You’ve decided that you want to have a Summer Princeton University Engagement Session! How exciting! The Campus is rather large, so you want to be sure to hire a photographer that is familiar with the location, so you can utilize your time appropriately.

Below are some of my favorite spots at Princeton University, with the beautiful Erica and Joe for their engagement session this past June! We have a wonderful time walking around the campus, exploring and creating beautiful images!

Nassau Hall

The perfect starting point for your Summer Princeton University Engagement Session! I love Nassau Hall because it’s beautiful in all seasons. Below you will see what it looks like in June. This is the front side of Nassau Hall on Nassau Street. Starting here, makes it easy to loop around the campus and end very close to this spot, so you aren’t too far away from your car.

 

 

 

 

Below, it the right side of Nassau Hall. There is this beautiful arch against the building that just frames the soon to be Mr & Mrs so perfectly! I love stopping here to take a quick photo before we continue on our journey through Princeton University!

The back of Nassau Hall is covered in ivy and the symmetry is just gorgeous. This is the perfect location for a wide angle showing off the building and maybe a nice little stroll.

The sun shines through the trees here perfectly!! A Summer Princeton University Engagement session is just so magical.

East Pyne Hall

My next stop is East Pyne Hall! Behind Nassau Hall, to the left. It’s a really fun spot that looks like a castle!

Clio and Whig

After East Pyne Hall, I like to go back to Clio and Whig, which is directly behind Nassau Hall. Now we are kind of making our rounds around the Cannon Green lawn. Once you figure out where you are going, it’s not that difficult to navigate. Clio and Whig are twin buildings that have gorgeously tall columns and the buildings are made of a beautiful white stone. In my opinion, this is such a gorgeous look for a bride to be!

McCosh Hall

A little backtracking here, but I love to head over to McCosh Hall. From Clio and Whig, you walk down Chapel Drive. McCosh Hall is right next to the Chapel. I love McCosh Hall because the doors are old and ornate, the sun shines beautifully here, and the ivy is hugging the building! It feels old here, in a good way. My favorite spot to practice some dancing!

Prospect Gardens

After McCosh Hall, we turn left and pass the Art Museum and go straight for Prospect Gardens. Princeton University does such an amazing job at keeping this garden looking absolutely stunning! The amount of butterflies you will see in June is mesmerizing!

Rockefeller College

The last stop is Rockefeller College. This is probably the most iconic spot at Princeton University aside from Nassau Hall. Not only is it beautiful, but it is also a residence hall. Photographing here in June, July and August is usually not a problem, but when school is in session it’s off limits. Being respectful and understanding that the residence do need their privacy is very important. Keep that in mind when booking the time of your engagement session. Also, we are right back to Nassau Street, so your car should be relatively close!

Helpful Information:

-Check out map of Princeton University so you can map our your engagement session for an easy and wonderful experience!

Planning to propose your partner?

Planning to photograph your proposal is the best gift to your partner!  Click here for some Proposal Inspiration!

About the Photographer:

Lauren Adams of Bokeh Love Photography has been a wedding and portrait photographer in New Jersey for over 13 years! Having photographed hundreds of wedding, she is a seasoned professional who can be a helpful asset to anyone planning their wedding in New Jersey, the Tri-State area or beyond. Lauren is available for local and destination weddings from coast to coast! Click here to view Lauren’s Wedding Portfolio and click here to contact her directly!

 

Tips to plan the best Jersey Shore proposal!

The best tip I can give, is that the photographers you are going to want to hire, are busy photographing weddings on the weekends. Try to pick a date with this key detail in mind. Some key benefits to not proposing on a weekend are that you have a better chance to secure the photographer you want and the location you choose will be far less crowded. Below are some other tips to keep in mind when planning your Jersey Shore proposal!

1. Consider your partners likes and dislikes.

   Will they like what you’re planning? Are they into the beach, or into the city. New Jersey is a diverse state, and there are so many different options here. From beach to farm, from city to small town, NJ really has it all! Think about where your favorite memories have been together, what you dream about in your future together, and what she has always dreamed this moment would be like.

2. Chat with their friends and family.

   If you’re unsure on their likes and dislikes, you can always turn to their friends and family, the people that know them best! You can ask them things about jewelry likes/dislikes, size of their ring finger (if you didn’t know already) and if they like being the center of attention, or if they dislike attention at all! Maybe something more private would be more suited to their style.

3. Plan the location.

   As discussed above, you want to make sure this location is a good spot for them. Is this a place that has meaning to the both of you? First date perhaps? Will they just know right away, or is it a completely new location, to make new memories! Once you’d decided on a location, it wouldn’t hurt to take a trip there by yourself to scope it out and make sure it’s “the spot!” If you need help, ask your photographer for ideas. They should have a ton of secret spots up their sleeve that would be the perfect location for you!

4. Plan for the right timing.

   A beach engagement in the summer sounds lovely, but maybe not at 12 Noon, when beach goers are lounging and soaking up the sun! Plan for golden hour, when they’ve all gone home, the beach is empty, and the sun is even with the horizon. Do your research, this time changes every day! Or, if it’s an indoor proposal, you have more flexibility with timing.

5. Time to choose your photographer!

   There are so many photographers in New Jersey, it may be difficult to find the best one for your needs. Look at portfolios, read reviews, and even ask friends and family their recommendations. Be sure to do this in private, so your partner doesn’t catch on and ask why you’re looking for a photographer.  Don’t be afraid to reach out to a few different photographers and ask for pricing information if it’s not listed on their website, and also full galleries of past proposals.

   Click here to book your proposal with Bokeh Love Photography!

6. Dress to Impress!

   I know this one can be difficult, but maybe tell her you’ve planned a date night, and you’d like to get dressed up! Make sure your outfits match the location. Tuxedos and ballgowns may be a bit much for a beach proposal, but if you’ve planned a beach picnic, a sundress and some linen pants may not be out of pocket!

7. Plan what you will say ahead of time.

   Proposing sounds scary, you may not know what to say. Don’t let this deter you from being your true self. This does not have to be a 10-minute speech. Keep it short and sweet and say what you want to tell them. Make it personal, and from the heart.

8. Have some friends on call to help.

   Get your friends involved. If you want to have a picnic on the beach, or want some candles set up in a park, bring on the help of your friends to set it up for you! Talk to them ahead of time and be in communication with them in case of inclement weather. Anything happens, especially in NJ! The weather can go from sunny to rainy in an instant. Think about a backup plan where you and your photographer can switch the location easily without any hiccups. If you don’t have any friends that can help, there are companies that you can hire that will set up a picnic for you (inside or outside).

   Companies that set up picnics for you:
   1. Jersey shore Picnic Co
   2. Surfside Picnic
   3. Styled Memorable Picnics
   4. Uniquely Made Events
   5. Black Basket Picnics
   6. Mega Celebrations
   7. OS Picnics
   8. Pop up picnics by the shed
   9. The Picnic Fairy
   10. Perfect Picnic LBI
   11. Simply Picnic
   12. South Jersey Picnic Co
   13. The Proper Picnic

9. Don’t rush to take pictures afterwards.

   Your photographer should not be rushing over to you to take pictures after you propose. Embrace the crying, the happy tears, and the emotions! This is not an engagement session; this is a proposal. It’s a surprise, and you want this moment documented for what it is. Pure joy. When you are ready for some portraits, or you’d like to point out that you’ve hired a photographer to your now Fiancé – go for it. Approach your photographer when you’re ready, then finish strong with some beautiful images where they are ready for the camera!

10. Enjoy this moment!

    Don’t forget to enjoy this moment. We’re just as happy for you as you are, starting this next chapter in your lives. Congratulations and we hope to work with you soon!

I hope this blog post helped you with some ideas and tips to Plan the best Jersey Shore proposal! If you have any questions, Please reach out to me directly. I will gladly assist! Lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

 

Gabi and Tim wanted a location that really spoke to them. The have been planning their wedding for a while, and they still have a ways to go! They’re getting married in 2021, but they have their eyes set on having a Rustic Theme. Batsto seemed like the only choice for them for their engagement session. Nothing else was quite as nice. Do you blame them? Batsto is absolutely stunning. I am convinced that it is a place of magic. When they finally decided to have a Rustic Engagement Session at Batsto, I was all on board!

We started walking around the village, chatting and looking at the buildings. It was a quiet day, not many people around, so they were able to feel as if this place was all theirs. Walking hand in hand, snuggling up together, embracing one another and getting goosebumps because they are getting closer to their big day! It’s actually happening, and they’re enjoying their long engagement.

If you are planning a rustic wedding, then you want your engagement session to match your theme. I highly recommend having a Rustic Engagement Session at Batsto. It’s located in Wharton State Forest in New Jersey. On the other side of the village there are beautiful hiking trails, but my heart in truly in love with the village. It’s like falling back in time, and seeing how people lived, how they worked, and provided for their families. It’s deep in history, so make a day of it! If it’s open, stop by the visitors center and check it out!

I love Cape May. If you haven’t visited, you should. I know I’ve said it before, but Cape May is a  magical place. So why not plan a Cape May Beach Proposal in one of the most beautiful locations in South Jersey? I had the pleasure of meeting two amazing people, Conor and Leah this September when he planned to propose to her on the beach. He even had his parents meet them there with their adorable dog, who was dressed up in a tuxedo!

It was a beautiful day, and could not have had a better outcome! She said YES! So now comes the fun part, wedding planning! Whether they decide to elope, have a small wedding, or go all out, I just know it will be absolutely perfect!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BOTH OF YOU!

May your lives be long, happy and healthy today and all of the tomorrows in your years to come as husband and wife! Until then, HAPPY WEDDING PLANNING! CHEERS!

If you are planning a Cape May Beach Proposal, click here to book with Bokeh Love Photography!

Check out some more surprise proposals in Cape May:
Congress Hall Marriage Proposal 
Cape May Winery Proposal
A Sunny Cape May Surprise Proposal

Cape May is for lovers! It’s also the best location for a Sunny Cape May Surprise Proposal! I was so excited when I was contact by their friend who was planning this surprise proposal!

It was an absolutely gorgeous day! The birds were actively nesting in the dunes, the Johnathan Livingston Seagulls were soaring along the horizon, and the sea creatures were even washing up on the shore! (Of course we MAY have helped one special horse shoe crab get back to the water!) They must have all wanted to see the big event! (Sorry, that’s my fairy tale side coming out just knowing it would be a day to remember!)

Their friends set up this beautiful setting on the Cove in Cape May. Complete with a picnic basket, champagne, and even some bug spray… just in case those little buggers came out to bite! It was all planned out and even had the most beautiful blue Hydrangea flowers and blanket to match. It was perfect! There is no better place than Cape May to confess your love for that special person in your life. From the moment I saw them walking up the beach, I just KNEW she would say yes! And she did, and it was a beautiful moment! I always feel so warm inside when I get to witness and be a part of something so magical.

Congratulations to the both of you!

May your lives be long, happy and healthy today and all of the tomorrows in your years to come as husband and wife! Until then, HAPPY WEDDING PLANNING! CHEERS!

If you are preparing to propose to that special someone, think about planning a Sunny Cape May Surprise Proposal! You will not be disappointed with the beautiful sandy beaches, view of the historic Cape May lighthouse at the Cove, and the animals all around you! It’s as if the world stops for just one moment to focus on you. After all, you deserve a happy ending and a little magic!

Check out some more surprise proposals in Cape May:
Congress Hall Marriage Proposal 
Cape May Winery Proposal