Gosh, I am so behind on blogging!! The last couple of weeks have been such a whirlwind for us! From Thanksgiving to our baby shower to entertaining out-of-towners and squeezing in editing, emails, and album designs whenever we can, it’s been so busy around here! Luckily, things are quieting down and I plan to play catch-up by sharing all of the beautiful engagement sessions that I haven’t yet blogged. We also have our last two weddings of the year coming up over the next couple of weeks so the blog is going to be a busy place this month!
First up are Lauren and PJ! These two were engaged on September 15th when PJ proposed with a stunning cushion cut diamond. Wait until you see it! Lauren is a photographer herself so I was incredibly excited when she reached out about having me capture her engagement session. It’s always a little nerve-wracking when I photograph another photographer but these two warmed up to the camera right away and made it easy for me. We met at Pier Village in Long Branch for a sunrise shoot and it was a gorgeous morning. The session was perfectly styled by Scarpaci Designs and florals by Blue Jasmine Design and we had stunning morning light with creamy skies. It was well worth getting up at the crack of dawn!
Enjoy getting a glimpse at my time with these two and be sure to check out their love story below as well. Congratulations to Lauren and PJ!
Jersey Shore Engagement Session
How they met
“PJ and I met working at Starbucks over 5 years ago. We worked really well together.. goofed off yet still got our work done! I was actually a shift manager there at the time that he got hired so I was his boss haha. At Starbucks, dating a co-worker is considered conflict of interest so we had to keep it a secret for a long time.. but people caught on eventually. We were friends first because I was dating someone else at the time we first met but he always tells me he always knew we would wind up together which I think is the sweetest thing!”
Their first date
“We were such good friends and then I started to have a little crush on him. I asked him to go to the movies with me because I really wanted to see this movie. When we got there, he paid for my ticket and put his arm around me during the movie (classic move lol) so I was super happy because I thought maybe he always just saw me as a friend. At the end of the night, he dropped me off at my house, opened the car door for me, told me he had a great time, and we shared our first kiss. It was super cute. I basically went into it thinking it would just be another hang out and came out of it with a boyfriend! lol”
When they knew they had found the one
“We are like the same person! I think once we started dating, I just knew! We feel so comfortable with each other. We like the same things, we finish each others sentences.. he’s my twin flame!”
The proposal
“As a wedding photographer, I always thought I would know when this moment was going to happen for me. I’ve photographed so many proposals! But somehow he managed to surprise me! He knew to tell me in advance that we were going out for his dad’s birthday so that I wouldn’t book anything that day. So I had the night reserved. He told me it was a fancy place in Brooklyn and to get dressed up so I wore a dress, did my makeup, and prepared myself for a really long drive.
We both got in the car and he got a call from his dad asking him to go shut the lights off at White Chapel Projects which is the brewery they own in Long Branch. We live right across the street from it in Pier Village so PJ said he would and we drove across the street. He told me to get out of the car because he wanted to show me something new in the brewery so I got out and he pulled open the barn door gates and as I walked into the courtyard, I see my family and closest friends holding those big gold letter balloons and it spelled out “WILL U MARRY ME?” … with rose petals and candles on the ground leading up to a beautiful arch.
I froze in shock and said “STOP!” because I could not believe that it was happening! It was so beautiful!! The music began to play and PJ took my hand and led me to the arch where he got down on one knee and popped the question. I of course said “YES!” and our family and friends cheered for us. After that he had set up a private dinner for two inside …and inside was ALSO decorated beautifully. The whole night was so special!”
“I love that he has the most genuine soul… he always does the right thing and that in itself always inspires me to be a better person. I also love the way he loves me.. he would do absolutely anything for me and he never lets me forget it.”
Thank you for viewing Lauren and PJ’s Jersey Shore Engagement Session!
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