Sandy Hook Engagement Session | Alison & Dan
Last Summer, I photographed Alison and Dan’s Sandy Hook Engagement Session! We chose Sandy Hook as the backdrop for their engagement photos because Alison and Dan love the beach and this location channelled their wedding day vibes. They also loved that Sandy Hook has so much variety in backdrops from the beach to the lighthouse to the bay side with a gorgeous sunset!
Alison and Dan met in Dan’s childhood friend’s basement at a house party when they were both 19 and home from college for the summer. Alison’s friend from high school went to college with Dan’s friend from childhood and that’s how they both ended up at the party. They talked that night and bonded over the fact that they both were swimmers. Dan was a lifeguard at 7 President’s Beach at the time and Alison thought he was so cool for that. They exchanged phone numbers before leaving and started texting each other.
Their first date was June of 2015 and they went cliff jumping in a reservoir at Washington Valley Park a few weeks after meeting at the house party. Dan got the idea for this location from his cousin based on the recommendation that it was a great cliff jumping spot and had a rope swing. After dating long distance in college, they both realized they had found the one because they have the most fun when they are together and love spending time with each other. They then lived together during graduate school and there was no going back, that is when they decided they wanted to keep hanging out forever!
Engaged on 06/13/2020, the proposal from Alison: “We were supposed to take a 3 week trip to Italy in August 2020, but COVID cancelled our plans. Dan was planning to propose in Italy, but instead decided very spur of the moment that he would propose on one of their daily COVID lockdown power walks. The proposal was at Divine Park in Spring Lake on one of the bridges. Two bikers biked through the proposal and blocked the view in the video his sisters were taking while hiding in bushes. Also, because it was such a random Saturday, Alison thought Dan was kidding when he started to propose and told him to hurry up so her apple watch wouldn’t stop tracking the workout. Dan also planned a surprise celebration for their families right after the proposal in his backyard in Lake Como, NJ…a slight change of plans from Lake Como, Italy but it was such a beautiful and exciting day regardless and very memorable!”
Alison, a physical therapist and Dan, an attorney love to spend their time going to the beach, hanging out by the pool, working out, taking walks and playing sports together when they are not planning their classic “rustic beach” June wedding at Windows on the Water at Surfrider Beach Club. They also like going out for coffee and finding new restaurants. Once married, their dreams include continuing to traveling, to experience new things and adventures together, and hopefully get a few cats and dogs in the near future. They cannot wait to travel to Italy, Greece, Iceland and Australia.
Any advice for future couple’s planning?
Plan early so you don’t have to stress about things!
And finally, what are you most looking forward to about your wedding day?
We are both very excited about the cocktail hour, dancing with friends and family and celebrating the official start of our future together!
Alison had her hair and makeup done by Alicia at Hot Mess Studio in Asbury Park.
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