There are some love stories you feel lucky to witness from the very beginning — and Gabby and Miles are exactly that kind of story for me. I had the joy of hiding among the vines to capture the moment Miles got down on one knee, and now, months later, I found myself standing on the terraces of The Estate at River Run, watching the two of them dream out loud about the wedding day waiting for them this August. Getting to follow a couple from will you to I do is one of my very favorite parts of this work, and their engagement session was every bit as romantic as I’d hoped.

It All Began at Arrington Vineyards

Before there was an engagement session, there was a proposal — and what a proposal it was. Miles chose Arrington Vineyards, tucked into the rolling hills of Tennessee’s wine country just south of Nashville, to ask Gabby to spend forever with him. There’s something so fitting about a proposal among the vines: the golden light, the quiet anticipation, the way the whole world seems to slow down for just a moment. I tucked myself away to capture it all as it happened, and the look on Gabby’s face when she realized what was unfolding is one I’ll never forget.

That October afternoon at Arrington set the tone for everything that came after — heartfelt, intentional, and full of joy. So when the time came to plan their engagement session, we knew it had to be just as meaningful.

Why The Estate at River Run

Gabby and Miles will be exchanging vows then dancing the night away at The Estate at River Run this August, so it felt only right to bring their engagement session to the very place that will hold so many of their most treasured memories. A destination wedding venue overlooking the James River in Virginia, the Estate is the kind of place that takes your breath away the moment you arrive. Stately Georgian-inspired architecture, manicured boxwood gardens, sweeping riverfront terraces, and timeless elegance at every turn — it’s a setting made for couples who value beauty, story, and a celebration that feels like a love letter to forever.

Photographing their engagement session here was a gift in more ways than one. Not only did we capture stunning portraits, but Gabby and Miles also got to fall in love with their wedding venue all over again — walking the grounds, imagining where they’ll say their vows, and picturing the celebration to come.

An Evening of Elegance & Anticipation

Gabby and Miles arrived looking absolutely radiant, dressed in pieces that felt elevated, intentional, and entirely them. Gabby completed her look with a pair of Christian Louboutin heels — those signature red soles peeking out as they strolled the terraces hand in hand. There’s something so special about a couple who leans into the elegance of the moment, and these two did so effortlessly.

We wandered the estate as the light softened, capturing quiet glances on the stone terraces, easy laughter along the garden pathways, and tender moments with the James River shimmering in the distance. Every frame felt like a preview of the magic awaiting them on their wedding day — heirloom images that tell the story of two people on the edge of one of life’s most beautiful adventures.

Counting Down to August

As we wrapped up the evening, the excitement for their August wedding was palpable. Standing on the very grounds where they’ll soon celebrate becoming husband and wife, surrounded by the people and places that mean the most, it’s hard not to feel the anticipation building. I cannot wait to return to The Estate at River Run to capture the next chapter of Gabby and Miles’s story — to document the vows, the joy, and all the heartfelt moments that make a wedding day timeless.

Gabby and Miles, thank you for trusting me with your beginning. It has been an absolute honor, and August can’t come soon enough.

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Planning a Destination Wedding or Engagement Session?

Whether you’re saying yes among the vines of Arrington Vineyards, exchanging vows at The Estate at River Run, or celebrating somewhere entirely your own, I would be honored to tell your story with warmth, artistry, and intention. As a Nashville-based wedding and engagement photographer, I love traveling to capture love in beautiful places near and far.

Inquire here to begin — I’d love to hear all about your story.