When Andrew reached out asking if I’d help capture the moment he proposed to his love Rachel, I could hardly contain myself. He was so open to ideas on where and how to pop the question. He just wanted it to be beautiful, memorable, and discreet. I was there to help. We chose to hold the proposal at the Washington National Cathedral, a grand backdrop to this very grand moment.

We began planning right away. From securing our permit to figuring out the perfect post-proposal celebratory dinner spot, every detail was falling into place. Then the day came.

Andrew, who lives in Pennsylvania, came to DC for a visit. He convinced Rachel that they would meet his sister for dinner, but pick her up at the cathedral to drive together. I was already in place, watching discreetly as they walked the grounds “waiting” for his sister to arrive. They walked up toward Bishop’s Garden, and as Rachel admired the majestic steeples, Andrew dropped to his knee.

Rachel’s joyous reaction was overflowing. Of course, she said “yes!” And I felt so lucky that Kevin and I were there to capture the whole thing. The moment felt so significant, even I was shaking with adrenaline after she put her ring on!

From there, we just had to capture more portraits of the two nearly-weds to help share the news with their loved ones. As we walked the grounds and captured romantic engagement photos, I learned more about their love story. And it was sweeter than I could’ve imagined.

Andrew and Rachel have been friends since grade school! Life and school brought them different paths, but one day Andrew bravely tried to reconnect over social media after some years. One thing led to another, and a rekindled friendship turned into a lifelong love. Now they are beaming with excitement about the forever they get to build together as fiancés, and soon, spouses.

I was personally delighted to find out Rachel and I share an alma mater!! We even graduated a year apart, so who knows — we may have easily crossed paths years ago without even knowing it. So fate is all through their engagement story 😉

It was a true honor to document this forever memory for these two. They’re sweeter than sugar and I am so happy for the both of them as they prepare for a happy, thriving marriage. Congratulations to the bride- and groom-to-be, Andrew and Rachel!!

And now for the part everyone’s waiting for… their Washington National Cathedral proposal and engagement photos. Don’t miss the GORGEOUS solitaire, oval-cut diamond on a gold ring that Andrew proposed with!!

If you scrolled to the bottom, I’ll humbly assume you might be a fan of my work. 😉 Want to see more? Check out the posts below. Looking for a VA/DC based wedding photographer to document your new season of love? Inquire with me today!

• Luis & Chesney’s Quaint, Fall Middleburg Engagement Session | Northern VA Wedding Photographer
• Kipp and Sarah’s Romantic Sunrise Engagement Session at the Kennedy Center & Georgetown | D.C. Wedding Photographer
• Nick & Caroline’s Charming Rust Manor Wedding | Leesburg Wedding Photographer
• Andrew & Lauren’s Wonderland-Inspired Historic Mankin Mansion Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer
• David & Selby’s Classic Heigh Torr Estate Wedding | Northern VA Wedding Photographer