Let me tell you: I hate surprises but photographing the sheer JOY of a live proposal is one of my very favorite parts of being a wedding and engagement photographer. And honestly, it makes the stress of the surprise work it.
Jimmy and Kaylie met while they were both at GW, which is coincidentally my alma mater (raise high!). Though they don't live in DC anymore, they had planned to come up and spend the weekend with friends.
The surprise was perfectly executed, and Jimmy put so much thought into it. He had her thinking they were going to tour Stone Tower Winery as a potential wedding venue, because they were in agreement about getting married eventually, and knew they wanted to get married at a venue in the Washington, D.C. area.
I hid in the grapevines until he was on one knee, and then I popped out and started snapping! Kaylie had no idea at first - she was just sipping her wine and admiring the scenery - and I think I can speak for both myself and Jimmy when I say, we couldn't wait for her to turn around.
After Kaylie (and I to be honest) stopped shaking, we did a full engagement session on the grounds.
Congrats Kaylie + Jimmy.