Summer Engagement Session at Longwood Gardens | Paige & Zach

March 24, 2022

Last Summer, I photographed Paige and Zach’s Summer Engagement Session at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. We chose Longwood Gardens as the location of their engagement session because of the diversity of backgrounds, it is beautiful year round but it is especially beautiful in the Summertime.

Zach went to the all boys catholic high school in Delaware and Paige went to the all girls catholic high school. Delaware is small so she knew of him and would see him at the his school’s basketball games. Their first time interacting was when Zach slid into her DM’s on Twitter in 2012. They were commenting back and forth about the Summer Olympics basketball game and how Carmello Anthony broke the record for most points scored in a game. They were going back and forth about the game, favoriting each other’s tweets until he asked for her number. They texted for a couple of weeks and in August of 2012 they decided to meet up “just as friends” at Woodside Farms Creamery. Although Paige made it clear that they were just friends, they still consider that their first date.

Paige knew that Zach was the one because of how well they got along from the start. They had the same values and so much in common that they never skipped a beat and that was back when they were 16/17. She really knew he was the one because over the last 8 years, they’ve grown professionally, emotionally, and individually while growing together.

Engaged on 11/05/2020, the proposal from Paige: “Our anniversary is November 4th and we usually try to make it special. Every year, Zach gets me a piece of jewelry and by now, I am running out of things he can get me! I told him I just wanted to go and look at rings and see what I like. Of course, I had the idea of what I wanted in my mind but I wanted to see it on my hand. So I asked Zach if he’d be open to the idea of just looking at rings so we both can get an idea of the process. I made three appointments at local jewelry stores that weekend. Zach and I just bought our first home in June and got our puppy, Marley so I had zero expectation and put zero pressure on him to propose. On November 5th, Zach and I had plans to go to Wilmington Riverfront for drinks at an outdoor bar and then walk to our favorite restaurant for dinner. We both had a drink outside and Zach was asking me about what kind of rings I liked and even asked me to show him pictures! After the drinks, we started walking the riverfront heading to the restaurant and Zach started to say “over these last 8 years” and before I knew it he was on the ground kneeling and pulled out the most beautiful ring (and identical to the picture I just showed him!). I know Zach very well and I had zero clue that this was happening. I was in complete shock! We ended up going back to our house to go and tell our parents but all of my friends and family were in our house and backyard with a huge party. It was the best night!”

Paige and Zach are planning a modern, elegant and classic wedding at Deerfield Country Club in Newark, DE where they plan to say “I do” in a traditional church ceremony. The gentleman will be in black tuxes and the ladies will be in black dresses, which were Paige’s mom’s colors as well! Paige loves that they’re paying homage to her mother’s special day and great taste! These two are most excited about being married and taking the next step with starting a family in the future.

Any advice for future couple’s planning?

My advice is book your vendors early and don’t sweat the little details in the beginning. They will all come together, just take one thing and one day at a time! It can get really overwhelming but you just have to back into the date and get the most important things done first!

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

We are most looking forward to having our favorite people all in one room at the same time! We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone.