An E-Session for High School Sweethearts at a New York Mansion

View more of this couple's laid-back and elegant engagement photos.

The high-school sweethearts were thrilled with their engagement photos and loved the process as well. "To us, the whole engagement shoot was a memory that we will forever love; it was such a great experience," muses the bride.

exterior-of-rosecliff-mansion-wedding-venue
Photo: MBV Photography

When Melany Diaz and Ray Cassens met during their junior year of high school, they became close friends before eventually becoming an item. "After six years of being together, Ray decided to pop the question!" exclaims Melany. Though she had surprised him with a trip to Vegas for his 24th birthday, he was planning his own special surprise: a proposal in front of the Bellagio fountain show. "I was so surprised and excited to finally become his fiancée," she shares of the memorable moment.

Before their March 2019 wedding in New Jersey, the pair decided to have engagement photos taken by the talented Kesha Lambert Photography. "Kesha suggested a couple of locations for us to have our shoot, but when we saw Lyndhurst Mansion, we knew we wanted to have our engagement pictures taken there," explains Melany of their vision to have an elegant photo shoot with a touch of casual. They donned laid-back attire for half of the shoot and formal attire for the second half. "The aspect of our engagement session that most reflected our personalities was being able to act like our playful selves during the shoot... and adding my Las Vegas 'Wifey' clutch," smiles the bride.

The high-school sweethearts were thrilled with their engagement photos and loved the process as well. "To us, the whole engagement shoot was a memory that we will forever love; it was such a great experience," muses the bride. Take a look at the beautiful photos from this couple's New York engagement session, below!

Bride's Attire: Martina Liana from RK Bridal (dress); Engagement Ring by Blue Nile; Groom's Attire by Men's Wearhouse; Hair & Makeup by Andrea Liverman; Wedding Designer: Designs by Ayanna; Venue: Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, New York

For more engagement shoot inspiration, see this at-home e-session in the kitchen and view these shoots in BarcelonaNew YorkParis, ChicagoBrooklynCentral ParkMalibu, and Palm Springs.