Heather and Chad found us thanks to our past couple Krissa and Bill and we are so thankful they did! They are the most genuine couple, and we are so excited to get to know them and capture their wedding next April!

For their engagement session, I met up with these two at Laurita Winery on a perfect summer day. I just love this location because of its natural beauty and the way the light illuminates the vineyards in the late afternoon. No wonder it has become one of my favorite places to shoot engagements over the last few years!

I always love engagement sessions for the opportunity to get to know our couples more and hear about their wedding plans, too. Heather and Chad are going for a shabby chic theme and I can’t wait to see it all come together next year at The Mill Lakeside Manor! After seeing how sweet and fun these two are, I know their wedding is going to be filled with lots of laughter and love.

Enjoy this peek at my time with Heather and Chad and get excited for April!!

Laurita Winery Engagement Session

How they met

“Chad and I actually met on Tinder! (hahah) After we both “swiped right”, Chad initiated conversation with me.  I specifically remember this because my sister-in-law and I were looking at paint samples. Tinder was just something to pass the time. We spoke for about a week before we went on our first date.”

Their first date

“Our first date was at a restaurant called Rellas. (sadly it closed!) Chad always says, “You had me at meatball” because we ordered a meatball pizza which we tend to find is not a common liking for a pizza topping. Our date actually lasted over 3 hours! Our waitress came over to us and asked how long we had been dating.  When we told her this was our first date, she couldn’t believe it! Instantly I knew that we shared a connection.”

When they knew they had found the one

Heather: “Hmmmm let me see! As cliche as it sounds, after our first date I said to myself that this is who I am going to marry. Chad always knows how to make me laugh and make the best out of any situation. We also share a corkiness that I don’t think anyone could ever understand! Chad is also very respectful of my family and always wanted to make sure my parents approved before we took the next step in our relationship.  He even wanted to meet my parents before he asked me to be his girlfriend! He is my biggest supporter and my best friend.”

Chad: “From the beginning I thought we would end up tying the knot. On the first encounter there was an aurora around Heather where she lit up the room when she walked in. This alone was enough for me to fall for her (don’t tell her I said that). It didn’t take much time at all to love everything about her; her drive, her loving and supportive family, her profession in being a shaper of young minds. Sure being gorgeous is a perk, but having a beautiful soul drew me in even harder.”

The proposal

“A lot of though and careful planning was involved in making this day one we would never forget. A lot of the details were ironed out out of site and out of mind from Heather due to me traveling for work. I wanted to have a few factors in the equation; the site close to the beach but not on the beach, have it documented and have our friends and family somehow involved. The way the proposal began was the plan of meeting my parents at the Shrimp Box in Point Pleasant for dinner. We arrived in Point on the early side (intentionally) so we could take a pit stop at the Manasquan Inlet. My excuse for stopping is that I’ve never been there and wanted to check it out. Within just minutes of walking and holding hands along the inlet edge, we stopped at a bench where I got down on one knee and asked my best friend to be with me for the rest of my life. At which time the photographers I organized behind the scenes swooped in to capture every moment of Heathers shock and disbelief.  As the emotions, smiles and happy tears slightly subsided, I told Heather there was more in store. Our friends and family were waiting at our favorite local watering hole The Patio Bar to celebrate the big moment. Once we walked in we were greeted by our closest friends and family and more happy tears and emotions erupted. I get goosebumps and emotional to this day, even as I type this narrative.”

All about the ring

“The ring is VERY special for two reasons. One- Chad designed the ring along with my sister in law’s guidance.  They secretly met at a jeweler in Philadelphia. Sneaky Chad made it seem as if he was going to work!  The most very special part of my ring is that all of the stones were from my grandmother. When my grandmother passed away, I was given a piece of her jewelry.   Although it was a beautiful piece I did not have the opportunity to wear it often.  Chad used this bracelet to help create the most perfect ring.  I love that he was able to create something so meaningful along with keeping my grandmother close to my heart.”

One thing they love about each other