It was over a year ago, in the hall at Oceanside Country Club as Kristy restyled her hair before her reception, when Kelly and I first crossed paths. I said I loved her dress. She said she loved my photography. And that she would be sending me an email when she got engaged.

That email arrived just after the New Year, complete with an adorable proposal story and plans for a fall wedding at Sunset Harbor Yacht Club. Last week, we spent the evening with Kelly and Jeff at Rockefeller Garden, a frequent stop for them during their frequent walks along the river. We got a taste of just how sweet their wedding will be.Okay, I can’t contain myself any longer — I have to share a little bit of their proposal story. It goes something like this: On Christmas morning, sipping coffee together on the couch, Kelly dug through her stocking. She pulled out several kitchen gadgets which, since she is, after all, a self-proclaimed kitchen-gadget-loving girl, seemed like the perfect Christmas present to her. Then she pulled out a little box, popped it open, and immediately snapped it shut. “Is it real?” she asked. Probably not the exact response Jeff was expecting, but, oh yes! This stunning ring is very real. So was Jeff’s  proposal.Gorgeous, Kelly! You, your preppy-perfection of a wardrobe, those strawberry blond curls. Oh, and Jeff doesn’t look too bad either!While Danny worked on the ring shots, I pulled Kelly and Jeff over to an absolutely heavenly patch of sunlight. They made it look even better.Willows always make such dreamy backdrops. Love!I have to say, I was sad to see the sweet J. Crew dress and coral sweater go . . . but Kelly’s second outfit was just as great. Ruffles? Every day of the week!We met some feathered friends, who were convinced Kelly’s coral-colored toe nails were candy, and who decided they needed their turn mugging for the camera, too. Looks like a shot out of a romantic movie, doesn’t it?As we got closer to sundown, we decided to head over to the little beach on the other side of the bridge — and paused right under the bridge as the orange sunset burned brightly. Another serious favorite!If you’d like to see more, watch Kelly + Jeff’s slideshow, and be sure to hop over to their PASS gallery.

Kelly and Jeff, you two were a breeze to work with, and so happy together, and so nice to put up with my laryngitis all evening! Thank you so much for bringing us along for your journey to your wedding — we can’t wait to be there when you two get married this November!

~ Laura + Danny