Their Engagement Session: Long Beach Island, NJ

It was such a dream getting to photograph Emily and Dave’s rainy Hotel LBI engagement session! They were such troopers with the crazy weather, and it truly made for the most magical and romantic fall photos! These two were up for anything from minute one – they were down to pop champagne, kiss and get cuddly on the rooftop, embrace the rain at the beach without umbrellas, and ultimately, take a biiig dip in the ocean! Whenever my couples say they’re up for going in the water, I just KNOW it’s going to be a good time!

In her first ever email to me, Em mentioned that they’re super silly, romantic, lovey and always laughing. She nailed it! <3 It was so clear how true that was once we started taking photos. The laughter didn’t end, but there were also so many special, quiet, romantic moments, too!

Emily and Dave truly felt like friends from the moment we met. Our first call was so relaxed and felt like catching up with friends on their wedding plans. Everything they shared with me about their vision clicked with what I love most about weddings – a beautiful event focused on having a blast with their loved ones.

Emily said, “I’m looking forward to getting freaking married!!! I cannot wait for our moments together on our day: first look, when we’re at the alter after we say I do and when we’re waiting to walk into our reception together. Those little-big moments ya know! And of course the party that follows. When I look back on our day, I think I want to remember how we felt during those moments. Not worrying about what’s next, or if we’re on time, or all of those little distractions that get in the way. I want to be able to remember those moments we felt pure bliss and love for each other.”

I love that the party-all-day vibes are super important to them, and I can’t wait to celebrate their marriage next year at Normandy Farm!

One of the coolest honors of being their photographer is that Dave is a wedding DJ himself, so knowing they trust in me to capture their day just meant SO much. When another wedding pro sees the value in what I do, I just feel that much more aligned and connected to them! Emily said, “I’ve been obsessed with your insta for months and as soon as we got engaged I told him we have our photog, HA!” So sweet!!

Their Love Story

These two met online and their first date was September 6, 2017, 2 days after they started talking! They went to Cheesecake Factory near where Emily lived and had such a fun dinner full of laughs! They grabbed drinks at a PJs close by, and instantly became attached at the hip after that night! They spent almost every weekend together until he officially asked her to be his girlfriend on her birthday weekend on 10/28/17!

She told me alllll about their amazing proposal story: “Ahhhhh engagement day!!! It started off with us getting into a hit-and-run! I make it sound more serious than it was, everyone was ok, he hit our bumper and took off. However, it made us late for Dave’s plans. As we were driving to the Poconos (I didn’t know where we were going. He told me to dress warm and be comfortable) he was upset we were running behind. I remember telling him, “it wouldn’t be us if we weren’t late or had some crazy story to tell.”

We got to Jim Thorpe and we went to Glen Onoko where we went for a hike for my birthday only 2 months prior in October. Two months ago, we spent the weekend in a house on Jim Thorpe’s main street and had the best weekend. We found this little spot under a bridge overlooking the mountains and brought our little Pomeranian to enjoy the “hike” since the real hike was way too long for him! (We are obsessed with our dogs, FYI) Fast forward to 2 months later, 12/19/20, just the two of us were back at the spot. He also had a freakin photographer there to capture the moment!!! She was hiding behind a bush and popped out once he popped the q! Side note, I cry at everything.. I get super mushy about the smallest things!” How incredible is that?!

Emily & David,

You two are such a dream to photograph and hang out with!! Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer, because I just ADORE getting to see your love grow and unfold. These photos are some of my all-time FAVE beach pictures ever – just the best vibes all evening for your Hotel LBI engagement session! Cannot wait to celebrate your MARRIAGE next fall. Love you bunches!!! xo