Connecticut River Museum Engagement Session in Essex, CT | Melissa & Jamie
A COASTAL ESSEX, CONNECTICUT ENGAGEMENT SESSION
It may sound a little crazy after you read my description of the weather we had that day, but Melissa and Jamie’s Essex, Connecticut engagement session was a dream!! During the span of their portrait time, we had wind, gray skies, drizzle, sun showers, and sunshine, all of which played a beautiful part in their photos. Our evening ended with a stunning double rainbow arched across the Connecticut River. For two people who said they were nervous about being in front of the camera, these two absolutely ROCKED their engagement session!
Though I’ve lived in Connecticut my entire life, I had never visited the sweet little town of Essex! It has the perfect mix of New England charm and coastal vibes, as it sits right on the Connecticut River. We started with portraits at the Connecticut River Museum, which boasted picturesque views of the river and plenty of sailboats. The skies were definitely gray and cloudy; we could hear thunder getting closer and closer as the winds picked up (I think I may have even spotted a bolt of lightening!). We had to make time for a quick break during a heavy downpour, so Melissa and Jamie took me on a tour of the town. As we were driving around, I couldn’t help but gush at the historical buildings that lined the streets!
We made our way to the Essex Yacht Club (where Jamie and Melissa will be celebrating their wedding day this weekend!), and discovered a stunning double rainbow!! Luckily the rain had cleared, so I positioned the two of them on the lawn area where their tented wedding reception will be taking place. We eventually made our way down to the dock to snap some additional romantic portraits in front of the rainbow!
THE PROPOSAL STORY
On the day Jamie proposed, he and Melissa were attending a country music festival in Nashville, Tennessee. They both share a love of country music and have attended this same festival several times. One night Melissa and Jamie were crossing a bridge in downtown Nashville along with thousands of other people, heading to the stadium where the evening concerts took place. All of a sudden, in the middle of the bridge, Jamie got down on one knee and asked Melissa to marry him! Completely overwhelmed with emotion and disbelief that a proposal was actually happening, all Melissa could say was “No, no, no.” Everyone around them had stopped to watch the sweet moment, and someone in the crowd yelled, “So is that a yes?!” Melissa then burst out a huge “YES!” with great excitement!
Congratulations Melissa and Jamie! We cannot wait for your beautiful wedding day!
How sweet are these two?!
Look at those views!
The wind was definitely working in our favor that day!
Can you see that double rainbow?
I hope you enjoyed this coastal summer engagement session at the Connecticut River Museum! Do you know Melissa and Jamie? 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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There’s something pretty magical about the way love can make two people forget everything else around them. When you add an early fall afternoon, beautiful gardens, and the timeless architecture of Waveny House, you have all the ingredients for an unforgettable engagement session.