Their Engagement Session: Downtown Somerville, NJ

Samantha and Michael incorporated all the things they love into their Downtown Somerville engagement session! Being so thoughtful about the places we went made it all the more fun to photograph! They love great drinks, coffee, and their adorable furbaby! Somerville is such a special spot to their love story, being that it was where their first date was!

Salted Lime is a must-visit in Somerville – such a great restaurant with fun cocktails! They started off with a Tequila shot to help with the pre-session jitters! Then, we got to chat, hang out, and hear all about their wedding planning and love story over margs!

After drinks, we headed to the lawn nearby to get some cuddly photos with their doggo, Kona! The most wildly fun pup you could imagine!! They told me Kona, the fluffiest Bernedoodle, has two moods – crazy and playful or a big sleepy mush! The energy was unmatched, and I’m so glad they opted to bring their little love bug to their shoot. Once we said goodbye to Kona, we grabbed iced coffees (a must!) and took pictures in the downtown area!

Conveniently, the beautiful courthouse was right across the street from the coffee shop, so it was a quick hop over to this gorgeous building for photos in their second outfits! This was such a chic vibe that gave them so much good variety in their gallery! I always recommend a casual and fancier outfit so you have plenty of options for prints, albums, or save-the-dates!

As the sun set, we headed up to a nearby rooftop parking garage that gave us some higher views for their champagne pop! It was such a fun, chill way to end the night as they toasted to their engagement and celebrated their upcoming marriage!

Their Love Story

As Sam put it, “We’re a couple of the times!” They met through Bumble and went for coffee on their very first date – a tradition that would continue to be important to them for years to come! He proposed exactly 5 years later from that first date! They now get iced coffee together every weekend (Fridays are for Starbies, Saturdays are for Dunkin) with their puppy, Kona!

Mike is always ready to do something new or fun and his easy-going, adventurous personality pairs so perfectly with Sam’s kindness, patience, joyful, silly nature!

When I asked what qualities they love most about one another, Sam said, “Mike is very calm and always wants to help me when I get overwhelmed. He is sweet and I swear we are always thinking the same things (it’s almost creepy haha.) He gets me out of my comfort zone and makes me want to be the best version of myself.”

Mike shared, “Sam is self-less and caring. I can always count on her to help and get things done. She is supportive, always looking out for me, always there to cheer me up, and always makes sure I am fed haha. I always say she is like the bitmoji, “tough but cute stuff”.”

Sam & Mike,

You two are such a blast to hang out with, and getting to learn so much about your love makes me just THAT much more excited for your big day! Wave Resort is going to be the perfect backdrop next spring for your wedding day. Thank you for being up for all these outfit changes, location ideas, and fun prompts! Congratulations on your engagement!!! xoxo