A Midday Montage Beach Surprise Proposal at Treasure Island Park
In early November, we received an inquiry from Landon asking if we were available to photograph a surprise proposal at Montage Beach in Laguna Beach. With friends and family only in town for a single day, the plan had to be precise. After a few messages and a phone call, we locked in December 7th and began preparing timelines, a cover story, and lighting strategy for a midday proposal at Treasure Island Park. We arrived early to scout the area, test lighting, and fine-tune our setup to avoid harsh midday sun. When Landon and Kelsey approached, our cover story went into action seamlessly. Within seconds, Landon dropped to one knee as their loved ones watched from a distance, cheering them on. What followed was a heartfelt celebration filled with emotion, connection, and family. This Montage Beach proposal is a reminder that with preparation, trust, and intention, even the tightest timelines can lead to unforgettable moments.
Early November, an inquiry landed in our inbox from Landon. The subject line was simple: “Are you available on 12/13 for a surprise proposal?”
We opened it, not knowing yet that we were about to meet two of the kindest families we’ve ever photographed — and witness a moment planned with intention, love, and a tight timeline.
A Midday Montage Beach Surprise Proposal at Treasure Island Park is proof that great photos come from preparation — not perfect timing. We plan around light, crowds, and angles so your proposal feels intentional and beautifully captured, whether it happens at noon or golden hour.
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How It Started: A Narrow Window, A Big Moment
Landon explained that some of their closest friends and family would only be in town for one day. If this proposal was going to happen with everyone present, the timing had to be perfect. After a few back-and-forth messages and a quick phone call, we shifted the date to 12/07 — the only day where everyone’s footsteps could converge at Montage Beach.
From there, we built the plan together:
• timelines,
• a simple cover story,
• backup cues,
• and a shared vision of how he wanted this to unfold.
Landon made everything incredibly smooth right from the start. He had already scouted the area at Treasure Island Park and knew exactly where he wanted to propose. Our only hesitation? The time. 12:30 PM — harsh sun, mid-day lighting, and no clouds in sight. But we accepted the challenge and got to work.
The Morning Of: Light, Location, and a Little Patience
We woke early, packed our gear, and sent Landon our GPS pin. By 10:00 AM, we were already on the cliffs above Montage, watching the light crawl across the coastline.
Treasure Island Park at that hour is a different world — the Pacific sparkling like polished glass, waves folding into each other in slow rhythm, the walkway lined with palms that felt almost cinematic. We tested angles, checked exposure, fired test shots with flash to balance the sun… and once everything felt right, we waited.
There’s a particular kind of anticipation with surprise proposals — that quiet window where we’re pretending to be tourists, pretending to be calm, pretending we’re not studying every silhouette approaching the beach.
Then Landon sent the final GPS ping.
He and Kelsey were making their way down the path.
I nudged Steph. “They’re close.”
We lifted our cameras and switched back into our cover story: two photographers taking “landscape shots” of the view.
The Moment Itself: A Cue, A Breath, A Yes
Landon approached us casually.
“Hey, would you mind taking a photo of us?”
Perfect. That was the cue.
We gave them a simple pose:
“Stand here, hold hands, look at each other.”
As they turned toward one another, Stephanie quietly positioned herself behind them. I adjusted the flash one last time.
Then everything happened fast — the unforgettable kind of fast that photographers recognize.
Landon took a breath, dropped to one knee, and Kelsey’s face lit up before the words even came out. Behind them, at the perfect distance, family and friends erupted — gasps, cheers, hands covering mouths, phones lifting, all of it crashing together into the moment he asked her to marry him.
Her yes echoed louder than the ocean.
After the Proposal: Love, Laughter, Family
The celebration didn’t end with the ring. We spent time photographing everyone who’d come to witness this milestone. Parents, siblings, friends — all glowing with the kind of joy that fills the entire frame.
Landon and Kelsey were a dream to work with. Warm, open, easygoing. They gave us ideas for poses, embraced every prompt, and helped turn the session into something collaborative and personal.
Standing there under the bright December sun, surrounded by good people and good energy, it felt like one of those moments that reminds us exactly why we love doing this.
Final Thoughts
Every proposal has its own rhythm, but this one reminded us that timing, trust, and teamwork are everything. Midday light, a narrow window, and a once-only gathering of family could’ve made this stressful — instead, it made it powerful. Landon trusted the process, communicated clearly, and stayed present in the moment, and that made all the difference.
Montage Beach and Treasure Island Park gave us the backdrop, but it was the people — the quiet planning, the patience, the deep love, and the support surrounding Landon and Kelsey — that turned this into something unforgettable. These are the moments that don’t get a redo, and we’re grateful to have been there to preserve it exactly as it happened.
If there’s one takeaway from this day, it’s this: when a moment matters, preparation allows you to let go — and that’s when the magic shows up.
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Treasure Island Park in Laguna Beach: A Picture-Perfect Spot for Your Marriage Proposal
Planning the perfect proposal in Orange County? Treasure Island Park in Laguna Beach is one of the most breathtaking spots you’ll ever find. With manicured pathways, palm trees, and sweeping blufftop views above the Pacific, this park leads directly down to a pristine sandy cove below the Montage Laguna Beach. It offers the best of both worlds—lush gardens and dramatic ocean cliffs all within a short walk. For couples dreaming of a romantic, picture-perfect moment, Treasure Island delivers every time. Whether you propose on the blufftop overlooking the waves or on the sand by the tide pools, this location guarantees a stunning backdrop at golden hour. With easy access, multiple photo opportunities, and the ability to create both intimate and cinematic images, it’s no wonder this spot is a favorite among proposal photographers. If you’re looking for the best proposal locations in Orange County, Treasure Island Park should be at the top of your list.
If you’re searching for the most romantic places to propose in Orange County, Treasure Island Park in Laguna Beachhas everything you could want: manicured gardens, dramatic ocean cliffs, and a direct walkway down to one of Laguna’s most photogenic beaches.
As local photographers who have captured countless proposals across Southern California, we can confidently say this location strikes the perfect balance between elegance and adventure. Whether you’re imagining a surprise proposal at sunset on the bluffs or a private moment in the sand below the Montage Resort, Treasure Island delivers the kind of backdrop you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
Golden hour coastal view of Montage Beach in Laguna Beach, framed from inside the cave at Treasure Island Park — one of the most iconic proposal photography locations in Orange County.
With sweeping ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and romantic pathways, Treasure Island Park is one of Laguna Beach’s most picture-perfect proposal spots. Our Undercover Yes Surprise Proposal Package allows us to blend in seamlessly as casual photographers—so your partner never suspects a thing until the big moment.
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Location & Parking Details
Address: Treasure Island Park, 30801 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Parking: Paid parking is available at the Montage Laguna Beach (usually $20+). For a budget-friendly option, you can often find free neighborhood parking a few blocks inland. Allow an extra 10–15 minutes before your proposal to handle parking and walking so you’re not rushing.
Proposal Timeline: From Blufftop Park to the Beach
1. Start at the Park Overlook (15–20 minutes before golden hour)
Treasure Island Park is beautifully maintained, with palm trees, benches, and pathways overlooking the Pacific. This is a great spot to settle nerves, enjoy the view, and quietly prepare for the moment ahead.
2. Walk Down the Pathway (5 minutes)
The paved walkway leads you along the bluff with stunning coastal views. This stretch is ideal for casual photos and gives us as photographers a chance to discreetly capture the lead-up.
3. The Proposal (Golden Hour)
Blufftop Option: Propose at the overlook for sweeping views of the coastline and crashing waves.
Beach Option: Continue down the stairway and propose directly on the sand with the cliffs and tide pools framing the scene.
4. Post-Proposal Portraits (20–30 minutes)
After the “yes,” we’ll guide you through a variety of shots: candid laughs on the stairway, intimate embraces on the sand, and cinematic portraits by the tide pools. The combination of blufftop greenery and shoreline drama makes this one of the most versatile proposal spots in Orange County.
Why Treasure Island Park Works for Proposals
Variety: You get both lush park scenery and beach access in one location.
Romance: Sunset here is unbeatable, with golden light spilling across the cliffs and ocean.
Convenience: Easy pathways and multiple backdrops mean less stress and more focus on the moment.
Ready to Plan Your Treasure Island Proposal?
Proposals don’t have to feel overwhelming—especially when you have someone guiding the logistics, timeline, and photography. That’s where we come in.
👉 Explore our Undercover Yes Surprise Proposal Package for a fully discreet setup, or browse our portfolio of proposals and elopements to see how we bring moments like this to life.
Your story deserves a backdrop as timeless as your love. And at Treasure Island Park in Laguna Beach, you’ll get exactly that.