Abigail & Harrison | Sunset Engagement Session | Shenandoah National Park Overlooks

A cozy, autumn engagement session at sunset in the Blue Ridge mountains with these two! We explored some overlooks along Skyline Drive, starting at Thornton Gap, doing a little wandering and snuggling. Then they set up an incredible little picnic to watch the sunset - with cozy blankets, pillows, snacks, champagne, and books; because Abigail loves when Harrison reads to her. At one point Abigail said “do the thing” and Harrison took her face in his hands and kissed her on the forehead, “this is my favorite thing.” She said.

and that’s my favorite thing about photography: capturing little moments that mean a lot to individuals.

We had such a blast - seriously we just laughed the entire time. It was so much fun getting to know each other and talk some wedding plans for this year!

Blue Ridge Mountain Top Proposal and Photo Shoot | Shenandoah National Park Surprise Proposal

A few days before this very Friday that Jacob proposed to Kaylea, he gave me a call and asked if I’d be available. We came up with a plan that Johnny and I would set up a picnic at this overlook that Jacob chose and wait for him to show up with Kaylea. The day before, I drove up to the overlook on Skyline Drive to give it a look at the same time that Jacob was going to be proposing the next day. I took photos and sent them to him so that he could pick a general area where he’d pop the question so that I’d know where to set up.

Then, the day came and Johnny and I went up there VERY early, set up our picnic, and waited. There were a lot of people showing up at this spot because there was a forest fire on the opposite side of the valley, so Rangers and other photographers were popping up - asking us two weirdos with the picnic facing the smoke “watching the fire, eh?”

We were a little worried that it would be super busy, but right before Jacob and Kaylea showed up, the crowd died down.

As soon as he popped the question, we went right into a little photoshoot. It was the absolute best, because the two of them could not stop smiling. I asked Jacob what else he had planned for the day, because leading up to showing up on the mountain they had stopped at other memorable places - he said he had more plans, but he couldn’t tell me because they were still a surprise for her.

If you’re thinking of proposing this holiday season and want it photographed (I promise your love wants it photographed too) Johnny and I are here! We loved our chilly little picnic and scheming together. Johnny even took a few of these pictures too (:

Skyline Drive Proposal | Surprise Proposal Ideas | Proposal and Photo Shoot | Shenandoah National Park Proposal | Engagement Photo Shoot | Adventurous Proposal Ideas | Holiday Proposal | Christmas Proposal

November Sunrise Elopement | Adventurous Wedding with Family in Shenandoah National Park | Brewhouse Reception in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Marion & Stephen’s wedding weekend started in the evening the night before - people traveled in from all over the States to spend the weekend with them. They rented out a ton of rooms at Skyland and had a rehearsal campfire where they gave out blankets to all their guests so they were warm for the chilly ceremony and gave them all the details for the 4am hike the next morning.

In the weeks leading up to their wedding weekend, they sent out emails to everyone with information and plans for the weekend - they also asked that everyone send flowers instead of gifts, so they used flowers from all over the United States (including Hawaii!) as their flowers for bouquets, flower crowns, leis, and to decorate the brewery for their reception.

For the hike, there were two ways to get to the ceremony location - all their friends and family and Stephen took the shorter hike while Marion, her parents, sister, and myself took the longer hike. When we reached the summit, everyone was there waiting. They had their ceremony RIGHT as the sun was rising. Marion walked up the “aisle” with her dad to bagpipes! After the ceremony, they had hot coffee with Irish Cream, bagels and cream cheese, and took tons of group photos. We hiked back down, took a small siesta, and then went to Restless Moons Brewery in Harrisonburg for a live band, delicious food, and brews.

Up on the mountain it was the absolute coldest I have ever been in my life - but by the time we went down to the brewery, the day had warmed up and it was perfectly delightful.