We met at Blue Valley Vineyard for their engagement portraits on a beautiful summer day. Although, funny enough, the day wasn’t intended to be beautiful at all… We actually pushed the session to happen mid-afternoon due to the threat of rain that evening. Little did we know that we were going to be photographing in FULL sun! Haha! But I feel like the bright atmosphere is so appropriate for this fun couple. π
After chatting with Andrew and Katie over the phone months back, I couldn’t stop laughing over their sense of humor! Together, they are playful with their words and actions, and these photos reflect that too! I know they were a little nervous going into their session (I mean, everyone admits that), but they were so easy going in front of my camera!! Even their Mini schnauzer, Evie!
Katie grew up in the military, but I was so envious to learn that she lived in Europe for a good part of her childhood! Alex and I hope to one day relocate to Europe. Maybe once COVID is not a thing anymore. π We also talked a lot about JMU because Katie not only attended JMU (GO DUKES), but she was a MRD!!! AND she was in the flute section (I gotta love these connections)!!! When she told me how her and Andrew met, I thought back to when I played in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade too! So fun!!! I love how it brought them together. <3 And now we are getting closer and closer to their big day next year! I cannot wait!!!
Andrew & Katieβs Love Story
HOW ANDREW & KATIE MET
Andrew and Katie met in a very millennial way – on Facebook in December of 2011. They had both been accepted to George Mason University for the Fall of 2012, and Andrew posted on the George Mason University – Accepted Students page asking if there were any music majors to connect with.
Katie decided to comment on the post, as she was considering majoring in music and going to GMU. They started messaging and hit it off.
Everything changed when Katie was accepted at James Madison University, and decided that she would not be going to GMU. They stayed in touch throughout 2012 and into 2013.
While at JMU, Katie joined the marching band and was going to be marching in the 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Andrew’s family has gone to the parade every year since 2001 (2020 does not count for obvious reasons.) Katie and Andrew went on their first date the day before the parade, and have been inseparable ever sinc
HOW ANDREW PROPOSED TO KATIE
In Fall of 2020, Andrew was working on plans to propose to Katie. Katie kept getting a feeling that something was coming, but couldn’t figure out when it was going to happen (nor did she want to know when it was going to happen – she wanted to the surprised!)In August, Andrew went to visit Katie’s parents in Maryland, where he asked her parents for their blessing. They said yes, and the plans were all ready to go.On September 19, 2020, Andrew wanted to go for a hike with Victoria and Andrew Kerper near the Virginia-West Virginia border. Katie was annoyed that they were leaving at 6:30 am on a Saturday, when the hike was more than 90 minutes away, and it was only 2 miles total. After pushing aside her annoyances, Katie happily went hiking (happily because they were going to a winery afterward, so the faster she hiked, the faster they could go get wine!) When they got to the top of the overlook and after posing for some photos, Andrew got down on one knee and asked Katie to marry him.(Obviously she said yes.)
THANK YOU!
Thank you, Andrew and Katie, for having me document these super cute engagement portraits at Blue Valley Vineyard!! This time together has me even MORE excited for your big day next year!!! π It will be here before we know it! Enjoy this engagement season and I cannot wait to hang out with you all again! <3 CONGRATS!!!!
Venue: Blue Valley Vineyard
Hair by Kimberly Soules
Makeup by Heather Rea Gaines
Stephanie Messick Photography, LLC is a Northern/Central Virginia + Colorado Family, Wedding, and Engagement Photographer. Learn more HERE or contact her HERE!!
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