Yale University Engagement Session in New Haven, CT | Kelsey & Kyle

A YALE UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Kelsey and Kyle’s summer engagement session at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut was a photographer’s dream. Though it was humid and the sun kept peeking in and out from behind the clouds, the lighting was wonderful to create some beautiful engagement photos for these two! The Yale campus in downtown New Haven has always been one of my favorite places to photograph couples due to it’s gorgeous architecture.

We started off in front of Sterling Memorial Library, chatting about Kyle and Kelsey’s wedding plans for their upcoming celebration this fall. They have an all-star lineup of vendors who we cannot wait to work with again! The three of us enjoyed strolling around the library’s courtyard, stopping every so often to capture some romantic portraits and admire the history of Yale University!

THE PROPOSAL STORY

This past holiday season, Kyle and Kelsey had been planning a trip to New York City to see some of the Christmas lights and have a nice fun night out. As it turns out, the weather forecast for the weekend they’d planned their NYC trip was 100% chance of rain. Kelsey wanted to push the trip to a different weekend, but Kyle was insisting that they go that specific weekend and just bundle up against the weather. That’s when Kelsey first had a feeling this trip was more than just a visit to the city, so she decided to follow Kyle’s advice and proceed with their plans.

When the two arrived in New York they checked into their hotel, which overlooked The High Line and the Hudson River. Kelsey and Kyle could literally lay in bed and stare at the Statue of Liberty! They walked around Chelsea Market, where Kyle bought Kelsey a flower before they set off to stroll along The High Line. Being an urban planner, The High Line has a special place in Kelsey’s heart, and it was also somewhere she and Kyle had talked about visiting to pay homage to a planning masterpiece. As they were walking Kyle slowed down and said, “Hold on, I have to tie my shoe.” All of a sudden from the corner of her eye, Kelsey noticed a photographer pop out of the bushes. She turned around and there was Kyle, kneeling on the wet ground, asking Kelsey to be his wife! She said yes with much excitement, and described it to be the perfect proposal, rain included!

Kelsey and Kyle are sharing their wedding day with family and friends at Penfield Pavilion in Fairfield, Connecticut this November. Arturo and I are so excited to celebrate them both!

When did you know you'd found "the one"?

Kelsey: “I knew Kyle was the one pretty early on in the relationship. For me there wasn’t that one defining moment. After the first few months (meeting his friends, a tropical vacation, and nights just chilling on the couch) I felt completely at ease, like this is exactly where I belong and what I want to do for the rest of my life. I knew that relaxed yet excited feeling was special, that it was love.”

Kyle: “From the very beginning I felt like this was something special. I don't know if there is one defining moment as much as it being a million little amazing ones all pointing me in the direction of us, together forever. When you are comfortable enough with your partner that your best self and your true self become one and the same, you know you're onto something big.”

What's one thing you love about your partner?

Kelsey: “I absolutely love how willing Kyle is to having a conversation and openly express his opinions and feelings, even if we don't share the same one. I can be very blunt and Kyle isn’t afraid to challenge me to see something from a different perspective and compromise. He truly makes me a better person.”

Kyle: “If laughter is the greatest cure, then we are in no short supply. I love how much we are able to laugh together no matter what life throws our way. Through the good times and the bad, we always have each other's back.”

Besides getting married, what is one thing you're looking forward to on your wedding day?

Kelsey: “I'm really looking forward to a massive dance party with my friends. I love to dance but don't really feel like I get enough opportunities to do so.”

Kyle: “I can't wait to look around the room and see such an amazing collection of human beings all in one place together celebrating our love and union. We are so thankful for everyone that helped us become the people we needed to be to find each other.”

What's one thing you're looking forward to about marriage?

Kelsey: “Finally having an official thing that validates your feelings. I have no doubt Kyle feels the same ways that I do about him but marriage is just that official stamp of ‘See, I want the world to know how much you mean to me’.”

Kyle: “I'm looking forward to everything that comes next, and the person that I get to share it with.”

I hope you enjoyed this Yale University engagement session!  Do you know Kelsey and Kyle?  Show them some love by commenting below!


ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, Hawaii and beyond.  We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love. 

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