If you ask us, city streets are often underplayed when it comes to a backdrop for engagement sessions. There is something grand about the stunning architecture a city has, about the hidden laneways, the iconic signage, the places that hold so many memories for so many people. For Ally and Ben, there was no place more appropriate, on a wet and rainy day as the pair joined photographer Maria Luise Bauer Photography for a stroll around Melbourne – the very same place these two met and fell in love.

“Ben and I worked together at a CD/DVD Store in Melbourne” explains Ally. “I’d worked there for a year or so and he got transferred in one day from another store. There was definitely some chemistry from the start and we talked about our favourite books and movies all day! Try as I might, Ben wouldn’t agree to go on a date with me, because he was technically my boss! When I graduated Uni and wanted full-time work, I quit and within a week we had our first date! We’ve been inseparable ever since.”

It makes sense that the architecture of Melbourne played a part in Ally & Ben’s engagement session because it was in another beautiful building that the groom popped the question. Ally shares the story.  “There is an event on in Melbourne every year called ‘Open House’ where buildings that are normally off-limits to the public are open for a few days! Ben and I have gone for the last two years and early on a Sunday morning, we were touring a huge Victorian Gothic Mansion.

Ben asked if I wanted to tour the grounds and was being very cuddly the whole time! I was completely distracted by taking photos of the building and felt a gentle tug on my shoulder. I turned around and he had a beautiful ring in his hands and told me ‘There’s no perfect time to ask this, but there’s a perfect person. Will you marry me?’ I was so excited I forgot to say yes until he asked a second time! We called our families and continued the rest of the tours for the day.

In the afternoon, we went to his parents to celebrate and they told me they had a bottle of champagne stashed in their fridge because he had planned to propose the day before, but none of the buildings were good enough!”

On her future husband, Ally shares “I love how sweet and attentive Ben is. I feel like he reads my mind sometimes! He’s also the smartest person I know and it’s fascinating to see how his mind works – he’s the sexiest nerd ever.”

On what he loves about Ally, Ben tells “I love the fact that Ally is beautiful and stylish but at heart, she’s the biggest dork I’ve ever met. I never feel ashamed revealing my nerdy side to her because I know that she’ll understand. We love the same things, especially our tiny Boston Terrier fur-baby Chester!”

Being dorks and having fun is one of the things these two love most about one another, but it’s also got a part to play in one of their favourite stories to share, tells Ally “My favourite story is from before we were actually dating. This is one that Simpsons fans will appreciate! I was looking for a dress for an event and talked about it at work – Ben messaged me that night to ask how my shopping trip had gone and I joked that I’d found a top and skirt that I would make work!

He replied that he had a mental image of that scene in The Simpsons when Lisa is dressed as the state of Florida. So I quickly taped a piece of paper to my front that said ‘Idaho’ and sent it to him, saying ‘I’m clearly more of a Ralph!’ He took about 10 minutes to reply, which felt like 100 years. I thought for sure I’d scared him away with my dorkiness and he’d tell me to never speak to him again.

When he finally responded, it was a photo of himself with two couch cushions taped around him and an apple – he was the Lisa to my Ralph! I knew at that moment this was the man for me.”