From a Phone Call to a Cliffside “Yes” in Crystal Cove State Park — All in Less Than 48 Hours
How a Last-Minute Call Turned Into an Unforgettable Newport Beach Proposal
Last Thursday, Ricky from Orange County reached out after finding our proposal photography packages online. He had one request: to capture his surprise proposal that Saturday. The challenge? We were already booked.
We suggested Friday or Sunday as alternatives, but Ricky had his heart set on Saturday. After a series of texts throughout the day, we made the call to rearrange our own plans so that his dream proposal could happen. By Friday night, the location was set: Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach.
In less than 48 hours, we helped turn a phone call into a cliffside proposal at Crystal Cove State Park. Our Engagement & Proposal Packages are designed for couples who need quick turnarounds without sacrificing romance—complete with location scouting, discreet planning, and timeless photography.
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Scouting Crystal Cove: The Challenge of Last-Minute Planning
We had only been to Crystal Cove once before for a hike, not a shoot. That meant we had less than a day to find the perfect backdrop for one of the biggest moments in Ricky’s life.
Crystal Cove has four parking lots, each with different paths down to the beach. Only one offered a wooden boardwalk with easy access to cliffs and bluffs, which was ideal since Ricky mentioned his girlfriend wouldn’t be wearing shoes suited for a long walk.
Just as we thought we secured a spot, we hit another setback: it was reserved for a wedding starting within the hour. With less than 20 minutes to adjust, Ricky stalled by taking his girlfriend to Starbucks while we rushed to find a new location that still matched his vision.
The Proposal: Raw, Authentic, and Completely Unscripted
With seconds to spare, we found a spot that had everything—accessibility, privacy, and stunning coastal views. As Ricky and Jess walked down the boardwalk, Stephanie pretended to photograph me while actually capturing candid shots of them approaching.
The second Ricky dropped to one knee, we were in position. Jess was completely surprised, and her reaction was genuine, emotional, and full of laughter. After the moment sank in, we guided them into more posed shots, discovering even better cliffside angles as the sun began to set. By the end of golden hour, Ricky and Jess had not only the proposal of their dreams but a complete gallery telling the story from start to finish.
Why Choose Crystal Cove State Park for a Proposal
Over three miles of coastline with diverse backdrops from cliffs to boardwalks
Multiple parking lots with unique access points to the beach
Golden hour light that creates cinematic proposal photos
Nearby restaurants for a seamless post-proposal celebration
Note: For casual proposals, permits are not always required. But styled setups or shoots with props typically do need one, which can be requested through California State Parks.
Why Book With Us for Your Proposal
Planning a proposal at Crystal Cove can be stressful—four parking lots, changing light, and the risk of other events happening at the same time. With our surprise proposal packages, we take on those headaches for you. We scout, pivot if needed, and make sure you have both candid reactions and stunning posed portraits.
Let us handle the details so you can focus on the moment. Book with us today and know your proposal is in good hands.
Recap
A Thursday phone call turned into a Saturday proposal in less than 48 hours
Scouted all four parking lots to find the most accessible and scenic boardwalk
Adapted quickly when our original spot was taken by another event
Captured both the candid reaction and golden hour portraits afterwards
Proved that last-minute proposals can still look planned for months
Ready to Plan Your Own Surprise Proposal?
Whether it’s Crystal Cove, Laguna Beach, Balboa Pier, or another Southern California destination, our proposal photography packages are designed to give you peace of mind. We handle scouting, planning, and photography, so you can focus entirely on asking the question.
View Our Proposal Packages and book today.
