Sections
  • DC's Most Influential
  • News & Politics
    • Washingtonian Today
  • Things to Do
    • DC Welcome Guide
    • This Week
    • 100 Best Things to Do in DC
    • Neighborhood Guides
    • DC-Area Events Calender
    • Washingtonian Events
  • Food & Drink
    • 100 Very Best Restaurants
    • The Hot List
    • Brunch
    • New Restaurants
    • Restaurant Finder
  • Home & Style
    • Health
    • Parenting
  • Shopping
    • Gift Guides
  • Real Estate
    • Top Realtors
    • Listings We Love
    • Rave Worthy Rentals
  • Weddings
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Vendor Finder
    • Submit Your Wedding
  • Travel
    • DC Welcome Guide
    • Best Airbnbs Around DC
    • 3 Days in DC
  • Best of DC
    • Doctors
    • Apartment Rentals
    • Dentists
    • Financial Advisors
    • Industry Leaders
    • Lawyers
    • Mortgage Pros
    • Pet Care
    • Private Schools
    • Realtors
    • Wedding Vendors
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Manage Subscription
    • Current & Past Issues
    • Features and Longreads
    • Newsletters
    • Newsstand Locations
Reader Favorites
  • 100 Very Best Restaurants
  • DC-Area Events Calendar
  • Brunch
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
  • Washingtonian Events
Washington’s Best
  • Apartment Rentals
  • DC Travel Guide
  • Dentists
  • Doctors
  • Financial Advisers
  • Health Experts
  • Home Improvement Experts
  • Industry Leaders
  • Lawyers
  • Mortgage Professionals
  • Pet Care
  • Private Schools
  • Real Estate Agents
  • Restaurants
  • Retirement Communities
  • Wedding Vendors
Privacy Policy |  Rss
© 2025 Washingtonian Media Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Skip to content
Washingtonian.com
  • Search
  • Subscribe
  • Menu
Washingtonian.com
  • Subscribe
Reader Favorites
  • 100 Very Best Restaurants
  • DC-Area Events Calendar
  • Brunch
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
  • Washingtonian Events
More
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
Sections
  • News & Politics
  • Food
  • Things to Do
  • Washingtonian Events
  • Home & Style
  • Editors’ Picks
  • Events Calendar
  • Health
  • Longreads
  • Parenting
  • Real Estate
  • Shopping
  • Travel
  • Weddings
  • DC's Most Influential
  • News & Politics
    • Washingtonian Today
  • Things to Do
    • DC Welcome Guide
    • This Week
    • 100 Best Things to Do in DC
    • Neighborhood Guides
    • DC-Area Events Calender
    • Washingtonian Events
  • Food & Drink
    • 100 Very Best Restaurants
    • The Hot List
    • Brunch
    • New Restaurants
    • Restaurant Finder
  • Home & Style
    • Health
    • Parenting
  • Shopping
    • Gift Guides
  • Real Estate
    • Top Realtors
    • Listings We Love
    • Rave Worthy Rentals
  • Weddings
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Vendor Finder
    • Submit Your Wedding
  • Travel
    • DC Welcome Guide
    • Best Airbnbs Around DC
    • 3 Days in DC
  • Best of DC
    • Doctors
    • Apartment Rentals
    • Dentists
    • Financial Advisors
    • Industry Leaders
    • Lawyers
    • Mortgage Pros
    • Pet Care
    • Private Schools
    • Realtors
    • Wedding Vendors
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Manage Subscription
    • Current & Past Issues
    • Features and Longreads
    • Newsletters
    • Newsstand Locations
Weddings

Best Idea Ever: Engagement Photos at the Library of Congress

Two History Buffs Took Their Engagement Photos at All Their Favorite DC Spots

Written by Amy Moeller
| Published on November 29, 2017
Tweet Share
engagement photos Library Congress

Self-proclaimed “history nerds” Courtney and Eddie met and fell in love in Washington, DC. Their love story began with dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill, endured three years of long distance, and blossomed with a proposal over late-night drinks at the Jefferson Hotel’s Quill. For their engagement photos, they wanted to capture everything they loved about the city. So, they headed back to Old Ebbitt and Quill, and then stopped twice more for stunning portraits at the Capitol and the Library of Congress. Check out their photos by Kir Tuben.

Follow B&G on Instagram | Like B&G on Facebook

Courtney Manders, a marketing consultant, and Edward Ross, an officer in the United States Marine Corp, met in the summer of 2013. At the time, she worked for a nonprofit in DC, and he was stationed in Quantico.

“Dating in DC always seemed so difficult,” says Courtney. “So when I met a pianist from Connecticut, I figured I had nothing to lose.” For their first date, Eddie picked her up in his Jeep Wrangler, (love, she says) and they went to Old Ebbitt for dinner. “We found comfort in our commonalities,” Courtney says. “Middle-child syndrome, growing up Catholic, and a love for American history.”

Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement65
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement73

Her first impression? “He was so handsome and a little reserved, so I was intimidated at first.” He says she was pretty, classy and had a great sense of humor. By the end of dinner, neither was ready to say goodnight. So, Courtney says, she knew Eddie was just as smitten as she when he suggested a walk around the Mall and gelato in Georgetown.

Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement71
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement68

From there, they spent every weekend together, with the exception of a challenging long-distance stint through flight school. Three years into dating, and after a two-month training exercise in North Carolina, Eddie visited Courtney and her family in Florida for Thanksgiving.

Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement29
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement32
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement37
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement33

Their last night in Florida, they stayed out until midnight at the Florida vs. Florida State (Courtney’s alma mater) football game. At 3 a.m. the next morning, they woke up to catch a flight to their nephew’s christening in Annapolis. Finally, they drove back to DC for the night before Eddie had to leave again for North Carolina.

engagement photos Library Congress

“Sleep-deprived and starving, Eddie suggested a drink at Trump Hotel since he had not seen the Old Post Office since its renovation,” Courtney says. She begged for sweatpants and takeout, but Eddie persisted. After a some dessert and a bottle of wine, he then suggested a “night cap” at Quill, one of their favorite spots. (It has a piano for him and the history of Thomas Jefferson, her favorite president, for her.) “We were already out, dressed up, and buzzed off the wine, so I said “Sure, why not?” Courtney recalls.

At Quill, they ordered their favorite drinks—Leopold’s Gin & Fever Tree tonics. “Eddie asked me about work and whether my position would allow me to work from North Carolina,” Courtney recalls. “I passively nagged saying, ‘I don’t think they see us as serious—they would only consider that if there was a “life-changing” event.’ Then, Eddie got out of his seat, knelt in front of me with a beautiful oval diamond and said, “Is this serious enough for you?”

 engagement photos Library Congress

Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement49
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement50

Knowing they’d be moving to North Carolina, the couple wanted to commemorate their DC story with their engagement photos.

“Every place we photographed holds a special memory,” Courtney says. For their session, they chose Old Ebbitt Grill, where they had their first date; the Jefferson Hotel’s Quill, where they got engaged; and The Library of Congress, Courtney’s favorite city escape. And what DC engagement session would be complete without a stroll by the Capitol?

Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement18
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement19
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement17
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement15

 

Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement14
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement23
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement21

 

Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement8
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement12

Earlier this month, Courtney and Eddie married at the United States Naval Academy Chapel and celebrated with a reception at the William Paca House and Gardens in Annapolis.

Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement26
Manders_Ross_Kir2ben_LibraryofCongressEngagement27

engagement photos Library Congress

engagement photos Library Congress

Photography: Kir Tuben

More: DC EngagementDC engagement photosDC engagement sessionDC Proposalkir tubenLibrary of Congress engagementOld Ebbitt GrillOld Ebbitt Grill engagementQuillQuill engagementThe Jefferson Hotel
Join the conversation!
Share Tweet
Amy Moeller
Amy Moeller
Fashion & Weddings Editor

Amy leads Washingtonian Weddings and writes Style Setters for Washingtonian. Prior to joining Washingtonian in March 2016, she was the editor of Capitol File magazine in DC and before that, editor of What’s Up? Weddings in Annapolis.

Most Popular in Weddings

1

This Willard Wedding Included an After-Party With an LED Dance Floor and Disco Details

2

Exclusive: Inside the Wedding of Capitals’ Tom Wilson and Pro Beach-Volleyball Player Taylor Pischke at the Salamander

3

We’ve Never Seen Anything Like This Color-Drenched Art Museum Wedding

4

A “Dreamy” Yellow Waterfront Wedding in Annapolis

5

Morning Radio Co-Host Riley Couture Throws a Vintage Romance Themed Wedding

Washingtonian Magazine

May Issue: 52 Perfect Saturdays

May Issue: 52 Perfect Saturdays

View Issue
Subscribe

Follow Us on Social

We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day

Follow Us on Social

We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day

Related

Inside DC’s Most Storied Restaurant on Inauguration Day

This Couple Rented a Porsche for Their Chic, Moody November Engagement Session

Dan About Town: The Best of Bashes, Balls, and Benefits This Past November and December

Clyde’s Restaurant Group Halts Raw Oyster Sales Following Bacterial Scare

More from Weddings

This Willard Wedding Included an After-Party With an LED Dance Floor and Disco Details

We’ve Never Seen Anything Like This Color-Drenched Art Museum Wedding

A “Dreamy” Yellow Waterfront Wedding in Annapolis

The DIY Bouquets at This Rich, Moody Wedding Will Have You Second-Guessing That They’re Fake

Local Couples Can Get Married Onstage at This DC Theater This Spring

A Dreamy Pink Cherry Blossom Engagement Session at the Tidal Basin

Before Their Elopement in Ireland, This Couple Hosted a “Sound of Music”–Themed, Bavarian-Style Sendoff

This Wedding at the Wharf Was the Couple’s Second Nuptial Celebration

© 2025 Washingtonian Media Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Washingtonian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Privacy Policy and Opt-Out
 Rss
Get the best news, delivered weekly.
By signing up, you agree to our terms.
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs