Sunday, June 24, 2018

Josie and Kelton's Utah Engagement Photos

On Friday, we announced Josie and Kelton's engagement. Kelton popped the question at Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. Following the proposal, the couple had engagement photos taken by Emily Klarer of Emily Klarer Photography. Below are a few snapshots. Aren't they just gorgeous?

Josie Bates and Kelton Balka engagement
Josie Bates and Kelton Balka engagement photos

Josie Bates and Kelton Balka engagement Utah

Josie Bates and Kelton Balka engagement

Photos are courtesy of Emily Klarer Photography; used with permission

52 comments:

  1. Wow, big trip for an engagement! It’s astonishing how wealthy reality TV has made the Bates. I guess Gil came from a wealthy family; it’s got to feel good after struggling to truly have financial freedom!

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    1. I'm sure the show subsidized the costs of this engagement trip to some extent. The Bates may indeed be rich enough now to pay for such a trip out of their own funds. But that's not necessarily so.

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    2. She does have a brother who's a pilot. Maybe he flew them there?

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    3. What makes you think Gil paid for it? It's typically the young man's responsibility. And so what if he did? It didn't cost you anything.

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    4. Why do people think it’s appropriate to count someone else’s money?

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    5. Totally agree. Why assume? Can’t you just be happy for them?

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    6. Kelton is not a Bates. I am sure he didn’t ask his future father in law to pay for his engagement trip. There is nothing wrong with a young man saving up money to do something really special when he proposes.

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    7. Did you ever take the time to stop and think that maybe Kelton has money. His family has their own business.

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    8. Jealous much. So positive you have an inside view.

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    9. Stop for a split second and give pause to how poor the Bateses were a few years back. It seemed really tough for Gil and has tree business to provide for his big family. Until JimBob showed up and presented Gil to TLC. Gil, Kelly and family are very amicable and truly made for family reality TV . They have reaped its benefits and it shows in how they dress, eat, travel, educate and hold weddings now! Not at all jealous if you critics really knew; only presenting how times have changed for this family; financially and religiously.

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    10. While I disagree with the OP's assumption that they paid for the proposal expenses, to be fair the OP did not state there's anything wrong with the Bates being wealthy.

      I have certainly read many other posts here that are very obviously accusing the Bates of being too "worldly" and selling out for the sake of wealth, or even questioning whether they are good Christians. This particular post did not.

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    11. Who pays for what and the amount someone earns isn't important!!!!! Isn't our business!!! What's imoimport is the happiness of each person!!!

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  2. The engagement pictures are beautiful. Wow- all the way to Utah to get engaged. Traveling so far for a honeymoon is common place I guess, but for an engagement? Everything changes when families are on TV. I'm so happy for Josie and Kelton, they look very happy. These two seem ready to get married, very mature. Best wishes to both of them! :o)

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    1. Everything changes when you have a sibling who can fly airplanes. It then becomes very easy to travel to other states.

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    2. Getting engaged while taking a trip is actually really common..? I’m from Texas but got engaged in Chicago. I had a friend get engaged in NY and another in Costa Rica. I think it’s actually more common to get engaged on vacation than at home lol. To each their own I guess, but none of us are particularly wealthy either..

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    3. Exactly anonymous @12:49! I'm from Michigan, got engaged in West Virginia on our way to North Carolina!

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  3. Such wonderful photos! I'm so happy for Josie & Kelton! They are so perfect for each other! I'm so happy they are engaged! I can't wait for the engagement episode! I hope they play it during the season!

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  4. Time 7:51PM Sun 6/24/18
    They are so beautiful as a couple love the engagements of Kelton & Josie.

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  5. So, I've posted before on the Duggar about how the Duggars Can't Win. Guess it's time for an episode of "Bates Can't Win".

    For I recall Bobby had a pretty low-key, local wedding proposal for Tori, and people give him shade for "mailing it in" and not spending enough time making it special.

    Then Kelton proposes to Josie in a very extravagant way and people react with an envious "must be nice to have that kind of money, can't relate...meh..."

    So whenever Evan does propose, he's guaranteed to be slammed, too. Either for not measuring up to Kelton's proposal, or being too extravagant for any normal person to relate to whatever he does.

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    1. How many couples do you know that do these extravagant engagrments?

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    2. Did you see Evan’s courtship proposal? That guy is gonna go so far overboard and I guarantee he’s not gonna care what anyone thinks lol. Love that guy

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    3. About the only way Evan can go more "overboard" than Kelton is to whisk Carlin away to some foreign country for the proposal. Or maybe take her up in a plane to skydrive out of it.

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  6. Will Gil and KJ will agreed if their children have a relationship with someone without be married ?

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    1. Well, if you mean "living in sin" or even just dating "for fun" with no effort to discern marriage with the person, then no, the Bates wouldn't be up for that.

      But if you're asking if they'd only allow their children to have a romantic relationship if they were already 100% sure it would lead to marriage, then no. Zach and Nathan both had courtships that did not lead to marriage.

      And while Kelton did loyally wait for Josie during their "break", she mentioned on the episode with the courtship proposal that that many guys would have decided she wasn't worth it and moved on. If, say, Kelton met a girl closer to his age at college and moved on, then Josie would also have had a relationship that didn't result in marriage.

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  7. Congratulations to the Lovely couple.I’m so in love with this beautiful couple. And you know I NEVER saw this coming �� I mean I knew that they were already soooo in love but I didn’t know they were willing to take the next step so soon. Well God’s timing is never wrong and I can’t wait for the wedding.❤️��������
    Love you guys for making this. Elie you and your mother have my deepest love and appreciation for this Blog I don’t have a tv cable for UPTV and I have a the TLC APP to watch the Duggars but I can’t watch all of them so these blogs kinda help.�� God bless you and I hope I get to meet you one day.

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    1. Kelton and Josie have liked each other for a very long time. In fact they have already beem in a relationship with each other before and took a break because Gil and Kelly Jo thought Josie was to young. When you find your soul mate you just know.

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  8. Can we please see a better picture of Josie’s ring?

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  9. Do the girls have a say in what they want for their engagement rings?

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    1. I think it depends on the couple. They showed Bobby buying the engagement ring and he said that Tori had told him the kind of ring she wanted. Brandon personalized Michael's ring by designing it himself and gave the jeweler a sketch to recreate. From what I've seen, the men try to take into consideration the women's likes and try to personalize it as much as possible whether it is a courtship proposal, ring, or engagement. It wasn't shown how Chad, Zach, and John determined which ring to buy for their wives.

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    2. I hope so. I would have hated it if my husband didn’t ask for my input. It would have been awkward to say yes to him, but oh no way to the ring! And before anyone jumps all over with the proverbial “It’s the thought that counts” that’s not true. Men. Be thoughtful and get what she wants since she’s wearing it forever.

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    3. My husband did not ask for my input on the engagement ring. A friend and I had gone to a couple jewelry stores just browsing. She told him that when he was ready, she had ideas. He decided that he wanted to do it all on his own. It's not what I had in mind but I love it because he picked it.

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  10. Amazing location and pictures!!!

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  11. I’m tired of all the backlash people are giving, I agree with the comments above, you can’t do anything right. And who is to say, Kelton didn’t pay for this himself? He works full-time and is a licensed plumber.
    Bobby and Tori only went 2 states away from Tennessee and drove in a “fancy car” as Tori called it, but it was still special.
    I’m sure Evan and Carlin’s will be great as well, but let’s stop comparing, it’s not our place.

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    1. I'm saddened by how the comments are trending more and more towards the negative side recently. Comments on this blog were about 80% positive when it first started, maybe more. Now it seems closer to 60% positive and the other 40% negative.

      It seems there is definitely some envy involved as much of the less than positive comments focus on how rich the Bates must be. Even though (as someone else posted) Zach proposed to Whitney in a similar way, suddenly whisking her away to Florida. Although, since that was filmed, I guess he may have had help from TLC to pay for it (I don't recall if the Bates had their own TLC show then, or were just guesting on the Duggar show at the time).

      But I also recall Erin and Chad had an international honeymoon to Ireland, yet AFAIK that wasn't filmed, meaning Chad must have paid for it himself.

      So while I'm sure the show helped Kelton plan this proposal, I wouldn't assume he got a totally free ride, either.

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    2. We should spend more time thanking God for our blessings and less time envying others.I think your comment is on point,and I agree.

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    3. How does someone’s special engagement turn into a financial discussion?? If you have it enjoy it that is not a sin. People act as if they purchased a mansion and all drive luxury vehicles. FYI blue collar workers with their own business do quite well. No one can cast a stone or criticize another only God has the right to judge

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    4. Anon at 1155PM: ITA. Unfortunately many people look down on blue-collar jobs and assume people who work in them only do because they weren't smart enough to go to college to prepare them for a "real job". (Though that doesn't even apply to Kelton as he did go to college.)

      I agree that skilled trades such as plumbing actually DO provide a comfortable income especially for those who own their own businesses. I have great respect for plumbers, electricians, contractors, auto repair techs, etc...I have no idea how to do their jobs. And for beauticians, too. I have a family friend who is one and I find her talent to be amazing.

      The Bates are certainly more wealthy now than before the show. However just because Kelton splurged on a proposal, does NOT mean they are lazily living off the TV money and thrown all ideas of hard work, frugality and prudence out the window. Last I checked all the married children including the women have ways to support their families outside the show. They are still shopping at Ross and Old Navy and other places not known for high-end luxury goods. I personally don't get the "out of touch spoiled rotten rich kid" vibe from any of them. Glad to see I'm not the only one.

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  12. If Evan hurries up maybe the girls could have a double wedding saving Mom & Dad some money and it would be a first for the family.

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  13. I wonder if this was really a surprise for Josie... I note she changed dresses for the photo shoot... who packs such a fancy dress for a trip to Utah unless they suspecting something's afoot...

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    1. I am sure her parents were in on the proposal and how Kelton was going to do it. It would be easy for Kelly or one of her sisters to pack clothes for Josie and give them to Kelton in advance. We will find out soon enough how he pulled everything off.

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    2. Several guys I worked had money they saved but not super wealthy. They each did quite the engagements. One guy had his future mother-in-law pack the girl's suitcase and then drop her off at the airport as a total surprise and they went on a long plane trip for several days for the engagement. Girl had no idea the proposal was happening until she was inside the airport (by then she was pretty sure that's what it was all about). So maybe Josie's mom or a sister packed a suitcase. Or maybe Josie did know. Either way, absolutely beautiful photos

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    3. I remember Erin saying she knew the day she and Chad were getting engaged and she still feigned surprise!! It’s uncanny. None of these girls are surprised as their are entire camera crews, scavenger hunts( the total precursor to engagement), and parents all in tow.

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    4. Why couldn't he have asked her mom or sisters to pack her an outfit to change into? Highly possible.

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    5. Tori's sisters also brought her fancier clothes to change into, when Bobby showed up at HER workplace. I assume that's what happened here as well.

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  14. Congratulations Josie and Kelton.
    Marilyn,Joan and Marion

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  15. As far as who paid for what it really is nobody's business . However Kelton has been gainfully employed quite some time. He it s a licensed plumber among other things.

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  16. Thanks to the posters who have mentioned examples of "over the top" proposals from "ordinary" people who are not Reality TV show stars. It takes some of the shade off the idea that the proposal somehow isn't "real" because it was filmed for TV.

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  17. Nice photos love watching this family grow.

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  18. At the end of the day...if the show paid, the man paid, or the family paid; you all are WATCHING the show and that my friends is the main objective.

    Everyone wishes that God would bless their families, but Favor isn’t fair. God can and does bless whomever He wants.

    The issue isn’t their money or fame. Let’s just talk about the elephant in the room. EVERYONE is waiting for this “Christian Family” to make a mistake so they can gloat that God isn’t good.

    The same God that you pray to daily for your sick member, the same God that you ask for forgiveness of sins. The same God that blesses you financially in HIS own way.

    Ecc 3:1 - there is a season FOR EVERYTHING & EVERYONE. Be happy for their season because you’ll want your family and friends happy for your season!!!

    John 15:12 - This is my commandment,
     That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

    We must increase our love for one another. As the fellowship grows, our love and tolerance for others should increase as well.  Though we do not tolerate sin or sinful behaviors, we must tolerate and embrace our personal differences and identities.

    PRAY FOR THEIR FAMILIES & STOP THE HATING.

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