happy

“I’ve been giving her toy rings for the last 10 days” Adam said with a smirk. All I could do is laugh, I could not even imagine what I would do if my boyfriend gave me toy rings when I was ready for the real one. Adam had it all figured out, he was going to mess around with Nicole all the way up until New Years Eve morning. Then, as they walk casually to dinner through Rittenhouse Square, Adam would get down on one knee and ask Nicole to spend the rest of her life with him. His plan was thoughtful, unique and fun. Let me tell you guys, nothing beat the look on Nicole’s face when she finally got her diamond ring. Complete and total joy.

Adam and I met up the day before, we planned it all out. Where I was going to stand, where he was going to propose, which way Nicole was going to be facing and where Robert, my second shooter for the day, was going to be standing. We even spent our time, watching as the sunset and the lights turned on, picking the perfect time for Adam to propose.

Adam and Nicole are what I consider one amazing couple. You could tell from just looking at them that their house is never boring, they are always laughing, messing around and having a great time. You could feel the love, happiness and respect is between them from a mile away.

Witnessing their proposal warmed my heart on so many levels. Adam and Nicole’s excitement made me giddy for the rest of the day.  Once we took a few engagement photos, we all went to grab a cup of coffee from La Colombe. Nicole pulled me aside and showed me a toy ring she bought Adam. Those two are meant to be.

Courtney was one of the first people I met at the University of Maryland. I remember like it was yesterday, we were sitting in the kitchen at Cornerstone Grill and Loft during my second training shift when we started chatting about this guy named Gary…apparently “he was super cute.” We bonded quickly and I felt like I finally made a friend at college and I could not have be happier.

All through school, I remember running into Courtney and Gary either at the court yard near our apartments, at the local bars, on the beautiful campus, in the cafe at the library, etc… Everywhere I turned, there they were, being cute and in love.

As time went on, I had the chance to really get to know Courtney and Gary. Courtney turned out to be the best, first friend a college girl could ask for. Courtney is smart, easy going, intelligent and always fun to be around. Gary ended up being way more than just super cute, he is definitely one the sweetest guys I met during my time at UMD and his excitement for life is contagious. Watching the two of them together has always made my heart smile.

Fast forward a few years and there we were, the three of us, back in College Park, MD walking across the mall towards the kissing bridge and all I could feel was complete and total joy to be back there with those two. Maryland meant a lot of things to me, but the people I met, the friendships I made, are irreplaceable.

Seeing Courtney & Gary together, planning their wedding, talking about their future felt as right as peanut butter and jelly. You could tell, by just looking at them, that they have been through thick and thin and nothing will knock them down. They are best friends, partners for life and each others biggest supporters and it was an honor photographing their engagement session. It really felt like I was capturing the past, present and future all in one moment and in one very special place.

Courtney, Gary… I cannot tell you how excited I am to be able to continue to witness and capture your love story on June 16th when you finally tie the knot!

Love always,

Yael

As my second shooter and I walked in to the gorgeous suite at the National Harbor, I only noticed one thing, a beautiful bride getting her hair and make-up touched up right before she was ready to start one of the best days of her life. Coreene’s smile and elegance shined through and through on her wedding day and I couldn’t be more delighted that we were the ones to capture it. Her dress fit her perfectly, her nieces were dancing the entire time and her handsome Groom, Brandon, couldn’t take his eyes off her.

The ceremony was stunning and intimate, the smiles were full and warm and the bridal party was full of laughter and happiness. When I was driving from the church to the venue, I was thinking to myself, it couldn’t get any better than this… then I saw it, the magnificent reception tent, decorated in a sophisticated and tasteful manner, and now I thought to myself, “WOW.” Coreene and Brandon sure know how to throw a party.

After heartfelt toasts, parent-dances and the cake cutting there was only one thing left for Coreene and Brandon to do… dance their guests of out the reception tent. Let me explain myself, they didn’t just dance, they danced, marched and led the crowd as the two of them held these awesome umbrellas while all of their family and friends followed them swinging embroidered handkerchiefs in the air.  Let me tell you, this New Orlean’s tradition blew this East Coaster away. I loved every second of it. The energy and vibrance of the crowd as they marched the Bride and Groom out of the tent and into the next stage of their lives was incredible to witness.

It was a gorgeous wedding, with incredible people and left me feeling all warm inside the entire drive back up to Philadelphia.

Thank you for the memories Coreene and Brandon : )