We can’t think of anything better than spending the day in the snow, up in the mountains. But spending it with two amazing people like Emily and Ryan for a cozy winter mountain engagement session? Even better!! Ryan + Emily met at work when they were both living in Ohio, and it was on a trip to Gatlinburg in Tennessee that they realized each other was the One. What we love about these two is how they love to travel and adventure together; in fact, Ryan proposed on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon!!! And, it was even captured on his GoPro so they could re-live it over and over again!
Since they were coming in for their destination engagement session (since they live in Arizona), we decided to meet up somewhere totally new. We met up with them at Ryan’s family cabin in Idyllwild, which was absolutely amazing. It’s been in the family for over fifty years, and was hand-built by his family and it’s become the place where they meet and hang out together with everyone in the family. I just wish we’d been able to go inside!
But instead, we hung out outside and then we headed over to nearby Lake Fulmor, which still had a little dusting of snow on the north side – and it made the most beautiful backdrop … and even Emily agreed, it was totally worth the frozen toes!! At the end of the session, we went to the closest vista point, and watched what was quite possibly the best sunset we have ever seen in California. It was a perfect mix of orange-reds and made the most amazing golden light, and with Lake Hemet off in the distance and mountains all around us – we couldn’t think of a more romantic setting!
And then, afterward we went to a yummy Italian restaurant where we sat together under blankets, eating pizza and talking about how much we love our dogs, the different places we’ve traveled to, and all about their upcoming backyard wedding next summer!!
