Watkins-Shucking Engagement

Written by Annie Mosbaugh Knapp / Photographed by Lume Photography

Emily Watkins and Evan Shuck became engaged on February 10, 2023 at Bond Falls, Michigan. Emily is from Barrington, Illinois, and Evan is from Greenwood, Indiana; their parents are Cheryl and Joe Watkins and Pam and Len Shuck. They are to be married on May 18, 2024, in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The two met four years ago through one of Emily’s college friends, whose boyfriend was a friend of Evan’s. “The rest, as they say, is history,” laughs Emily.

Having spent summers growing up at her family’s lake house in Wisconsin, Emily had always dreamed of getting engaged near water. Wanting to surprise her, and unwilling to wait until spring for the lake to thaw, Evan suggested a visit to Bond Falls, about an hour from the lake house. “It was a perfect proposal spot,” says Emily, "and he even had a photographer and reservations at a fantastic restaurant to celebrate. It was so special getting engaged to the love of my life in a place that meant so much to me.” The couple had visited Reis-Nichols to look at rings the previous November, and Emily was particularly drawn to a three-stone setting. Evan surprised her by having hidden halos added to the ring so that it sparkles from every angle. The couple reside in Indianapolis, where Emily is a buyer for Crate & Barrel, and Evan is in sales for Fitzmark, a logistics firm.