Ever since I saw The Notebook, I’ve had a slight obsession with row boat engagement shoots. It’s as hopelessly romantic as it ever, ever gets and this Connecticut e-sesh is just another reason why. Jasmine Balgobin captured each moment to storybook perfection and you can pin to your hearts desire in the gorgeous gallery right here.
From the Bride… John and I met like in most storybook fairytales, on an obnoxious zebra-print stretch Hummer one summer night in 2010 while both out for a mutual friend’s birthday. When the night ended, we sat in my car until the sun came up, talking, laughing and getting to know one another. My life changed on that June night. He was unexpected and for a girl who hates surprises, he has become my most favorite surprise. I had never met someone like John. He made me laugh like I never laughed before. We were so similar and yet so opposite, balancing one another. We were a perfect fit and we fell in love quickly.
We had been dating a little over a year when John proposed. Knowing how much I love Christmas, John took me on the train to New York City to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. We were standing in front of the gigantic, glowing tree unsuccessfully attempting to take selfies when a young couple near us offered to take our picture. As the lovely stranger snapped a few pictures of us, John dropped to his knee and asked me to be his wife. It was magical and everything I had always imagined it would be.
Finding a photographer was probably the most important as well as the most difficult part of the engagement/wedding planning experience. We searched for a very long time and even interviewed a few photographers. They were all wonderful and talented but we didn’t click with any of them the way we had hoped for. With less then a year to go until our wedding day we finally found Jazzy and all of our photography troubles disappeared. Her work is absolutely amazing but her soul is even more beautiful. We met her for coffee at Starbucks and after an hour of chatting it was as if we had known her forever.
I wanted our engagement shoot to be romantic and truly showcase our love and playfulness. Just a few minutes away from our home there is the most perfect and serene lake, surrounded by the greenest of trees and beautiful wildlife. We spent two hours rowing through the lily pads, joking, laughing and holding one another. The day began cloudy but just when finishing up the sunset peaked through the clouds, a perfect way to end the shoot. It was a dream date and one that we are thankful was captured so beautifully.
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck | Hair: Cakes To Di For | Beauty: Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar | Lace Dress: Free People