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Carmel By The Sea Surprise Proposal | Evan & Nathalie

couple smiling at the camera with success and surprise over their Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal

Evan and Nathalie’s Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal was SUCH an animated and bubbly session! I loved every minute of the day I got to spend photographing this new chapter of their love story. And of course, as a local Carmel by the Sea photographer, I’m right at home here at Carmel Beach. Read on for this darling surprise proposal!

man on one knee proposing to his fiancée for their Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal - 5 conferences with students; read papers beforehand - track student conferences - email instructor about using my Paper # guides for future classes - enter points for drafts
couple sharing a kiss at Carmel beach for their surprise proposal; the couple smiling at the ring on the fiancée's finger

Evan surprised his lovely, now fiancée, Nathalie, with this super romantic and really well-done picnic on the beach. Complete with Dom Pérignon champagne and cheese! The two of them were already planning to stay in town for the weekend at Bernardus Lodge & Spa. Evan was a total superstar when it came to planning it all out. It really shows the level of thought and attention to detail he had in perfecting everything for Nathalie. He already had the location picked out, a vision to execute, and a backdrop set up all in the bag!

couple embracing each other; animated and excited expressions on the couple's faces
Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal portraits of the couple on the sand, first while the man is on one knee proposing, the second of the couple hugging
surprise proposal portrait at Carmel Beach by film photographer AGS Photo Art

Picking Carmel Beach

According to Evan, picking Carmel Beach wasn’t due to any special meaning it had to him or Nathalie. Rather, it would of course become a place that had special meaning to them after their proposal. The core elements of this Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal were the two of them, a ring, and their picnic basket- I love that way of thinking!

black and white portrait of the couple tearing up over their Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal

More practically, his Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal was close enough for a pandemic weekend getaway. Not to mention you get the beautiful outdoor setting! AND it’s also one of the few places Evan and Nathalie have visited in the states with Nathalie’s family, who live in France. Hearing about all the little details like these and how they fit together really makes me smile!

Carmel Beach black and white portrait of the couple emrbacing by film photographer AGS Photo Art

What Do You Love Most About Your Partner?

She’s a goof, all around. But it’s her eclectic background (she’s lived all over the world) and joi de vivre (joyful love for life) that instantly had me. We’ve been together for about two-and-a-half years now. I knew by the end of our second date that she was The One.

man reading his weekend itinerary to his fiancée detailing the celebration of his Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal to her
happy, smiling couple coming towards the camera after the Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal was revealed; couple enjoying their picnic at Carmel Beach by film photographer AGS Photo Art
excited couple at Carmel Beach reading their weekend itinerary for how they're going to celebrate their proposal

Game Plan: Carmel By The Sea Surprise Proposal

“I’m an acts-of-service kind of guy. I like to plan for our future, and take care of all the little things that she doesn’t even notice. All so that she doesn’t have to notice and her life is easier. We “accidentally” ended up ring shopping on our 5th date while I popped into a store to look at watches. It was just a matter of how life unfolded after that.

black and white portraits of the couple at Carmel Beach for their Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal
close up photo of the couple embracing with a focus on their holding each other's hands and smiling; portrait of a woman jumping into her fiancé's arms during their Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal

We’d already planned to do a little wine-and-cheese picnic on the beach. I will have swapped out our wine with a bottle of special champagne, so right as we “find our spot” on the beach, I will make a little speech and get down on one knee! Afterward, I’m going to give her a printout of the REAL itinerary for the weekend which is an extra special hotel, nice dinners, spa treatments, and lots of time by the pool.” – Evan

woman covering her face in surprise as her fiancé proposes to her at Carmel Beach by film photographer AGS Photo Art

They say the best way to learn a langauge is through your lover- I loved learning a teeny bit of French through Evan thanks to Nathalie’s background! You can totally see his love language at work in his Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal to her with how he planned out all the little things so she wouldn’t have to.

close up photo of Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal with the ring box being opened up; further away photo of the proposal with the woman's hands covering her surprised face

Even the details of the ring, from the cushion-cut to the custom design by his college friend who now runs his family’s independent jewelry store, Evan really went above and beyond to have it be as perfect as it could for Nathalie. I adore its simple design and how it looks in the photos, don’t you? Of course, it looks the best on Nathalie’s finger!

Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal with a picnic on the sand; close up photo of proposal ring in the sand by film photographer AGS Photo Art
couple sharing a kiss on the beach during their picnic and toasting champagne glasses by film photographer AGS Photo Art
couple enjoying their picnic at Carmel Beach celebrating their Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal

Carmel By The Sea Surprise Proposal Itinerary

My favorite element of Evan’s Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal to Nathalie has to be the sneak preview session he booked with me for the day after. The three of us got to hang out again for coffee and snacks in my office, and of course, relive yesterday’s events with the sneak peek images you’re seeing here! I love getting to do these sneak peek sessions with my couples- it’s something I can’t recommend enough!

Carmel by the Sea surprise proposal paper intinerary with proposal ring on top by film photographer AGS Photo Art

If you’re looking for a local Carmel by the Sea photographer, I’m your gal! Contact me here, and I’ll be your boots on the ground- or sand!

black and white Carmel Beach proposal portrait on the rocky cliffs

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