‘Believe in the best rather than the worst’
Bryan Derrick L. Maximo and Innah Samantha S. Lim have always known each other since both were in high school but only reconnected when the pandemic began. Innah says it turned out to be a good thing for the soon-to-weds because “we got to know each other without the usual distractions (like movies, night-outs in clubs/bars, etc).”
Instead, their dates were comprised of lots of free-flowing conversations over home-cooked meals and takeout.
“Given our age, we were always on the same page that this is serious and marriage was already in our conversations,” Innah says. “So it was no surprise when Bryan proposed.”
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For their engagement shoot, Bryan and Innah thoughtfully took on the creative aspect of their shoot. Instead of going with a single theme, they allowed their location to inspire their wardrobe styling: formal, casual, artsy, and swimwear.
Their major tip is to think of your wardrobe together as a couplewhich is both fun and cost-efficient.
Below, Innah walks us through their planning process and what they’ve learned about love so far:
What was your theme or concept for your engagement shoot?
We had no specific theme/concept but we had four different looks—formal, casual, artsy, and swimwear.
How did you come up with the concept of the shoot?
We wanted to look coordinated but not too matchy-matchy. We also chose colors/outfits that we think would go well with the surroundings of the location.
Tell us about your wedding planning process, what are your wedding non-negotiables?
Wedding planning is a series of decisions made together. It’s better to bend a little than to break. But non-negotiables are good food, great company, and lots of alcohol.
What advice or tips can you give to couples planning their prenup photoshoot during this time?
1. Choose a location. This will dictate your outfits and looks.
2. Choose outfits and looks that you are both comfortable with so that it will translate in the photos. We picked our outfits with each other’s help. We had fun playing dress up (rather than hiring a stylist which entails additional cost.
3. Hire a photographer who you like/who style you admire. (e.g. light and candid, dramatic, etc)
4. Enjoy the day of the shoot! You’re one step closer to the wedding.
Top lesson you’ve learned about love so far:
Let love be stronger than hate or anger and believe the best rather than the worst.
How did you fall in love and how did the proposal go?
We knew of each other since high school but we only connected during the pandemic. It turned out to be positive for us because we got to know each other well without the usual distractions (like movies, night-outs in clubs/bars, etc). Our dates were over take-out or home-cooked meals filled with free-flowing conversations.
We both love the beach so whenever possible, we took road trips to nearby provinces and took turns driving. Given our age, we were always on the same page that this is serious and marriage was already in our conversations so it was no surprise when Bryan proposed.
The Dream Team:
Location: Timmy in the Woods | Photography by Ronan Capili | Makeup and hairstyling by Madge Lejano and Sofia Arevallo
