Longwood Gardens Engagement Photos - NJ Wedding Photographer

It’s here, my first engagement session of 2020! Last month, I got to capture Maggie and Justin for their winter engagement session and they chose Longwood Gardens, one of my favorite places for engagement sessions. Maggie lives in Connecticut and Justin lives in New Jersey, so these two are used to a lot of driving and didn’t mind going out to PA for their engagement session. Personally, I was so happy to be back at this stunning location, and Maggie and Justin were a pleasure to work with! Winter engagements can be… well, cold,… but Longwood Gardens gave us plenty of indoor areas for most of our session and then Maggie and Justin were troopers during the portion of the session that we did outdoors!

These two met thanks to strong encouragement from a mutual friend (now one of Maggie’s bridesmaids) and, a little over a year later, Justin proposed to Maggie. These two are planning a traditional, elegant, and romantic summer wedding at The Manor and it’s going to be here in exactly six months from today! Something tells me this time is going to fly by for them and you’ll see them back on the blog real soon. In the meantime, enjoy a few highlights from my time with them!

Longwood Gardens Engagement Photos by Idalia Photography Engagement session at Longwood Gardens Groom dipping bride during Longwood Gardens Engagement Couple laughing while posing for photos

Their first date

Maggie: Our first date lasted five wonderful hours and included a romantic dinner, fine wine, abundant laughter, and an unexpected parking ticket. It was a night we will always remember!

Romantic engagement photo in greenhouse at Longwood Gardens Classic engagement photos Posing ideas for engagement photos

When they knew they had found the one

Justin: I fell in love with Maggie while we were decorating our Christmas Tree in December 2018. She filled the room with such excitement and joy and made that day so special. I remember thinking to myself that I wanted to be that happy forever.

Maggie: I fell in love with Justin during that same weekend. We had a busy weekend picking out, cutting down, and decorating our first Christmas Tree together. I will always remember how I did not want that weekend and my feelings of love to ever end.

Romantic pose for engagement session Longwood Gardens engagement posed photos of bride and groom during engagement session Lush gardens at Longwood Gardens

The proposal

Maggie: The proposal took place during our winter vacation in Maine. On the first day of our vacation, we made dinner plans with Justin’s brother (Matthew) and sister-in-law (Molly). Before we got ready, Matthew and Molly (per Justin’s plan) called from the car and recommended stopping at Portland Head Light to see the sunset prior to dinner. We happily agreed.

When we reached Portland Head Light, Matthew and Molly had not yet arrived (or so I thought). Despite this, Justin recommended going to see the lighthouse while we waited. I was reluctant due to the 30-degree temperature and my outfit (a dress), but Justin kindly persisted. After trekking through some snow, we landed at the perfect vantage point. It was there that Justin got down on one knee (in the snow) and asked me to marry him. At that moment, Matthew, Molly, and Justin’s father appeared to congratulate us and take pictures (they were there the entire time!).

After I called my family and close friends to inform them of the engagement, we took off for dinner in Portland as originally planned. When we arrived at the restaurant, it had not yet opened for the night and was empty inside. I was looking for Matthew and Molly but did not see them anywhere as we ascended from one level of the restaurant to the next. When we finally arrived at a private dining room on the third floor, there was a surprise engagement dinner arranged by Justin that included many family members and close friends. It was a night we will always remember and cherish – the beginning of our forever.

All about the ring

Maggie: The ring is everything I could have ever imagined! Justin did all the research and picked it out on his own! I only told him that I wanted a classic, solitaire style. He did a wonderful job!

One thing they love about each other

Justin: I love Maggie’s sense of adventure. She is continually open to new experiences and we have so much fun exploring the world together.

Maggie: I love Justin’s sense of humor and sense of adventure. He always makes me smile and laugh each day. We have so much fun together, whether we are just going to the grocery store or taking a long trip together.