Going to New York City is always such a treat! Especially when it involves a couple in love and sunset on the East River!
I met with Katie and John in their NYC neighborhood and we took a stroll around nearby Carl Schurz Park and along the river. The day could not have been more perfect! I loved spending an afternoon getting to know them, their love story, and plans for their honeymoon and spending their first Christmas as Mr. & Mrs. in Paris!!!
They are seriously taking romance to the next level!!
Here is Katie and John's love story:
HOW THEY MET
"We met at a Friendsgiving fundraiser at the New York Common Pantry (a local food pantry) in November 2016. Living eight blocks apart on the Upper East Side, we did not know each other but our dear friend Emma had plans for us. For months prior to us meeting and without our knowledge, Emma would try to get us in the same place at the same time. As busy New Yorkers, this is more difficult than it sounds! Finally, Emma knew Katie was attending Eve Michael's Friendsgiving fundraiser for the New York Common Pantry and encouraged John to come and support a good cause. A few weeks later, Katie walked into the event and immediately noticed John while he was mingling with Emma and her boyfriend Eli, who is one of John's oldest friends. They were enjoying cocktails with a larger group and Katie thought John was really handsome, but assumed he must be there with somebody. Katie subtly looked around as she sipped her wine and realized she was in luck - he was there alone! Katie saved John a seat at the dinner table and they hit it off. After a nightcap at Bar Coastal with Emma and Eli, John asked for Katie's number and as they say, the rest is history!"
THEIR FIRST DATE
"Our first date was drinks and dinner at a tapas bar called Pio Pio on the Upper East Side. We had a blast getting to know each other over delicious food and wine. We fit the date in after work on the Monday night before John went home for Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, John proposed a second date on a Saturday. The Friday afternoon before the date, John texted Katie, "Can I call an audible for tomorrow?" Katie responded "Sure! But what's an audible?". John said "That's adorable. Can I pick you up earlier tomorrow?" Katie said of course. This was the first of many surprises John had for Katie in their relationship. John picked Katie up that Saturday at her apartment, not telling her where they were going. They got in a cab to the 34th street ferry station. We got on a ferry to Brooklyn. Turns out John wanted to start the date earlier so they could catch the sunset as they walked across the Brooklyn Bridge back to New York City. Katie melted. Once they got back to Manhattan, they had a drink in the South Street Seaport, followed by dinner in the Upper East Side. After that date, Katie walked away feeling warmer when she spent time with John and she knew this had a future!"
HOW HE PROPOSED
"John asked Katie to marry him on vacation in St. John on December 20th - exactly a year before we get married! John's coworker and good friend is from St. John. When we decided we wanted to do a vacation just the two of us in 2018, Kaitlyn encouraged us to explore her home! We thought St. John was the perfect escape. The day we got engaged, Kaitlyn and her friend Cynthia showed us ALL around the island. We were so busy that Katie had no clue that later that day, John would propose. All three of them convinced Katie that wine and cheese on the beach at sunset was a popular thing for the locals to do. That sounded like heaven to Katie! John suggested they do that at Trunk Bay Beach, the most beautiful beach on the island. Per Kaitlyn's suggestion, John hired Cynthia's sister Sarah to take photos of the engagement. It was all so perfect - a moment we will never forget!"
Katie and John love to cook at home and host their family and friends at their apartment for dinners and watching Ravens games. They also love to explore new restaurants and places, and love to travel. Their guilty pleasure is watching all the Bravo shows!
WHAT SHE LOVES ABOUT HIM
"I love his spirit, his energy and how he makes everyone feel at ease, especially me. I love how he loves me for exactly who I am and has made me a better person, who is even more comfortable in my own skin three years since meeting him."
WHAT HE LOVES ABOUT HER
"Katie is the most positive person I have ever met in my life. She keeps our boat moving forward with her positive attitude and the way she approaches life. Hardworking, selfless and a willingness to commit to what she values are just some of the things I admire about her. It doesn't matter what's happening in our life or had bad things may seem; I have never seen her flinch and I know she'll never give up. Her attitude and the way she approaches life have not only made me a better person but it has allowed me to step back and reevaluate how I see the world."
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE THEM AS A COUPLE
"We couldn't pick just one...so here are a few! enthusiastic - hopeful - committed - merry"
Congratulations, Katie and John!
I am so excited to photograph your wedding in just a few short days!
They are seriously taking romance to the next level!!
Here is Katie and John's love story:
HOW THEY MET
"We met at a Friendsgiving fundraiser at the New York Common Pantry (a local food pantry) in November 2016. Living eight blocks apart on the Upper East Side, we did not know each other but our dear friend Emma had plans for us. For months prior to us meeting and without our knowledge, Emma would try to get us in the same place at the same time. As busy New Yorkers, this is more difficult than it sounds! Finally, Emma knew Katie was attending Eve Michael's Friendsgiving fundraiser for the New York Common Pantry and encouraged John to come and support a good cause. A few weeks later, Katie walked into the event and immediately noticed John while he was mingling with Emma and her boyfriend Eli, who is one of John's oldest friends. They were enjoying cocktails with a larger group and Katie thought John was really handsome, but assumed he must be there with somebody. Katie subtly looked around as she sipped her wine and realized she was in luck - he was there alone! Katie saved John a seat at the dinner table and they hit it off. After a nightcap at Bar Coastal with Emma and Eli, John asked for Katie's number and as they say, the rest is history!"
THEIR FIRST DATE
"Our first date was drinks and dinner at a tapas bar called Pio Pio on the Upper East Side. We had a blast getting to know each other over delicious food and wine. We fit the date in after work on the Monday night before John went home for Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, John proposed a second date on a Saturday. The Friday afternoon before the date, John texted Katie, "Can I call an audible for tomorrow?" Katie responded "Sure! But what's an audible?". John said "That's adorable. Can I pick you up earlier tomorrow?" Katie said of course. This was the first of many surprises John had for Katie in their relationship. John picked Katie up that Saturday at her apartment, not telling her where they were going. They got in a cab to the 34th street ferry station. We got on a ferry to Brooklyn. Turns out John wanted to start the date earlier so they could catch the sunset as they walked across the Brooklyn Bridge back to New York City. Katie melted. Once they got back to Manhattan, they had a drink in the South Street Seaport, followed by dinner in the Upper East Side. After that date, Katie walked away feeling warmer when she spent time with John and she knew this had a future!"
HOW HE PROPOSED
"John asked Katie to marry him on vacation in St. John on December 20th - exactly a year before we get married! John's coworker and good friend is from St. John. When we decided we wanted to do a vacation just the two of us in 2018, Kaitlyn encouraged us to explore her home! We thought St. John was the perfect escape. The day we got engaged, Kaitlyn and her friend Cynthia showed us ALL around the island. We were so busy that Katie had no clue that later that day, John would propose. All three of them convinced Katie that wine and cheese on the beach at sunset was a popular thing for the locals to do. That sounded like heaven to Katie! John suggested they do that at Trunk Bay Beach, the most beautiful beach on the island. Per Kaitlyn's suggestion, John hired Cynthia's sister Sarah to take photos of the engagement. It was all so perfect - a moment we will never forget!"
Katie and John love to cook at home and host their family and friends at their apartment for dinners and watching Ravens games. They also love to explore new restaurants and places, and love to travel. Their guilty pleasure is watching all the Bravo shows!
WHAT SHE LOVES ABOUT HIM
"I love his spirit, his energy and how he makes everyone feel at ease, especially me. I love how he loves me for exactly who I am and has made me a better person, who is even more comfortable in my own skin three years since meeting him."
WHAT HE LOVES ABOUT HER
"Katie is the most positive person I have ever met in my life. She keeps our boat moving forward with her positive attitude and the way she approaches life. Hardworking, selfless and a willingness to commit to what she values are just some of the things I admire about her. It doesn't matter what's happening in our life or had bad things may seem; I have never seen her flinch and I know she'll never give up. Her attitude and the way she approaches life have not only made me a better person but it has allowed me to step back and reevaluate how I see the world."
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE THEM AS A COUPLE
"We couldn't pick just one...so here are a few! enthusiastic - hopeful - committed - merry"
Congratulations, Katie and John!
I am so excited to photograph your wedding in just a few short days!