Sarah, Mike, and their sweet goldendoodle, Jackson, met me earlier this June for their summer engagement session at Airlie Center in Warrenton, VA. The three of them (and Best Man, Derek!) were already there when I arrived which Sarah said is her norm — she is self-proclaimed “crazy” about being punctual which my Type A personality totally understands! 

So it was very uncharacteristic of her when she arrive to her first date with Mike nearly 45 minutes late. They had planned to meet at a restaurant in DC, but through a combination of nerves and fear, she almost backed out. Mike was literally about to hop on at the nearest metro stop when she changed her mind at the last minute and caught him before he called it quits. He went back to the restaurant where they started their date and it was such an instant connection that they ended up going to a movie afterwards because they didn’t want the date to end! They have been inseparable since and got their first puppy together just last year from the exact same place we found Granger! 

Almost exactly two years after their first date, they took a trip last fall out to Stribling Orchard in Markham, VA. Despite a weird text from her mom on the way, she just thought it was regular date day for the two of them. Sarah did find it odd how Mike get directing her to the apple trees on the outskirts of the orchard that barely had any fruit on them, but everything feel into place when she later turned around and he was down on one knee!  

These two will be celebrating again in Virginia, this time at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, when they say “I do” amongst their friends and family. I’m so excited to photograph them — and sweet Jackson! — next May!

Looking for other garden engagement inspiration? View another Airlie engagement session here, a Great Marsh engagement session here, or an Oatlands engagement session here!