Currently, Wes is stationed in Virginia and Leslie resides in Raleigh, NC where she teaches Spanish. These two are planning a wedding this summer on Sugar Mountain so their long-distance love won't stay that way for too much longer once they are married.
While they are used to having distance between them since they dated on and off for four years after they first met up here in Boone, NC. After that, they both went their separate ways. Wes left to pursue a career in the Navy and Leslie traveled around the world to expand her horizons.
They lost touch over the years, but Wes found Leslie again and he decided that it was time to make sure she sticks around, so he made it official and asked her to be his wife last November!
They came up to the Boone area to visit their wedding venue and thought that it would be a good time to squeeze in their engagement photos so they can use them for save-the-dates.
Leslie had her heart set on a snowy photo session, but the forecast didn't cooperate, so I came up with some other creative engagement photo ideas.
One of the engagement photo location ideas I threw out that Leslie liked from the get-go was Grandfather Mountain. Apparently, they tried to visit the tourist attraction a little while ago when they were in town but it was too cold so the bridge was closed. It's not as much fun if you can't go up to the Mile High Swinging Bridge to see the views!
Normally, the admission charge to get into Grandfather Mountain is $20 per person for adults. For that reason, this usually wouldn't be a viable location to do an engagement session due to the high cost but every year in December they offer Dollar Days to local residents, so I was able to get us in for $3 per person. A few years ago Dollar Days used to be $1 per person but I suppose they've had to go up.
Once we were past the gate, the three of us slowly made our way up the windy road in Wes' bright orange jeep. We stopped at various overlooks along the way so that we could get some variations in our backdrops, and so that we could avoid the colder weather up top for as long as we could. From my experience, I know that it's always a lot colder and windier up there because you're at such a high elevation.
Little did we know, though, how fiercely the wind would be blowing once we reached the Mile High Swinging Bridge. It was absolutely insane! The gusts of wind were blasting so hard from all sides that it kept knocking me off balance. I had to wedge my foot in between two rocks while I was shooting because I, literally, thought I was going to blow away. Seriously.
It was hard to think straight with the freezing cold and wind pounding, although there was a tiny little pocket I found between boulders and trees where we could stand and not feel the fury. I wanted to keep them in that spot forever!
Despite the bitter temperatures Leslie and Wes took it all in stride. They laughed and enjoyed the adventure as crazy as it was. I love working with laid-back couples that like to have fun and can be silly together no matter what gets thrown their way! I really wish that I wasn't already booked for Leslie and Wes' wedding day because I had a blast hanging out with these two.
Once we were done up around the Mile High Swinging Bridge, we practically ran back to the gift shop because the wind picked up and began blowing even harder! After getting inside where it was warm and cozy, we saw that the wind was registering at 39 mph. I could have sworn that it was at least 100 mph! HA!
CONGRATULATIONS to Leslie + Wes on your engagement and upcoming marriage! I wish you two epic adventures in life and love, and I hope that your relationship and connection will grow stronger as you continue this journey together! Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your adventurous engagement photos at Grandfather Mountain. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek while I finish up your full gallery.
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Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com
{ Featured LINKS }
» WIN FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY!
» Focusing on the Marriage and Not the Wedding
» BIG LIST of Boone Wedding Vendors + FREE Printable
» Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure
» Casey + Sarah's Valle Crucis Anniversary Adventure
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