Swannanoa Palace Wedding Engagement in Afton, VA
Swannanoa Engagement | Angelie + Peter
When I say that Angelie & Peter’s Swannanoa Palace wedding engagement session was a dream come true, I’m being quite literal!
Swannanoa Palace in Afton, VA
My mom likes history, so when I was a kid growing up in Covington, VA, we toured the Maymont mansion in Richmond. The Dooleys were a millionaire couple who had no children and had left their beautiful home and gardens to the City of Richmond to be enjoyed for future generations as a park. Inside the Maymont mansion is a beautiful swan bed, and our tour guide explained about Sallie May Dooley’s love of swans, and how their summer home is named Swannanoa. This piqued our interest, and eventually, we made our way to tour Swannanoa Palace! I remember even as a kid being enthralled with the villa. The Italian Renaissance Revival architecture, the beauty of the white Carrara marble facade, the sheer size of the home. . . it’s just stunning.
So when we were looking for an epic location for Peter and Angelie’s engagement session, Swannanoa popped into my mind!
About the Couple
Angelie and Peter met at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church in Roanoke, where Angelie still lives.
Four years later, the couple went to Natural Bridge in Lexington to celebrate their dating anniversary. They had just taken a tour through the cave and then were walking outside under the bridge. Peter asked a passerby if they would mind taking a picture of he and Angelie under the bridge, and that’s when he proposed!
I loved getting to explore the grounds at Swannanoa Palace with Angelie and Peter as we took their photos. These two have great smiles and killer ‘model faces’ that I could never pull off without looking angry or confused—ha!
Leah Maria Couture Designer Dress
Peter’s sister-in-law is Leah Keller, the talented designer behind Leah Maria Couture. Angelie’s future sister-in-law sent her the beautiful cream lace gown that Angelie is wearing in her session. In person, the light sparkled and danced off the sequins that were sewn throughout the intricate design. Both their outfits were perfect for this grand venue!
I loved getting to know this couple and can’t wait for their 2021 wedding at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church and The Patrick Henry Ballroom in Roanoke, VA!
Here are a few of my favorite images from Angelie & Peter’s Swannanoa Palace wedding engagement photo session!
Swannanoa Palace Engagement
Afton Mountain Engagement Photos
