Leslie + Wes' Grandfather Mountain Engagement Photo Adventure by Boone Photographer Wayfaring Wanderer

When you find that special someone that you want to spend forever with being apart from one another can be grueling. You chat on the phone, send messages, facetime, or Skype but what you really want to do is hug their neck and plant a wet one on those hot lips, am I right?! If Cody and I spend more than a few days apart I get antsy, so I can't imagine if we lived in different states like Leslie and Wes.

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.

Ready to book your exclusive Choose Your Adventure Session?

Simply send me an email at wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com or message me through my website contact form because I'd love to find out how I can best help you! Now BOOKING 2015 engagements + weddings!

I will be making some announcements in the next few weeks that will be shared in the Weekly Wander if you want to know the inside scoop. Weekly Wander subscribers will get the details first, so I recommend that you sign up to GET NOTIFICATIONS if you don't want to miss it!

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

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

Just one day after Dennis proposed, I received an email from Kim inquiring about engagement photos. They wanted to go back to the spot where he popped the question and was wondering if Linville Falls was a place I would consider going.

I eagerly emailed her back with a response and told her how much I love hiking there myself, and that working with adventurous folks is what I do so this type of engagement photography was right up my alley!

We couldn't have asked for better weather on the day of their engagement pictures. It was unseasonably warm for this time of year but it made for a beautiful Fall day! Even though it was past the peak of the season, that didn't stop vacationers from visiting Linville Falls to catch a glimpse of the popular waterfall. There were so many people there that day that it was nearly impossible to find a parking space!

Normally, when I meet with a couple I haven't had the opportunity to see them face-to-face since they aren't from the Boone area, so it's kind of a game to guess who it is I might be looking for sometimes. I was up at the visitor's center searching faces, trying to find someone else who was also looking around. I finally spotted Kim and Dennis after I noticed them studying the folks walking by. They were also a dead giveaway once I saw that they were wearing matching Panthers jerseys!

After a change of clothes, we started their session at the bridge behind the visitor center since there was still a little fall color left on the trees. As I mentioned earlier, this place was packed so there were tons of people walking by and watching us. Yep, it was a little uncomfortable and awkward for them to be looking into each others eyes and smooching in front of complete strangers but they carried on and laughed a lot despite the curious onlookers!

The next stop was to hike to the spot where Dennis proposed which was a smaller trail called Dugger's Creek. There was a small cascade there where a narrow bridge crossed the gentle stream. It's where he stopped Kim in the middle of the bridge and got down on one knee to ask for her hand in marriage. I totally had him reenact the scene, of course!

Our original plan was to then hike down to the bottom of the Linville Gorge and finish out the rest of their engagement photos on the river, however, time got away from us with the hiking back-and-forth and multiple outfit changes.

Once we were done taking photos up top near the parking area, we weren't going to be able to hike down to the bottom. I feared that we wouldn't make it back up before losing light, and I didn't want to take that chance, especially since the ranger told us that it took 1-hour round-trip and that was all the time we had before the sunset. It was a little disappointing but we came up with another idea instead.

The Linville Falls Winery was just around the corner, and it was also a place that they visited the weekend they got engaged, so we quickly hiked back to the vehicles, huffing and puffing all the way, and headed over to the winery before they closed.

We almost didn't make it because they were closing in the next 6-minutes, but that gave us just enough time for Kim and Dennis to grab a glass of their Blueberry Wine, so they could sit and enjoy a sip or two before we continued their engagement shoot.

The grapevines made for a perfect place to traipse around for their engagement portraits! I'm really glad that its where we ended up even though it wasn't part of the plan because I love the images that I captured of this fun-loving couple bathed in golden light.

It was funny that on my way to meet Kim and Dennis for their session that I passed by the winery and though that it would be a nice place for engagement pictures. I didn't realize at the time that that's where were would end up!

That's what going on adventures is all about! Sometimes things don't go according to plan so you have to go with the flow and that's what Kim and Dennis did.

CONGRATULATIONS to Kim + Dennis on your engagement and upcoming marriage. I wish you two lovebirds 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 at Linville Falls. I had such a blast with you two! Hope you enjoy this sneak peek while I work on your full gallery.

Ready to book your exclusive Choose Your Adventure Session?

Simply send me an email at wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com or message me through my website contact form and I'll get you on the schedule ASAP! Availability is limited, only 10, 8, 5, 3 spaces left for engagement photos in 2014!

I'm hosting some fun giveaways in November for the Fan of the Week and a special Geocaching Giveaway that will be announced in this week's Weekly Wander if you want a chance to WIN a FREE session. Weekly Wander subscribers will get the details first. I recommend that you sign up for notifications so you don't miss those announcements! GET NOTIFICATIONS

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 }

» Choose Your Adventure Portrait Marathon (Nov ONLY)
» Focusing on the Marriage and Not the Wedding
» Casey + Sarah's Valle Crucis Anniversary Adventure
» Ali + JB's Engagement Adventure at Grandfather Golf
» Logen + Nick's LGBT Engagement in Downtown West Jefferson

Ali + JB's Engagement Adventure at Grandfather Golf & Country Club | Boone NC Photographer

“Hold on now! We wouldn't want you to fall off the golf cart!”, Ali hollered.

Meanwhile, I have a death-grip with my left hand on the cameras and my right was white knuckling it on the—pardon my French—“oh shit!” bar (that’s what it’s called, right?! hahaha) while he whizzed us around the course!

JB was obviously very familiar with the terrain and seemed to know this course like the back of his hand. I wasn't really scared, I knew I was in good hands. I’m just being dramatic for effect. Did it work?

The three of us got cozy right away and sandwiched three-deep on the bench seat of the club car before we set off on our adventure around the golf course for their engagement pictures.

Ali knew she wanted to have their engagement photos made at the Grandfather Golf and Country Club from the very beginning because her and JB both love this beautiful place and have spent a lot of time here together during their four years of dating.

After all, it’s also how they started their relationship, bonding at a ball game over how much they both love the GGCC. It’s one of their favorite places.

We attempted to schedule their engagement photography session back in February during the wintertime because she wanted snow photos but we didn't get any the weekend they came up so we decided to wait since the landscape look so drab. 

The two lovebirds live in Charlotte but come to visit JB’s parents’ mountain house every opportunity they get. The end of the summer was the earliest that we could all get together because of wedding planning craziness, theirs and mine, but I’m so glad I was able to meet Ali and JB before their wedding day.

JB and Ali got engaged in late October of last year on a gorgeous fall day decorated with vibrant colors of autumn and a sprinkling of snow on the ground.

 

He asked her to go for a walk on the fairway of the first hole. She stopped to snap a picture, JB took a knee, and when she turned around he asked her to marry him.

I don’t think there was any doubt in JB’s mind as to whether or not the answer would be “YES!” because Ali had no qualms about letting it be known that she was ready to take things to the next level.


What made this spot even more special was the fact that it was the place where Ali and JB shared their first kiss! Seriously, how romantic is that?! Nice job, JB!

We gallivanted around the golf course and visited different holes based on what had a view of the mountains and the most significance to them as couple and what looked cool! It's a gorgeous golf course, I had no idea how pretty it was back there. 

They are both BIG sports fans and enjoy going to and watching games together, but Ali doesn't play golf like JB does.

In fact, she has no desire to learn and he doesn't have any plans to teach her, which I thought was funny, but couples don’t have to do everything together!

Ali and I were on weather watch that day because clouds were looming and the forecast was calling for rain. But this is Boone so things can change in an instant, so we stayed hopeful and had a back-up plan just in case!

Thankfully, the storm held off and the sun shined brightly for a bit before the clouds quickly rolled in at the very end of our engagement session.

It got dark really fast so we made our way back to the clubhouse as quickly as we could to get some shots on the bridge before the sun set completely.

I really loved Ali’s white Lily Pulitzer dress. She looked adorable in the delicate lace and floral motif paired with her gold peep toe wedges that are also her wedding shoes.

The accessories that she added to the ensemble for some pops of color were super cute as well. I thought that her and JB coordinated their outfits nicely. Did you notice his NC Tar Heel belt?

While Ali loves having pictures taken, JB hates them, although he was willing to do it because he loves her, of course. She told me she just wanted one good picture of the two of them and that they've never had professional pictures taken together so she didn't know what to expect but she was extremely excited!

We had a lot of fun on our engagement adventure, but it also gave them a chance to see how I work before their wedding day and also showed JB that having your pictures made is not all that painful when you’re enjoying yourself! He admitted to having fun afterwards! WIN! ;-)

My goal as an engagement photographer is to ensure that having your engagement pictures made is a fun experience for everyone. That's why I like to focus on creating new memories with an adventure that is made just for you!

Ready to book your exclusive Choose Your Adventure Session?

Simply send me an email at wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com or message me through my website contact form and I'll get you on the schedule ASAP! Availability is limited, only 10, 8, 5, 3 spaces left for engagement photos in 2014!

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 }

» No More Boring Family Photos! | Choose Your Adventure Family Photography
» Pennington Family Adventure at Valle Crucis Community Park
» Hersey Family Reunion Adventure on Lake James, NC
» Scott Family Hiking Adventure on the Blue Ridge Parkway