Amongst my favorite things in the world are: a Bear Mountain engagement session, cheese, wine, watching a sunset on said mountaintop and two joyful, positive, uplifting, adventurous people in love.  And that exactly sums up my Bear Mountain engagement session with Sarah and Ashton !!

Sarah and Ashton met at Duke University during their freshman year while staying in the same dorm. They were friends long before they started dating, and told me that their strong, solid friendship is at the foundation of their relationship. They laugh at all the same things (and they laugh A LOT) and count on each other for anything.

As a couple, they’re super outdoorsy and love running, hiking, rock-climbing (Ashton more so!) and anything that will get them outside.  Their wedding is taking place at Onteora Mountain House and I could not be more excited to take in those views with this incredible couple!

One of my favorite stories that they shared with me is hands down their proposal story, and because I cannot say it any better than Sarah and Ashton can, I wanted to share exactly what they told me!!!

“Sarah likes to announce Ashton proposed, “while I was scared for my life!” That’s not entirely true though, since at no point during their rock climbing proposal did Sarah actually believe Ashton would put her life in danger.

It was the first time Sarah had gone climbing outdoors, and there was a steep rock scramble to a narrow ledge where the climb was to begin. When they got to the ledge, both Sarah and Ashton’s hearts were racing: Sarah, because she hadn’t anticipated how high and exposed outdoor climbing would feel and Ashton, because he had the ring in his pocket.

Ashton generously left his chalk for Sarah’s use and stepped out onto the bare cliffside to begin the climb. Although he had previously completed the climb with ease, he had a large nervous weight on his shoulders and a large shiny rock in his pocket weighing him down; thus he fell on the crux (the “hardest” part of the climb). Thankfully, Sarah [skillfully] caught him before he plunged to his doom [as any good belayer would do, and not for the last time in their climbing adventures!].

Having no chalk, Ashton had no choice but use all his wiles to make his way up the barren rock. Upon topping out heroically [in Ashton’s words], Ashton gave Sarah the go ahead to start climbing. Sarah gathered her courage and stepped off the ledge and onto the route, focusing on each movement until she triumphantly reached Ashton at the top of the climb [she did not fall].

There, on the ledge they both shared, overlooking the tiny city that Ashton has called home for 7 years, Ashton relayed the (true) story of a climber who proposed to his girlfriend on a cliffside and had to be rescued unceremoniously via helicopter. That’s when he slyly mentioned that this was an analogous situation, and hoped they would not need to be rescued in such a dramatic manner.

As Ashton revealed the ring and asked her to marry him, Sarah was floored and flushed and really glad to still be clipped in, especially because she was already breathless from the climb! Thankfully, she said “yes,” else Ashton would have rappelled off the side of the cliff, stranding Sarah on the ledge until she reconsidered her prospects. Regardless, they both excitedly descended and celebrated with champagne that Ashton had secretly purchased the day before.”

I mean COME ON! My couples are the best!! Needless to say, we’re planning a rock-climbing trip together for hopefully some time this fall! =)

The day of their session, Sarah brought along her grandfather’s picnic BACKPACK. Yup, you read that right- not a basket- a BACKPACK! Filled with all my favorites: Wine, Cheese, more cheese, oh and more cheese, and baquettes, basil, tomato and more cheese. When we finished the short hike to the view, we got out the blanket and essentials (cheese and wine) and picnicked! And I say we, because you bet I cannot turn down cheese.  

After their session, I joined them on the blanket to watch the sunset with wine in hand, and we talked about travel and many of our adventures. I had SO MUCH fun getting to know these two and I’ve told Sarah already that she is pretty much my spirit animal!  During their session she brought up Gilmore Girls and I GOT SO EXCITED! Girl after my own heart. <3

So, needless to say, I had so much fun adventuring to my not-so-secret-anymore spot and just love how much joy radiates from these pictures! There really is nothing I love more than a fun-loving, adventurous couple on a mountaintop who love to laugh together and that’s what my entire night consisted of… so you can say I was pretty dang happy!

Sarah and Ashton, I had SO MUCH FUN with you guys and can’t wait for our rock-climbing trip!! I can’t WAIT til your mountaintop wedding next year and I’m so excited I get to be the one to capture those sweet moments! Cheers to many more adventures!! <3