Fall Engagement Sessions in the Mountains

“Because in the end you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb the Mountain. ”

— Jack Kerouac

Oh my goodness! I have had SO many fun Engagement Sessions and Surprise Proposals this month so I thought it would be more fun to post them all together! I’ll never get over the fact that I get to be a part of so many life changing moments in couples’ lives. I can’t imagine there’s a better job on the planet.

I captured Phil and Ashley’s surprise proposal in Raleigh this summer then they joined me in Banner Elk for their engagements. They are adventurers too, (literally mountain biking right up until the shoot) and were all about a last minute trash the dress at the end of the shoot! It makes me so happy when couples are willing to let loose and have fun! I cannot WAIT til the big day next year!

I will be capturing Rachel and Stephen’s big day also in Raleigh next fall but they wanted the Blue Ridge Parkway as their engagement back drop. Being able to flow freely between both locations is so much fun for me! I love that my couples love it as much as I do!

I schemed with Brooke for WEEKS on how to make her surprise proposal to Kayla special. She absolutely loved the view from the park in downtown Banner Elk and wanted to make it even more special with this moment. After quite a bit of back and forth on weather and back up locations, the rain parted JUST long enough to make it happen! I could not be more excited to capture their big day next fall at Overlook Barn!

I have known Brandon and his family since my early days living in Raleigh. When he said he was ready to propose I was all in on helping him to plan everything! After his and Shelby’s engagement on Blue Ridge Parkway, they asked me to come by their house in Raleigh to help them make their wedding plans! They have big dreams of owning a wedding venue themselves and I can’t wait to pass on to them 250 weddings worth of venue experiences!

John and I were both a nervous wreck trying to plan his surprise proposal to Alyssa! First he drove 2.5 hours up here a week early to scope out the location I suggested, and then couldn’t find it! And when it came time to pop the question, alllllll the hand drawn directions I had given him about exactly which rocks to stand on were completely useless, because when I arrived I realized the heavy rains from the day before had FLOODED the entire area! I sent him a new quick drawing to try to describe the new option, jumped behind the bridge and hoped he got the message in time! He did, and of course she said yes!! We were in full dance party mode when it all came together! I cannot wait til next year!

SO many couples to celebrate, so little time. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Love you guys!

Jodi and Matt's Wedding at Twickenham House

“I’m not good at making specific plans. Just meet me under the sky somewhere and be alive with me.”

— Victoria Erickson

Despite the torrential downpour we received right as the reception began, Matt and Jodi’s wedding was one for the books! I have been dying to shoot at Twickenham House in Jefferson, NC and it did not disappoint! The views are unbelievable and of course the coordinator, Leigh, was so super helpful the entire weekend. They have tons of rooms for your guests to stay in if you want to make a weekend out of it and beautiful hiking spots all around. We were able to hike right up to the edge of the mountain at their Cliffside Ceremony location and the backdrop was incredible for photos.

While they are from Wisconsin, and currently living in Florida, the mountains have always held a special place for them, so they had all their family meet in the middle in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Matt proposed on a 4th of July trip to the Great Smoky Mountains back in 2015. They had been exploring all day and ended up hiking to Cataract Falls where he got down on one knee to propose. They were the only ones at the bottom of the waterfall until suddenly there was a large family watching them to celebrate the proposal! The mountains seemed like the perfect way to capture that important piece of their story.

They, of course had to include their fur baby Slinky in the big day. She was very excited and showered them in kisses all day while also being the perfect companion to the sweet flower girls.

It was thundering and lightening as we were finishing up all the photos and we knew we didn’t have much time but they were willing to risk it for the photos. Shortly after we reached the reception hall a huge thunder clap was heard all around and the lights went out! Luckily Twickenham has excellent generators so we barely skipped a beat before the bottom dropped out and all the rain that had so graciously held off all afternoon came all at once!

You guys I cannot thank you enough for including me in your big day! I had so much fun exploring the cliffs with you!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographers: Cynthia Viola with Martha Shannon

Venue: Twickenham House

Dress: Alfred Angelo Bridal

Tux: Ike Behar from The Tux Lady in Jefferson

Her Ring: Jareds Galleria of Jewelry

His Ring- Custom from Celestial Rex

Hair and Make Up: Mark of Eden Salon, Tera Shaw

Florist: Log House Florist

Officiant: Gerard A. Murphy with High Country Ministers

DJ: Dan Etzler, On Target DJ

Videographer: HoneyDew Films

Catering: Frugal Gourmet Catering

Invitations: Minted.com, Artist - Grace Kreinbrink

Favors: Koozies

Meghan and Andrew's Elopement on the Blue Ridge Parkway

“Go as far as you can see. When you get there you’ll be able to see farther”

— J.P. Morgan

When a couple is willing to get up at 4am to climb a mountain with you in the DARK just to catch the sunrise you know you’ve found the right couple. Meghan and Andrew wanted a simple ceremony at Beacon Heights with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background so we made it happen!

She literally had to put on her dress and adjust her make up in the dark while we waited for the sun to make an appearance, but it was totally work the effort.

With a few 20s crooners playing in the background, they shared their first dance and spent some time taking in the moment.

It was truly the perfect ceremony and I am so honored you chose me to be a part of it you guys!