It was so special to photograph Garrett’s surprise Rocky Mountain National Park proposal to Jen in Moraine Valley this Summer! The goosebumps were instantaneous when I opened the Mail app on my iPhone and saw an email with the subject “Surprise Proposal” waiting in my inbox. Funny enough, I was actually on a camping trip with my kiddo in Rocky Mountain National Park when he reached out, so when the email came through on a quick stop for firewood in the town of Estes Park it felt especially serendipitous!
After 5 years together and watching Jen be such a great dog mom to their two pups Garrett realized that he was ready to ask Jen to be his wife. Her family had planned a road trip to Estes Park from Texas in August and he seized the opportunity to plan a surprise proposal in Rocky Mountain National Park. I spent some time during the rest of my camping trip scouting out locations with epic scenery, but easy hiding spots for me to look like an inconspicuous hiker or tourist, where Garrett could set up a little picnic for the two of them and I could hide out and capture the moment on camera!
There are a lot of logistics that go in to planning a proposal in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it’s so worth it! Typically when I photograph couples in RMNP for portraits we meet at either the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center or the Fall River Visitors Center and they follow me to our starting location because there is no cell reception at most spots in the park! However, with a surprise proposal it would be a little suspicious to meet a photographer at the visitors center. I sent a dropped pin and detailed instructions on how to get to the exact spot in Moraine Valley, where to park, where I would be parking, what I would be driving and more. We planned for what time he would arrive to start the picnic and when I would show up to photograph the proposal.
I was so excited when I arrived and saw the two of them sitting at the top of the hill in the meadow enjoying a picnic together. I “hiked around” taking some landscape photos in the background and sneaking shots of them when I could (love a good zoom lens!) Then, Garrett got up and walked down the trail a bit to take a selfie with Jen. He dropped down on one knee just as a group of horseback riders came through and asked her to be his wife. She said YAAAAS! All of the horseback riders started cheering and it was such a special moment – all the tears were shed!
When they came back to the top of the hill Jen’s family pulled up in a sprinter van and ran out and gave them both the biggest hugs and congratulations! It was the perfect surprise proposal and it all went off without a hitch (well, until they get hitched that is!) I’m so glad to have been a part of planning and documenting it for them :). These two spent the rest of their time in Estes Park in a cozy little cabin together to celebrate their engagement and explore more in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Are you planning a surprise Rocky Mountain National Park proposal and need help with all the things? I’m your girl. I’ll help you scout the perfect location, give you ideas on how to set it up and can document it for you on photo AND film. I can’t wait to start chatting!