Asbury Park Engagement Session | Olga & JR

February 26, 2019

Last Fall, I photographed Olga and JR’s colorful Asbury Park engagement session! Olga and JR met freshman year at Northeastern University, they had two classes together so it was hard to ignore one another, so that turned into a “hello”. They soon realized they lived in the same dorm and they quickly fell into a fun routine between dorm, class, Dunkin’ Donuts, class, Family Feud, lunch. They soon also realized they attended the same Freshman Orientation weekend, and had some mutual friends. The friend groups merged, and their Northeastern friend group was made. They ended up liking the same classes, so their major of MIS & Finance was finalized. This made it easy for JR to benefit from Olga’s extensive schedule analysis, and Olga to learn from JR’s test taking skills. Shared schedules and endless study sessions were naturally followed by parties with all of their friends, and JR so kindly sharing his massive stash of Ramen when Olga wanted a late night snack. JR first left an impression on Olga’s parents, when she was cleaning out her freshman year dorm. Olga didn’t have any cleaning supplies, which is of course very surprising for everyone who knows Olga. When Maria was appalled and unsure of what to do next, Olga texted JR to hopefully be saved. JR came up with his solution, a homemade “broom” of sorts. He had tapped a brush to a stick to clean his room, and let Olga borrow it to clean hers. From that moment on, Maria would always refer to him as the boy with the broom, and she was fascinated by his creative solution.

Colorful Asbury Park Engagement Session Their first date was four years later, Olga graduated and JR returned from Co-op in New Jersey, and everything seemed different. They had tried to ignore it and were too good of friends and it was too much to risk. At Countryfest, they finally acknowledged that their relationship had become weird, their friendship had become something more, and they weren’t exactly sure what to do about that. At first they thought none of their friends noticed, but they later learned that they are not very good at hiding things.

Engaged on 12/15/17, the proposal from Olga, “Seven years later, two apartments, parents to handsome Kane (our dog), JR decided it was time. After a trip to California, we decided to have a night in and decorate the Christmas tree. Olga’s sister and her boyfriend were finally planning to go to the brewery near our apartment, so of course Olga extended an invite for them to come over first. After we put our last ornament on the tree, JR said he had one more for us to put on. He pulled out a gold circular ornament from a box, and gave it to Olga to hang. As she put it on the tree, he told her that it opens. Inside was a wooden heart, engraved with “Olga, will you marry me”. In actual shock, Olga looked for JR, who was now on one knee holding a diamond ring. She said yes, and then proceeded to not say any other words, for a very long time. After many tears, laughs, champagne toasts, FaceTime calls, and visits from friends, it finally sunk in, We’re Engaged!”

Asbury Park Engagement Session

These two are planning a classic and modern wedding at Windows On the Water at Surfrider Beach Club in Sea Bright, NJ in September of this year! When they are not wedding planning, they enjoy hiking with their dog, watching TV and movies, checking out new local breweries, traveling, going to the beach and spending time with family and friends. Once married, their dreams are to travel, creating a home, supporting each other’s goals and becoming a family.

Any advice for future bride’s planning?

Remember it’s about the two of you – don’t let pressures from others direct anything.

And finally, what are you most looking forward to about your wedding day?

Saying I Do to forever together and enjoying the celebration with all of our loved ones!