Friday, June 25, 2021

Melissa + Bradley • Cross Estate Gardens Engagement Session • New Jersey Wedding Photographer


Cross Estate Gardens is one of my favorite locations for an engagement session. 
There are so many different types of beautiful flowers there, making it the perfect backdrop for photos.
I loved spending the evening with Melissa and Bradley, getting to know them and their love story. 

How They Met

Melissa and Bradely met in December 2012 in the anatomy lab at Ramapo College. They technically met in June 2011 in summer physics class, but Bradley says Melissa doesn't remember this.

Their First Date

Brad picked Melissa up an hour late because he stopped on the drive over to help a man change his tire in the snow (she teases him that this is a made up story, but knowing him, she says, it's probably true). They got 2 for $20 at Applebee's, then saw the worst movie ever, Movie 43. It was ridiculous, but they laugh at the whole thing now!

The Proposal

As a complete surprise to Melissa, Brad proposed on August 10, 2018, at Sunset Beach in Cape May, NJ. Both of their families were watching from a distance, and beautiful photos were taken. It was perfect!

In their free time, Melissa and Brad love going to the beach, watch TV on their cozy sofa, have dinner together, or go to concerts ('We will again, one day!'- They say).

From Melissa: 'Bradley always sees the bright side of things. He is optimistic, funny, generous, smart, creative, silly, and incredibly handy. Best of all, he is warm and loving to me and everyone around him. He is the greatest partner!'

From Bradley: 'Melissa would go to the ends of the earth for the people she cares about. Her love for her family, both the one she was born into and the one she's marrying into, is both unconditional and second to none. Without her support and affection, I wouldn't be who I am today.'


When asked to describe themselves in one word, Melissa & Brad said: 'We are people pleasers and feel best when making others around us happy... so, thoughtful?'

* * *

After having to postpone their wedding, Melissa + Bradley are finally getting married this weekend! 

Congratulations, Melissa & Bradley!! 
I am so excited to capture your Big Day!