come true!

I immediately called my best friend Lilli, who had also always dreamed of going, and our biggest bestie adventure was born. We spent months planning, researching, building timelines... typical Type A behavior. We decided to start the trip with a photoshoot, and let's just say I was in for quite the surprise. I walked away that night with a different title... fiancé.

Man proposing on one knee to woman on scenic stone terrace with mountain views at sunset.
Woman in black and white striped dress laughing on stone balcony with scenic garden view.
Couple looking at engagement ring on scenic stone terrace with city views at golden hour.
Couple embracing on a scenic overlook at sunset, woman in black dress smiling as man kisses her cheek.
Couple sharing a romantic embrace on a stone terrace at sunset with lush green trees in the background.
Happy couple embracing and smiling on a stone balcony with golden autumn trees behind them.
Couple dancing and laughing on a scenic stone balcony terrace in Florence, Italy at golden hour.
A smiling couple shares a romantic moment on a stone balcony surrounded by autumn trees at golden hour.
Couple viewed from behind sharing a romantic embrace overlooking a lush green landscape at golden hour.
Couple embracing at golden hour on a stone balcony terrace with cypress trees in background.
Couple kissing on a stone balcony terrace with Florence cityscape and cathedral in the background at sunset.
Smiling couple standing on a stone terrace overlooking the Florence skyline at dusk.
Happy couple embracing on a balcony at golden hour with a scenic city and tree backdrop.
Couple standing on a stone balcony terrace at sunset with lush green trees and hillside town in background.
A couple embraces on a stone balustrade terrace, man kissing womans cheek with scenic city views behind.
Photos by McKinley Made. Edits by me.
Panoramic golden hour view of Florence skyline featuring the iconic Duomo cathedral dome rising above terracotta rooftops.

Highlights of Florence


One of our favorite memories was FaceTiming our family and friends from a piazza that night to share the news. After getting engaged, everything felt so different and exciting. I must've taken 1,000 pictures of my ring sparkling in the sunlight on the trip.


The next day, we explored Florence on a Vespa tour and enjoyed all the shopping. Lilli and I got matching charm bracelets at Armando Poggi, and we had the yummiest meal at Osteria Pastella for Jackson's 25th birthday. On our final day in Florence, we took a walking tour and explored the Boboli Gardens.

Smiling man kneeling on stone terrace with Florence skyline and cathedral dome at dusk behind him.
Four friends take a joyful selfie at sunset with a scenic golden sky backdrop, one showing off an engagement ring.
Elegant restaurant table set with dark menus, crystal wine glasses, and silverware in warm ambient lighting.
A brightly lit carousel glows at night in a historic Italian piazza, with ornate decorations and horses on display.
Two people wearing decorated motorcycle helmets take a selfie on a scenic road surrounded by trees and hills.
Four friends wearing helmets pose together with a Vespa scooter on a sunny tree-lined road.
Couple wearing white helmets riding a black Vespa scooter together on a sunny day with green hedges in background.
Four people posing together on a stone wall overlook with rolling Tuscan hills and blue sky in the background.
Hand displaying an engagement ring with Florence Italy cityscape and cathedral dome visible in the sunny background.
Two women sitting on a stone wall with a scenic Tuscan countryside landscape and blue sky in the background.
Hand holding a black and white photo booth strip with two women posing, in front of a vintage photo booth machine.
Four friends smiling for a selfie on a bridge over the Arno River in Florence, Italy, on a sunny day.
Classical marble statue stands before a grand oil painting in an ornate museum gallery with gilded coffered ceiling.
Two hands forming a heart shape on a tree-lined garden path with lush green arches in the background.
Four friends smiling for a selfie on a scenic overlook with mountains and blue sky in the background.
Smiling man holding gold number 25 candles while wearing a gray hoodie and brown crossbody bag outdoors.
Woman in blue jacket and white pants poses at night in front of the Florence Cathedral, Italy.
Elegant table setting at Osteria Pastella with floral china plate, wine glasses, and Italian menu on wooden table.
A woman takes a mirror selfie in a leather goods shop, wearing a brown sling bag, with a smiling man beside her.
Two hands holding chocolate and vanilla gelato cones with branded wafers inside a modern green ice cream shop.
Four smiling people wearing Florence Global conference lanyards take a selfie outdoors at a busy event venue.
Couple smiling at sunset overlooking Florence skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint.

Venice & Rome


In addition to Florence, we also visited Venice and Rome. Venice was Lilli's dream, while seeing the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain were two of mine. Aside from getting engaged, Venice was probably our favorite part of the trip. Walking through the quiet city in the morning, visiting Caffè Florian, and taking a gondola ride at sunset were unforgettable.


And Rome... although it was our toughest travel day, I'll never forget the tears I shed exploring the gladiator tunnels beneath the Colosseum or the feeling of finally tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain.

The iconic Trevi Fountain in Rome, featuring Neptune statue surrounded by baroque sculptures and cascading water.
Ancient Roman Colosseum exterior facade showing arched galleries and stone columns in Rome, Italy.
Elegant hot chocolate with whipped cream at Cafe Florian, Venice, served on silver tray in ornate gilded interior.
Four friends take a selfie on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy, with the scenic Grand Canal and sunset skyline behind them.
Couple posing in ornate golden hall with Renaissance ceiling paintings at Doge's Palace, Venice, Italy.
Four friends smiling for a selfie along the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, with colorful buildings at dusk.
Gondolas moored at wooden posts on Venice Grand Canal at sunset with San Giorgio Maggiore church in background.
Couple embracing and kissing by the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, with historic buildings and boats at dusk.
Couple smiling at outdoor Italian restaurant Ristorante Antica Mola, dining table with food and olive oil bottle.
Couple smiling inside the Roman Colosseum on a sunny day, with ancient stone arches and ruins visible behind them.
Couple posing inside the ancient Colosseum ruins in Rome, Italy, surrounded by historic stone walls.
Couple smiling and showing engagement ring in selfie in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
Woman in yellow top pointing at detailed architectural drawing of the Roman Colosseum cross-section on display.
Couple smiling in front of the iconic Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, dressed in black outfits on a cloudy day.

 

A trip we'll never forget

 

Panoramic view of Florence, Italy, featuring the Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River at golden hour.

The trip was exhausting, imperfect, and probably more ambitious than it needed to be, but at least we had the best gelato every day 😂 We definitely learned a few things along the way, but the trip was ours, and we'll never forget it.

Dramatic marble sculpture group depicting violent struggle, displayed under arched stone vaulting in Florence's Loggia dei Lanzi.

There's something special about documenting a place you've dreamed about. I'd love to keep finding beautiful places, telling meaningful stories, and someday have the opportunity to travel with my camera to document someone else's memories, too.

Florence Cathedral dome and Giottos Campanile rise against a clear blue sky in Italy.
Boats navigate the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, flanked by historic terracotta buildings and a stone bridge walkway.

Planning an adventure? I'd love to come along.

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