Chris and Ariel decided to switch up the classic engagement photo shoot and take their love to new heights – literally. They ventured to Shenandoah National Park for a picturesque destination engagement session. With the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains as their backdrop, this couple posed with ease and showcased their undeniable chemistry. From posing at mountain overlooks to candid shots of them snuggling up on a hiking trail, this witty duo brought a playful energy to the session. It was clear to everyone that their love was as boundless as the sprawling mountains surrounding them.
How did you meet?
We met online back in 2015. We connected over Star Wars and hit it off immediately. We chatted for three weeks before deciding to meet up. We met at a local restaurant for dinner and ended up having an 8 hour long first date because it was going so well. We have been inseparable ever since!
What is your proposal story?
Chris planned this epic vacation to Hawaii. He took me hiking through the Lanikai Pillbox. On the way up the mountain we got rained on but by the time we made it to the top of the mountain, the rain had stopped. We had the most beautiful view of Hawaii and started taking pictures. We had taken in the views for a while and I asked him if he was ready to head back down the mountain. That is when he grabbed my hand, got down on one knee and had the cutest speech written out and asked me to marry him.
Tell us about the ring/band.
We went ring shopping together at Brilliant Earth. We chose an 18k white gold joy band with an 1.5 carat oval diamond.
Tell us about your engagement shoot outfits and accessories.
We chose two looks for our engagement photos. The first look was a more casual outfit with coordinating jeans and sweaters. Our second look was more dressed up. I wore a burgundy chiffon maxi dress with long sleeves and Chris wore khaki pants with a blue sports coat. We did not have any accessories but we did bring props for our photos. We are both into brewing our own beer and visiting breweries when we travel. So we brought mini beer glasses and a bottle of Cantillon beer that we got while we were in Belgium to celebrate our engagement.