Surprise Marriage Proposal at the San Diego Botanic Gardens in Encinitas with Lucas and Britt
From high school sweethearts to fiancés!
As a photographer, I'm always thrilled to be a part of capturing special moments in people's lives. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing Lucas and Britt’s surprise marriage proposal at the San Diego Botanic Garden!
I met Lucas at the front entrance along with a few of his and Britt’s friends. They had a bouquet of flowers and a friend from out of town as a surprise for Britt - oh and also an engagement ring. We spoke with the front desk, locked down a photo permit, and scoured the gardens for the perfect spot. Once we came down the hill and saw an enclosed courtyard with pretty foliage all around, the search was over.
We set up camp in the courtyard and waited patiently for Britt and her mom to arrive. The thing with surprises is that they don’t usually go according to plan, but that’s all part of the fun! Britt’s mom was attempting to find a place she had never been without raising suspicion - not stressful at all! Lucas was nervous, pacing back and forth, and then the rain came. We all looked up at the skies simultaneously and wondered how much rain Mother Earth was going to pour on us. Thankfully, it was just a light misting.
The moment came where Britt appeared in the entryway and she froze. Her mom took her purse and coat and gave her a little nudge. Lucas was waiting on the grass and reached his hands out to her. Their friends were hiding behind a wall filming stealthily and I began shooting away from the sidelines. It is mind boggling that Lucas and Britt met in middle school, started dating in high school, and are now ready to start the rest of their lives together. That is so rare and makes their love story that much more special. After Lucas said a few words, he got down on one knee in what seemed like slow motion. He had put so much thought and effort into making their proposal perfect and it truly paid off. She said yes and Lucas slipped the GORGEOUS ring on her finger.
You thought there weren’t any more surprises Britt? HA! Out came their friends for one last shock. They all cheered and had a big group hug. I can only imagine how overwhelming this moment can be but joyous above all else. To photograph the moment authentically and not impose on the moment, I made sure to shoot from afar and allow them to have an intimate moment with each other. At this point, I was a perfect stranger to Britt; therefore, she did not have the chance to feel comfortable with me yet or even check out my work. She simply had to trust that Lucas picked the right photographer for the both of them. To navigate this, I slowly approached at a time I feel right, introduced myself, and offered my congratulations. I asked Britt if she was ready to explore the gardens a little more and take some engagement pictures! A photoshoot is nerve-racking even for someone who knows it’s coming so at a proposal, I give my couples another moment to gather themselves, calm their nerves, and get ready to have even more fun woohoooo!
The rain was picking up, but Britt’s mom came prepared with an umbrella and everyone was a great sport. It was as if the skies were crying tears of joy along with them! They were clearly head over heels and I felt so warmly welcomed by everyone. We strolled around the gardens and found a beautiful fountain, exotic flowers, a waterfall, and my personal favorite… a gazebo! The day was full of smiles and laughter and love. It was an unforgettable engagement and I am so honored to have been chosen to capture it. Congratulations to Britt and Lucas! I hope to capture more of your happy life together in the future.
Getting ready to pop the question? Let’s plan the perfect moment for you and your partner to remember for many years to come. Inquire here!
Client Review
“I recently worked with Mallory for my fiancee's proposal, and she went above and beyond to make the experience exceptional. Despite delays caused by weather, Mallory patiently waited with us, ensuring that our special moment would be captured perfectly. She then guided us through fun and natural poses, making the whole process feel like a breeze.
The resulting photos were stunning, and my fiancee could not be happier. Mallory was a joy to work with from the start and really helped make the process special. I highly recommend Mallory to anyone looking for a dedicated and talented photographer who can help take the stress out of a situation and make it perfect.”
