In search of a location that’s dog friendly, we went to Colonial Park for Alison & Anthony’s engagement session. Many couples are choosing to include their furry friends in some part of the wedding journey. One tip I always have for pets at an engagement session is to bring a friend to handle the dogs. A “pet wrangler” can be great to dangle that bag of treats you brought with you to get their attention. It’s really easy to get a dog to look at a camera when there is a bacon-ey smelling treat just above the lens. Our pet wrangler can also be helpful to hang on to the pooches while we grab photos of just the humans. Yes, we will leave the pups out for some. It’s ok, they’ll want the break from all that attention too.
I’ve known Alison for years because just like me, she’s a fellow business owner. Her lingerie boutique, Beneath It All, is located in downtown Somerville and she has always been such a huge supporter of my work. She’s referred me to her friends, family and customers for a couple of weddings, and now I finally had the chance to work with her and Anthony!
These two are getting the most out of their engagement session photos. They have these photos displayed around the house, got prints for their parents, and will be featuring them in a guest sign in book for the wedding!
They will be tying the knot at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ in the spring. Here are some favorites from their summer Colonial Park engagement session!
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What are you most looking forward to at the wedding?
“2020 reminded us to count our blessings, and I hope that we will be able to celebrate with family and friends on our big day.”
How did the engagement ring come to be?
“I am very particular, so Anthony didn’t even want to try to go out on his own. I was absolutely set on an antique stone, an original Edwardian setting with lots of period details, and emeralds (which are very rare in natural form, especially back then. Sapphires were much more common). I scoured the internet before we went to a small estate jeweler in Philly where I found the one. The ring is circa 1915, so this is not the first pandemic it has been through.”
How do you make each other laugh? How do you complete each other?
“It’s mostly Drago messing with me that makes Anthony laugh. Drago is super bright and very in tune with us, he tries very hard to understand and communicate. He absolutely knows that when Anthony is laughing, it means he is very happy, so he constantly finds ways to do so, generally at my expense. Whether it is stealing my slipper and galloping out into the yard, running to Anthony and hiding behind him when I try to pet him, or farting on me while we are watching TV, it is always something. Drago also thinks it is hysterical (aka Anthony laughs) when he messes with his “brother” Douglas (my dog). Anthony and I are both strong, stubborn, independent people and our mutual respect and balance of support is what carries us.”
What do you like to do together?
“We love our dogs (I converted Anthony from anti-dog to Drago being the apple of his eye), so we enjoy taking them for hikes , as well as taking them to “school” where we work with trainers in different canine sports.”
Why did you choose your venue/ what do you like most about it?
“Cape May is the first place we traveled as a couple looking for a romantic weekend, and we have been back every year since. It is a beautiful, magical place and I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else. Congress Hall is the grand dame, with 200 years of history and a gorgeous setting inside and out. I didn’t even bother to look at any other venues.”
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