Dover Hall Engagement Photos | Claire & Dan | A Fairytale Estate Shoot

As I pulled up to the iron gates of Dover Hall Estate, I pulled out my phone to grab a quick picture because I couldn’t wait until I got any closer to capture the beauty of this venue that’s pretty much a modern day castle!! Claire and Dan are getting MARRIED here this October and it’s going to be such a dream! I’m so glad they chose this location for their engagement photos because it gave me the chance to get familiar with the grounds months before their actual wedding day… and now they get to have double the portraits of the two of them together at this gorgeous place!

Claire and Dan have been together since 2010. Claire was a sophomore in high school when she started dating Dan, who was a senior at the time. Dan went off to Virginia Tech and Claire followed him there two years later. Dan is now studying for his Master’s in Nuclear Engineering in Florida while Claire finishes school here in VA!! I love that they got to experience both high school and college together… you can just tell that the love these two share is a deeply rooted love. As we reminisced about what it was like to date in high school, I couldn’t help but feel all the more excited for this couple who have been dating for just about the same amount of time that Justin and I have! I feel like the four of us would have so much in common!! :)

We went out to dinner after their shoot and I got the chance to meet Claire’s parents and Dan’s mom. I felt like I was already a part of the family and I can imagine how excited I’ll be to see everyone again on the wedding day this Fall! I kept telling Claire that it’s going to be here before she knows it!! It’s such an incredible experience being a bride alongside my brides and sharing wedding planning advice, dress details, timeline strategies, etc.! I know this day is going to be absolutely amazing!!

Claire and Dan, I hope these photos help make the long distance a little bit easier these last few months of living in seperate states!! I can’t WAIT to see you two again this October, and thanks for making me feel SO welcome already!!

The very first shot I took! Claire you are a natural!!

Yes…. this is real. AHHH.

The sweetest!!

Favorite!!

LOVE this last shot! Their love is so easygoing and comfortable… it’s just the sweetest. See you in October, you two!!! Eeeeeek!