When the bride to-be’s family owns a boatyard, it’s quite fitting that her and her fiancé would choose the seaside setting for their romantic nautical engagement photos! They felt right at home on the water; they strolled the wooden docks and rowed around in a little rowboat adorned with flowers for the occasion. Finally, their sweet pup joined them for sunset and it became a family affair! Read on for Christie & Jay’s love story leading up to this point…
The bride to-be, Christie, shares…
Jay and I met in August 2009 at a Phillies game through mutual friends. One of the first things Jay said to me was, “I’m going to marry you one day.”, and my first impression was not the same. As the night went on, I realized how funny and charming he actually was and the two of us haven’t gone more than a few hours without talking ever since!
Our proposal was the most amazing night of my life to date! Jay planned me an incredible (not so) surprise 30th birthday party with all of our closest friends and family. Walking up to the party I was so excited to be able to see everyone, and all the decorations through the window, and just couldn’t wait to get inside. I walked up the steps to the party, and as soon as I reached the top steps Jay tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around to find him down on one knee! He asked, “Will you marry me?”, to which I replied, “Are you kidding me right now?” I obviously said yes, and my friends quickly added engagement decor to the beautiful birthday decorations! I am in no way an easy person to surprise, and he was able to get my best friends in on his proposal idea and gave me the biggest surprise of my life! I couldn’t have imagined anything more perfect.
Since I was a child, I have had an affinity for the water. My love of the water has strong ties to the family business, started by my great grandfather Hans Pedersen when he moved to the US from Denmark. A wood worker while in Denmark, he began to build wooden boats by hand and became a master of his craft in NJ. With a successful business he enlisted his two children for help, thus giving birth to Hans Pedersen & Sons.
Over the years, my great grandfather crafted a seemingly countless number of boats still renowned today – some which have made their way outside of the US. The business has stayed in the family throughout the years, passing down to my grandfather and currently run by my father and uncle. Whether I was crabbing, fishing, or putzing around in a row boat – I spent my entire childhood in the marina. It was, and still is my favorite place to be.
The love and pride I have, made the marina the perfect choice for our engagement photos. My fiancé and I together decided the docks would provide the best scenery, along with a photo of the last boat my grandfather ever built. Magdalena was the perfect choice photographer for the job, and I knew she would capture all aspects of my family which I am proud of.