Get ready for the ride of your life with this adorable Kennywood engagement session. Pittsburgh’s iconic amusement park is a frequent date spot for Alex and Nicole, and the place they claim to have fallen in love. It just made perfect sense for these two to head back to a place that holds such meaning to them. With Ashley Sara Photography in tow, Nicole and Alex posed in front of the carousel, enjoyed a delicious treat from Millie’s, indulged in some cotton candy, shared a shake at the 50s style diner Johnny Rockets, took their chances at a few games, and even hopped on some rides. The vibe was playful, sweet, silly, and youthful, leading to a gallery chock full of fun-loving images. We think you’re going to be attracted to each and every one!
About the Couple
Alex and Nicole’s love story is bittersweet. Nicole comes from a large Italian family with her mom being 1 out of 14 siblings. Alex grew up side-by-side with Nicole’s family, as a best friend to her cousins. For their whole lives, they have attended the same weddings, baptisms, birthday parties, etc. but never met each other. It wasn’t until August 2018 that their paths finally crossed. One of Alex’s best friends and Nicole’s cousin, Nicholas, passed away suddenly. With Alex being heartbroken and Nicole coming back after a mission trip in pieces, neither one of them knew what fate really had in store for them. Alex and Nicole briefly met at the wake following Nick’s funeral. While they talked for some time, it wasn’t until a month later that another cousin of Nicole’s would set them up on a blind date. On September 7, 2018, Nicole and Alex were begged to come out for a night of bowling at Arsenal Lanes. With neither of them expecting anything special to happen, they both decided to go. They would never have guessed that night would be the start to their forever! Following multiple competitive games of bowling and Nicole and Alex not wanting the night to end, they decided to go dancing at Tequila Cowboy. They danced the night away until the last call lights came on and they had to leave. They decided to go out on an official date the following day. After that, they continued to see each other every day for the rest of that week. While neither of them said anything, they both knew they had found their person that they would spend forever with.
For the next 2 years and 10 months, Alex and Nicole had a fun and thrilling relationship – trying new things, going on adventures, and loving life together so much that Alex decided it was time to ask Nicole a very special question. On July 21, 2021, Alex invited their immediate family over to celebrate Nicole’s birthday. Nicole thought it was suspicious that they were celebrating her birthday almost a week prior to her actual birthday on July 26. But she played along and enjoyed a night of birthday festivities. It wasn’t until after they sang “Happy Birthday” that Nicole’s sister, Alexis, had asked if she could take a picture of the two of them. While Alexis and Nicole were taking pictures, Nicole noticed out of the corner of her eye that Alex was walking towards her. While she thought he just wanted to join them in the picture, when she turned to him, she saw him getting down on one knee. Alex had a habit of jokingly getting down on one knee but would play it off like he had to tie his shoe or pick up something that he dropped. So this time, Nicole got upset thinking this was just another joke. It wasn’t until Nicole saw a box in Alex’s hand, and something shiny in the box, that Nicole realized it was the real deal. Alex asked Nicole to spend the rest of her life with him that day, and she said YES!
About the Session
With a few disappointing engagement sessions with a previous photographer under their belts, Nicole and Alex didn’t really feel the need to do anymore photos. They were pretty much over the whole thing, but Ashley convinced them to do one more so that they would feel comfortable in front of her prior to the wedding day. Trusting Ashley, they agreed to a third shoot, but this time they wanted something totally different from the other classy sessions they had before…a date night at Kennywood! The amusement park holds a special place in Nicole and Alex’s hearts. Kennywood is where they have gone for many dates, have had many good memories with friends and family, and where Alex fell in love with Nicole. It’s a place that makes Alex and Nicole feel happy, alive, excited, and comfortable – all the roller-coaster emotions to share in one place that is close to home!
