Chamard Vineyards Engagement Session in Clinton, CT | Ashley & Dan

We had the most beautiful spring day for Ashley and Dan’s Chamard Vineyards engagement session in Clinton, Connecticut last week! Arturo and I FaceTimed with the two of them back in March to chat about their wedding photography, and we’d been looking forward to spending some face-to-face time with them ever since! Dan and Ashley are sweet as can be, and so much fun to hang out with!

A CHAMARD VINEYARDS ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Chamard Vineyards always has the best light, which has always helped us to create some of our favorite portfolio portraits in the past! The day of Ashley and Dan’s session was no different, especially since they’re so natural in front of the camera. We walked among the rows of grapevines, stopping every so often in the best light to capture romantic engagement photos for these two!

Arturo and I loved hearing all that Dan and Ashley are planning for their wedding day. They’ll be having a beautiful waterfront wedding ceremony and celebrating with their closest family and friends!

THE PROPOSAL STORY

On the day Dan proposed, Ashley had NO idea it was coming! The two were planning on attending a Friendsgiving celebration at their friend's house, and Dan persuaded Ashley to go with him to buy some champagne that they could bring along. However, instead of going to Friendsgiving, Dan took a different turn after stopping at the package store, and drove to Silver Lake in Berlin, Connecticut. This is a spot that is incredibly special to Ashley and Dan because it was where they would go when the pair first started dating to chat and take walks. Once he made the turn into Silver Lake, Ashley had that "OH MY GOD IT'S HAPPENING!!!" moment in her head! When she got out of the car, Dan was crying and down on one knee. He shared some sweet words, none of which Ashley can remember because she was way too excited! After Ashley said yes, she and Dan popped the bottle of champagne they had bought and celebrated right then and there. Ashley recalled how much she loves that it was just the two of them for that "big moment" because it was so intimate and special. To surprise her even further, Dan asked Ashley’s best friend to come and take pictures of the two of them after the proposal had happened. Later that evening, Dan had also arranged a private room at Carbone's Prime in Rocky Hill to celebrate with both of their families!

These two are getting married next June at Saint Clements Castle in Portland, Connecticut, and we cannot wait for their summer wedding! Congratulations Ashley and Dan!

When did you know you'd found "the one"?

Ashley: “I knew Dan was the one the very first week we started dating. In fact, I confessed this to my best friend in a bar that week and she totally thought I was nuts! Dan was the one and only guy that just made my soul go ‘Ahhh, I'm home’. It is totally hard to describe in words. We have known each other since we were nine years old, but didn't start dating until after college (although Dan was asking me out on dates years before that!). He is truly my soulmate and my best friend. (Okay, now I'm crying!)”

Dan: “I knew Ashley was the one way before we began "officially" dating. We had developed a pretty solid friendship before becoming a couple, and one night months before we became a couple, I asked her to grab a coffee with me at Starbucks. We ended up staying there for over four hours, talking about EVERYTHING. It was the easiest conversation I've ever had with someone, and I remember looking at her and thinking ‘I want to do this forever.’ I’m so thankful that I actually DO get to talk to her forever, because she is the easiest person to talk to in the whole world.”

What's one thing you love about your partner?

Ashley: “Gosh, it's so hard to pick just one! I love Dan's sense of humor. Whenever I'm in a bad mood, or if it's just us hanging out on a regular day, he always has me cracking up. He can light up a room like no one else can, and I LOVE that about him. His eyes are pretty magical, too.”

Dan: “I say this all the time, but Ashley is truly the sweetest soul I've ever known. Every day for the past 5 years we have been together, she is always there for me and makes me feel special. She is seriously the most beautiful person ever, inside and out!”

Besides getting married, what is one thing you're looking forward to on your wedding day?

Ashley: “One word: DANCING! I love to dance (we've got a killer DJ) and I cannot wait to get down on the dance floor with my friends and family! I also can't wait for all my guests to see the cute details I have planned for our reception. I'm sorry that was two things, it's so hard to pick one!”

Dan: “I cannot wait to celebrate with our day with our family and friends. Our wedding day is going to be the best day ever!”

What's one thing you're looking forward to about marriage?

Ashley: “Knowing that I get to spend every day with my soulmate and starting a family. I can't wait to see where life brings us!”

Dan: “Starting a family with Ashley. We already dream about our future family, and I can't wait to make that a reality.”

I hope you enjoyed this Chamard Vineyards engagement session!  Do you know Ashley and Dan?  Show them some love by commenting below!


ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, Hawaii and beyond.  We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love. 

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