Their Session: Jersey City

I’m still obsessing over Marissa and TJ’s Jersey City engagement session. Right when Marissa and TJ booked me as their wedding photographer they knew they wanted to have their engagement session in the place that they call home. Marissa and TJ adore their Jersey City apartment and knew that they wanted to document their time spent there by incorporating it in their engagement session. We began in-home where Marissa was sure to have chips, guacamole, and champagne all ready to go. We then headed to their rooftop for some champagne popping and finished at the waterfront overlooking the New York City Skyline. I swear by the end of this session I truly felt like I was hanging out with good friends. Marissa and TJ have this welcoming, magnetic energy that is contagious to be around. I swear I could have just stayed and hung out with them after their session was over! A very successful Jersey City engagement session!

Their Story

TJ and Marissa met senior year of college at Rutgers University at a mutual friend’s birthday party in Atlantic City. TJ arrived at the party and caught Marissa’s eye the second he stepped into the room. She didn’t know many people at the pregame, and found out later everyone was calling her “blue shoes” behind her back, because of the shoes she was wearing and not knowing her name! “TJ says he heard about “the girl in the blue shoes” and said “step aside fellas.” They hit it off right away, and the next day as they were heading home they realized that they lived on the same street! A couple days later, Marissa got a message on facebook from TJ saying that he got a letter that is addressed to her house and that he was going to come drop it off. Marissa’s first thought was that there was no “letter” and he just wanted to message her, but there actually was a birthday card mistakenly delivered to his house! The rest is history!

The Proposal

Every year for their birthdays and valentines day Marissa and TJ head back to the old stomping grounds at Rutgers and go to Steakhouse 85, which has become their favorite restaurant and a really special time for them to return to where we first met and connect. When they arrived at the restaurant their favorite table had a sign that said marry me, a bottle of champagne, a heart in tea-light candles on the table, and rose petals everywhere! Marissa turned around and TJ was on one knee! After this, they had a drink and ate a bit. Although Marissa confesses she barley could eat anything from all of the excitement. Then TJ tells her that all their friends and family are waiting for them back at their apartment on the roof for a party! He ordered champagne and Marissa’s sisters and friends helped decorate. “It was just perfect”.

I’m still booking for 2023! Head to my contact page to inquire now!