Derek + Lindsay: National Arboretum Engagement

As business majors, the most daunting class at James Madison University was COB 300.  Students were put in groups and throughout the semester had to work together to create a business.  They came up with a product or service, put together a business plan, worked on marketing, and ended the semester with a realistic outlook on the business world.  The class could easily take over your life for that semester and, needless to say, your group members could make or break you.  By the time Junior year rolled around, all business majors had heard the stories of COB 300.  So, on the first day of class, everyone was anxious to know who they'd have to spend immense amounts of time with that semester.  As luck would have it, Derek and Lindsay were assigned to the same group.  They instantly had an attraction toward one another, but it wasn't until their friendship had developed for a year that they started dating.  

Fast forward several years, and these two were back at JMU for Homecoming.  Bright and early they walked the campus, reminiscing about the place that first brought them together.  Before most of the campus was stirring, Derek took Lindsay to the quad and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him.  Giddy about their new lives together, they headed off to the tailgate parties ready to share their big news and celebrate with the people that had been with them since the beginning.

Last weekend, Brad and I had the good fortune to spend our morning with Lindsay and Derek at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC to capture their engagement.  It was on accident that we found this fabulous location.  Lindsay meant to ask me to meet them at the Botanical Gardens, but said arboretum because that word is so ingrained in us from JMU (which has a fabulous arboretum of its own).  Long story short, we discovered the National Arboretum and couldn't have been more pleased with the selection.

Really, who wouldn't love this?!

These two made our job EASY.  Seriously, Lindsay... you rock my world.  

This is them, just having fun, making each other laugh. 

I can't tell you how much I love this shot of Lindsay.  

I am definitely go back here in the spring.  There were SO many awesome locations to shoot.

Of course we had to incorporate the JMU paraphernalia.  It's where they met and where they got engaged, and now it's documented in their engagement session.

Big thanks to Brad for making our makeshift shade creator with my coat when it was impossible to find a shady location!

These columns are from the U.S. Capitol.  No. Big. Deal.

Oh the fabulousness of it all.  Love it!

Derek and Lindsay, thank you for braving the February cold, waking up bright and early, and indulging me and my requests for shots and angles.  You rocked it, and I cannot wait for your wedding in October!