Cloudy May Sunset Ceremony | Elopement in Shenandoah National Park

Remember these two? I photographed Jacob’s proposal to Kaylea back in November at this exact same spot where their ceremony was.

Kaylea and Jacob had to change their wedding plans quickly. Originally they were doing a backyard wedding in May with all their family and friends, but with groups being down to 10 or fewer, they decided to switch their date and location and it was just in time because a couple days later Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive closed due to Covid-19 (they’ve announced they are open again!!)

It was just their parents and their officiant. Jacob’s suit arrived quickly from an online order and fit perfectly (phew!) and Kaylea’s bouquet was picked by her mom there at their farm.

After their ceremony they took family photos and were given an envelope with their instructions for how to get to their Bed & Breakfast - it was like a scavenger hunt! We took couple portraits at a few overlooks, where they got some congratulatory honks from passersby.

It was wonderful and emotional and gorgeous, even if it was pulled together quickly and unlike their original plan - but at the end of the day they were married and still had some of their important people there to celebrate them.

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See their Proposal Blog Here!

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

Nicole and Wayne | Sunrise Adventure Couple Session | Shenandoah National Park