Tag Archives: Laguna Beach proposal

she said yes!

Every time I photograph a proposal, I think to myself: “How many people get to witness these beautiful occasions?” Not too many.

This one was extra special, because the proposer’s mom, Patsy, is someone I got to know when I photographed her wedding five years ago. She is pretty incredible, as is her hubby. And she raised a wonderful son, Bud. They all live in Tennessee but travel to Newport regularly and Bud decided he wanted to propose to the adorable Hailey at the beach.

The decoy was family photos for Patsy and Kelly’s anniversary. I did a few shots of the four of them, then as couples. This shot was taken pre-proposal. How cute are they?IMG_7070Patsy told me Bud was nervous, but it didn’t show. And Hailey was really surprised!

IMG_7149Oops, the ring was a bit too small. A bit of a disappointment for Hailey, who couldn’t wait to wear it! They got it re-sized lickety-split before they went home.

IMG_7188IMG_7199IMG_7207IMG_7261IMG_7329Patsy thought of everything, including champagne and red roses for Hailey. It was perfect in every way. I just hope they decide to get married in OC!!!

a montage proposal

I’ve said it before … how lucky am I to get to go to actual proposals? Answer: “extremely.” This thoughtful, sweet, adorable groom-to-be, Logan, contacted me from Texas. He’d planned a CA getaway for himself and the lovely Erica, and chose The Montage here in Laguna Beach.  Just the best possible location for a proposal!

As usual, I was waiting incognito with a long lens — near one of the bluff-top benches overlooking the Pacific — and had secured the spot with a lovely bouquet of white roses he’d requested. (Thank you, Bev, at The Flower Stand.) Let’s not even talk about how many couples I had to shoo away.

It went off beautifully. Off course she said “YES!” No surprise. They’ve been together since high school. As the light was waning, I decided I HAD to go back the next day for a few more shots. Their love was infectious. Big sigh.

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“The” bench

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Slipping on the beautiful solitaire engagement ring

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Quick, down to the sand to catch a sunset shot

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Montage beach the next day

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How lucky am I?

The answer is … incredibly!

I was invited to shoot another proposal at the Montage Hotel here in Laguna Beach last week.  The Montage is my very favorite five-star  hotel property; it’s somehow luxurious and unpretentious all at the same time!   Paul and Brittany flew in from Dallas and he had everything planned out to the minute.  What a thoughtful guy.  And he designed such a beautiful ring!   After P&B got champagne at the lobby lounge bar, they headed out to the bluff and a bench overlooking the ocean.  I was “undercover” with my best paparazzi stealth, and captured the entire proposal for them.  Can you tell she said “yes!!”?  Then we went down to the beach and got some “instant engagement” shots!  What a night … for me as well as them!

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