As people in Northern Virginia know, we got snow last week!! Definitely an early ‘hello,’ despite the talks about it being a mild winter!! Bryan, Meghan, and I had plans to meet up last week for their engagement session on top of Skyline Drive but came across that it was CLOSED because of the destruction from the storm. Even with the grounds cleared at home, the top of the mountain was completely covered in ice and snow. We postponed the session to happen yesterday, and fortunately, the drive just opened back up on Monday so we could access the overlooks. 🙂 WHEW!!! When I was prepping Meghan and Bryan for our time together, I gave them some pointer and tips beforehand so they wouldn’t be caught off guard how much colder it would be on top of the mountain. However, I had NO idea it would be as cold as it was yesterday. HOLY MOLY. It reminded me of Michael and Lauren’s super freezing Skyline Drive session when I turned around and found Lauren vigorously shaking from the cold temps. Bryan and Meghan were not only brave to go out in the conditions we were photographing but they still somehow managed to look so in love and happy in these photos!! It was 34-degrees with full exposure to the 10mph constant wind … Guys, no exaggeration. So kudos to you, Bryan and Meghan!!! I was bundled up like Randy from a Christmas Story, but as soon as I took my gloves off to help fix Meghan’s hair, my hand was already in pain for that split of a sec. At that point, I didn’t want them to feel like I was holding them hostage outside, so I had them take frequent warm-up breaks in the truck. After all, my sessions aren’t supposed to be painful, but instead, fun!!! 😉 We managed to make it work, and Bryan was such a great supporter to Meghan as she toughed the wind with minimal layers on. In addition to keeping her warm, Bryan helped her as much as possible with her hair as it flew around because it was very tricky to contain it with the wind blowing it in all different directions. With a lot of patience and enthusiasm, we were able to make these portraits look like we weren’t struggling at all. If you saw some behind the scenes photos, though, you would really see how crazy the wind was!!! I’m so happy the photos turned out!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Bryan and Meghan love each other SO well!!!!! I didn’t get the opportunity to meet and get to know them before this session since they just hired me for an engagement session before their destination wedding, but any little opportunity we could chat and get to know each other, in between the moments of mummifying ourselves to stay warm, we took it! Together, they are absolute sweethearts and so ready for this exciting new chapter of their lives. I loved how Bryan literally swept Meghan off her feet, and it always caught her by surprise, which was cute! But he could pick her up with one hand and swing her around easily, so there was a lot of movement besides the wind taking all of the credit. 😉 We also had to work really fast and efficiently throughout our time together. But every time we jumped out of our cars, Meghan always had a positive, enthusiastic response and never complained! She’s so tough!!!  Undeniably, this was an experience they will never forget!!! 😉

Bryan and Meghan’s Love Story

How Bryan and Meghan Met

from Meghan’s point of view

We met in September of 2015 at a Charlottesville brewery near the downtown mall called South Street. I was hooked as soon as he started talking with that great southern accent and I think he was impressed with my football knowledge I gained growing up with a dad and two brothers obsessed with sports! He got my number and we went on a date the next weekend and it was awesome! We went to an 80s cover band concert and danced the night away! He also gained major brownie points when I wanted to set my purse down but he didn’t want anything to happen to it so he strapped it around himself and wore it for the night! I loved the fact that he could care less what anyone thought about how he looked, he just wanted my purse to be ok 🙂 Things took a brief pause when Bryan found out he had to move for work and we had only been out on 4 or 5 dates. But luckily his new job took him only to D.C. 🙂  After settling in his new city and missing me, he called me up and said he wanted to come down and visit me 🙂 The rest is pretty much history! We dated long distance for a year and then Bryan was able to transfer with his new company back to Charlottesville 🙂 We moved in together and on September 29, 2018, Bryan proposed!!!

How Bryan Proposed to Meghan

from Meghan’s point of view

After a fun night of cooking together, we decided to stay in and cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie. We had plans to go hiking the next day and I had a feeling Bryan might pop the question then! My mom had let it slip that Bryan had asked my dad’s permission to marry me and Bryan had hinted to me that he had talked to my dad (both of which made me so happy to hear!!!) so I knew the ring was on its way :):):)  That night after dinner I thought Bryan was getting up to get water but when he came back he got down on one knee and proposed!!!!

Thank you, Bryan and Meghan, for seriously BRAVING the crazy cold day!!!! I was not only impressed with your enthusiasm but I’m so impressed with how these photos turned out despite the chaotic conditions thrown our way!!! You two nailed it!!! <3 Enjoy this preview from our time together!! XOXO!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!