About
Portfolio
Weddings
Engagements
Branding
Families
Blog
Britain’s Downtown Greenville Wedding
Anniversary Session – A New Favorite!
Greek Orthodox Wedding in Greenville, SC
Rooftop Wedding at Avenue
Oklahoma Wedding with a Twist
Rebecca & Tristan’s Wyche Pavilion Wedding
Hailey & Wes’s Outer Banks Wedding
Reserve at Lake Keowee Wedding
The Graduate Hotel & Palmetto Club Wedding
Springtime Wedding at Westin Poinsett & Furman
Brunch Wedding at Cliffs at Glassy

Riverfront Park Engagement Session with NJ Transplants, Emily and Ryan

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

Emily and Ryan moved to Columbia, SC last July, about a month after they got engaged!  They said the heat is pretty intense (Columbia isn’t known as “Famously Hot” for nothing), but they are loving their lives here in the Palmetto State.  Emily and Ryan love the many water activities we have in South Carolina, and wanted to incorporate that into their engagement session, so we headed down to the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park to enjoy the gorgeous Congaree River views near sunset.

engagement session at Cayce Riverwalk in Columbia, SC engagement photography engagement session at Cayce Riverwalk in Columbia, SC engagement photography engagement session at Cayce Riverwalk in Columbia, SC engagement photography

The old water plant from 1820 serves as a great piece of SC history, and makes a great backdrop with its huge red door and brick walkways and steps. The Congaree River right behind the water plant was just gorgeous, reflecting the early evening sunlight in Emily and Ryan’s session.

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

I’m so glad these two were game to sit in the grass next to the riverfront, and pose for a few shots that really show off that beautiful engagement ring!

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

I just love Emily’s big brown eyes! So beautiful!

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

There was a LOT of silliness and laughter during Emily and Ryan’s session! The two of them make some really hilarious faces, and luckily, they laughed at all of my corny jokes. As you can see in some of the photos below, we had quite an audience down at Riverfront Park, but Emily and Ryan got comfortable and began to just act like there was no one else in the world around.

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer 2016-06-13_0028 Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

This late evening light is just amazing, and it’s totally worth scheduling a session straight through dinner time, and letting the sun set while I capture this kind of authentic love and fabulous golden hour!

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

I was SO HAPPY when I found a few Crape Myrtles that had Spanish moss dangling from their branches. That low country look is amazing, and the way the Spanish moss filters sunlight looks like strands of gold to me!

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographerEngagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

Emily and Ryan, thank you so much for being such troopers during your VERY hot and humid engagement session! I am so glad you guys are enjoying the South, and I can’t wait for your Adam’s Pond wedding next Spring!

Share this story

Emily and Luke’s Bright Backyard Wedding in Irmo, SC

Prev

Wedding at the Cliffs at Glassy Mountain Chapel

Next
COMMENTS Expand -
  1. Pingback: Jersey comes to Adam's Pond! - Emily & Ryan - Wedding Photographer in Columbia, SC | Melissa Brewer Photography
  2. Dawn OKeefe says:
    June 14, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    Loved seeing your engagement pics!! You make an adorable couple!! See you in the South :)

    Reply
  3. MaryBeth Mckinless says:
    June 14, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    What a beautiful setting and a beautiful couple! Can’t wait for the big day. Xoxo

    Reply
ADD A COMMENT

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A little quiet over here lately, but life has been A little quiet over here lately, but life has been anything but. 🤍 Between surgeries, my fourth move in three years, and getting this girl off to college, this season has been a full one.

But look at her. 🥹 Scarlett is officially moved into Anderson, her dorm is adorable, and somehow we are HERE.

I’ve learned that not every season leaves much room for posting about the work while you’re busy doing the work—and living the life around it.

Here’s to the next chapter: more creating, more sharing, and, Lord willing, a whole lot more stability. 🤍
I know I still need to post sneak peeks from last I know I still need to post sneak peeks from last weekend’s wedding, but at least I can FINALLY share Madyson’s stunning bridal portraits! Look at the magic that can happen when you’re willing to have fun and make your gown part of your personality!!
 ** Also I need to know for the last two slides: black and white, or color?? Let me know!**
Feeling very honored and blessed today to be photo Feeling very honored and blessed today to be photographing another special ceremony at St George Greek Orthodox Church in Greenville. Seems like the perfect way to end the month of May! @sageevent.co
Took a week (and some change) to pick my favorites Took a week (and some change) to pick my favorites, but we’re finally here. 🫧Makenzie + Simeon, your energy is unmatched. Modern, vintage, and purely iconic. 📈  Vendors: @edinburghwest @carolinapartyprofessionals @the_bearded_bartender
Follow on Instagram

About
Portfolio
Weddings
Engagements
Branding
Families
About
Portfolio
Weddings
Engagements
Branding
Families
Blog
Britain’s Downtown Greenville Wedding
Anniversary Session – A New Favorite!
Greek Orthodox Wedding in Greenville, SC
Rooftop Wedding at Avenue
Oklahoma Wedding with a Twist
Rebecca & Tristan’s Wyche Pavilion Wedding
Hailey & Wes’s Outer Banks Wedding
Reserve at Lake Keowee Wedding
The Graduate Hotel & Palmetto Club Wedding
Springtime Wedding at Westin Poinsett & Furman
Brunch Wedding at Cliffs at Glassy
Blog
Britain’s Downtown Greenville Wedding
Anniversary Session – A New Favorite!
Greek Orthodox Wedding in Greenville, SC
Rooftop Wedding at Avenue
Oklahoma Wedding with a Twist
Rebecca & Tristan’s Wyche Pavilion Wedding
Hailey & Wes’s Outer Banks Wedding
Reserve at Lake Keowee Wedding
The Graduate Hotel & Palmetto Club Wedding
Springtime Wedding at Westin Poinsett & Furman
Brunch Wedding at Cliffs at Glassy
Copyright 2026 Melissa Brewer Photography
Back to Top