Bold Rock Hard Cider in Nellysford, Virginia

I’m so excited to share Emily & Derek’s Engagement Session! Their wedding is just days away and I’m truly honored to document it! Emily chose Bold Rock Hard Cider in Nellysford, Virginia as their location. It is a delightful location and I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners at a later date. He loved that I used the location for engagement photos! Truly a win for me to hear that!

I originally met Emily and Derek for a mini-engagement session last December at Potter’s Craft Cider. It was a short session and I was elated when they decided to book me for their wedding. I include engagement sessions with my packages so this was actually their second session with me!

A love of Cider

Emily and Derek obviously love Cider as this is the second time I’ve photographed them at a Cidery around Charlottesville. When I arrived, I messaged her and she told me they were outside listening to music and enjoying the afternoon with her mom and stepdad.

I met up with them and we headed down the hill behind Bold Rock to the River to take their images. There are so many lovely spots by the river and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t been there before!

Their Favorite Qualities

I sent Emily and Derek a get-to-know-you questionnaire last December. One of the questions I ask is what is your favorite quality about your fiancé. Emily said: “His humor. There is not a day that goes by that he doesn’t make me laugh, and he always knows what to say to cheer me up.” Derek said: “My fiancé never fails to make me laugh. Whenever I need that extra support, she always finds a way to throw some humor in, which is exactly how I cope with situations.” I love that!

Their Favorite Thing About Being Engaged

Another question I ask is what is your favorite thing about being engaged. Emily’s answer was: “Being engaged has brought us closer than ever, and I am so excited to be going through this next stage of life with him and knowing we will only continue to grow closer!” Derek’s answer was: “I feel as if being engaged has taken us to another level as a couple. We’ve been together for nearly six years as high school sweethearts, but in the brief time that we’ve been engaged, I don’t think we’ve ever been closer.”

The Day They got Engaged

I also asked about when they met but they say they can’t quite remember because they met during high school. But they do remember the day they got engaged. I asked them to tell me about that and here is what Emily said: “We had planned to spend our day off going around to some of our favorite breweries. Our first stop was Devil’s Backbone where we had a small lunch and sat inside. It was cold that day and we usually sit outside at DB, so after we finished lunch we headed over to Bold Rock. There, we sat next to the fire for several hours and watched as people around us made gingerbread houses for one of the activities that was being offered that day. As the night went on, we decided to stop by one last spot before heading home. At Blue Mountain Brewery we sat inside and had a snack or two, but Derek insisted on going to sit outside by the fire at the bottom of the hill. I was a bit irritated because he knows I hate the cold, but he ensured me he would keep me warm. As we sat down and enjoyed the fire, Elton John “Tiny Dancer” came on over the speakers. He pulled me up to dance and we just swayed by the fire for a few minutes before he finally pulled back and told me how beautiful I was, and that he couldn’t wait to marry me. I of course said yeah me too, but when he dropped down on one knee and pulled out the ring I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised.”

These two have such a sweet story and I cannot wait to document their wedding day! Congratulations Emily & Derek!

Enjoy Emily & Derek’s Engagement Session and make sure if you are in Nellysford to visit Bold Rock Hard Cider. You can check out more of my work here: Kimberly Jade Forbes Photography

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