Central Park Engagement: Congratulations Jessica and Mike!

Autumn in New York’s Central Park is full of magic–the perfect place for an engagement session!

Jessica shares, “Our marriage is a long time coming, having been engaged for about 3 years by the time we tie the knot on May 6. Our engagement was a long time coming, coming over five years after our first date at a Starbucks in lower Manhattan. I knew Mike was the one shortly after we met. As for Mike, he took a long time to make up his mind and then a longer time planning things. So 8 years from “Hey you” to “I do” sounds about right.

Mike and I are Disneyphiles so getting engaged there made perfect sense. The date of our engagement started with a character breakfast at Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort. While awkward, it was a nostalgic way to begin one of the most memorable days of our lives. Our journey continued at the Senses spa at the Grand Floridian, where we were staying. Newly refreshed and rejuvenated, we took a walk around the grounds, since the spa was on one side of the property and our room was on the other. Mike seemed rather insistent on taking the long way back and stopping at every point of interest along the way. Of course, that’s because the magic makers at Disney were busy preparing a surprise for me, and (for once) Mike was able to pull off the surprise.

We opened the door to our room to find a trail of flower petals leading into the room. There were roses, champagne and chocolates, candles, a basketful of spa goodies, and an autographed picture of Mickey and Minnie wishing us well.  You would think this would be where the story ends, but not quite.

For dinner that night, Mike had something special planned. We got dressed for dinner and went down to the lobby where I was greeted by a cast member with a rose. We were then taken up to a private dinner on the balcony of the Grand Floridian overlooking the lagoon and Cinderella Castle. As dessert was served, and the fireworks began over Cinderella Castle, Mike got down on one knee and asked the question that had been five years in the making. With tears in my eyes I said yes. The rest is happily ever after.”

Jessica and Mike will be getting married next year at the Garden Terrace Room at the New York Botanical Garden.

Happy engagement Jessica and Mike!