I’ve said it a dozen times this month and I’ll say it one last time… OCTOBER sessions are incredible, not only for all the fall colors, but for the beautiful light that fills the sky.  Jessie and Ben’s Waterloo Village and White Lake engagement session was an absolute blast and they actually brought a canoe made by Ben’s dad for the second half of their session!

 

Jessie and Ben met in a once in a lifetime chance moment. Jessie and her friends were in Atlantic city for a girls weekend, and Ben and his friends were there for a fun night out as well.  They both said their friend groups were the only like minded people at the club/bar and so their friend groups meshed and clung onto each other all night since everyone else was (most likely super sloppy and drunk, to put it nicely…I mean…it’s Atlantic City!)

 

So, since Jessie and Ben and their friends were not into the whole club scene, they ended up meeting (just by standing near each other), talking all night, and Ben invited Jessie and all her friends back to his house in Lancaster because he didn’t want to stop hanging out with her!

 

That was the start of something incredible, and they quickly became best friends. Together, Jessie moved out to Danville, Pennsylvania with him where they bought a house with tons of land! Ben grew up in Danville, and was happy to have her move “home” with him.  Together they love to be outside in nature- hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and just breathing in the fresh air.  They are rustic and outdoorsy, and their wedding is going to reflect exactly that (which I CANNOT WAIT FOR!)

 

Being on the lake is their favorite place to be, and Jessie’s family goes up to Lake Champlain every year.  This year was something extra special and they make a promise every year to watch the sunrise on the dock, so while Jessie’s entire family was looking out the big living room windows, Jessie and Ben walked down to the dock to watch the sunrise over the lake in their Pajamas. Ben got down on one knee and asked Jessie to spend forever with him.  To be honest, I can’t imagine what Jessie’s face looked like, but I’m surprised she didn’t fall into the lake out of pure excitement!!

 

These two are SO excited to be getting married, and were absolutely adorable together.  Jessie warned me (and I think Ben did too) that Ben hates pictures, so it was challenge accepted on my part.  I was thrilled to get a text from her after sending some sneak peaks that Ben told her he “actually had a lot of fun!” Challenge complete!

 

We started out at the beautiful, and historic Waterloo Village. We roamed around taking pictures with some of the old buildings and along the canal.  From there, we took about a half an hour drive up to White Lake in Blairstown, where we’d drop the canoe in the water.  These were my absolute FAVORITE. I love being on the water, and even though I SUCK at canoeing (I always tip them!) I was so excited that they brought one. It is completely unique to them, and it was extra special that Ben’s dad MADE THE CANOE.

 

The sun was hiding behind a cloud which made it really easy to shoot these actually, and I am just in love with how all of these turned out! I got in the canoe with them for a few (which I was horrified about cause mannnnn it’s tippy!) but they turned out so well, so that made it all worth it!

 

Throughout the entire session, we had so much fun, and I know their wedding day is going to be full of so much love, laughter, and joy. I’ve never seen a couple smile so big looking at each other, and I hope these pictures bring a smile to my face like they do mine!

 

Jessie and Ben, thank you for bringing me into your life to document this wonderful and joyous time for you! I seriously cannot wait for your wedding at the Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake Resort. It’s going to be a BLAST!!!