Downtown Utica & Proctor Park, Utica New York Engagement Session

I absolutely LOVE engagement sessions! They’re always so much fun and it’s usually the first time I get to work with a couple and get them in front of my camera!

Getting to know Adreanna and Spencer was a blast! First, the two stepped out of their car looking absolutely STUNNING! (You’ll see for yourself in the images below.) The session flew by as we talked about jobs and life with laughter.

Scroll to read more about their love story and to see a few of my favorites from the session!

Tell us about how you met!

Bride-to-be: We met when I was working as a pharmacy technician at the pharmacy where Spence filled his scripts. I’d first noticed Spence when this tall, dark hair, bearded, tattooed guy started coming in asking to fill his prescription more than he probably needed to. Then, instead of calling a script in Spence started waiting at the pharmacy for his script to be ready where we would share small talk. (There also may have been a time he brought his dog through the drive thru to pick up his mother’s script and I knew he was a sweetheart). Eventually, like us millennials do, we became friends on social media and it was a wrap from there.

Groom-to-be: I had been living in an apartment located about twenty seconds from the pharmacy I was using. Eventually I realized that there was a cute pharmacy technician working there. In a completely non-creepy way (I hope), I made sure that I “needed” refills on the evenings she happened to be working. It must have been a harsh winter, because I built up a stockpile of asthma inhalers that could last me until the next Ice Age. I had no idea who this pharmacy technician was, but I surmised that she was probably Italian and a big fan of sock buns; this was all the information I needed to engage in friendly conversation. By the good graces of a higher power—and in no way pre-planned by me—I happened to have my small and adorable puppy Juno with me when I went through the drive-thru window one night. I’m assuming it was Juno’s good looks and charm that made her reach out and message me.

 Tell us about your first kiss!

Bride-to-be: While Spence and I were on our way home from our first date we were talking about our childhood, where we went to school, our family and he asked me if I wanted to see Sauquoit where a lot of his family members lived. Spence drove us all around when we stopped at a house that he shared some history about with me. He opened the moonroof in his then Subaru, we looked up at the stars and before you knew it we had our first kiss!

Groom-to-be: By the time we got back to New Hartford after our first date, I was exhausted, but wasn’t quite ready for the night to end. I was trying to channel my inner romantic and figure out a clever way to kiss her, so I suggested a scenic drive through Sauquoit. We drove, waved to some cows, marveled in the smell of freshly-sprayed manure, and ended up parking in an area I was familiar with. I (probably) put on a Keith Sweat album, talked in circles, and then just went for it.

Tell us about when you first realized you were in love with your future spouse

Bride-to-be:  knew I loved him when we were on a date coming back from Destiney Mall (nostalgic) and he asked me if I wanted to get coffee so we went to BITE and got it to go. As we were driving around drinking our coffee talking about life and looking for Christmas lights, he put his hand on my leg and I knew I found my home.

Groom-to-be: It is all kind of a blur now, but I remember laying in bed and talking about life, the future, and all manner of nonsensical drivel. It took me a really long time to actually speak my mind, but eventually I got the words out. I hope she doesn’t kill me for not remembering much, but from what I do remember, we talked about the things that made us tick and began figuring out if a serious relationship could work.

 Tell us about the proposal!

Bride-to-be: It was Memorial Day weekend and we had Monday off so out of no where we decided to get an Airbnb in Buffalo. This was not unusual for us because Buffalo is Spence’s favorite place to visit after he got his undergrad from UB. We then packed up the pups and settled into our perfect Airbnb in Allentown. After searching for a restaurant and making a reservation it was time for me to get ready. While I was getting ready and with our pups were playing with their toys, Spence popped the question!

Groom-to-be: We went on a mini vacation to Buffalo. She had more-or-less picked out the engagement ring and knew the proposal was going to happen. In retrospect, I wish the process had been more of a surprise, but surprises are not really our modus operandi. I remember being thankful that we were away from the city we live in, away from the chaos of work, and able to focus on our weekend together. We did some sightseeing through old stomping grounds, spent time with the dogs, and simply enjoyed each other’s company. It was quiet and peaceful. We went to an amazing dinner at Black and Blue, had some funky drinks and desserts at The Chocolate Bar, and spent the rest of the night carefully reviewing the Bible.

 Dear Future Spouse

Bride-to-be: I cannot wait to see you as I walk down the aisle, we exchange vows and say I DO!! I cannot wait until we have our future babe(s) and watch you become the amazing father I know you’re going to be! Anddddddd I love you!

Groom-to-be: Have you seen my wallet? Star Wars Episode 14 comes out next Friday, I hope we are still going. Yes, I definitely noticed the new hairstyle. No, I do not want to go to the gym later; my left index finger is bruised and I do not want to risk re-injury. Guess what? Our student loans are down to $90,000!! I hope you are just as excited about life as you were when we were planning our wedding. I know our family will remain happy, healthy, and intact. I hope Spencer Jr., Spencer III, and Spencer IV are playing in the NBA, or at the very least, working on degrees in nuclear astrophysics. We better have seen the damn Pyramids of Giza that I’ve waited my whole life to see. I hope we cut back on pasta sooner than later. I hope you’re still pretending not to smile at my jokes.

With love, Yung Spence.

I hope you all enjoyed these photos as much as I did! Until next time!

XOXO,

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