How to Plan a Surprise Proposal Adventure in an Epic Arizona Location!
True Arizona proposal stories we just couldn’t keep to ourselves!
Real Clients, Real Moments
by David Orr Photography
You’ve been thinking about this moment for a long time. You’ve saved up, bought the perfect engagement ring, and have it stashed away. Now comes the tough part; how to pop the question? Perhaps you’ve thought about all the ways you could ask, but none of them seem quite grand enough to capture the full depth of your feelings. And maybe you’re also worried that things won’t go as planned. Well, we have witnessed dozens of adventure proposals, and want to share our best tips on what has worked for our clients who have successfully popped the question.
Start by making a plan.
Sure, spontaneity is thrilling and can work out great. But winging it might not exactly be what your partner is hoping for; when it comes time for your partner to share the exciting story of your proposal with their family and friends, an epic adventure will definitely be more special and memorable, than a story of the time you got too anxious and popped the question in your kitchen. Plus, your partner will be very impressed by the thought, time, and attention to detail that you put into planning a romantic proposal, just for them!
Here are the stories of some of our favorite adventure proposals from our very own clients, and what it took to make these moments a surprise and of course, spectacular!
Jacob asked Jordan to marry him in Sedona at Merry Go Round Rock
Jacob had planned on asking his girlfriend on a camping trip to Havasu Falls at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. He felt pretty lucky to have secured a permit, as only a few are available and they sell out instantly. But Covid-19 closed the Havasupai Indian Reservation and forced Jacob to change his plans, so he was eager to find an equally spectacular outdoor location that was also remote. He contacted us to book a proposal photography session, and after some brainstorming together, we decided that Sedona was the perfect mix of the outdoor setting and romantic vacation destination that he was looking for.
Jacob booked a jeep tour for himself and his girlfriend up to Merry Go Round Rock.
He had also made special plans for dinner right after the jeep tour, which was a good excuse to dress up nice for the jeep ride, as there wouldn’t be too much hiking involved. I rode along on the jeep disguised as another tourist eager to get some great landscape photos. Little did Jordan know that Jacob had actually booked a private jeep tour, and that I was there to photograph his proposal. Our tour driver Piper, with Red Rock Western Jeep Tours, was the perfect guide, sharing fascinating tidbits about Sedona’s history (ask him about the prayer wheel that used to be at the bottom of Merry Go Round Rock), and he was also very good at keeping the proposal plan a secret.
After a long, bumpy climb up the rugged dirt road (think mechanical bull ride on steroids!) we finally arrived at our destination. Piper told us we were lucky to have time for a brief excursion down to the overlook, and led us on a short hike down the side of Merry Go Round rock. I let Jacob and Jordan get ahead a bit to sneak some photos of them as they walked down the trail together. As he was walking, Jacob stealthily moved the ring box from his back pocket while Jordan wasn’t looking.
We walked to the ledge together to take in the sweeping views of red rock spires and pinnacles, stretching all the way to Sedona. What makes Merry Go Round rock so unique is a more erosion-resistant gray limestone layer that caps and sits on top of red sandstone; over millions of years, the limestone on top has been sculpted into towers resting delicately over large holes where the sandstone beneath has eroded away.
I knew that the proposal was about to happen, and I was ready to secretly photograph it!
Jacob and Jordan made their way over to another viewpoint along the gray limestone ledge, and I hung back, adjusting my camera settings and composing my shot to take in the two of them against the backdrop of the panoramic valley. Jacob turned to Jordan, and took her hands into his, sharing an impassioned speech he had written and memorized just for the occasion. Then he got down on one knee, and presented the ring as Jordan wiped tears from her face.
They held each other and kissed, and Jacob stood up and lifted Jordan up in his arms for another kiss! He slid the ring on her finger and they held each other in a sweet embrace. Jordan was all smiles as she began to unravel all the countless details of how Jacob was able to pull off the surprise proposal.
Matt proposed to Lindsey at The Boulders Resort in Scottsdale
Matt knew his girlfriend Lindsey could use a nice escape from the harsh Midwestern winter. When he began brainstorming about places to propose, he immediately thought of the beautiful Boulders Resort in Scottsdale, which he had visited every year with his family since he was a kid. Scottsdale’s desert climate—with an average high of 65 degrees in December and 299 days of yearly sunshine—would be his ideal destination. Not only would the climate be pleasant, but the Boulders Resort also offered a unique outdoor location with a rugged feel, without the need for a lengthy hike. That meant that he and Lindsey could dress up and look nice—no hiking gear or baggy sweatpants required.
We planned on an early morning proposal, within two hours of sunrise for the most flattering light.
I arrived at the Boulders 30 minutes before Matt and Lindsey would leave their casita for a quick “nature walk” on the way to breakfast. I made my way past the resort lounge, and started up the beautiful Boulders trail that winds through massive, 1.4-billion-year-old granite boulders overlooking the surrounding desert. I scouted out a nice level spot with panoramic views, and pretended to be taking landscape photos.
Matt and Lindsey came up the trail 15 minutes later, passing me and making their way over to the viewpoint. Matt dropped to one knee, and shared a heartfelt speech through tears of joy. I quickly got my camera into position to capture Matt’s face lit by the sunrise. Lindsey was stunned with delight, grasping Matt’s face in her hands, and then clutching her own face in surprise. When Matt finished his speech and presented the ring to Lindsey, I quickly moved up the trail and around them to capture Lindsey’s reaction.
Lindsey excitedly answered “Yes,” and drew Matt in for a kiss and a tight embrace, followed by gleeful laughter as Matt placed the ring on her finger.
Soon after, we revealed that I wasn’t just a random tourist visiting the resort, but that I was actually intentionally waiting there to photograph their special proposal! We continued to explore the trail together. I was thrilled to have the uninterrupted views of Cave Creek and the Sonoran Desert as stunning portrait backdrops to create romantic photographs of these two people who were so very much in love. Having photographed multiple weddings at The Boulders, I was able to show Matt and Lindsey to various photogenic locations. We finished up our portrait session near the precariously balanced Rosey’s Rock, and were photobombed by the resort’s “resident” Javelinas, who lended their prickly cuteness for a few portraits.
Josh’s Proposal to Larissa at Cathedral Rock in Sedona
Josh is a traveling ICU nurse, originally from South Dakota. His job with Banner Health recently brought him, his girlfriend Larissa, and friend Aaron on a contract to Phoenix, so Josh decided it would be fun to get out and explore his new backyard’s amazing outdoors, starting with a trip up to Sedona.
Josh’s plan was to hike up the iconic Cathedral Rock early in the morning, so that he could surprise her with a proposal at sunrise overlooking Oak Creek.
I spoke with Josh on the phone to work out the stealthy photography details, and we agreed that a morning hike would work out great for beautiful lighting (as well as securing a highly-coveted parking space at the trailhead’s two small parking lots). I also found out that Josh and his girlfriend were experienced hikers and would enjoy the challenge of this moderate hike.
I knew I needed to be on the trail in Sedona at least 30 minutes before them, so I headed out of Phoenix around 4 am to make the drive up. I arrived at the trailhead just before 7 am. The air was a chilly (by Arizona standards!) 40 degrees, and I wore multiple layers, gloves, a beanie, and an ever-present face mask for these uncertain times. I started my climb in the still and quiet dark by headlamp. Venus glowed brightly as it ascended the cobalt blue sky to my left, just above a perfectly silhouetted Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock.
By 7:10 am I had made it to the most difficult part of the hike, a nearly vertical climb following a fissure up the slick red rock. Thankfully there were footholds carved into the rock in just the right places, as well as huge wire and rock cairns to mark the way. I climbed this portion carefully, conscious that my huge camera bag shifted my center of gravity farther back than I’d like it to be. I made it up to the saddle of Cathedral Rock at 7:39 am, with a comfortable 10-minute cushion before Josh and Larissa would arrive.
The sunrise behind Courthouse Butte was magnificent, with amber shafts of sunlight cutting around the pinnacle into the valley below.
I captured some images of the sunrise, and then snuck a few shots of Josh and Larissa, who had just arrived and were enjoying the sunrise about 15 feet in front of me. Then I turned around to focus my attention on center stage, a small platform of rock that skirted the edge of the saddle. Josh and Larissa walked out on to the platform to take in the expansive view toward Oak Creek to the west.
While Larissa continued to gaze upon distant hills and hot air balloons out for a morning flight, Josh backed up, pulled out the ring box, and got down on one knee. Larissa turned to look over her shoulder at Josh. As soon as she realized what was happening, she started to cry tears of joy. When Josh finished his proposal, Larissa grasped his face, kissed him passionately, and held him in a tight embrace. Hikers who had been watching quietly nearby shouted their congratulations, and Josh and Larissa smiled with joy.
Within a minute of the proposal the sunlight broke past Courthouse Butte and spilled gloriously onto Josh and Larissa on the sandstone ledge of Cathedral Rock, warming the air and rock around them. It was a picture perfect moment!
Lauren and Jess’ Camelback Mountain Proposal in the heart of Phoenix
Early the morning of their planned Camelback Mountain hike, Jess had been feeling a bit tired and jokingly said to Lauren, “Babe, you don’t have to propose to me today.” She often joked with Lauren about proposing, and suggested postponing the hike until she felt a bit better. Of course, Jess had no idea that this was the day that Lauren was actually going to propose!
In fact, it was their first anniversary; one year ago they had hiked up the very same trail!
I arrived at the Echo Canyon trailhead in the early afternoon about an hour before Lauren planned to arrive, to give myself time to find a space in the busy parking lot, and to get a head start up this well-known, difficult trail. The hike started out as a gradual climb up a sandy path, with scenic views of Scottsdale below. From there, the hike turned into a full-on workout, with a stairmaster-like climb up massive railroad ties, and then a scramble up a jagged and slippery rock face. Thank goodness metal handrails had been installed here, which allowed me to pull myself up by my arms and give my legs a rest! Still, the climb was challenging, compounded by the fact that I was wearing a mask, which made breathing quite difficult, and I was lugging a heavy backpack of camera equipment.
Thirty-six numbered metal posts along the trail helped me gauge my progress and gave me hope, as the daunting uphill climb presented several false summits. Soon the views opened back up to the south toward Phoenix, with the gorgeous Phoenician resort below. At post number 26, Lauren texted me that she and Jess just started the hike.
The remainder of the trail was an all-out climb up massive granite boulders, sometimes on hand and foot. I pushed on, knowing I would need to get to the summit ahead of Lauren to scout out the best location for photos, and to hold a spot in the event that there were a large number of hikers. By the time I reached post number 36, I knew the summit was in reach!
At the top, after 1,264 feet of punishing vertical climb, it was time for a rest! I was delighted to find just a few hikers for a January weekday. The weather was an absolutely gorgeous 70 degrees, and a cloud of swallows chattered and zipped overhead. The views extended in all directions, with visibility all the way to the Superstition Mountains over 30 miles to the east.
When Lauren and Jess reached the summit of Camelback, I watched from a distance, camera at the ready, as Lauren offered Jess a drink of water.
Jess kindly passed.
I continued to watch as they walked to several viewpoints, knowing I would need to recompose my shot depending on where they finally decided to rest. After about 10 minutes, Lauren offered Jess another drink, insisting that Jess really needed to hydrate. Jess accepted this time and held the water bottle to her lips, but nothing came out. Puzzled, she shook the bottle and tried again.
Then, she unscrewed the top of the bottle, and to her surprise, red rose petals and an engagement ring came spilling out. Lauren grabbed the ring and dropped to one knee to propose. Jess was all smiles and said Yes!
Following the proposal, we met up and I introduced myself to a surprised and ecstatic Jess. I took some time to make beautiful portraits of Lauren and Jess enjoying the moment, with the hazy slopes of Camelback Mountain in the background. And of course I had to get some macro shots of the stunning engagement ring before Lauren slid it back on Jess’ finger. Soon the sun began to set and it was time to head back down. We hiked briskly down Camelback, making good time despite clambering over huge boulders and sliding down the slick bedrock. A pair of owls was hooting somewhere high up the cliffside in the growing dark, cheering us on as we made it down the mountain.
I knew that Lauren had arranged one more surprise for Jess, so it was important for me to keep up with them without seeming too obvious.
Thankfully Lauren paused before our last descent, giving me time to get my camera back out of my pack and my flash ready. I made an excuse that I needed to shift the weight in my bag so that Jess wouldn’t catch on. When we finally reached the bottom of the trail just as the sky turned completely dark, Jess’ family was waiting at the trailhead with balloons, bubbly, and Lauren and Jess’ dog, Pepe, to congratulate them! I grabbed some shots of the newly engaged couple and their family together to celebrate the moment!
With each outdoor adventure proposal, there is one key to our client’s success…
Getting the best reaction and perfect photo moments comes down to really good planning, together!
We’ve reviewed trail routes together, planned our hike timing in relation to sunrise or sunset, and constantly checked the weather. We’ve figured out what parking was available, how much it would cost, and what our back-up plan would be in case the lot was full. We decided on alternate trails if our preferred one was closed the day of the proposal. We’ve strategized where to stand for the best light and most impressive backdrop to get the best photos of this once-in-a-lifetime moment. And we’ve stayed in constant communication with text messages and selfies, so we could recognize and spot each other out on the trail, and much, much more!
I guess what we’re trying to say is, we’re ready to help you plan an epic proposal moment with beautiful photography in an awesome setting here in Arizona.
Let’s get to it.
Let’s plan an outdoor adventure proposal together!
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Thanks for reading, and hope you are inspired and excited!
- Amanda and David Orr
