Sunset at a family lakehouse, surrounded by the calm of the water, some cute deer and the glow of golden hour—Rachel and Preston’s Mabank lakehouse engagement session was nothing short of a dream. This isn’t just any lakehouse, though. It’s a home built by Preston’s family and a place filled with memories that have become the backdrop of their love story. It’s also where they’ll say “I do” this October, making it the perfect spot for their engagement session.

Preston describes himself as an “emotional hot mess,” so I’m already preparing for all the heartfelt, tear-filled moments we’ll capture on their big day. But before we get to their wedding, let’s dive into the sweet story that brought them here!

How It All Began: An OKCupid Love Story

Rachel and Preston’s love story kicked off in the spring of 2023 thanks to the dating app OKCupid. Their profiles were hilariously different. Preston, ever the analytical thinker, had spent a lot of time reflecting on himself and trying to figure out the best way to advertise exactly who he was and what was important to him. Rachel, on the other hand, summed herself up with 6 photos and 3 simple sentences:

“I like beer. I like to watch TV. I like to cuddle my dog.”

For weeks, Preston held off on swiping, hoping she’d add more to her profile. When she didn’t, he finally reached out anyway—and thank goodness he did! They still lovingly tease him for initially swiping past her, but it’s clear these two were meant to find each other.

Their Beginnings

Their first date happened at Mariano’s (La Hacienda Ranch) in April 2023. The restaurant holds a special place in Preston’s heart—his family has celebrated countless milestones there. Oh, and fun fact: they invented the frozen margarita machine!

Preston had a late-night work meeting, so they had to start their dinner date early. And while a 5:30 p.m. dinner date might sound early to some, for these two self-proclaimed “geriatric souls,” it ended up perfect. But that meeting? He ended up being very late for it. They stayed far longer than expected, unable to end the conversation. That’s when Preston knew this was something special.

One of Preston’s favorite memories with Rachel took place at a local arcade called Freeplay. Determined to challenge Rachel’s claim that she was “boring,” Preston invited her to step outside her comfort zone. Together, they tried their hand at various arcade games, including a hilariously difficult rhythm game involving a DJ mixing table. They both made fools of themselves but had an absolute blast in the process. That date solidified something important: Rachel was anything but boring.

The Proposal

Sometimes, love reveals itself in the simplest of moments. For Preston, it was their fourth date. After cooking dinner and watching a hockey game together, Preston walked Rachel to her car. That night, as he got ready for bed, her perfume lingered on his shirt, hitting him like a wave. That’s when he knew she was the one.

Fast forward to spring 2024, just before a family cruise to Alaska. Rachel had dropped plenty of hints about how great and romantic a cruise proposal would be. But Preston had other plans.

The night before they set sail, they stayed in a Seattle hotel. The next morning, as they cuddled in bed, Preston began sharing a sweet story about when he first fell in love with Rachel. She was half-asleep, soaking up his words, when he suddenly pulled out a ring, slipped it onto her finger, and said a simple yet decisive, “Marry me.”

Rachel was stunned—and completely overjoyed. They decided to keep the news quiet that morning, playing a fun game with her family to see who would notice the ring first when they all got up. Her dad spotted it almost immediately, while her mom took much longer to catch on, despite Rachel’s humorously obvious hints. Talk about a fun way to kick off a vacation!

Their Lakehouse Engagement

Preston’s admiration for Rachel shines through in everything he says about her. But when asked what he admires most about her, he shared that she’s unapologetically herself—patient, adventurous, and a goof in the best way possible. “I love her exactly the way she is. She is perfect in my eyes,” he said (though he jokingly added that her dislike for spicy food is still a work in progress, ha!).

They describe their relationship as fun, full of laughter, and deeply loving. “We have fun, we ARE fun, and we are in love,” Preston said. It’s that joy and authenticity that makes them such a perfect match—and what makes photographing their journey such an honor.

This October, Rachel and Preston will tie the knot at the very same lakehouse where their engagement session took place. With Preston’s playful and openly emotional nature and Rachel’s grounded, silly spirit, their wedding promises to be a celebration full of love, laughter, and plenty of tears (happy ones, of course!). I can’t wait to capture every moment.

Mabank Lakehouse Engagement

Rachel and Preston’s Mabank Lakehouse engagement session is such a beautiful reminder that love is about finding joy in the little things—like playing arcade games, sharing sunsets, or laughing until your sides hurt. If you’re planning an engagement session in DFW or a wedding and want images that reflect your unique love story, let’s connect! I’d love to create something magical with you.