Lauren, Chris, and I were passing ships in high school. We went to the same school but never knew each other at the time. I shot her friend’s wedding a couple years back and met here there. I guess I left an impression in her mind because she called me a couple years later to ask me to be her photographer for wedding. Appleford Estate‘s garden offered so many secluded area to choose from for an engagement session all filled with beautiful greenery and hidden gems. Since it was a quiet weeknight, we pretty much had the place to ourselves which is always my preference. No one likes to be photographed in a location with lots of on lookers ogling at a sometimes nervous couple.
Lauren & Chris ordered standout wall prints to hang in their living room, plus Lauren will be turning smaller prints into her own personalized scrapbook. They also got some large prints to give to their loved ones as Christmas gifts!
This garden engagement session was a long time coming for these two! They first met in high school in around 2005, but didn’t start dating until 2013. After waiting a long 8 years, they went on what Lauren considers their first date. They went to see a Somerset Patriots game, and while Lauren didn’t think it was a first date at first, as he walked her to her car, he kissed her goodnight. “I had waited 8 years for that kiss!” is what Lauren has to say about that!
The Proposal
Chris had originally planned to propose at the end of summer 2018, but a broken finger made him postpone until October. They had planned a night out in Philly to the restaurant Moshulu, set aboard this historic ship on the Delaware. Lauren had her suspicions because it’s not often they go out to a fancy dinner on a week night. She excused herself from the table to take a mini tour of the ship, “(you know, in case he wanted to get the waitress involved, this should buy him some time).”
When she got back to the table, she looked at her recently appeared wine glass – no ring. They got their food – no ring hidden there. Then their creme brûlée came, carried by a waitress with what Lauren could have sworn was some sort of signal that this was her moment, but – no ring. They take a romantic walk on the top deck after dinner, a more secluded spot with fire pits and twinkly lights, but again – no ring.
They drive home, and Lauren reminded herself that it was a great date to a place they had been wanting to go to for a long time. She reached the front step go to inside the house, and Chris grabbed her by the arm. He held up the ring (in the dark so she couldn’t really see what it was exactly) and said “Hey, I love you. Wanna get married?” After allll of that, he still managed to make her jaw hit the floor because at that point, she was not at all expecting it.
After 15 years, these two will be getting married in March at Rivercrest Golf Club & Preserve. Here’s some favorites from their Appleford Estate engagement session!
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Just thinking of all the Pokemon these PokemonGo lovers must have caught on this day.
Lover of blue, this sapphire ring is the perfect fit for Lauren. Shout out to Testa Jewelers for the bling!
When did you realize you partner was “the one”?
Chris: When we realized a good night out was downing a few beers and splitting a pizza.
Lauren: I had a crush on him since high school, but it took him a while to catch on =P I realized he was my person when I didn’t have to hide myself or walk on eggshells around him. And no matter how weird or goofy I am, he still sticks around!
Lauren & Chris are ultimate frisbee champs! A garden engagement session was the perfect opportunity to tie in one of their main hobbies!
How do you make each other laugh? How do you complete each other?
Chris: sarcasm and some good old slapstick humor.
Lauren: We quote shows/movies, do silly voices, surprise tickles and we playfully mock each other. I swear its all in good fun.
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