Last month, I went up to Jersey City for Melissa and Larry’s Liberty State Park Engagement Session. Jersey City holds a special place in their hearts because Larry had an apartment there while Melissa was living in Queens. They would have date nights all over Jersey City and really got to know the area well. Melissa and Larry loved Liberty State Park as their engagement shoot location for all the same reasons I do – the beautiful views of NYC but in our home state of NJ. These two are constantly traveling back and forth from NJ to NY to visit friends and family so this was the perfect in-between location for them.

We had perfect weather on the day of the engagement session. Not only that, but the fall foliage was so pretty that day and we were able to get some gorgeous color in natural settings while we waited for the light to be just right for their waterfront portraits. I love the images we created that day – not just because of the beautiful setting but because Melissa and Larry were such naturals and their images reflect that.

I so enjoyed getting to know Melissa and Larry and hearing about their wedding plans for next October! I’m sure the time is going to fly by but for now, enjoy getting a peek at their engagement photos below!

Jersey City Engagement Photos

How they met

We met on a football Sunday in 2015, at Off the Wagon bar in the village NYC. I was out celebrating my friend’s engagement and Larry was out with friends visiting the city with him for weekend. My friend really wanted me to go talk to Larry and his friends and hopefully exchange numbers. So I did. To get Larry’s attention I asked him to take our photo hoping he would linger but he didn’t… so I had to make more of an effort to start conversation with him. We both bonded being that we are both Giants fans and excited to see the first game of the season, and eventually I was able to get his number. He said he would text me so we could grab a drink another day. He didn’t waste time and messaged me and we set up a date that following Wednesday.

Their first date

Larry tried really hard to impress me, so he wanted to take me to the rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Unfortunately he didn’t look at times of the bar, so when I arrived, the place was closing. Not to mention, Larry didn’t know his way around the city so he paid an extremely expensive cab to make sure he wasn’t late to meet me. Since the place was closed, we decided to walk on 3rd avenue and found a sushi spot, I wish I could remember the name! The effort was what counts!

When she knew she had found the one

When we first started dating, 2 months in I sprained my ankle. Larry was with me everyday. Driving to see me from Jersey City to Queens, to make sure I was okay. We were still very new to the relationship but his care for me, made me feel special. I knew he was someone special because he was patient with me & it never seem to bother him. He did everything from his heart.

The proposal

My nephews were graduating in June, so I planned a graduation party for them at our home. My family was over my house and we were all having a great time, the perfect summer day! Then it started to rain, so we moved the party inside. My whole family was getting ready to take family photos, and Larry was taking the photo with his phone. They asked Larry to join in on the picture & instead of standing next to me, he kneeled on one knee, and opened the box. I immediately started to cry while everyone was cheering! I couldn’t stop crying, I was in shock! Happy and shocked at the same time! I couldn’t believe this was the moment I have been waiting for my whole life.  Of course I said yes :) completely unexpected! I’m also shocked Larry decided to do this in public, but in front of our family was the perfect way to propose!

All about the ring

I love Larry but I knew if I wanted a ring I would LOVE, he would need some outside help! I always wanted a simple, classic ring, white gold, cushion cut with diamond on side. Very simple. I trusted our friends Annie & Alfredo (whom have been married for 4 years) with a photo of exactly I wanted and told Larry to go to them whenever he was ready.  Sure enough he did! The ring was 2 sizes too big, (I gave him the wrong size) but it was exactly what I wanted! Larry told me it took him about 20 minutes in the store. He went in on a Monday, picked up the ring the next day and proposed that weekend, it was that quick. I always knew we would eventually get married but didn’t expect him to propose in the summer.

One thing she loves about him

This sounds cliche, but I love that Larry makes me a better person. I learned to have more about patience  through him. He is my complete opposite and I believe that is why we work so well. We enjoy the simple things in life as well.  Whenever it’s staying home on a raining day watching sports or staying up late at night listening to music. We enjoy our differences and enjoy sharing them with one another. I love that we are both family-oriented as well as have a small group of friends. We allow each other to be our true selves

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