Their Session: Cross Estate Gardens, Bernardsville, NJ

Ooooh Paola and Nick seriously rocked their engagement session at Cross Estate Gardens!! They were the giggliest, cutest couple and they brought along their sweet pup, Korra, who was SO friendly and fun. I cannot get over how adorable these two are when they laugh together. We visited Cross Estate Gardens for their session on a perfect summer day, so we got to explore the blooming gardens and run around in the greenery! I am obsessed with all of their joy, laughter, and connection with each other!

Their Love Story:

These two met while Paola was on a job interview! Nick actually interviewed her for a position in his department, and she started working for him! They clicked right away, but didn’t start seeing each other until many months after meeting one another! Although Paola was still growing as a person when they first met, she says, “Nick saw beyond all that and was so patient, understanding, and forgiving. He stuck it out when I don’t think anyone else really would and that’s why I love him so much and as a result, we now have a super great relationship where we are both happy with who we are individually as well with one another.”

Paola said she admires Nick for being the most devoted person she’s ever met. “I guess that’s just the best word to describe the kind of man that he is. He Is present and willing to put all his effort into whatever he’s doing. You don’t need to ask Nick to give 100%, he just does.” and Nick said, “My favorite quality about Paola is also one that frustrates me sometimes! She’s so damn nice. She wants to do right by everyone and just loves people. She’s good at self-reflecting and acknowledging her wrongs, and wanting to right them.” I love how these two support each other and lift one another up, it’s so beautiful to see how well they work together!

They got engaged on a trip with her family in Portugal! Nick proposed on the second to last day that they were there. They saw so many beautiful sights that people would’ve thought, “Oh, this is the perfect spot for him to propose!” but Nick proposed to her in her grandma and grandpa’s hometown. It was on top of a spiral staircase that overlooked the whole town. The sun was setting and Paola was completely caught off guard. It made her grandma so happy, which made her so happy, too. Even though her hometown may not seem like much, Nick knew it would be extra special for Paola’s family that it was there and she says, “that’s just another reason why I love him.”

They are biiig homebodies and enjoy hanging at home with the dog, watching shows or stand up comedy. They like to cook and go to church together. If they do feel compelled to go out, it’s usually to go out to eat since they love doing that, and they always try to go to a restaurant they haven’t tried before. They chose to do an intimate wedding since big events with all eyes on them totally isn’t their thing. They’re having a beautiful, intimate ceremony at Rutgers Gardens in just a few weeks! Paola said, “I want the day to just be about us wanting to spend the rest of our lives together and the people that love us most witnessing it.” I absolutely LOVE that they are choosing to do their wedding their own way and making it personal to who they truly are! <3

Paola & Nick,

You two are incredible. Your love and laughter is infectious and I’m so beyond excited to be the one who gets to document it! Thank you for choosing me and sharing your story with me. I’m honored to know you and to take these photos of you two at such an exciting time in life! I can’t wait for your big day, it’s going to be absolutely perfect! Love you two so much, let’s get marrrrried!