Cozy Nautical Engagement Session on Lake Union, Seattle
There is nothing I love more as a Seattleite than a day out on the water once the weather begins to warm up – but there’s something so deliciously cozy about boating on a chilly fall day, too. That’s exactly what Kate & Josh decided to do for their engagement session, because who ever said that engagement photos needed to be taken on dry land? 😉 If you’re a fan of being out on the water, oversized sweaters, champagne toasts, and adorable pups, then you are going to LOVE this nautical engagement session on Lake Union.
A Cozy, Fall Engagement Session on Lake Union
A chilly October day out on the lake
I will always treasure those precious days of sunshine we get in Seattle in the summer, but my goodness do I love all the coziness that fall has to offer. The crisp mornings, the fresh rainfall, and oversized knit sweaters all day, every day? Yes please!
When Kate & Josh picked October for their engagements, they knew the weather likely wouldn’t be ideal but they were so ready to embrace it. We ended up with a classic fall day in Seattle, a breeze blowing through the air (especially by the lake) & clouds covering the sky, but nevertheless we headed out onto the water!
A quick note about weather before we dive into Kate & Josh’s session: I always tell my couples to be prepared for any type of weather when it comes to spring or fall in the PNW, especially if they’re not from the area. It’s truly unpredictable and as much as I wish we could make the perfect plans to avoid getting your hair wet at all costs, sometimes it’s just inevitable! I actually LOVE shooting in the rain and wind – your photos take on a whole new, uber cozy & moody vibe that feels pretty dang magical.
I know it may be disappointing at first to not have a sunny day with clear blue skies, but I encourage you to embrace it and dance in the rain, my darlings! And don’t worry: your photos will turn out just as dreamy in the soft, overcast lighting as they would on a day glistening with sunshine. It’ll be the true PNW experience for you!
Dreamy Lake Union engagement photos
For their Lake Union engagement photos, Kate & Josh booked a ride through the Seattle Boat Company and it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. These two got to lounge around & cozy up on the cushions, and were even able to hop into the cockpit for a minute to pose with the steering wheel like absolute badasses🔥New idea for a romance novel: two sweethearts meet each other on a boat cruise out on a lake in the big city, end up falling in love, and buy a boat together that they drive around every few days. Because who knew that steering a boat with your love could look so damn good?
I love love Lake Union as a spot for engagement photos in Seattle, since it’s so easy to access within the city limits, and offers absolutely beautiful views. Highly recommend making stops at a few classic Seattle spots on the lake during your session such as Lake Union Park, the Center for Wooden Boats, or Gas Works Park!
We hopped off the boat and made our way to a dock for some gorgeous lakeside engagement photos, where Kate & Josh brought their dogs out to join them. Luckily, the sky was clear enough that we could see the beautiful city skyline in the distance!
I always get excited when couples bring along their fur babies to their engagement or adventure session. What better way to celebrate your love than with champagne pops and your adorable pups? These two cuties knew just how to strike a pose and cooperate with mom & dad for a few family portraits before we wrapped up our time together!
Nautical Engagement Session Outfit Ideas + Inspiration
Before I leave you, I have to give a shoutout to Kate & Josh for their skill in choosing outfits for their nautical engagement session. I absolutely love a boat/water themed session, so I wanted to highlight a few of their best outfit choices if you’d like to have your own nautical-inspired engagement!
Since this was a fall day in Seattle (with a fairly significant breeze out on the water), Kate & Josh had to dress accordingly – and whew did they look fabulous doing it. Kate showed up in a cozy, white turtleneck sweater & blue jeans, paired with minimalist golden jewelry and a beautiful black coat to drape over her shoulders. Josh wore a blue denim top with khaki pants, which fit the nautical setting perfectly! I loved how simple they kept their style choices, sticking only to neutral tones and blues that coordinated beautifully with the lake setting.
Their second set of outfits consisted of a little more variety, with Kate changing into a gorgeous, airy, rust-orange blouse and charcoal gray ripped jeans. I LOVED this pop of orange against the overcast skies and blues of the water – plus it made her blonde hair look so dreamy! Josh wore a simple white top with black jeans, layering a thick gray wool coat that fit the fall weather perfectly. I can’t decide which set of outfits were my favorite – these two hit ‘em both out of the park!
This Lake Union engagement session with Kate & Josh was such a joy to shoot. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Kate is also a badass wedding planner in the Seattle area – so if you’re on the hunt for somebody to help you plan your dream day, I definitely recommend reaching out to Kate Alexandra Events! You can also follow her on Insta @katealexandraevents ✨
If you loved scrolling through this gorgeous lake engagement & want more Seattle-area wedding inspiration, I’ve linked some of my personal favorite blog posts below that I think you’ll love just as much!
