The weather may be getting chillier and chillier but we still have so many warm weather engagement sessions to share! I met up with Christina and Brendan at the end of September down in South Jersey. Cape May is a special place for them so I was happy to head down there and discover a couple of beautiful spots that I’d never shot at before. Cape May Point State Park and Willow Creek Winery both played big roles in Brendan’s proposal to Christina last May so it made perfect sense to capture them there. You’ll get to see all the scenic spots and read all the details from both Christina and Brendan’s perspective below but I have to say that the trip down to Cape May was so worth it! We had the perfect backdrops for their engagement photos.

Christina and Brendan found us thanks to Instagram but I later found out that we’re connected to them in a couple of other ways! Christina’s mom is friends with one of my former colleagues from when I used to teach and Brendan somehow knows one of our past grooms. Such a small world!

I loved getting to know these two and their easy-going personalities. Christina and Brendan are planning a beautiful fall wedding at Park Chateau Estate and Gardens so I already know their wedding is going to be absolutely gorgeous! Congrats to Christina and Brendan! Enjoy your blog feature!!

Cape May Point State Park Photos

How they met

Christina: November 2007, I had recently transferred over to Brick Memorial High School from St. Rose High School and we met through a mutual friend. We were both in our sophomore year of high school. We didn’t really make an effort to talk to each other the first few times we saw each other. However, over that year he would always make an effort to approach me and make conversation with me. It wasn’t until our Junior Year when we started to date, March 20th. It all started in Algebra class when he would ask me to go out on a date, write me poems, and eventually ask to be his date to our junior prom.

Brendan: I met her in High school. We were in Algebra class together. I always wanted to hang out with her so I used to write funny/cute poems just to get her to crack and say “fine!” So she finally caved and we stared hanging out. I’m sure Christina went more into detail in her questionnaire.

Their first date

Christina: After multiple attempts of Brendan asking me out on a date I decided to accept. I can still remember it like it was yesterday. For our first date we went to the movies and saw the movie Jumper. After the movie, we went to Applebee’s for half price appetizers. Because that’s what everyone did after the movies.

When they knew they had found the one

Christina: I always knew. But it wasn’t until after we both graduated from college and we started going through real life experiences. Where we relied on each other so much for support and love. We always turn to each other. I just knew that he would always be there for me and me for him.

Brendan: I always knew there was something special about Christina. I don’t think it clicked until I had a conversation with my father one day. My father had such a good sense of character. He said, “Brendan, don’t ever let her (Christina) go. She’s a really good and sweet person. She’s good for you”. My father was dying with cancer at the time. So I almost look at it as his last fatherly advice. So, when I look at Christina all I see is love and I have a sense of comfort and family because I know she’s who I belong with.

The proposal

Christina: I remember on the Tuesday before we got that engaged, Brendan and I were talking over the phone when he said, “Hey, we should take a trip down to Cape May this weekend, get all dressed up, go to the winery, and have a nice dinner!” We love Cape May so I said of course! Fast forward to Saturday May 20th, the morning was a little over cast and slightly windy but the forecast had said it would clear up. So we still decided to make the trip down and sure enough the second we got into Cape May the sun came out and it warmed up.

We first stopped at Willow Creek Winery to do some wine tasting and grab a bite to eat. After that we made our way over to the Cape May Point State Park, one of our other favorite places with beautiful views. We started to walk to one of the nature trails that would lead us to an old wooden bird observation. Around us was a gorgeous pond, with beautiful white swans, and the Cape May lighthouse as our backdrop. It’s a very tranquil and secluded place. We stood there for about 5 to 10 minutes just taking in the views and talking about life. Then it got a little quiet. I had asked if he wanted to continue on… he said,  “Lets just wait a few more minutes.” We waited and then as soon as he said okay lets go. I had turned around to pick up my purse and he goes…. “Oh wait, I forgot to give you this”.” It was a piece of paper folded perfectly. At that moment I knew something was about to happen. He had written me a poem (as he always loves to do) and he said to read it out loud. After reading the last words he pulled the ring box out of his pocket and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! I remember seeing him open the box and just gasp at how beautiful the ring was. I said yes and started to cry happy tears. He put the ring on my finger and I hugged him as tight as I ever did. I had waited for this moment my entire life!

Willow Creek Winery Engagement Photos

One thing they love about each other

Christina: I love how he can always make me laugh. No matter what, he just knows how to put a smile on my face.

Brendan: I absolutely love how caring Christina is. I love that I can always confide in her and decompress after a long stressful day at work. She takes care of me =).

All about the ring

Christina: My ring is everything I ever wanted! I always loved the classic four prong round solitaire setting. Also, I wanted something that would never go out of style. The center stone is a beautiful round brilliant cut solitaire diamond with round pave diamonds set along the band all in a rose gold. My ring is classic and beautiful, perfection in my eyes!

Brendan: I first reached out to her sister to look at Christina’s Pinterest Board. As soon as her sister figured out the style she sent it to me. Christina works in the fine jewelry business so she always told me that her boss said, once I was ready to propose to give him a call. So I reached out to Christina’s boss secretly to set up a time to come in during her lunch break to design the ring with my mom.

Besides getting married, one thing they’re looking forward to on their wedding day

Christina: I am looking forward to the chapel doors opening and have Brendan see me for the first time in my wedding gown! We have waited a long time for this. We look forward to just celebrating with all our family and friends, the best night of our lives!

Brendan: Dancing like a crazy person.

Hope you enjoyed this sweet engagement session! If you’re looking for a wedding photographer, feel free to head to our contact form. We have a few dates left for 2018 weddings and are now booking 2019 weddings.