Surprise Marriage Proposal & Engagement Portraits on the Beach at the Hotel Del in Coronado, California
This was a turn-the-car-around-on-the-freeway, pretend-I’m-not-stalking-you, adrenaline-pumping, joy-exploding kind of surprise marriage proposal — one for the books!
Alyssa and Joel were visiting San Diego on vacation, soaking up sunshine, salty air, and the kind of slow days that make you forget what day of the week it is. Somewhere between beach walks and vacation bliss, Joel had a plan: propose to Alyssa surrounded by beautiful San Diego views. I was on my way to the chosen location in La Jolla when I got a text from Joel…
They’re not going to La Jolla anymore… they’re heading to Coronado Beach! Cue immediate U-turn.
I flipped around, hustled towards the Coronado Bridge, and started mentally mapping out how to discreetly appear on one of the most recognizable beaches in Southern California without blowing the surprise. Joel and I were texting like undercover agents. I told him under no circumstances was he allowed to propose until I confirmed I had eyes on them. No pressure.
Finally, I spotted them walking along the shoreline near the Hotel Del Coronado and I slipped into stealth mode.
It’s Go Time!
Alyssa and Joel stopped for a quiet moment on the sand. The ocean ebbed and flowed, the sky was overcast, and Joel was internally psyching himself up to ask a life changing question. Those seconds before a proposal are sacred. Everything slows down. The world holds its breath and you can feel the gravity of what’s about to happen.
Joel dropped to one knee, pulled out the hidden ring box, and Alyssa about passed out. Her reaction was pure and joyful — the kind that starts in your chest and spills out into your whole body. Shocked. Laughing. Beaming. One of those reactions that makes strangers nearby erupt into applause and become instantly invested in your love story.
Engagement Photos on Coronado Beach
Once the initial “OMG WE’RE ENGAGED” energy settled in and the happy shaking subsided, we transitioned into engagement photos right there on the beach.
I always like to begin a surprise engagement session with ring shots because it allows my couple to warm up to me and the camera while having extra time to process what the heck just happened! Without faces in the shot, it gives a newly engaged couple time to chat about what happened behind the scenes and how stunning the ring is.
From there, we leaned into movement and joy. Bare feet in the sand. Frolicking in the water. Wind in their hair. Laughter that didn’t feel posed or forced — just two people freshly engaged and absolutely riding the high of it.
This is always my goal with proposal and engagement photography:
Not perfection.
Not performance.
But presence.
Why Coronado Beach Is Perfect for Surprise Proposals
If you’re planning a proposal in San Diego (or anywhere in Southern California), Coronado Beach is a dream location.
You get:
Wide, open sandy beaches
Soft, flattering light
Ocean views that never get old
The timeless elegance of the Hotel Del Coronado as a backdrop (a great place for celebratory dinner and champagne, too!)
It’s romantic without being stuffy, iconic without feeling overdone, and spacious enough to still feel intimate — even when other people are around.
A Note for Anyone Planning a Proposal
If you’re reading this because you’re planning a surprise proposal — or thinking about one — here’s what I want you to know:
Things do not have to go perfectly for the moment to be perfect.
Plans shift. Locations change. Nerves kick in. Timing gets weird.
And yet… love still lands exactly where it’s meant to.
My job as a proposal photographer isn’t just to take photos, but to help you feel supported, calm, and confident even when plans pivot and your heart is pounding out of your chest.
I’ll sprint across counties if I have to.
I’ll stalk respectfully.
I’ll protect the surprise at all costs.
Planning a Proposal or Engagement Session in California?
I photograph surprise proposals, engagements, and couples across San Diego, California, and worldwide! If you’re dreaming up a proposal — whether it’s on a beach, in the mountains, or somewhere wildly meaningful to you — I’d love to help you plan it and document it with intention.
Contact me here to begin the process! To explore more proposal and engagement stories, click here.
And to Alyssa and Joel — thank you for trusting me with one of the biggest moments of your lives. What a joy it was to witness and capture your love story beginning its next chapter on Coronado Beach.
