Waterfront Botanical Gardens, Louisville Kentucky
Located in one of the oldest areas in Louisville, the Waterfront Botanical Gardens is a must-visit!
Not only will you find the Waterfront Botanical Gardens absolutely beautiful, you’ll be happy to know it’s also free for general admission.
The beautiful gardens were started by Botanica in 1993, but it wasn’t until 2001 when they received a trust to grow them into a large botanical garden and conservatory, that it really was developed.
The Waterfront Botanical Gardens are so much more than just a pretty place to walk through.
They also offer adult and kids workshops, camps, family programs, and virtual online learning.
Classes range from photography, art and design, health and wellness and so much more!
Naturally, the Waterfront Botanical Gardens seemed like the perfect destination to meet with Shelby and Jonathan for their engagement photos!
Below they graciously shared so many wonderful details about how they met and fell in love. Take some time to read the answers to their Green Apple Photography questionnaire and then swoon over their gorgeous photos!
How did you meet?: Jonathan and I were both out with friends at a UK local bar, McCarthy’s Irish Bar, December 2015. As I walked by he enthusiastically said hey, how are you? Based on his excitement I thought we had to have met him previously, and I just didn’t remember.
We carried our conversation out onto the patio. There came a time when I knew we definitely had never met, but was enjoying our conversation that we didn’t go back to my friends until the end of the night.
We exchanged numbers and ended up seeing each other again a few nights later for our first date.
When/where did you go on your first date? Our first date wasn’t even a week later at Bella Notte in Lexington. December 2015
Tell me a bit about how you fell in love? When we first started seeing each other we both had the mindset and spoke openly about how we weren’t looking for anything serious. We both were still loving our independence and enjoyed going out and having fun. Although that’s what we said to each other, almost every weekend we were hanging out, having dinner at one another’s places during the week, meeting each other’s friends.
We quickly were crazy about each other and had so much fun spending time together. It wasn’t long after we started dating that he began talking about his idea to move to Alaska when he graduated from UK. He would ask me all the time if I would go with him and I remember thinking I was crazy because I was like yeah, of course. He became my best friend and made every day an adventure.
How did your fiancé propose?: Jonathan grilled us dinner on a regular Monday night. After eating he told me he loved the life we had built and asked if I would marry him so we could do it forever.
Where/when did your fiancé propose? October 12, 2020, in our kitchen at home.
What are you most excited about for your wedding? We’re both super excited for the moment we see each other as I walk down the aisle.
If your love story was a movie what would you title it? Hands down, Johno and Shelb and the current year, through our whole relationship, when we were talking about upcoming plans or on our way to an event we would joke around saying here comes Johno and Shelb 2017, etc. we even talk about Johno and Shelb 2050. Whatever year Johno and Shelb will be there.
Describe your relationship in 5 words? Fun, goofy, loving, supportive, adventurous
What is something that means the most to both of you? Laughter, we love goofing around and being silly. It definitely keeps us going after a long day.
What is your favorite thing about your fiancé? His smile and contagious laugh Her positivity and determination
How have you grown as a couple since you started dating? We have become even better teammates and support one another when we need it.
Favorite Quirk about each other? My favorite quirk about Johno is when he gets really excited about something he makes a silly noise. His favorite quirk about me is when I love too hard, I snort.
If you could spend 24 hours with your fiancé, what would you be doing? Sleep in and cuddle, wake up and go camping, or go hiking and finish the day with dinner, a couple of drinks, karaoke, and people watching.
When do you feel most loved by your person? I feel most loved when he gives me the “I love you” look, he gives me a forehead kiss or makes my day easier by making dinner or doing things around the house. He feels most loved when I meet him at the door excited to see him after work or my reactions to a silly story.
What vendors did you wear or use for your engagement outfits? Amazon, Maurices, Macy’s