I met up with Nicole and Brian a couple of weeks ago at Allaire State Park.  If you’ve been following our blog for a while you know that I shoot there often – this park is so beautiful that our clients are always drawn to it and I love the variety it offers.  Every time I shoot there I challenge myself to find a new spot to shoot in and Allaire State Park never disappoints!  I had a great time exploring new places in the park with Nicole and Brian, who met in Florida, got engaged in New Jersey, and will be married in Louisiana next year!  Scroll away to see some of my favorite shots from their session:

How they met

Nicole: We met at a party in graduate school at the University of St. Augustine, my class was one semester ahead of his and we threw their class a welcome party. I saw Brian and tried to talk to him, but he was being shy. Later that night we met up again out at Scarlette O’harrah’s and he finally said hello, later that night I gave him my phone number (which I never do), and the rest is history.

Brian:  Nicole and I first met at a school function briefly. Between the two groups of friends we decided to meet out on the town.  Prior to going out my friend Adam called dibs on Nicole, being how pretty she was.  Well his dibs didn’t go so well as I saw her feeding him some stale fried pickles.  At that time I interjected and started talking to her.  Later that night she gave me her number and we went from there.

The first date

Nicole: My parents had come into town to visit me at school, and Brian had asked me out on our first official date while they were in. He did a good job picking the best New Orleans style restaurant he could find to make me feel at home, Harry’s. My parents were texting me the whole time and trying to peek into the restaurant windows to see what Brian looked like. I was praying he wouldn’t see them!

Brian: Laissez le bon temps rouler. I asked Nicole out on our first date to a Cajun restaurant in St. Augustine knowing her heritage.  That night we had good food, good drinks, and good times. The hot sauce bottle on the table had the above french quote which described the night perfectly.

When they knew 

Nicole: I think that Brian’s thoughtful nature, his tendency to help others without a second thought and to do a little extra to make me and others smile really made him stand out to me as someone special. He’s a family man, always on the phone with family or having dinner with them. And lastly, what you see is what you get. He’s always true to himself and honest with me.

Brian: After I had met Nicole’s family a few times and how there family is so close and loving, and knowing that Nicole is the same way and was going to have a family with me and it would be the same way.

The proposal

Nicole: I came home from work one day, Brian was off that day, and he had made an amazing cajun style supper. He had roses, and honestly at first I thought he was apologizing for a silly fight we had got into the night before. Then he got down on one knee and I knew. It was perfect.

Brian: I had my long time family jeweler come down and size Nicole’s finger and give her a brochure. After a short time questioning her about that I took the rest upon myself. I had the family jeweler make a custom ring based on her thoughts and a ring my sister showed me from the internet.  To her surprise I had the ring made and picked up.  One day while Nicole was at work I made her a Cajun meal and had the ring ready with a proposal involving colored roses  and endearments about the past, present, and future. Everything went as planned and she was super shocked, tears and all.

What they love about each other

Nicole: I love how smart Brian is, and watching him when he’s working with his patients. He’s the best physical therapist I know and I truly respect him as a professional and clinician, and I strive to be the best I can be because of him.

Brian: I love how Nicole’s takes care of me just like you hear about a southern belle.  It’s the charm she uses on a daily basis to make sure me and anyone who is in our household is satisfied.

What they’re looking forward to on their wedding day (besides getting married!)

Nicole: The Second Line and dancing all night long.

Brian: Being together with so many friends and family’ so far from home; knowing that we matter so much to them that they would travel so far to celebrate that day with us.

Idalia Photography is a Monmouth County Engagement Photographer based in Central New Jersey.