Dreamy California Coast Engagement // © 2016 Sun & Sparrow – Southern California wedding photographers

HOW HE ASKED // Ever present and endlessly inquisitive Aubrey proved nearly impossible to surprise with a proposal. Needless to say, Ben enlisted the assistance of Aubrey’s best friends, Stefenie and Tye, and devised a plan to propose at Huntington Gardens, the site of an important milestone in their relationship. The plan was a picnic in the rose garden, some champagne and a life changing question that would come full circle.

Both Stefenie and Tye were going to be in Los Angeles, a rare occurrence and each pledged to help and keep the plan secret. As the big day approached, Aubrey became more suspicious and inquisitive, finally cornering Ben and asking why all her friends conveniently wanted to see her the weekend of the planned proposal. After what felt like hours of questionable interrogation practices outlawed by the Geneva Convention, Ben finally admitted what Aubrey already suspected, he was planning to propose at the Huntington that Saturday. Ben then proceeded to tell Aubrey the plan was off, that she’d just have to wait until he could surprise her another time.

Resourceful and undeterred, Ben came up with an audible worthy of Peyton Manning to propose Friday, the day before the original plan. That Friday morning he journeyed to the downtown flower market and told the vendor he wanted “all the roses”. Twenty dozen roses and hundreds of tea candles later Ben, Stefenie, her fiancé Simon and Tye were ready to surprise Aubrey in their shared apartment.

Tye was flying in from San Francisco and Aubrey was picking him up from the airport. Ben knew he had a window of opportunity to transform their apartment and execute his plan. Ben sat camped outside their apartment, air conditioning on full blast, praying the roses wouldn’t wilt. Atypical, Aubrey was running late, first ten, then fifteen minutes, slowly eating away at the precious time Ben, Stefenie and Simon needed to transform the apartment. Finally, 30 minutes late Aubrey departed to pick up Tye.

Ben rushed into the apartment and together Ben, Stefenie and Simon began transforming their shared space into the canvas for the proposal. All the furniture needed to go, the thorny long stem roses all needed to become rose petals and the candles needed to spell out marry me. With only 45 minutes to accomplish everything they needed to hurry.

Ben’s phone rang, it was Aubrey. Aubrey was only 15 minutes away and they hadn’t even begun lighting the candles. They needed more time. Ben asked Aubrey to pick up ice, and Tye stalled. A broken lighter, dozens of matches later and two minutes to spare everything was finally set.

Aubrey walked into their apartment and was instantly overwhelmed. Clutching the ice for dear life, she exclaimed “I can’t even.” Aubrey explained to Ben later that this was a good reaction. After what seemed like the longest 30 seconds of Ben’s life, Aubrey dropped the ice and raced through the open flames to Ben’s side. Ben dropped to one knee and asked the question Aubrey had been hoping he would ask for a long time. Aubrey of course said yes