Washington DC rustic engagement photos have changed.  No more burlap and mason jars.  Now, it’s bentwood chairs and skirts that blow in the wind.  For their engagement photos, Katie and Michael wanted florals and greens.  I was more than happy to invite them out to The Estate for an early morning shoot before their beautiful wedding at Wolf Trap.

One of my favorite things about shooting at The Estate is I have no restrictions– bonus to being the landowner!  Many couples choose the bring their puppies out to The Estate– Michael and Katie brought theirs.  Adorbs!

Even though it was SO early in the morning, these two laughed and snuggled…. and looked amazing!  How’s that for Washington DC rustic engagement photos!?!

Katie admits the first time she met Michael wasn’t romantic, at least in the traditional way.  How they met, however, embodies Katie’s go-get-‘um, fearless personality.

Katie’s friend threw a birthday party just before Katie graduated college.  Katie looked around the room, decided Michael was the most attractive of the bunch.  Up she walked to poke fun of Michael and his arm in a sling.  Smooth right?

In Michael’s eyes, he must have thought he won the lottery.  Katie, a beautiful and smart red head picked **him.**

In addition to putting stars in Katie’s eyes, however, Michael’s one smart cookie.  Without a doubt, these two are going to have genius babies.

When the time was right, Michael was sneaky in planning the proposal.  He knew he wanted to propose somewhere along beautiful Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah mountains.  His plan was foiled when TWO of their friends popped the question on Skyline Drive.  Shoot!  … well…??

After trying to have a date on Skyline Drive for months but constantly encountering hurdles, Michael was turned off by the possibility of being couple #3.  Katie saw this and thought, “If it’s going to be anywhere, it won’t be on Skyline Drive.”

One Sunday, Michael asked if Katie wanted to go to Skyline Drive.  “Sure,” she thought, “knowing” nothing would happen.  Surrounded by the beauty of Shenandoah Valley, Michael bent down and asked Katie to be his forever.  I’m sure she smiled her movie-star smile and said, “yes!”

As we ended our engagement session, the sun was just peaking over the southern edge of the Catoctin Mountain… and it was glorious.