When Christina emailed me saying she and Zach were thinking of doing their engagement session at an apple orchard I was so excited! I just love a new location for a shoot! So on a beautiful fall day Jay and I headed up to Melick’s Town Farm for Christina and Zach’s engagement session and it was everything an October engagement session should be. From a stroll in the apple orchard to sharing craft beer under the apple trees to beautiful autumn light, we loved every minute of their session. These two are such a perfect match – we can’t wait for their Lake Valhalla Country Club Wedding next summer! Congratulations, Christina and Zach!

How they met:
Christina: Zach and I met by chance! During my last semester at Monmouth University, my housing situation fell through and I ended up living with a few girlfriends from my sorority who were mutual friends with Zach and his fraternity brothers! After a couple of months of hanging out with our friends and spending time together, Zach brought me home for his mom’s famous Vodka Rigatoni and soon after, we became a couple!

Zach: We both met in college. One of our mutual friends brought her over to my house with everyone else and from then on it was history. We really didn’t go on many dates at the start because we were both poor college students, but I remember always going out dinner whenever we could. We have eaten so many things over the course of our relationship, I really don’t remember what the first thing was, ha! I do remember cooking pasta for her once when we first met (first and only time :) haha.

Their first date:
Christina: No first date here! Mixers and college parties is where our love first bloomed! Zach woo’d me with his dance moves (which somehow have yet to make a reappearance) and the rest is history!

When they knew:
Christina: I knew Zach was the one after about a year of dating. We were commuting to see each other every weekend since we lived an hour apart, and every weekend, we were more excited than the weekend before. We have always just loved spending our time together. We made our relationship thrive through tons of changes in both our locations and our jobs, and always supported one another each step of the way.The proposal:
Christina: Zach and I had talked about getting married and about our future often, so I knew he would finally propose one day when he was ready. Over 7 years later, I couldn’t even imagine the day he would finally pop the question. We planned a trip to celebrate my birthday with friends in New Orleans. The day before, after work, I met him to drop off his car to get work done while we were away. As we pulled up to our apartment, I noticed the string lights in the kitchen we plugged in, and couldn’t understand for the life of me how or who had turned them on. I was actually nervous that someone had been in our house and Zach just looked at me and smiled, nodding me to go in the house and find out. I walked up the stairs, and opened the door to see champagne, roses, and music playing. It was truly an out-of-body experience as I realized what was actually happening, I turned around and there he was on one knee with a big nervous smile! I still have no idea what he said, but out popped my twin sister and her husband who had helped set the scene, and I cried for a good two hours that night from utter shock and happiness. I waited a long time for that moment and it was a day I’ll never forget. Zach completely shocked me and we celebrated our engagement with friends in the Big Easy; incredible trip!

Zach: We had a trip planned for a very long time to New Orleans with all of our (still mutual) friends. At the time I scheduled it, it was more for just a fun vacation than an engagement. As it got closer it made more and more sense to do it then. I was really worried about taking it on the plane, etc. so I decided to do it right before the trip. I enlisted the help of her twin sister. I know she wouldn’t have wanted a big production or anything because it was going to be very overwhelming. So I decided to just keep it to her sister and husband. We had to run an errand that morning before the trip. While we were out her sister ran in and decorated the house before we got back. When we got  back, the whole house was different and they were standing there. At first she was very confused but turned around to me, on one knee. The next morning we got on a plane to go to New Orleans with all our friends and celebrate. It was perfect!

One thing they love about each other:
Christina: I love Zach’s hilarious, short, and perfectly-timed quips. He appears quiet, but he’s got the best sense of humor and can always make me laugh. I love that about him!

Zach: I love the fact that we enjoy the same things. We both like to spend time with just each other, both like to relax, and are mostly always on the same page with things.

Besides getting married, what they’re looking forward to on their wedding day:
Christina: The realization that this is just the beginning of this next, beautiful chapter in our lives!

Zach: I am really looking forward to having my family and friends all in one place. My brother lives in California so it will be nice for him to be around my friends and have them both in one place. I am also looking forward to see Christina and how (hopefully) happy she will be.  :)

Location | Melick’s Town Farm
Make-Up | House of Luciano

A Farm Engagement Session by NJ Wedding Photographer Idalia Photography, a husband and wife photography team based in Central New Jersey. Contact us for more information.