Long Beach Island Engagement Session | Bay Village, Beach Haven | June 2020

Bay Village Engagement Session.  Tyler and Ryan wanted something a little different for their engagement session. Since they got engaged on the beach and will have wedding pictures on the beach they decided to do their session at Bay Village in Beach Haven, NJ. Beach Haven is located on Long Beach Island.  I had never been to the village so I was excited to check it out.  It is a cute place with lots of shops, restaurants and a craft brewery.

We had a nice evening.  It wasn’t hot and there was a cool breeze.  I enjoyed seeing Tyler and Ryan again.  I was honored to have photographed their surprise proposal in Avalon, NJ last October.  When they asked me to be their wedding photographer I was delighted that I will be able to continue to tell their love story.

Meet Tyler and Ryan

Tyler and Ryan are high school sweethearts, but they went to different high schools. After graduating they both attended the same college. These two went to TCNJ, The college of New Jersey. They both graduated from the college and continued to be together.  Tyler knew he wanted to marry Ryan and planned a surprise proposal.

Tyler found me on the Thumbtack app.  He was looking for a photographer that could photograph his surprise proposal. I loved planning the proposal surprise with him.  Tyler planned every detail right down to where I should stand.  Since Ryan grew up going to the beach with her family in Avalon, Tyler knew it would be a special place.

Tyler kept everything a secret and made it seem like the two of them were going to spend the weekend at the shore. They stayed at the ICONA Avalon.  The girls at the front desk were even in on the surprise!  They gave them a room upgrade to a beach front room, well that is what Ryan thought anyway.  Both of their parents were there to enjoy watching their kids get engaged.  They were able to get in Tyler and Ryan’s room and were able to watch the proposal happen thanks to Tyler planning the perfect location to get on his knee.

Ryan was convinced that they were just going to walk to the beach to take some photos before dinner. Tyler proposed to Ryan on the dunes heading to the beach and I was there to capture the moments.  I must say, I love doing those sessions.  So much love!  Ryan was so surprised and of course said yes! Their parents cheered from the balcony and they celebrated at a near by Pub.

Hotel LBI, Long Beach Island

Tyler and Ryan have planned a beautiful roof top ceremony at the Hotel LBI in September.  It is a gorgeous venue. They both thought that their engagement session at Bay Village would be even more special since they were getting married on the island. Now they are waiting to see what the new guidelines will be for weddings to decide if they will keep their 2020 date.

These two love going to the beach, hiking and trying new restaurants and breweries. They also enjoy playing with Ryan’s dog, Maya and their bunny rabbit, Millie. Tyler loves how caring Ryan is and how she takes time to understand and support people.  Ryan loves that Tyler is a great listener because she loves to talk.  She also loves that she can be her genuine self with Tyler.

Fun night with Family and Friends

They envision a fun wedding day with their family and friends.  They are hoping that the world will be a healthier place so that their plans can take place.  The Hotel has beautiful getting ready rooms and a roof top space with a breathtaking view, where their ceremony will take place.  There will be lots of cocktails and food, including Ryan’s favorite, the Potato bar. Their family and friends will be dancing to songs like “September”, by Earth, Wind and Fire in the large ballroom. It truly sounds like the perfect wedding day.

 

Bay Village Engagement Session

When they suggested this location I was excited because I am always looking for new locations.  I was pleasantly surprised that the location was really quite fun. We started looking for different locations to use and actually found plenty. There were steps, benches, walkways all with a cute nautical theme. I had asked them if they wanted to get some ice cream to share and decided beer would be much better.  There is a craft brewery at the village, Ship Bottom Brewery. They found the perfect beer, The Barnegat Light.  I love those pictures of the two of them enjoying their beer.

Before we left we headed down to the bay.  We found a little grassy area to use for a couple of photos. We walked down to the docks and  I had to try to catch a sun flare between them which I just love to do! I get sun spots from  looking into the sun but the photos are worth it. There is an amusement park right next door to Bay Village, which would have been fun to use in some photos but due to the virus wasn’t open.  I will catch it next time because I will definitely recommend this location for another session!

Thanks Tyler and Ryan for letting me continue to tell your story.  I love getting to know you guys better and I am looking forward to your wedding day!

 

If you enjoyed this engagement session you would like these blog posts:

Sunset Beach Engagement Session | Cape May New Jersey | Gina and Nick

A Brigantine Beach Engagement Session | South New Jersey wedding Photographer | Brooke and Chris