Southport Harbor Summer Engagement Session in Fairfield, CT | Jackie & Beau
A SOUTHPORT HARBOR SUMMER ENGAGEMENT SESSION
The summer season is definitely my favorite time of year to photograph engagement sessions at Southport Harbor in Fairfield, Connecticut! On sunny days, we’re given the most wonderful golden hour light to work with during the evenings, which is perfect for creating romantic and elegant portraits. After two rescheduled dates due to rain, the sun was out and Mother Nature was (finally) showing off during Jackie and Beau’s engagement session last week!
The area surrounding Southport Harbor is a quintessential New England neighborhood, filled with stunning historical houses. With the evening glow of the sun and the incredible homes that line the streets, there was no shortage of portrait locations for Arturo and me to photograph Beau and Jackie’s engagement portraits!
Jackie and I actually attended the same high school, so it’s been a fun treat to connect with her and meet her perfect match! She and Beau are a beautiful couple inside and out, and Arturo and I had an incredible time with them as we chatted about their wedding plans for next fall. These two were complete naturals in front of our cameras, which made them so much fun to photograph!
THE PROPOSAL STORY
On New Year’s Eve last year, Jackie and Beau took a trip to Vermont with four of their friends. That evening, they’d made plans to eat at the Hermitage Inn, one of their favorite restaurants in the area. When they arrived at the restaurant, the group went to the hostess stand to let her know they’d arrived for their reservation. The hostess replied that their table wasn’t ready yet, but almost immediately, another staff member came over and offered to give them a tour of the wine cellar.
They certainly weren’t going to pass on that opportunity, and excitedly accepted the offer. As everyone made their way downstairs to the wine cellar, there was a beautiful table set up with red roses, candles, and a bottle of champagne. Even at this point, Jackie had no idea a proposal was coming! Beau walked over to the table, popped the bottle of champagne, and began to give a toast. Before Jackie knew it, Beau got down on one knee and asked her to marry him!
These two are planning a fall wedding next September at The Inn at Longshore, and we cannot wait to celebrate them! Congratulations Jackie & Beau!
When did you know you'd found "the one"?
Jackie: “Beau and I originally met in college. We both started at ECSU and transferred to UConn. However, we didn't start dating until over a year after we graduated! We always had mutual friends and ended up reconnecting. On our first date, I realized what a sweet, charming, and caring person he was. He called me beautiful every chance he could, was always a gentleman and loved his family so much. I wouldn't say there was a moment where I thought he was the one, but rather a series of events that made me smile until ultimately I decided he was my perfect match.”
Beau: “It's hard for me to pinpoint one specific time when I realized that Jackie was ‘the one.’ I always admired her even long before we dated. I can vividly remember the first time I saw her as a freshman in college at ECSU and thought she was cute. We both transferred to UConn the next year and I always tried to talk to her. If I ran into her on campus my day was made, even if I only said, “Hi Jackie!” She made me nervous and all of my friends knew it. We didn't start dating until after graduating college so we've known each other a long time. In our eight years of dating my love for Jackie has never stopped growing and it always gets better. When did I know Jackie was ‘the one?’ Probably a combination of the first time I ever saw her as a college freshman, or when I witnessed her motivation to get a real estate license and bet on herself, or when we signed our first lease together and ordered a pizza and ate together outside the condo we had rented. But I am reminded that she is ‘the one’ every day.”
What's one thing you love about your partner?
Jackie: “I love how he shows me love. Whether asking for a kiss before I leave, cuddling at bedtime, complimenting me even on my worst days, or sending me a ‘miss you’ text, he has never stopped showing how much he loves me.”
Beau: “I love how Jackie takes care of people. She puts her family first and goes out of her way to ensure her grandmother and mom are happy and healthy. She takes time out of her busy schedule to volunteer weekly at a local rabbit rescue, and she does everything in her power to give prospective homeowners guidance during the most stressful and expensive purchase of their lives. On top of it all, she still finds time to keep our home spotless and occasionally cooks me dinner which is always a treat! I love that every day I am reassured that she will be an amazing wife and mother.”
Besides getting married, what is one thing you're looking forward to on your wedding day?
Jackie: “I am looking forward to seeing Beau for the first time. I know we both will be nervous as we are not used to being the center of attention, so seeing him will bring me the calming energy I need.”
Beau: “I'm looking forward to seeing Jackie for the first time in her wedding dress. She is not sharing any details with me at all so the suspense is already building. I am going to be so relieved and comforted when I see her and it will be the moment my nerves turn to joy. I hope that I'll be able to keep my emotions in check but I'm not making any guarantees!”
What's one thing you're looking forward to about marriage?
Jackie: “I am looking forward to having a partner in life with who I can share everything and who will always have my back.”
Beau: “I'm looking forward to building a family, growing, and traveling together. I’m excited to take life as it comes, the good and the bad, with my best friend at my side.”
I hope you enjoyed this summer engagement session at Southport Harbor! Do you know Jackie and Beau? Show them some love by commenting below!
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, and beyond. We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love.
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