Nikki and Paul’s breathtaking proposal last weekend touched and captivated more people than they’ll ever know.
We’ve been stopped by more people in more places in the last two days than we can count, and the stories about how this couple impacted you are incredible.
You huddled your co-workers around your desk and cried together.
You called your best friends and told them to get online, because there was something they just had to see.
You cuddled with your spouse after 25 years of marriage and said, “They remind me of us.”
You shared your feelings with us over and over, and then, once the emotional dust settled, you asked all asked us the same practical question:
How? How did you do it? How did this happen?
So, without further adieu, here are the behind the scenes photos of the proposal that rocked our worlds…
Paul didn’t want to leave any details to chance, so we did a run-through at the Hyatt Regency Gainey Ranch two days before the actual proposal. As you can see from the photo below, Amy and Paul aren’t nearly as excited about getting married as Nikki and Paul were!
After a two month planning process, professional proposal planner Elisa of Bash By Brenly wanted to see it all from Nikki and Paul’s point of view and the Head Gondolier, David, didn’t mind a second trip around the lake.
We made Paul take a few quick portraits in the gondola. It’d be the last time he’d sit in it as a single man, because 48 hours later, Nikki would join him on board…
We didn’t want Paul to be rusty and ruin the big moment, so we made him pop the question to Jordan and practice his “We’re getting married!” face with Amy.
They’re all smiles here (two days before), but Head Gondolier, David, and Elisa of Bash by Brenly hold tight poker faces. Elisa was the “hostess” who delivered the bad news that Nikki and Paul’s table wasn’t ready yet. She’s also the one who offered them a “complimentary” gondola ride for the “inconvenience” before running over to the bushes…
… and finding us hiding out!
On the day of the proposal, just moments before Nikki and Paul boarded the gondola, we crouched behind hedges and waited for the Paul to get down on one knee…
So we wouldn’t miss this…
Elisa watched her months of planning take shape before her eyes…
… and it turned out better than anyone could’ve ever planned.
We’ve never felt more pressure to get “the shot” before. If we ran out of the bushes too soon, we would’ve spoiled the surprise. If we waited too long, we would’ve missed the moment. Fortunately, we got it just right. It was the rush of a lifetime and we couldn’t have been more honored that Paul trusted us with this once-in-a-lifetime memory.
It was so sweet to watch them celebrate afterward.
When Nikki finally noticed us, she gave us the best face. “I can’t believe Amy and Jordan are here!”
As the gondola rounded the corner, Nikki looked back at us, in a moment straight out of a movie, and screamed, “We’re getting married!”
Have you ever seen a happier bride-t0-be?!
As the gondola pulled into the dock, Nikki gave us the “I can’t believe this is happening!” look, and we loved it!
We didn’t want to miss the freshest emotions, so Amy jumped in the gondola just minutes after the proposal and grabbed a few shots of them while Jordan snagged one of her in action.
Elisa had so much to be proud of as she looked on. Her careful planning had paid off and Paul’s dream proposal for Nikki came true.
A photo to celebrate with Amy…
One with Jordan…
Another with Elisa…
And one with…
A hotel guest in her leopard bathing suit!
She wanted to see the ring, admire Nikki and Paul, and offer them some free marital advice as new fiances! She was the sweetest woman in the world! We couldn’t help but steal a few shots to remember the first stranger to congratulate the future Mr. and Mrs. Evans.
Nikki and Paul were good sports! Nothing could stop their contagious happiness!
We did an on-the-spot engagement session.
And the rest is history…
Main gear used for this event: Canon 5D Mark III | Canon 50 1.2 | Canon 70-200 2.8 | Canon 24-70 2.8 | Canon 100 2.8 | Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT
Check out our entire gear list here.
