I received a call Monday evening stating that I was recommended for a surprise proposal session at the Amelia Island Lighthouse on Tuesday morning. I knew that the Lighthouse was restricted, so I inquired more about the proposal and knew I had to rearrange my schedule to capture this beautiful proposal...and I am glad that I did. The call came from Shannon Bruni (Mother of the "soon-to-be "bride"). She explained her family's rich history to the island and the significance of the Lighthouse. Starting with her father Joseph F. Bruni Jr., who was a Fernandina Beach High School Graduate. His mother was Rachel O'Hagan; her family was the Lighthouse Keepers and she was born in a house adjacent to the Lighthouse (house is no longer there). Joseph's father also owned the Coca-Cola Bottling Company on the island. Joseph later married Dana Hardee who was also native to the island. Joseph and Dana had 5 children and moved to Morgan City, Louisiana, but continued to come here with their family for the summers. This family tradition has carried on even with the grandchildren. They may not spend their whole summers here, but still make it down as a whole family for about 2 weeks each summer. Shannon was able to work with the City of Fernandina Beach's Department of Recreation to tour the Lighthouse.
So now onto our lovely couple, Randi Landry (Shannon's daughter, Joseph's and Dana's Granddaughter) and Nichlos Vincent. This couple met online and Nichlos said he knew from the beginning that she was the ONE. Randi said that it took her a few more weeks to figure that out, but when she was travelling to India for a mission trip, just 3 weeks after they started dating, her dog was injured. While she was out of the country, Nichlos took care of her dog and even did physical therapy with her dog Lola. After that she knew, he too was the ONE.
Last year was Nichlos' induction into the family vacation to Amelia Island. During that time Randi shared her family's history with Nichlos and the wish to go to the Lighthouse. So before this year's trip, Nichlos told Shannon (Randi's Mom) that he wanted to propose to Randi in the Lighthouse and was looking for some help from she and Dana (Randi's grandmother).
Well they planned it perfectly and it was beautiful. I spoke to the lovely folks at the Department of Recreation to arrange for me to get there early to set up. As with all my proposals, I have to have a story of why I am there or be in hiding. So I decided that I would tell the family, that the City asked me to capture this family and their visit to the Lighthouse. So I started out capturing the entire crew, focusing on the grandparent who had such a history here. I think everyone bought my story. Towards the end of the visit, I told everyone I had to lock up the Lighthouse and Nichlos indicated that he and Randi wanted to go up beforehand. I told them I would need to go with them so I could lock up the top....and the rest was perfection! At the top of the Lighthouse, Nichlos got down on one knee and proposed....with family cheering him on from below! It was a beautiful morning with beautiful people! The couple expects to get married in the Winter of 2018. Congratulations Randi and Nichlos.
