Pop Culture-Inspired Engagement Photos

November 23, 2011

Love can make you do some crazy things. And we’re not just talking about what happens when you fall for another person — just look at the legions of Twihards who camped out for days to catch a glimpse of the red carpet at last week’s premiere of Breaking Dawn. But you know what’s even more unpredictable? What will happen you bring two culture vultures with a mutual passion together, and give them free reign to visually celebrate their relationship and their shared obsession. Imaginations run wild, and the resulting photos can range from giggle-inducing to surprisingly touching — and in some cases, they’re a little bit of both. Need pictorial proof? Check out the collection of tradition-bucking engagement shots that we’ve rounded up after the jump.

Star Wars

Photo credit: Michael James via PetaPixel

“The couple approached me about their engagement shoot, wanting something a little more traditional (suit, tie, dress, etc.) on the beach, but as we talked, we figured out that while I’m more of a Trekkie, their love of all things Star Wars totally surpassed my love of Star Trek,” photographer Michael James explained to PetaPixel. “So we incorporated their ideas into the shoot. I didn’t think the bride-to-be would actually wear the make-up, but she seriously showed her true colors and went for it. In fact, they were late because she didn’t know if she could go outside of her house with the make-up on, but I’m glad she did. It totally made the pictures.

“The shoot was shot in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Mountain bikers and hikers passed us and everyone thought it was great.”

Harry Potter

Photo credit: Brooke Aliceon and Paloma Alisa via Swoon

This incredibly adorable shoot only cost $70 to pull together. “We made the table to resemble Honeydukes, the candy shop in Harry Potter,” writes Aliceon. “Other props the couple owned.”

Alice in Wonderland

Photo credit: Three Nails Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

“I am grateful for this shoot, it gave me the courage to make myself step out of the ‘traditional photography’ box and do things that I really wanted to do without being scared that I wouldn’t be accepted in this business,” writes Hunter Leone of Three Nails Photography. The dress which was worn by Bailey, the bride-to-be, actually belongs to his girlfriend, Brittany, who wore it in a school play when she was younger. Leone made the groom’s hat himself.

The Royal Tenenbaums

Photo credit: Elissa R

“Rachelle told me that when she and Stephen first moved in together, Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums was the only movie they owned and they watched it over and over,” explains Houston-based photographer Elissa R. “They had even dressed up as Margot and Richie for Halloween one year, and it had become a dream of hers to have a photo shoot as these characters. We decided to go for it!”

Photo credit: Wildlfowers Photography via Wedding Chicks

Writes the groom-to-be, James, to his then-fiancée, Lynnette: “I have a confession, I am in love with you. It is not the ‘usual’ love, but the love that makes me remember the little things, the ‘boring’ things. It is the boring things in life that I will remember the most. The memories of jumping over sidewalk cracks to how the clouds talk to us. You make me remember the moments. It is that love that makes me believe. Belief that I was there when you were a toothless kid. Dancing through life, only stopping to hold my hand. Letting me know that anything is possible. I am in love with you, ‘my greatest adventure.'”

500 Days of Summer

Photo credit: Erin Hearts Court

“Shooting in downtown LA can be so fun,” they write, “and when you throw in some iconic 500 Days of Summer spots, and a cute couple, it becomes such a fun photo story.”

Little Red Riding Hood

Photo credit: Three Nails Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

Three Nails Photography — the same duo behind the Alice in Wonderland-themed shoot we mentioned earlier — decided to use a real wolf for these photos. We’d say that that’s one brave bride.

The Notebook

Photo credit: Blushing Bride Studio via Green Wedding Shoes

“We chose the movie The Notebook as inspiration for our engagement photo shoot for a few reasons,” explained the bride-to-be, Cindy. “For one, Jean-Nicola’s late grandparents had Alzheimer’s disease and this movie touched close to home. Also, the chemistry of the young lovers in the movie was intense! And the era is very alluring to us — the fashion and way of life. We hope that our love endures all that life will throw at us, much like Noah and Allie. Oh, and we always fall asleep hand in hand (reference to the end of the movie)…”

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Photo credit: Axioo Photographers via Green Wedding Shoes

It’s only fitting that this bride-to-be from Indonesia is named Tiffany, don’t you think?

The Great Gatsby

Photo credit: Kokoro Photography via Couture Colorado

April and Janson met while studying in the theatre department at Pepperdine University. All of the clothing and accessories used in the shoot were vintage and period specific.

Mad Men

“When Joel and Jillian started bringing ideas to the table on what they wanted for their engagement session, they didn’t stop at ‘fun’ or ‘hot’ or ‘natural’,” writes Gracci Pelaez. “They had actually had an idea in mind… no, it wasn’t just an idea, it was a certain style… a vintage style inspired by Mad Men. At the session, Jillian wanted to channel Betty, but through the camera, I love how she came across as someone who embodied a little bit of Joan and Peggy just as well… Joel, on the other hand, was dapper in his suit and tie. He would’ve fit in with Don’s creative team really well, even more so, lead the team as well as Donald Draper could!”

Charlie Chaplin

Photo credit: Ken Kienow via Ruffled

“Halfway through their engagement session, Jess and Chad changed the theme entirely to Charlie Chaplin,” writes photographer Ken Kienow. “Makeup, costume, props, everything. Check it out – it was so fun to shoot. I found myself lol’ing a few times while processing them – they nailed this so well!”