Katie and Barbara wanted to do their engagement session in February. We’re sometimes a tad hesitant about scheduling sessions in the winter months because you just never know! But when they asked if they could do their session at Jockey Hollow Bar and Kitchen in Morristown, New Jersey – we were in!

We were actually graced with a surprisingly mild day for February, but I was still so glad we had the interior option to work with during the chill of winter. Jockey Hollow Bar is SO historical and cool, and we had the place to ourselves! And it was fitting for them to pour out some drinks in celebration here, since Morristown is now where they both call home.

Mixed Drinks, Bubbly and Espresso Martinis

Since we were at Jockey Hollow Bar before dinner service and before the bar opened, Katie and Barbara had to BYOB. Which was perfectly fine because that just meant they could bring all their favorite drinks of choice!

Maybe it was the liquid courage, but we think this couple is just THAT comfortable with one another. Seriously, this session was an absolute breath of fresh air. The way K + B can make each other laugh by dancing or joking around made my job incredibly easy. I could focus less on telling them what to do, and more on just documenting their love story.

Board Games, a Puppy – and more Espresso Martinis!

By the end of the session, I went back with them to their apartment where I got to meet Margot!!! She was the sweetest pup ever. We were almost out of time at the end of the session and I was like, nope I’m coming over because I NEED to meet Margot.

Katie and Barbara poured out more espresso martinis and set up a board game. They explained to me how to play Wingspan and while I couldn’t fully grasp the rules while focusing on documenting the scene, lol, I am absolutely going to go out and buy this game. Margot joined in on the fun and may have even taken a sneaky sip of a martini!

How did you meet/How did you get engaged?

The pair met during their time at Rutgers and the first day they told each other they loved each other was May 23 (which is now their wedding date… awww!)

The proposal took place last August, when they went to Lake George with Katie’s family. Despite the fact that the intended proposal date turned into rainy day where everything seemingly went wrong, it was an intimate atmosphere that allowed Katie to muster the courage to ask Barbara – and she quickly reciprocated the proposal. They both said yes!!

See their relationship timeline below:

MARCH 25, 2017
Barbara joins the Rutgers Club Gymnastics team where her and Katie meet for the first time.

APRIL 28, 2018
Katie and Barbara come up with activities ranging from bar karaoke nights to TV show binges on the couch just to spend more time with each other.

MAY 13, 2018
Katie and Barbara graduate from Rutgers and are devastated to say goodbye, but decide to stay in touch.

JULY 01, 2018
Katie and Barbara come out to their families and friends as they start dating. They take a trip to Florida to celebrate graduation.

MAY 08, 2019
Katie and Barbara travel to Miami before Barbara starts PA school and their long distance relationship begins.

DECEMBER 25, 2019
Barbara spends her first Christmas with the Bruetts. Pop-Pop even includes her in the holiday poem.

DECEMBER 08, 2021
Katie and Barbara move into their first apartment together in Morristown, New Jersey

AUGUST 07, 2023
Katie asks Barbara to marry her, she says “yes”, and is then ecstatic when the question is reciprocated.

Tell us about yourselves!

“We got engaged on August 7, 2023 after dating for a little over 5 years. We met on the Rutgers club gymnastics team, became fast friends, and then started dating after we graduated undergrad. We love hanging out and watching TV, going out to eat, playing board games, just laying with each other and chatting at the end of the day, etc. In general, our favorite place to be is with each other. We are very excited to begin the wedding planning process and to have the both of you as our photographers!”

May 23rd, 2025 at Stone House at Stirling Ridge can’t come soon enough!!