A Sunset Cliffs Surprise Proposal With a Custom Picnic: When a DM Became a Dream Moment
It started with a DM.
Early October. Instagram. Simple, direct, and absolutely our kind of message:
“Hi, I was interested in a proposal at Sunset Cliffs on Nov 1. Are you available? Also, do you offer decorative services like flowers?”
We’ve shot countless proposals at Sunset Cliffs. It's a place we know like home. But decor? Picnics? Floral setups and candles? That was new territory. We’ve always been a photography-first business, and we only take on new things when we know we can deliver them at a high standard.
Still, more couples were asking. More Pinterest boards were coming our way. We could feel where the market was moving. If we want to grow, evolve, and stay competitive, sometimes you don’t wait until you’re fully “ready.” You start. You figure it out. You give a damn and deliver anyway.
So we got curious and did our homework:
sunset cliffs picnic permits
cost of setups without photography
what other vendors were charging (everything from $400–$800 for setup alone, no photos, no food)
Then we made Thomas an offer that felt aligned and fair:
Book our mid-tier proposal package + one additional hour for setup and breakdown time, and we’d handle the picnic setup for free.
He’d only cover snacks and wine at cost.
Why? Because charging full price for something we were practicing didn’t feel right. This wasn’t about squeezing every dollar. It was about learning, testing, and serving.
When the right moment meets the right plan, magic happens. From securing the perfect oceanfront spot to styling a romantic boho picnic and capturing the surprise — we help bring your vision to life effortlessly. If you're ready to turn a message into a memory, your dream proposal starts here.
✨ Explore Picnic Proposal Package
Planning, Trial Runs, and “More Flowers, Please”
We ordered items.
We staged test setups at a local park.
Shot mock layouts, sent photos to Thomas, waited for feedback.
First trial? “Love it, but can we do more flowers? And candles?”
Fair.
Second trial? Closer, but still not it.
Third trial? Green light.
We layered textures, changed floral colors, created depth, and learned how important focal points and angles are in picnic styling.
Little things we didn’t notice at first suddenly mattered a ton.
This is why real creative growth happens in the doing, not the imagining.
Proposal Day: Nov 1 at Sunset Cliffs
The day arrived faster than expected. We drove down early, aiming for a 3 PM arrival so we could scout, secure a private spot, and set up with intention.
We walked the cliffs, said no to spaces that didn’t feel right, and finally found the one. Private, tucked away, ocean shimmering, enough room for décor without crowding nature. Perfect.
We set up.
People gathered.
Strangers watched, curious and smiling. Honestly? It felt unreal knowing we were setting the stage for someone’s life-changing moment… and doing it in a way we’d never done before.
Thomas arrived, parked, and followed the GPS pin we sent.
I met him at the top and quietly guided him toward the setup, while he followed the trail of flowers we had placed.
He turned the corner.
Steph popped out to begin photos.
The light was warm and golden.
He dropped to one knee.
She said yes.
Cheers. Applause.
Even the sunset seemed to clap for them.
We shot a mini engagement session after, then disappeared so they could enjoy the picnic and the last light of the day together.
It was wholesome. It was new. It was a challenge that turned into a win for everyone.
What We Learned Taking On Our First Picnic Proposal
Preparation beats perfection
Pinterest helps, but real-world trial runs are where skill forms
Couples genuinely value one-stop proposal support
Thoughtful details matter more than over-styling
And yes… candles and flowers go further than you think
This wasn’t just a proposal. It was the moment we said yes to expanding what we do and who we are.
And honestly? We can't wait to do more.
Thinking About Proposing at Sunset Cliffs?
Whether you’re looking for photography only or a curated, thoughtful picnic moment like this one, we’re here to help make it personal, stress-free, and unforgettable.
Tap here to explore our surprise proposal packages.
Or DM us like Thomas did. Sometimes the simplest message starts the best stories.
