The Coziest Fall Engagement in New York City
You've seen the interior design work of Veronica Valencia over on SMP Living, but today she's stepping in front of the camera as a New York bride-to-be. Love Ala captured Veronica and Kris' adventures through the city, and if you ask me this gallery is all the cozy, autumn inspiration you'll ever need.
From the bride, Veronica Valencia... I think about my life before Kris and then I think about my life after Kris and the only way to accurately equate that transition is to night and day. When we met, that is truly when my life started. A workaholic interior designer, working in the television industry was what I lived for. So when I was offered the opportunity of taking a job on a four month design show in New York, I went. I remember it clear as day. Landing on a red eye at JFK I drove into Jersey where our production offices were. Kris immediately ran out and introduced himself to me. (Apparently he fell out of his chair when I walked by his office, but you didn't hear that from me ;) He was kind, with a huge smile and a NY cap on. He listened to Frank Sinatra when he drove our crew to the subway. He was patient and had this excitement in his step.... An energy that I unknowingly, completely gravitated towards more and more every day. He was special.
32 days after meeting, we fell in love. It only took 32 days. Kris born and raised in the Bronx is the epitome of a New Yorker. He had recently purchased an apartment in Manhattan, his whole life in the city... And then I happened. He leaped. We both leaped. With both feet in the air, we took a chance on each other.
Cut to 4 years later, Kris and I have created a life on both the East and West Coast that I do not take for granted. When we met, the crazy creative in me had all of these ideas and dreams, and the business savvy, practical Kristopher and I merged forces. We started our version of a modern day design company. We honestly just wanted to do life together. I don't think it mattered what career path it was. Working towards our future was the main priority, whatever that was destined to be... And we haven’t stopped. We live together. We work together. We problem solve together. We celebrate and dream together. We evolve together. More importantly we love together.
After Kris and I worked on a TV show in Atlanta last summer, my family had decided on taking a long over due family trip to New York. We were so excited to introduce our families and show my parents around our neighborhood.
I’m not going to lie, him proposing during this trip definitely crossed my mind. When my family arrived, I obsessively thought about it, however a day in Central Park and 3 days into the trip nothing happened. So, I stopped thinking and started to enjoy all of the moments we were creating….. Then BAM! In the middle of Manhattan, in his high school church, with only my family, he walked me up to the alter and popped the question. The church is SO beautiful. It honestly felt as if we were in a different country! With incredible Neo-Baroque architectural details, St. Francis Xavier Church was founded in the 1800’s and designed by an incredible Brooklyn based architect. The designer in me was even more overwhelmed! You felt the history. You felt the love. You felt it all! I cried and was so overwhelmed with emotions.
Every thing was kind of in slow motion from there. My siblings were in on it, my mom wasn’t so she fell to her knees crying, we all died of laughter and then my dad took us all to a Mets/Dodgers game. We ended the night with a private party at the Frying Pan, a 1920's, previously abandoned 133 foot boat overlooking the Hudson River. We celebrated till the sun came up with our New York family! Magical is an understatement.
32 days after meeting, we fell in love. It only took 32 days. Kris born and raised in the Bronx is the epitome of a New Yorker. He had recently purchased an apartment in Manhattan, his whole life in the city... And then I happened. He leaped. We both leaped. With both feet in the air, we took a chance on each other.
Cut to 4 years later, Kris and I have created a life on both the East and West Coast that I do not take for granted. When we met, the crazy creative in me had all of these ideas and dreams, and the business savvy, practical Kristopher and I merged forces. We started our version of a modern day design company. We honestly just wanted to do life together. I don't think it mattered what career path it was. Working towards our future was the main priority, whatever that was destined to be... And we haven’t stopped. We live together. We work together. We problem solve together. We celebrate and dream together. We evolve together. More importantly we love together.
PROPOSAL STORY
After Kris and I worked on a TV show in Atlanta last summer, my family had decided on taking a long over due family trip to New York. We were so excited to introduce our families and show my parents around our neighborhood.
I’m not going to lie, him proposing during this trip definitely crossed my mind. When my family arrived, I obsessively thought about it, however a day in Central Park and 3 days into the trip nothing happened. So, I stopped thinking and started to enjoy all of the moments we were creating….. Then BAM! In the middle of Manhattan, in his high school church, with only my family, he walked me up to the alter and popped the question. The church is SO beautiful. It honestly felt as if we were in a different country! With incredible Neo-Baroque architectural details, St. Francis Xavier Church was founded in the 1800’s and designed by an incredible Brooklyn based architect. The designer in me was even more overwhelmed! You felt the history. You felt the love. You felt it all! I cried and was so overwhelmed with emotions.
Every thing was kind of in slow motion from there. My siblings were in on it, my mom wasn’t so she fell to her knees crying, we all died of laughter and then my dad took us all to a Mets/Dodgers game. We ended the night with a private party at the Frying Pan, a 1920's, previously abandoned 133 foot boat overlooking the Hudson River. We celebrated till the sun came up with our New York family! Magical is an understatement.
ENGAGEMENT SHOOT
Kris and I are around cameras and photographers a majority of the year and we know the importance of documenting moments. Having someone special capture us in our element was #1. Ala Cortez of Love Ala has been a long time, dear friend of mine. The goal for our engagement shoot was simple. We wanted to spend it like any other weekend. Wake up at the crack of dawn (who am I kidding! I like my sleep)... Well for this special day we woke up before the sun came up, got ready and went about our typical Sunday. We wanted to spend this special day, doing exactly what we do every Sunday. Only this time we have our talented friend capturing every moment.
Our NY home is one block from the High Line and whenever we are in town, we spend every weekend walking this elevated garden path from Chelsea to the Meat Packing District. We love to stop at The Standard Grill and have a cup of coffee to start the day. Next we walk through the cobble stone streets of the West Village where Kris worked in his early 20's. He has the most memorable night life stories..... I swear he is the best tour guide, but then again I'm bias.. The quaint downtown streets are beautiful and have so much character! Lastly, we always 100% end our mornings and start our afternoon at easily the #1 brunch spot in Manhattan.... COOKSHOP! We are so obsessed, it’s a problem. It's always our first and last meal when we come in and out of New York. Capturing moments here were important to us because they embody the essence of Kris and I.
We love traveling, we love road trips, we love brunching and cocktails and we love being around a bustling community. I am certain there is nothing better than enjoying conversations with loved ones, over a sizzling plate of huevo rancheros, accompanied by spicy margaritas and bloody marys that remind you of how amazing life can be.
One may think the shoot seems staged, but it truly was us in our element. I look at them every day and it tickles me with excitement in anticipation of our future. I can’t wait to be that old couple showing our grandchildren all of the fun we had as young adults. Maybe it will inspire them to go and embrace each day like their grandparents did in “the good ol’ days”. Maybe it will show them that true love does and always will exist.