Elegant Engagement Session at Commodore Perry Estate

Before heading to Mexico for their destination wedding, Marcella and Cooper chose to celebrate their engagement with a session at Commodore Perry Estate in Austin, Texas, the place they originally planned to be married. This stunning European-inspired property set the perfect backdrop and captured this special chapter of their story.

Engagement Session at Commodore Perry Estate

Marcella wore a satin gown by Halfpenny London, featuring a low back and statement bow that flowed beautifully through the Estate’s manicured gardens. Cooper complemented her look in a tailored gray suit, and together, they brought a quiet sophistication to every frame. Their baby son, Henry, joined for part of the session, adding such warmth and authenticity. It felt only fitting to include him, since family and connection are at the heart of everything they do!

As an Austin wedding photographer, I love photographing engagement sessions like this, where intention meets emotion. There’s something so timeless about celebrating a season of life that often passes too quickly. Commodore Perry’s grand architecture and private gardens provided the perfect mix of elegance and intimacy. It really is one of my favorite wedding venues here in Austin! What I loved most about photographing Marcella and Cooper’s session was how effortlessly everything came together once they let go of perfection. The laughter in between takes, the small moments with Henry, the way the evening light caught the satin of her gown. All of it felt honest and beautiful.

From the Bride, Marcella

Looking back, Marcella says the engagement session at Commodore Perry Estate was “elevated yet real,” a reflection of their lives, imperfections and all.

What she loved most, though, was the emotional heart of it all. “Including our son, Henry, made the session complete. Parenthood is such a big part of our love, and I couldn’t imagine doing this without him.” She also credits the experience of working with an expert photographer as one of the best choices she made. “It’s not just about taking a good photo—it’s about being guided, feeling comfortable, and being able to truly enjoy yourself in front of the camera.”

Engagement Photography in Austin, Texas

If you’re on the fence about whether to book an engagement session, take Marcella’s advice: do it.

“You get to know your photographer and their process before the big day, and you can practice any hairstyles or makeup looks and see how they photograph and feel. This is especially important for undergarments! Wedding planning is so stressful, but an engagement shoot can bring you closer to your fiancé by reminding you what’s most important: your love.”

Sessions like this are such a reminder that the best photographs rarely come from flawless plans; they come from connection, trust, and presence. Marcella’s openness and humor brought that to life. It wasn’t just an engagement session; it was a reflection of their love, their family, and the joy of embracing the moment exactly as it is.

Bride in satin Halfpenny London gown with low back and bow walking with fiancé through garden at Commodore Perry Estate in Austin for their engagement session Downtown Austin engagement session in a garden, with the bride in a Halfpenny London Gown Engagement session in front of the Commodore Perry Estate in Austin, Texas Bride adjusting bow detail on her Halfpenny London gown at Commodore Perry Estate Bride in satin Halfpenny London gown with low back and bow walking with fiancé through garden at Commodore Perry Estate in Austin for their engagement session Downtown Austin engagement session in a garden, with the bride in a Halfpenny London Gown