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Dana Point Engagement : Lindsay & Gabe

Tuesday, 20 Apr 2010 | Engagement

Dana Point, California
St. Regis Monarch Beach

This was no ordinary engagement shoot. It was the first time I've photographed a genuine, actually as it happens wedding proposal! People have asked me if these images are staged or posed and if I was hidden from Lindsay's view. Well, I was initially hidden from her view and later let my presence be known when Gabe called me out of the bushes. Although some of the images are posed, the ones of Gabe proposing are real and I did not intervene in any way.

Gabe planned this elaborate trip to California from Dallas, Texas to propose to Lindsay. She thought they were flying to Houston for a weekend getaway. The first surprise was they were actually flying to Orange County, specifically to the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort in Dana Point overlooking the beach. The second surprise was Gabe serenading her by guitar at the Botanical Gardens with hundreds of candles, chocolate sculptures, champagne, tulips and rose petals. The next surprise was the wedding proposal and a photographer hired to capture the event for family and friends to experience. Then it was on to the beach for a few more photos where Gabe unveiled his last surprise. Lindsay's parents had secretly flown out to congratulate the couple and have dinner at the beach.

Lindsay could not have been more beautiful or more gracious. She was so touched by all the planning Gabe had done to make her proposal just perfect. Gabe, thank you so much for choosing me to be a part of your plans. Although I just met Lindsay, I can tell she is a special woman. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.

dana point engagement photographer