Braedon wanted his proposal to Lindsay to be a complete surprise with minimal people and buildings in the background. He also said that Lindsay loves the beach at sunset. Since sunset on the beach can sometimes be busy, we suggested a lavender farm proposal with beach engagement session at sunset. This allowed them to have the privacy and scenery that was crucial for the proposal and still have the romantic beach pictures at sunset.

THE PLAN:

Whenever clients want a proposal with less people around, venturing away from the resort areas always helps. With a quick drive upcountry, you can experience a completely different side of the island.

Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm is like a breath of fresh air. It’s listed as one of the top things to do in Upcountry Maui, which made it a little easier for Braedon to sneak the proposal location into their plans.

THE PROPOSAL:

For the proposal, Braedon made a book of pictures and memories for Lindsay to look through before he got down on one knee. The book was stunning! It looked so professional, almost like a personalized magazine.

He also told us that Lindsay loved peonies. Unfortunately, peonies were out of season, but we were able to get these gorgeous pink garden roses which are fluffy and full-petaled like peonies are.

Lindsay could tell Braedon put a lot of thought and effort into making the proposal special for her! Of course, as soon as Braedon lead her to the deck where the book and flowers were waiting, Lindsay had a good idea of what was about to happen, and she screamed and cried tears of joy when Braedon asked her to marry him.

THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION:

Braedon and Lindsay enjoyed their time around the lavender farm, soaking in the fact that they just got engaged. Then they met our photographer Tenessa the following evening to continue the fun at their sunset engagement session on the beach.

This way, Lindsay was able to have the surprise of her life for the proposal and then make sure she had her clothes, hair, and makeup ready for the rest of their engagement photos.

Photographed by Associate Tenessa | Package: Simple Proposal and Mini Engagement Session

Are you looking for the perfect way to surprise your sweetie with a proposal and engagement photos?  Contact Engaged on Maui today to get started!

The post Lavender Farm Proposal with Beach Engagement Session appeared first on Engaged on Maui | Maui Proposal Photographer.

At Engaged on Maui, a lot of thought goes into our proposal locations. We don’t simply offer any place on the island that looks nice.

Here are the boxes a spot has to check in order to be on our list of Maui proposal locations.

Is this proposal location photogenic?

First and foremost, a proposal location has to be beautiful.

Beyond that, since we not only plan proposals but photograph them, we think about timing, lighting, and angles. All of those aspects affect how your proposal location is captured in photos.

Is this proposal location legal?

There are certain places on Maui that are completely off limits.

For example, Ka’anapali Beach does not allow any commercial activity. This means we cannot provide professional photography, amazing set ups, or any kind of services on Ka’anapali Beach.

Venturing somewhere we aren’t allowed could result in fines or even jail time. The state has shown they aren’t afraid to enforce rules of where we are able to go, so we make sure to play by the rules.

When a potential spot is private property or we aren’t able to get the necessary permission needed to photograph there, it’s a no go for us.

Is this proposal location accessible?

You can’t propose somewhere if you can’t get to it.

Even if a spot looks like it’s off the beaten path, we try to select proposal locations that are easy 5-10 minute walks. We don’t want to arise too much suspicion out of your partner on your way, and we want you make sure you two to still look good when you get there.

Some of our proposal locations are seasonal. There are certain beaches where big swells take away the sand every year. The beach and place our clients would normally propose disappears, and we have to wait for the sand to return before we can offer that spot as a proposal location option again.

At our seasonal locations, we have a good idea of when this happens, but sometimes obstacles occur unexpectedly.

Although beaches don’t close often, it can happen if there is a tsunami warning, shark sighting, flooded parking lot, or some other safety concern. When this happens on your proposal day, we quickly make a plan for a nearby backup location.

How busy is this proposal location?

A place can be stunning and easy to get to, but if it is known to be very crowded in a way that is tough for your photographer to work around, we cross it off our list. A busy location takes away from the intimacy of your special moment and is also very risky for photography.

If there is a high chance that someone (or several people) could walk in between where you are proposing and where your photographer is, that is simply not a risk we are willing to take. There is not much Photoshop can do if someone walks right in front of you as you get down on one knee.

Some of the beaches that we don’t offer for proposals due to crowds are Kapalua Bay, Wailea Beach, and Makena Cove.

How busy a place is could change depending on the day of the week. There are a few beaches that we love for weekdays but we don’t offer on the weekends and holidays because the atmosphere changes. We have more gatherings and local families hanging out at those beaches when they have the day off. This means there are people all over, it’s louder (think people are laughing and having a good time, music is bumping, kids are yelling), and parking is all taken up.

What can the cover story be?

The majority of our proposals are a surprise. Most of the time your sweetie doesn’t know you have to meet your photographer for a photo session at a certain place and time. The surprise part is part of what makes planning proposals more stressful than a regular photo shoot.

While you are responsible for getting your future fiancé to the proposal location at the agreed upon time, we do think about possible cover story ideas you can say as an excuse to go there.

We also consider your photographer’s cover story. Many of our proposal spots allow your photographer to hide or pretend they are there another reason – either just hanging out or taking pictures of the scenery.

For some places, we have your photographer discreetly follow you from behind, so they have the right angle to capture your big moment.

Questions we ask when considering places to propose in Maui

As you can see, we have certain criteria a location needs to meet in order to be added to our list of places to propose in Maui.

Here’s a recap of the questions we answer about our proposal locations.

– Are we allowed to shoot here?
– Is this location picturesque?
– What does the location look like during engagement photography time (sunrise, morning, sunset)?
– Where does the photographer need to be to get the proposal shot?
– What is the weather like here?
– Are there any other conditions we need to be concerned about (ie: high tide, prone to wind or rain, lighting, lack of cell phone reception, safety)
– Is the location fairly easy to get to?
– Is there enough parking nearby?
– What is the crowd level like here?
– Is this somewhere that our clients will be able to convince their future fiancé to go?
– Is the photographer able to discreetly hide or follow the couple, or is the location situated in a way where the photographer would be too obvious?
– What does the surrounding area look like?
– What other locations are nearby if clients choose a proposal package that includes coverage at more than one location?

Engaged on Maui policy for public access locations

For public access locations – we’re talking about beaches and other places out in nature – it is Engaged on Maui’s policy not to reveal our list of exact locations until you book.

Back when we first started, we used to talk about locations by name but quickly learned that potential clients would pump us for information and then ghost us.

Now, before you say, “I wouldn’t do that to you. Of course, I wouldn’t.” That’s what they all said. Everyone else said, “I’m definitely going to hire you for my Maui proposal. Just tell me the name of this spot in this example picture so I can plan around it.” Then we told them what they wanted to know and never heard from them again. It was a bummer and a waste of our time, so we learned our lesson.

Some folks we talk to are very particular about the type of location they have in mind. They have a vision in their mind or specific requirements of what they want or don’t want in a proposal location. While we cannot provide names of potential locations, we can show you example pictures of spots that might work for your vision – as long as we have enough time.

This is super important. If you are coming to us within two weeks of your desired proposal date, we don’t have enough time to go back and forth on details. At this point, if we are even available, we need you to make quick decisions.

We also need you to understand that if your proposal is being planned last minute, you may have less location options to choose from. Maui doesn’t have many private venues as it is and those get reserved months or even years in advance for weddings. Helicopter tours usually get booked ahead of time.

It’s common for us to have 2-3 proposals on the same day, but we never schedule our couples at the same location. If one of our other clients has already chosen a place on your day, that location doesn’t get offered to you.

When you have a specific idea of what you want your proposal location to look like, the biggest thing we ask is to be upfront with us from the beginning. Don’t wait until you book and see our location options to tell us you don’t see anything that you like. Sharing your thoughts will allow us to better help you.

Picking your location during the proposal planning process

If you have selected a private venue, a helicopter tour, or Haleakala for your proposal, then you are pretty set on your location. Likewise, if you looked at example photos before you booked and chose somewhere you liked based on pictures, then we reveal the name of your spot and mark it as your proposal location.

However, most of the time, you choose your proposal location once you officially become our client, after signing your contract and paying a 50% deposit.

At this point, your proposal planner will send you an email with location recommendations and example galleries to look through. We send recommendations because you hire Engaged on Maui to make the proposal planning process easy.

In the past, we used to tell our clients to look through our blog and IG and send us screenshots of places they liked. This process worked, but sometimes it was extra work. We found clients would send us screenshots and links to not only locations but any photos they liked. We would get examples of epic sunsets, ring shots, close ups of couples – none of which showed us which locations they liked. Sometimes, clients would send us photos of locations they liked but those were only locations we used for engagement photos, not a place that would work for a surprise proposal. Or they would go back 5+ years and show us locations we had in the past that we could no longer use anymore.

Now, we prefer to send you location recommendations because it saves everyone time. We have already vetted our locations. They have passed the checklist and we know they work well for a proposal in Maui.

When a location doesn’t work for your Maui proposal

We have had some people scour the web and send us pictures of places to see if that spot would work for their proposal on Maui. If you have officially booked with us and we have enough time to plan, this is something we might be able to entertain, however you should be prepared to hear that a spot picked solely from a picture on the internet won’t work.

Here are just a few of the popular reasons that we have had to say no to a potential proposal spot:

– The place in the picture isn’t on Maui
It’s common for folks to search for “places to propose in Hawaii” but that will result in locations that are on other Hawaiian islands and not on Maui.

We specialize in Maui proposals and engagement photography, so if you fall in love with a location that is not on Maui, it makes sense to use a photographer that is local to that area.

– The location is not accessible or there isn’t a reliable way for our photographer to get the view you want
We are seeing more drone photography online because that bird’s eye view is amazing. When we are shown an inspiration photo that is taken by a drone or from a helicopter, we know we likely wouldn’t be able to access that same spot by land and, even if we were, the perspective we would be able to get would be much different than what you are envisioning.

We don’t like to depend on having a proposal photographed by drone because a drone can only be deployed if the weather cooperates. If it’s rainy or too windy, it’s too much of a risk to fly.

We once had a drone crash into the ocean because it was a little too windy. We were so thankful that the drone was only getting coverage of the couple after their proposal and we weren’t depending on it to capture their big moment.

– The place no longer looks the same as it does in the photo
When you are browsing online, you can run into all kinds of information and it’s tough to tell if that info is recent or accurate.

We know for a fact there are websites out there with outdated info on Makena Cove and Nakalele Blowhole.

As we mentioned earlier, Makena Cove aka Pa’ako Beach is one of the spots we don’t shoot proposals because it’s too crowded. However, it used to be known as Secret Cove because way back when, it was actually uncrowded.

With the reputation of being an intimate beach, Makena Cove became popular with weddings and also gained the nickname Wedding Beach. There are still websites out there saying this is a nice quiet beach, but that really isn’t true nowadays.

In fact, if a place has “secret” in its name, there is a good chance that it isn’t secret anymore. With the rise of social media and tell-all books, there are few places that are truly a secret on Maui.

Another place that you can read inaccurate info on is Nakalele Blowhole. There used to be a rock nearby that looked like it had the shape of a heart cut out of it. Sadly, part of the rock fell into the sea, and it no longer looks like that any more.

Bottom line: If we aren’t confident that we can capture your Maui proposal at a particular location and that you will have an enjoyable experience there, we can’t approve it as a proposal location.

Alternative solutions when a location doesn’t work for a proposal

Certain places that don’t work as a proposal location may be suitable for engagement photos after you’ve already popped the question. Once you’re engaged and reveal you have an engagement photographer, it’s much easier to go to other locations. You don’t have to come up with an excuse to go there. You can follow your photographer to make sure you’re at the right place. Plus it’s easier for your photographer to work around other people since they don’t have to hide anymore. Your photographer is able to be out in the open, move around, and direct you so there aren’t a ton of other people in the way or in the background.

If you have a place that you absolutely love for sentimental or aesthetic reasons and that place doesn’t fit the criteria for a proposal location, then perhaps we could use it for an engagement session instead. There are two ways we could go about this.

If you still want your actual proposal documented, you could pick a proposal package that includes more than one location, select a spot nearby that is better suited for your actual proposal, and plan to go to the other spot for the rest of your engagement session.

If it’s not as crucial for you to get photos of your proposal but more important to get engagement photos at a specific location, you could propose on your own without a photographer there and then we do an engagement session at your desired spot. With this plan, you get to propose wherever and whenever it feels like the right moment. Your proposal can be a bit more spontaneous because a photographer isn’t there waiting for you to get down on one knee and capture your sweetie’s reaction.

Ryan wanted to propose at Makena Cove because it was the first beach he and Jenna visited on a previous visit to Maui. We comprised and he popped the question at a nearby beach that has a lot more space.

Then they ended with sunset engagement photos at Makena Cove.

Choosing your own unique Maui proposal location

For those of you looking for a place to propose in Maui that has not been used before, you may be in luck! Engaged on Maui has some new locations we would like to add to our list.

The downside of picking a new proposal place is that you don’t get to see example galleries of engagement sessions at that spot.

The upside is that you get to be the very first person to propose there. Our photographers would love to shoot at somewhere different, so your engagement pictures will be awesome. We also have other incentives in place. If you are interested in hearing more about our new proposal locations, we would prefer to have at least 6 weeks notice, but if it’s sooner, don’t hesitate to ask.

At Engaged on Maui, we know the best places to propose on Maui, especially when you want your proposal documented. Fill out our inquiry form to get started on planning your Maui engagement and schedule your initial consultation.

The post Places to Propose in Maui: How We Choose Our Proposal Locations appeared first on Engaged on Maui | Maui Proposal Photographer.

Bright and Sunny Proposal

The first thing that often comes to mind for beach proposals is sunset, but doing the proposal a little earlier in the day can make the colors really vibrant. For this proposal and engagement session, we got the best of both worlds – a bright and sunny beach proposal that radiates tropical vibes ending with romantic sunset lighting among the lava rocks.

THE PLAN:

Andrew wanted to know the perfect spot on the beach to propose to his love Erika, so he decided to add an orchid flower circle. Along with adding a pop of purple to the sand, the flower circle acted as a marker for Andrew to know he had reached their destination and it was time to pop the question.

THE PROPOSAL:

They began to walk down the beach, and at first, Andrew got nervous because he couldn’t see the flower circle right away. We placed the flower circle further down the beach to get them to a more private area. Andrew kept leading Erika until he noticed the flowers and brought her to the middle of the circle. Andrew got down on one knee and Erika was stunned!

THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION:

We took advantage of the gorgeous light at the proposal beach. The sun glistening off the ocean made a perfect backdrop for playfulness. Of course, we had to get some photos with palm trees too!

Once the sun started going down, we headed to our second location. The darker lava rocks made a nice contrast to the blues and greens from the first spot. Having enough time to go to two locations, plus the lovely weather that day, helped us capture Andrew and Erika’s love among diverse beauty of Maui.

Andrew and Erika: It was a pleasure photographing your beach proposal and newly engaged moments! Congratulations!

Photos by Associate Chantelle | Perfect Proposal Package

Looking for a stunning beach proposal?  Let us help you with that!  Contact us today!

The post Bright and Sunny Beach Proposal | Andrew + Erika appeared first on Engaged on Maui | Maui Proposal Photographer.

Personal Proposal Tips

Pictures

Take a walk down memory lane with your favorite photos throughout your relationship. Or, send us a sweet collage in a memento box for her to “find” right before you pop the question.

Victor decided to paint scenes of meaningful milestones in their relationship to display along the path to the gazebo where he proposed to Mariah.

Incorporate “your song” for a personal proposal

If you have a special song together, hearing it sets the tone for the romance.

For Jack’s proposal to Christine, we planned for a ukulele player to learn their special song. Said ukulele player also “just so happened” to be playing it as he passed by them on the beach. (Wink wink!) After the proposal, the musician treated them to a mini private concert. Romantic, right?

Incorporate keepsakes or inside jokes

When Blake met Kristina, she was working at a bakery. He came in to buy chocolate-covered strawberries. She was holding hot dog buns and he said, “Hey, nice buns. How much are your chocolate covered strawberries?” To pay tribute to the way they met and also their shared love of pirates, Blake sent us a treasure chest to bury on the beach. Can you guess what it was filled with? Yep, hot dog buns and chocolate-covered strawberries.

This was a super cute idea that fit into Kristina and Blake’s story. We have had some guys inquire about doing a treasure chest or other ideas they have seen online without any connection to their relationship. The key here is to think of something that makes perfect sense for your love story!

Meaningful ring holder

We normally tell you not to keep the engagement ring in the box and put it in your pocket instead. This is because the bulky outline is pretty recognizable and will give away even the stealthiest planners. However, in some cases, it makes sense for the ring holder not to be a box at all but something else entirely.

Chris and Jamie met at a bar. Jamie had just come from a wedding and was a little tipsy. Long story short, she showed Chris a cactus she received as a gift from the wedding, told him to take her on a date to get sushi, and put her number in his phone. When Chris texted her the next day, she didn’t remember him but ultimately decided to give him a chance and was very impressed that he took her to one of the best sushi restaurants in Houston.

For the proposal, Chris created a scrapbook of their favorite pictures and memories such as a menu from their first date. He ended with a small cactus. Since Jamie actually lost the cactus from the night they met, he said he found it and something special had grown in it over time. Then, he presented the ring and asked Jamie to marry him.

For Antonio’s proposal to Harry Potter fan Daniela, he sent us the Golden Snitch which had a copy of the Unbreakable Vow page inside. Our photographer set up the Golden Snitch for the couple to find right before the proposal.

Involve loved ones

If your sweetie is super close to family and friends, she will love knowing that they were involved in the proposal from asking for her parents’ blessing to getting sisters or best friends’ input on the perfect engagement ring.

We’ve planned many proposals that involve double surprises, with the engagement being the first surprise and having loved ones join in on the photo shoot later or be there at dinner as the second surprise. The look of shock and awe when she sees her nearest and dearest there is priceless!

When loved ones can’t be there in person, that’s when technology comes in handy. For Mikey’s proposal to Caitlin, he actually called her mom right before the proposal and put his phone back in his pocket so she could hear the whole thing.

We’ve also had several ladies FaceTime their besties to tell them the great news right away, and we’re able to capture that special moment too!

Ready to Plan Your Personal Proposal?

We can’t wait to hear your love story and help you brainstorm a personal Maui proposal true to your relationship! Contact us today to get the planning started!

The post Personal Proposal Tips appeared first on Engaged on Maui | Maui Proposal Photographer.

5 Reasons to Choose a Maui Morning Proposal

5. Less people on the beach

Sunset is a popular time to be on the beach. While there are definitely some beaches that tend to be less busy, timing can also help keep crowds down. If you envision a beach proposal and want the moment to be as private as possible, sunrise or early morning is going to be your best bet.

4. The lighting is gorgeous for a Maui morning proposal

Sunrise colors can be just as amazing as sunset!

Those pastel hues found at the break of dawn are dreamy.

Morning lighting results in intense blues in the sky and ocean that give off that idyllic Hawaii vibe.

Some locations crave ample light to look their best.

3. You can throw off her suspicions

If you think she might be expecting a proposal on your Maui vacation, planning an unexpected morning proposal is a fantastic way to surprise her. We can plan something that will fit seamlessly into already existing plans. For example, if you’re going on the Road to Hana, suggest getting an early start to make the most of your time and stopping to “eat breakfast on the beach” before the long stretch of driving. She’ll never suspect a thing!

2. You’ll be able to keep the romance going all day long with a Maui morning proposal

Getting down on your knee in the morning allows you to relax the rest of the day. It also gives you the chance to make your first day as an engaged couple super epic and memorable. Imagine celebrating your proposal with a horseback ride, helicopter tour, couples massage, or sunset sail AND being able to be in the moment because you won’t be nervous anymore.

Many of the best restaurants on Maui have gorgeous sunset views and to get prime seating, you have to make your reservation for when they open for dinner service. If you choose a sunset or morning proposal, your evening will be free to snag the best dinner seats. Make sure to tell the restaurant you’ll be celebrating your engagement!

1. Beautiful symbolism for the start of your future together

There’s something so magical about the beginning of a new day, all the possibilities and excitement over what the day is going to bring. Seems like such a fitting time to kickoff the next chapter of your lives as a future married couple!

“Egyptians believe in the power of the sunrise. They believe each morning begins not just a new day, but a new world.”
— Rick Riordan

Ready to Plan Your Maui Morning Proposal?

Contact us today and we’ll help bring your vision to life!

The post 5 Reasons to Choose a Maui Morning Proposal appeared first on Engaged on Maui | Maui Proposal Photographer.