walnut-beach-engagement-session-milford-connecticut-top-ct-nyc-destination-wedding-photographer-shaina-lee-photography-photo

We had the most beautiful golden hour sunset at Emelia and Jon's Walnut Beach engagement session in Milford, Connecticut on Sunday!! The crisp October breeze gently blew against our faces as Arturo and I photographed the future Mr. & Mrs. Compared to the crazy humidity we'd had the weekend before, the four of us were so happy to finally be able to enjoy the autumn weather with sand between our toes at the beach! As soon as I chatted with Emelia on the phone about her wedding plans, I knew we'd get along splendidly! She's a fourth grade teacher and Jon an engineer, and let me tell you, they are a perfect match!

Jon proposed shortly before Labor Day Weekend. Knowing that Emelia is hard to surprise, Jon convinced her that they were going to go away for the weekend and that he was going to propose at the beach. She knew a proposal was coming that weekend anyway, so he let little pieces of information "slip" to lead her into thinking she had it all figured out! The night before, he had her pack a bag, and she cleaned the entire apartment thinking that they wouldn't be back until the following Monday. The next morning Emelia went off to her cycling class because Jon "had to get a few more things ready." Throughout the entire class, the cycling instructor motivated the class by talking about how everyone has their own journey and adventure. When Emelia got off her bike, her instructor, who is also a close friend, brought her two envelopes and said, "Your adventure isn't over yet!" Emelia turned to see her mom waiting for her while taking pictures, and immediately realized what was happening! She opened the two envelopes, one included the "rules" for the day and the other was a clue leading Emelia to her mom's house. Once she arrived at her mother's house, their pup, Jax, greeted Emelia with another clue. She took some time to shower and put on some nice clothes. She then went to get her next clue, in her mom's Cards Against Humanity box. This highly inappropriate game is a big joke for Emelia and Jon because they played it the first time he met her mom, brother, and sister. That next clue led Emelia to their first date spot, a local coffee shop, where her brother and sister were waiting to give her another clue! That clue led her to her dad's nursing home where he presented her with another clue. It led her to the house of the family that she babysits for. This stop was especially special because Emelia has a very special bond with the family and especially the children, as they feel like her own kids. She was so overwhelmed with emotion that they were included! They gave her the final clue that led her to Jon, who was waiting at the reservoir behind their apartment. Before getting down on one knee, he explained that they had made a home there and that he wanted to continue making a home with her. He knelt down on one knee and held up the ring... UPSIDE DOWN!! Emelia giggled out a yes before telling him, in her kindest teacher voice, that he was holding the box upside down. Jon laughed and quickly fixed it before slipping the ring on her finger. After that they sat down and drank a glass of champagne on the blanket he had packed before heading off to spend the rest of the weekend celebrating with family! I don't know about you guys, but my eyes definitely welled up with tears when I heard their beautiful proposal story!

Emelia and Jon are getting married at The Waterview in Monroe, Connecticut next July! Arturo and I are so excited to celebrate these two sweet souls on their big day!

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

Emelia: "One night, after cooking a spaghetti dinner, Jon threw the cold, leftover spaghetti at me. It was then that I realized he has the same mischievous, playful streak as I do."

Jon: "One of our first dates together when we went back to our college (UConn) for a basketball game. It was so easy and comfortable and fun."