Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park Engagement Session in Oyster Bay, NY | Alyssa & Todd
A THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL PARK ENGAGEMENT SESSION
From the first time Arturo and I FaceTimed with Alyssa earlier this year, I knew she and Todd would be a fantastic couple to work with! I had such a blast with these two during their engagement session at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, New York earlier this week! Have you ever met someone for the first time, but after spending only a few minutes together, it feels like you've been friends forever? That's how my time with these guys felt as I snapped their engagement portraits. They are full of joy, love, and laughter, and I feel so thankful to now call them friends!
As it turns out, this is the same park where Todd and Alyssa got engaged last December (just wait until you read their proposal story below)! We had beautiful autumn weather and the most perfect golden hour glow for their engagement photos. The cool breeze flowed passed us as we walked along the water chatting about Alyssa and Todd’s wedding plans. The views of the water with sailboats scattered around were absolutely stunning. We even got a glimpse of Billy Joel’s house across the bay!
THE PROPOSAL STORY
Todd proposed on a chilly winter Sunday by the water in early December. He had let Alyssa know that he wanted to plan a day for the two of them with no questions asked since she had done the same for him about a month earlier. They started driving up to Oyster Bay around noon that day; the only thing Todd mentioned to Alyssa is that he had planned quite the day for them.
Walking at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay was something they did often together, so naturally, that was their first stop of the day. Todd told Alyssa it was to burn some calories before they ate and drank later on. They got out of the car and started walking along the pathway, closer and closer to the bay. As they strolled together, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds as the crisp winter air whipped past them. Todd led Alyssa to the spot where he wanted to pop the question, and conveniently there were no stragglers around which allowed them to have the whole area to themselves!
Todd had recruited a co-worker to take pictures for when the proposal was happening. As they approached his proposal spot, Todd could see his co-worker sitting on a bench about 50 yards away, wrapped in blankets looking like a person who was just enjoying the day. Alyssa mentioned that the person looked a little weird wrapped up in so many layers, but he quickly disregarded her comment. Before she could get any more suspicious, Todd quickly got down on one knee and asked Alyssa to marry him! Though he had a grand, perfectly planned speech, he didn’t say a single word of it. It wasn't until about 5 minutes after Alyssa said yes that he was able to tell her exactly what he’d wanted to say!
The surprises for Alyssa didn’t stop there; Todd had planned for their friends and family to meet up with them the proposal. As the two called their family and friends to tell them the exciting news, Todd had mentioned to Alyssa that they were going to celebrate their engagement with everyone later on in the day! Alyssa was ecstatic knowing that all of their favorite people were on Long Island. However, now that the stress of the proposal was over for Todd, he suggested that they grab a beer at the brewery around the corner, just the two of them so that they could unwind for a few minutes. When they walked into the brewery, both of their families were waiting there to surprise Alyssa! Over the next few hours, more family and friends continued to arrive and celebrate!
These two are getting married next summer at The Inn at Longshore in Westport, Connecticut. Arturo and I cannot wait to see their romantic coastal wedding day come to life! Congratulations Alyssa and Todd!!
Look at that beautiful engagement ring!
How sweet are these two together?!
I hope you enjoyed this fall engagement session at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park! Do you know Alyssa and Todd? 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.
Are you planning a proposal, engagement session or wedding?
There’s just something about a coastal Connecticut engagement session that will always have my heart. From the rocky beaches and sailboats drifting through the harbor to the soft, ever-changing New England light, the Connecticut shoreline creates a beautiful backdrop for engagement photos in every season. Samantha and Connor’s engagement session was the perfect example of why you don’t need perfect weather to create beautiful photographs!