An Intimate Garden Engagement – Katlyn & Bryce || Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery, Charlottesville VA

The wait is over! To say that I’m ecstatic to share Katlyn & Bryce’s garden engagement session with you today would be an understatement…

Read: in a few months, they’ll be published on a favorite wedding blog.
Read: choosing favorites to share has been nigh impossible.
Read: one of the best love stories to date.

Katlyn & Bryce’s bubbling love for each other coupled with his way of pulling her close just so is, quite simply, contagious. For their engagement session, Katlyn & Bryce incorporated their love story into the location they chose. The two met at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, DC, so involving one of the other Trump locations was only fitting – not to mention brimming with the sentimentality every love story deserves.

The private Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery in Charlottesville, Virginia, captivated movie-like realities with it’s luxurious rooms, breathtaking gardens, and yes, wide open fields for all the frolicking.

I could have stayed in here for hours, but then. Then we walked outside and I lost my marbles just a little.

The aroma of peonies and roses filled the air. The wine was poured. And the sunset streamed through the overarching greens at every turn. Whispers of the spring breeze swirled about as these two danced, laughed, and lingered.

“Prior to graduating from VCU with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, I accepted a job as a merchandiser at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, DC. My first week I met Bryce and we instantly hit it off! Bryce is from a small town outside of Pittsburgh and had been at Trump for 2 years when I first started.

One of our co-workers could tell there was a spark that was ready to be lit and asked us to join him and a few people at Bobby McKeys – a local piano bar. That night Aaron and his wife tipped the piano players $40 to have both Bryce and I up on stage and dance to, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” It was fate from that point on…

Every detail was thought of from the fresh bouquet of flowers Bryce bought Katlyn, just because (and one for me too!), taking a date night for a shopping spree to find the perfect outfits, and relaxing at the estate’s private bed and breakfast – away from all the wedding planning – was their intentional way of preparing for this type of garden romance. As Bryce put it, “You’re only engaged once. Why not make it memorable and relaxed?”

“We dated for 2 years and he has been the biggest blessing to me at just the right time. Bryce is not only my colleague. He’s my best friend – I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life by his side!

The way he proposed was one of the most thoughtful things I could of ever imagined. Bryce’s last name is Beach (awesome, right???). He planned out the proposal months in advance and asked my mom for permission. He told my mom he wanted to propose while we were in Florida before the one year anniversary of my brother’s passing. I find that to be so sweet and confirming because not only did he think about me and helping me cope with a difficult time in my family, he also thought about my mom. He wanted her to have a month, week, and day to look forward to instead of dreading the day she mourned over.”

Both my mom and cousin, Lauren, were in on the scheme. They planned for us to go watch the sunset on Siesta Key. When we parked, my mom asked if she could take a picture of him and I at the street intercrossing of Beach Road & Beach Way. Once we took the picture, Bryce got down on one knee right there! The most beautiful ring was enclosed in a seashell as he asked me, “Will you be my Beach?”

The sun began to set at that very moment. It was like my brother was there with us on this special occasion.”

I. Just. Can’t. Handle. These. People.

Katlyn & Bryce – thank you. Thank you for one of the most memorable evenings of my career to date. Your love is contagious and inspiring. Your genuine care & kindness has impacted me more than you know. I love our skype dates, our circle of engaged girlfriends, and each email in between. I simply cannot wait to celebrate with you in ONE MONTH – it’s going to be ridiculous!

Do you see what I mean, now?
So. Dreamy.

Always,
–Tara M.