Playland Park Engagement Session in Rye, NY | Elizabeth & Johnny

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Elizabeth and Johnny's sweet summer engagement session took place at Playland Park in Rye, NY, and it was such a special one to me for so many reasons! I spent countless summer days at Playland as a kid with my cousins, so taking a trip back there brought back so many wonderful memories! On top of that, Elizabeth's sister, Carolyn, is one of my dear friends and another talented wedding photographer. When Elizabeth first emailed me about her May 2019 wedding, she mentioned that Carolyn had recommended me. I was absolutely honored!! Soon after Elizabeth contacted me, Arturo and I met her and Johnny at a Starbucks one snowy Saturday morning last December. We all spent a good hour together chatting about them and their wedding plans. Friends, I can tell you right now that their day is going to be such a beautiful celebration!!

We spent the evening walking around Playland, stopping in front of some of the iconic rides. The warm summer air mixed with the sweet smell of treats and popcorn immediately brought me back to the excitement I would feel during my childhood visits to the park. Elizabeth and Johnny kept me laughing during their entire session! I just adore these two and loved seeing the connection they have! It turns out the diamond in Elizabeth's engagement ring came from Johnny's mother's engagement ring given to her by his father, who sadly passed away several years ago. Is that not a beautiful story and family heirloom?!

Johnny proposed to Elizabeth at the beach in Brigantine, New Jersey last summer, with the help of family and friends! Earlier that day, Carolyn had asked Elizabeth to model a dress for her to "see how it would photograph" for her own upcoming headshots. Meanwhile, Johnny rounded up some family and friends to decorate the famous Brigantine lifeguard boat with balloons for when it was time to pop the question; they had even decorated the walkway to the beach with streamers and balloons! Carolyn started photographing Elizabeth as they walked onto the beach and a few moments later, Johnny made his entrance. The tears immediately started for Elizabeth, and didn't stop! Johnny proposed, and as Elizabeth said yes, their song started playing on the lifeguard boat (little did Elizabeth know, Johnny's brother was hiding in the lifeguard stand with a speaker!). Johnny went on to reveal several more surprises that a few of their favorite people had come for the surprise (until this point, Elizabeth had no idea that anyone aside from Johnny or Carolyn were there with them)! He also mentioned that Elizabeth's family was waiting back at the beach out to surprise her and celebrate the couple. It turns out that the celebration wasn't going to stop that evening! Johnny had even gotten the next few days of work off for them both, and reserved a room for a few nights at a nearby hotel on the beach!!

Elizabeth and Johnny are getting married at Birch Hill Catering in Albany, New York next May and we are SO excited to see them tie the knot! Congratulations to the future Mr. & Mrs!