We may be biased, but we really feel that Laguna Beach is one of the most romantic places in the world and the perfect setting for a proposal. When Chris reached out to us to plan his proposal to Rachael at Monarch Beach, we were so thrilled. It was a beautiful moment that we’re grateful to have been a part of.
A Romantic Proposal at Monarch Beach, California
Chris and Rachael are from Arizona and were coming out to Laguna for a vacation. Unbeknownst to Rachael, Chris contacted us beforehand, saying he wanted to surprise Rachael by proposing on the trip, and he was hoping we could photograph the proposal. We of course said yes!
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach
The location for this proposal was particularly special because Monarch Beach is actually a private beach in Laguna that’s only accessible to guests at the Waldorf Astoria hotel and the residents of the private community of homes along the beach. It’s unusual to find such an isolated spot in Orange County, so since Chris and Rachael were staying at the Waldorf, Monarch Beach made the perfect location for Chris to propose.
The Proposal Moment
When the evening arrived, we got there early and hung out on the empty beach waiting for them. Chris had told us he would be taking Rachael for a romantic walk along the beach close to sunset, so as soon as we saw them, we knew the moment was coming. As they approached the water’s edge, Chris got down on one knee and asked Rachael to marry him.
It was truly a special moment, and we were so happy to be able to discreetly capture it all on camera for them! Rachael was blown away and so excited, and the sun’s golden light gave an extra romance to the moment.
Once they had some time to let it all sink in, we introduced ourselves and congratulated the two of them. Then Rachael got one more surprise – their family and friends had also flown in from Arizona to surprise them for the proposal, so as we were chatting, they all came running down the beach!
We took a few family photos with everyone, and then pulled Chris and Rachael away for some romantic sunset photos on the beach. The whole evening was incredibly beautiful, and we had the whole beach to ourselves, which was amazing and so rare to find in Laguna!
Tips for Planning a Laguna Beach Engagement Session
If you’re planning a proposal or engagement photos, we can’t recommend Laguna Beach enough. There are so many picturesque beaches and great spots to catch the sunset along the coast, making the perfect backdrop for your images.
Golden hour is our favorite time of day for engagement photos because the lighting is so incredible, but if you’re adventurous, we love early morning light by the ocean too.
We also typically tell our couples to aim for a weekday session if possible to avoid the crowds. This way, you’re likely to have a relaxing evening on the beach, making for extra romantic photos.
We shared lots more tips for planning engagement photos in Laguna Beach in this blog post – it’s got some great advice for planning any type of photoshoot in the area!
Southern California Photographers
We feel so lucky to do what we do, and to get to meet so many amazing couples like Chris and Rachael. We were so honored to be a part of their special moment, and couldn’t be more excited for them!
If you’re looking for a photographer in Southern California, whether it’s for a proposal, engagement photos, or your wedding, we’d love to meet you. We take a documentary-style approach to your session, capturing you and your partner as you are authentically.
Reach out to us through our contact form, and we’ll be in touch to hear all about your vision!
