lambertville nj-new hope pa lgbtq+ engagement
Fun fact, I’ve been in love with New Hope since the age of 10. There was nothing I could think of that could make New Hope more meaningful to me than it already is. On any given weekend, you’ll find me walking through downtown, popping in each and every eclectic storefront. Snacking, dining, and adult-beveraging (yes, I make up words sometimes, haha!) along the way, it’s just one of my favorite go-to places whenever I’m looking for something to do for an afternoon.
My wife and I even stayed in Lambertville the weekend of our own wedding, enjoying both towns and celebrating our own love. This place really holds just so much romantic significance for me, and now it has even more. Shall we continue?
Now we’re getting along to why I bawled his eyes out this past Saturday. Allow me rewind just a little bit.
Shannon knew that she wanted to pop the question to her girlfriend Ro amongst the fall foliage by the iconic New Hope-Lambertville Bridge. They had planned a getaway for Shannon’s birthday. This gave Shannon the perfect disguise for her REAL intentions.
Shannon first reached out to me to photograph her NJ engagement in mid-July. Shannon, I am still in awe of self-control and patience. I mean, seriously…wow! We chatted in the weeks leading up…or should I say months, to ensure everything would be picture-perfect.
Jump back to present day. I was on the banks of the Delaware with my 2-Canon R5 cameras at the ready, awaiting the big moment. I’ve photographed marriage proposals in New Jersey before, and every single time I swear I feel the same anticipation and excitement as the person who’s popping the question.
I saw Shannon and Ro crossing the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge, and I did the best I could to keep my heart from beating through my chest and I got in the zone for what was about to happen.
Little did Shannon nor I know that there’d be a plot twist. What was that twist? Ro was planning to propose to Shannon. I mean, I just cannot make this stuff up. A double marriage proposal? This is a fairytale moment if there ever was one. The photos don’t lie.
Less than 30 seconds into the experience of photographing what was unfolding, I was bawling like a baby (and I’m genuinely tearing up as I write this).
This is a fairytale Love Story come to life if there ever was one.
planning your nj or pa lgbtq+ wedding?
i’d love to photograph it!
How did you meet?
Our first date was a walk around Central Park, during the lockdown and the pandemic.
How has your relationship grown over the years?
We’ve learned to communicate and accept each other wholly. We’ve merged our four cats into one happy, loving family!
What fun things do you do together as a couple and with friends?
We both love going to the theatre, Ro (whose favorite sport is soccer) is slowly but surely introducing Shannon to athletics. We are animal activists and love helping and rescuing them!
What about each other has inspired you to grow into being perfect partners over the years?
Our love for each other and our commitment to growing a life together.
What are your dreams for the future?
Continuing our exciting journey, living in New York City, and starting a family hopefully sometime soon!
How did you find out about me? What about me and my services told you I was the one?
Shannon decided that she would propose on what was supposed to be her birthday weekend trip in New Hope and was looking around on social media for photographers who have photographed weddings and engagements in the area. She came across Daniel’s work and could not have been more thrilled with the outcome. Both Daniel and Shannon had no idea that Ro also planned to propose in that same moment and it was such a special and emotional moment for everyone!
Here’s where Shannon & Ro’s Love Story plays into the bigger picture of why it happened where it did.
The tale of both Lambertville and New Hope embracing the LGBTQ+ community is a rich one, and it adds to the depth and the very essence of this magical day.
New Hope and Lambertville have gained recognition over the years for their warm embrace of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s in their fascinating histories of inclusivity and acceptance where we’ll get a greater feel for what contributed to making Shannon and Ro’s Lambertville engagement even more epic.
New Hope, PA has a compelling history of being an LGBTQ+-friendly town. In the mid-20th century, it attracted a diverse crowd of artists, writers, and free spirits, many of whom were part of the LGBTQ+ community. This creative influx helped lay the foundation for atmosphere that exists today.
Fast forward to the ’70s, and New Hope had blossomed into a vital LGBTQ+ destination. Business owners in the town were at the forefront of progressive attitudes, creating a haven for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. Today, it's a bustling LGBTQ+ hotspot, boasting LGBTQ+-owned businesses, fabulous annual Pride celebrations, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
Lambertville, New Jersey: Right across the river from New Hope, Lambertville shares a similar narrative of LGBTQ+ acceptance. The two towns share a tight-knit relationship, with their LGBTQ+ communities overlapping in many ways.
Lambertville, like its neighbor, has embraced LGBTQ+ individuals for decades. It hosts LGBTQ+ events and boasts LGBTQ+-friendly establishments, further strengthening its reputation as an inclusive haven.
