This Rattlesnake Lake engagement session almost didn’t happen.

We were all set to go to Mt. Rainier instead, but Washington had other ideas. With snow, rain, and a freaking avalanche warning in the forecast, we put a pin in the mountain and instead drove out to North Bend, WA. And I’m stoked that we did.

I met Hanna and John for their Rattlesnake Lake engagement session bright and early (the sunrise hikers had definitely beaten us there). There was snow on the ground, but the sun came out here and there. Which, if you know Washinton in January, was a special treat. Clear skies, snow on the ground, beautiful grey-blue water, a mountain in the background…what more do you want? Other than snacks.

We wandered down to the lake, then looped up around it to the other side. It was incredible: tree stumps everywhere, snow in all the right places, and the sun darting in and out behind the clouds. Hanna and John ran around, laughed, and told me their story. They’ve been together 8 years, since college, and are finally tying the knot. John proposed with tacos, a story that made me laugh because my partner did the same thing. Except John set everything up on the roof of their building, complete with a fire pit and a suit. And the ring, of course. This beautiful ring.

He said his best bet was to not plan; that was the plan. Because his plans are “super obvious” and he really wanted to surprise Hanna.

Spoilers: he did. (mostly)

Hanna and John light each other up. They kept each other warm when the wind whistled down the valley, and they changed into matching jerseys at the very end–big Packers fans. I figured out that that was football.

This Rattlesnake Lake engagement session made me giddy; the company, the weather, the views…stoke was high. I definitely recommend this spot during the winter if you want to see mountains but don’t want to drive mountain roads. And I’ll happily go back any other time of year! Let me know if you’d like to go too xx