Ally and Brian and high school sweethearts! They met through Brian’s best friend, Dave, and they also had a class together during Ally’s sophomore and Brian’s junior year. They started flirting with each other in class and then one weekend they all went out together with their friends and it was the start of something special.
For their engagement session, Ally and Brian decided to take their photos at the Barnegat Lighthouse because LBI is so meaningful to them. They love to visit every chance they get. One of the first times that Ally invited Brian to LBI with her family, she took him to the lighthouse to show him one of her favorite spots on the island. Ally’s sister came along and she ended up taking a bunch of pictures of Ally and Brian together. Ally loves looking back at those pictures and now at their engagement photos and see how far they’ve come as a couple.
I will say that it wasn’t easy making this engagement happen – these two live in NY! Their initial engagement session actually got rescheduled due to heavy winds on LBI so we had to coordinate schedules again. I’m so glad we did, though, because the winds on LBI can be so strong! I was able to meet up with Ally and Brian at Barnegat Lighthouse at the end of the summer. We had the nicest cloud coverage that day and it made for the softest even light. I love how this session turned out, even after the slightest bit of worry during the session when it started to rain! Luckily, these two were troopers and we waited it out under a shelter. The rain passed and we picked up right where we left off. I think you’re going to love this session – I love the romance between these two, complemented perfectly by Ally’s flowy dress. And their pup – wait until you see their pup!
Ally and Brian are planning a wedding at one of my favorite spots on LBI: Brant Beach Yacht Club. They’re working with our dear friend Jeanne from Bogath Events so I know this wedding is going to be gorgeous. I can hardly wait for their September 2020 wedding!
Hair and Makeup by Lavish LBI
Barnegat Lighthouse Engagement Session
When they knew they had found the one
Brian: When I was 19, I got all four of my wisdom teeth pulled and was totally incapable of caring for myself for the first 24 hours. Ally took amazing care of me and slept on the floor of my childhood bedroom to make sure I would be ok throughout the night. I was so drugged up I really don’t remember specifics but I will never forget the way that Ally comforted me while I couldn’t care for myself. After seeing how loving and caring she was, I knew she was the one that I would be with forever and start a family with.
Ally: I knew Brian was the one when I realized I couldn’t imagine my life without him. When we first started dating we were inseparable, we become so close and just had the best time together. 10 years later, and there is still no one else I’d rather spend my time with. He always knows how to put a smile on my face and make the best out of of any situation.
The proposal
Brian told me that we were getting brunch with his parents at one of my favorite restaurants that day and when it was time to start getting ready he said his mom messed up the reservation and it would actually be an hour later than we originally thought. Brian suggested taking our dog, Scooter on a walk up to the high school since we had some time to kill and it was nice out. As we got closer to the high school he said we should walk up the front steps and check it out since we hadn’t seen it in a while. Once we were walking up the front steps he mentioned how this is where it all began for us and that’s when I knew it was happening! Before I knew it he got down on his knee and popped the question! It was such a perfect spot and luckily he had one his friends take some pictures as it happened so we always have those to look back on. I loved that he did it in front of the high school since we are high school sweethearts and that’s where we fell in love with each other. Also bonus points for him since we had Scooter with us and I couldn’t imagine him not being with us at such a special moment in our lives! Afterwards, Brian planned for both of our families to meet up at our local wine bar to celebrate, it was the best day ever!
One thing they love about each other
Ally: One thing I love about Brian is his sense of humor! No matter how grumpy or cranky I am, he will find a way to make me laugh and lighten the mood. His sense of humor and outgoing personality is what made me fall in love with him in the first place. He loves to make people laugh and is just so personable, it’s hard not have a good time when your in Brian’s presence.
Brian: One thing I love about Ally: Ally is an incredibly positive person. She always looks on the bright side and has a unique ability to cheer up others around her that might need a pick-me-up. She never complains and always finds the silver lining in even the most difficult of situations. I truly believe this is why Ally has so many friends – she is the type of person that people want to be surrounded by.
All about the ring
I absolutely LOVE my ring! He did such a great job, it was exactly what I wanted. It’s a beautiful round diamond with a diamond band. I had shown him a few pictures of rings I liked and then he had his dad and my sister help pick it out at a diamond store in the city.
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