Pequot Yacht Club Engagement Session in Southport, CT | Michelle & Dan

I finally had the opportunity to return to one of my favorite little neighborhoods in Southport, Connecticut last week for Michelle and Dan’s engagement session! It’s a fantastic area situated right along the water near Pequot Yacht Club, and is a prime Fairfield County location. I was there almost two years ago and have been dying to go back with another couple since then! The nearby park, Perry’s Green, has stunning views of the sailboats and the Long Island Sound, which all make beautiful backdrops for portraits!

A SOUTHPORT, CONNECTICUT ENGAGEMENT SESSION

I had arrived to Michelle and Dan’s engagement session a bit early that day, so I parked along Perry’s Green to wait for them. They had told me that they would be bringing along a vintage vehicle that Dan’s father had restored, and these two looked so cool driving up to their session in the little red sports car!

The light that day was absolute perfection! Though it was peeking in and out from behind the clouds, I was still able to capture the glow in some of Dan and Michelle’s engagement photos. They share such a wonderful relationship, and the love they have for each other is absolutely beautiful (just wait until you read their answers to the questions below!). I shared so many laughs with Michelle and Dan; seeing how they naturally cuddled up in front of the camera made me that much more excited for their wedding day later this year!

This little Southport neighborhood has some of my favorite waterfront homes and buildings, which made for fantastic backdrops to their photos. One of the office buildings we walked by reminded me of something you might see in one of the cities in the south, like Charleston, South Carolina. There was no way I was going to pass up snapping a few romantic portraits of Michelle and Dan in front of it!

THE PROPOSAL STORY

Dan's aunt and uncle used to live in Key West, Florida, so at least once or twice a year Michelle and Dan would make it a point to go down in visit them. Their trips are always filled with plenty of laughter when visiting Dan’s family, and there’s never a dull moment! Recently, his aunt and uncle relocated from the Keys to Naples, Florida, so Michelle and Dan wanted to take one last trip before their move. Last February, they flew down to southern Florida where Dan’s uncle had arranged for them to take a trip of a lifetime to Dry Tortuga's National Park. It’s located about 70 miles off of the Keys and is an old military fort that dates back to the 1800's. Due to its location, the only way to get to the park is by sea plane or a four hour boat ride. Each time Michelle and Dan had visited his aunt and uncle in the Keys they had put off the trip, but this time they knew that it would be their last chance that they could go all together. The four left the Key West airport that morning via sea plane, which Michelle had never ridden in before. Luckily she really enjoys flying, so she was pretty excited to see what it was like to land in the middle of the ocean! Dan and his uncle even called in advance and had requested that Michelle be placed in the front seat next to the pilot so she had the best view in the plane. Once they arrived, the feeling of being there was extremely pure and so magical! As they walked around and took in the breath taking views, Michelle, Dan, his aunt, and uncle climbed to the top of the building to get the best vantage point. As Michelle was looking out at the ocean, she turned around to find Dan on one knee with the most beautiful ring in hand! She was in total shock, but immediately said yes!!

These two are getting married this September at The Riverview in Simsbury, Connecticut, and we cannot wait to see them become husband and wife. Congratulations Dan and Michelle!

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

Michelle: “When Dan and I met I was still going to college in New Hampshire so we were just friends. Every Monday night I had a class until 9:30pm and then would walk home from campus alone. Dan would call me each Monday night and talk to me while I walked home to ensure I got home safely. Even though my walk was only about 5 minutes long we would stay on the phone and just chat sometimes for over 2 hours. He did this every week with out any reminder! Not only did it make me feel special, but it showed me that shivery was not dead and I had a really gentleman on my hands!!!”

Dan: “Michelle and I worked for the same company and had been assigned to the same office in Watertown. Since we lived in the same town we decided to car pool together. I will never forget the great conversations and laughs we had on the way to work. She truly put a smile on my face every morning. It was during this time I knew she was the one. The breakfast sandwiches that she made for us both every morning didn't hurt either!”

What's one thing you love about your partner?

Michelle: “Dan is the most kind, humble person I have ever met and knows how to keep me laughing all the time. He has been my rock through some of the toughest moments of my life and also has been my partner in crime for the best adventures I have ever been on. Whether its the good moments or bad, he knows how to support and love me through them all while keeping a huge smile on my face!”

Dan: “Though there are so many things I love about Michelle, the one thing that really stands out is how much she really cares about everyone around her. She always puts everyone else before her. Her personality truly lights up every room she walks into!”

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

Michelle: “One thing? There are so many! I can’t wait to see him at the other end of the aisle looking so handsome in his blue suit with the biggest smile on him face! I also can't wait to be surrounded by all of our friends and family as we party the night away to celebrate becoming be Mr. and Mrs. Pelletier!”

Dan: “Aside from getting married to my best friend, one thing that I am looking forward to on my wedding day is becoming a part of Michelle's family. I truly adore Michelle and her family and can't wait to be around everyone we love to celebrate our special day.”

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

Michelle: “It's step one to the start of our family! As of September 6th we will be The Pelletiers and to share that bond with your best friend is priceless.”

Dan: “What I look forward to most is spending the rest of my life with my best friend. I am also SUPER excited to start a family and can't wait to see how great of a mom Michelle is going to make!!”

I hope you enjoyed this Southport, Connecticut engagement session!  Do you know Michelle 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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