their session: princeton, nj

I loved that Caitlin and Derek chose to have their engagement session somewhere that they always go together! It literally felt just like they were having a date night in Princeton, NJ (with their new third-wheel bff) while they took shots, ate ice cream, and explored the prettiest little woodsy area!

Caitlin and Derek are seriously so chill and up for all of my crazy ideas during the shoot – they loosened up in front of my camera so effortlessly! These two were super cute and fun together and couldn’t stop laughing with each other, which always makes for the sweetest photos!

We clicked from the moment they inquired about their wedding, and this session reminded me of why I adore having clients who are truly just friends to me! Caitlin told me she had thought the session was for the full day originally, so she had this whole day-long date planned out with ME where we were going to hang out before the shoot and eat artichokes together (my fave)! I was cracking up when she told me that’s what she had originally wanted for her whole engagement session DAY! We’ll make it happen soon, girlie! We’re already planning a night out together now that I moved just a few minutes away from where they live! <3

their love story:

Caitlin and Derek met during their first year at Rutgers University, where they lived in the same dorm building. They were super close friends for that first year and then started dating the following summer! When Caitlin started telling me the story of how Derek proposed, she started out by saying, “You’re going to love this one” and oh man, SHE WAS RIGHT! Caitlin and Derek went to Japan last September and were hiking to the top of Mt. Fuji when he asked her to marry him! Like what?! So freaking cool. Go Derek!!

Caitlin and Derek’s typical date night is dinner around town! “We both love seafood and beer. We’ll usually just make reservations for dinner and then hang around the area if we feel like drinking or meeting friends out.”

When I asked what their favorite thing about being engaged was, they said, “Just how excited everyone is for us and getting to tell everyone how he proposed. We think it’s really interesting getting to hear other people’s stories, as well, when it comes up. We love love 💕so it’s a pretty cool time.” Yep, same – I love love, too! 🙂

caitlin & derek,

You two were SO much fun to hang out with and made me feel like we were instant besties!! Thank you for letting me tag along for your epic date in your stomping ground of Princeton! Getting to see you guys take tequila shots and let loose was literally the best and I CANNOT wait for our next “date night” together with you now that I live so close! You two are the best!! Congrats, lovebirds! Now, time for all things wedding! 😉 Let’s do this thing!