Mandy and George’s relationship is a testament to the power of fate and the magic of serendipity. Having known each other for over half a decade, the couple had crossed paths numerous times at conferences, slowly but surely building a strong foundation of friendship. It wasn’t until a fateful New Year’s Eve in 2021 when they shared their first official date that their relationship took on a new, passionate dimension!
From that point on, the couple’s romance blossomed, even as they navigated the challenges of a long-distance relationship. George’s proposal to Mandy during a visit to the Grand Canyon during a visit around Christmas was a true testament to their adventurous spirits. With Mandy’s relocation to Washington, DC to be with her beloved, the stage was set for the next chapter of their lives to unfold!
As Mandy and George began planning their engagement session, they knew that they wanted to capture the essence of their love story in a setting that was both meaningful and visually stunning.
The choice of Mount Vernon, the historic estate of George Washington, was a natural fit, as it not only held a special place in their hearts as their soon-to-be wedding venue but also promised to provide a breathtaking canvas for their engagement photos.
Mandy and George knew that portraits on the mansion side of Mount Vernon wouldn’t be possible on their wedding day, so they got special permission to celebrate their engagement there instead! We met for their engagement session back in November and had a blast exploring in the late fall golden hour!
The day of the engagement photo session dawned with a crisp, autumnal chill in the air (Read: it was FREEZING), but Mandy and George were undeterred.
As we ventured out to explore the grounds of Mount Vernon, these cuties snuggled close and shared so many giggles as they navigated the freezing temperatures.
Despite the bone-chilling temps, the pair remained steadfast in their commitment to capturing the magic of such a beautiful and historic property. They moved from one picturesque spot to another, posing with infectious joy and affection, their love shining through every frame!
As the chill of the autumn air became just a little too much, we sought refuge in the warmth of the Inn side of the property!
There, they were able to enjoy a moment of warmth in the space that would be filled with their family and friends on their wedding day come March! Sipping on a little bit of wine, these two snuggled close and warmed right up! As a bonus, they were able to show me a few of the rooms that they hoped to incorporate on their wedding day which made me so much more excited to capture their nuptials.
As the afternoon drew to a close, Mandy and George ventured back outside to conclude their Mount Vernon engagement photos!
While it was freezing, they were determined to make the most of the fading sunset. We found some of the most gorgeous fall golden light to wrap up our time together!
While their gorgeous wedding day in Old Town Alexandria and George Washington’s Mount Vernon has been on the blog for months now, I’ve been a little backed up on sharing client sessions on the blog. So… while these Mandy and George have been married and enjoying life as husband and wife for a few months, today, we get to look back on a beautiful (but freezing cold!) fall day that we got to spend together, celebrating such a special season as FIANCES! It was even more special, knowing that the property would be flooded with all of their favorite people for their wedding day in just a few months time!
I so hope you enjoy a look back on our chilly afternoon together!
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