ROMANTIC COASTAL ENGAGEMENT // @2019 Sun & Sparrow // Palos Verdes Wedding Photographer

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From the Groom:

I met Rachel in August of 2015 at a Mariners game in Seattle, I had gone to the ball game by myself after friends bailed on me. Halfway through the game with the Mariners doing what they did best, losing, I decided to go get myself some food and a beer. The concession lines didn’t move any faster than the Mariners did on the field so I had time to look around and listen in on conversations around me.

I did a double-take when I saw Rachel standing in front of me talking to a couple of friends. Her smile was infectious, and she was hilarious and I found myself smiling listening to her crack joke after joke. One of them I couldn’t help myself and I busted out laughing. It was at that point she looked and me and my stomach instantly felt like it had a million butterflies in it.

I was in disbelief that such a beautiful girl had even noticed me, I was dressed like a single guy would in cargo shorts, athletic sneakers, and a blue v-neck t-shirt. Rachel didn’t seem to mind though and we struck up a conversation that made the Mariners losing yet again seem like a win for me!

Fast forward through 3 and a half years of trips, adventures, and moving in together I made the most nerve-wracking decision of my life. I hadn’t even felt so nervous raising my right hand to join the Navy. I had to ask her parents’ blessing to have their daughter’s hand in marriage. I took them to dinner at a fancy restaurant and was ready to say it.

We probably sat there for at least a couple of hours, talking about Rachel and our lives, they surely knew what I was trying to say. I must have drank two gallons of water, my mouth was as dry as a desert. I finally asked the question in a dry raspy voice, and much to my relief, they gave their blessing.

Now that I had their blessing, I needed Rachel to say yes. A vacation to Europe seemed like the perfect opportunity to ask Rachel to be my wife and best friend for life. Something about it didn’t feel personal to me, I wanted something we would truly remember forever. Rachel grew up riding and loving horses, I myself had been on a horse once in my life, but I knew my proposal had to involve horses.

I searched around and found a trail ride through the beautiful Topanga Canyon, I knew that was it. The ride was incredible, I was snapping picture after picture of Rachel to record the memories forever. Rachel probably knew something was up and may have been nervous when our ride reached the top of one of the mountains.

I had planned this out though, I didn’t want her to see it coming, and the top of a mountain? This isn’t a hallmark movie, I had a better idea in mind. We rode all the way back to the stable, under the guise of getting some carrots for the horses I left Rachel standing by her horse. The plan was to distract her so I could retrieve the ring and sneak up behind her. My plan worked flawlessly, I went down to one knee and said Rachel to her, she turned around and nearly fell over backwards in amazement as I asked the love of my life to be my wife forever, to be my best friend….she said yes!

From the Bride:

Dylan and I met back in 2015 at a Seattle Mariners baseball game. We were both standing in line at one of the concession stands waiting to buy some overpriced nachos and hot dogs. I remember seeing a guy behind me who just took my breath away. He had the most gorgeous red hair I had ever seen! I tried to play it cool but I just wanted to stare.

He must have felt someone staring at him because he looked over and we made eye contact and boy, did I blush! He smiled at me but I didn’t have the courage to say anything to him yet. I went back to talking to my friends and at some point I made a joke about the price of the food and Dylan heard me and started laughing too. We chatted and he offered to buy me my snacks. We really hit it off and talked the entire game! We exchanged numbers before parting ways and i was so excited to hear from him. His first text to me said “howdy!” and the rest is history.

3 ½ years later, Dylan took me on a romantic horseback ride through Topanga Canyon in Malibu and after the ride in the stables surrounded by horses, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife and best friend forever. We’ve traveled, moved states, and experienced life together and i can’t wait for the next chapter.

From Sun & Sparrow photography:

Dylan & Rachel were such a fun loving and vibrant couple. We absolutely adore these two! When we spoke with them, we knew they were an adventurous couple that wanted a candid-feeling fairytale engagement. With couples who want a whimsical and fairytale engagement, we know that they hope to capture their love story. We want each photography story to be unique to our couples.

We love hearing each love story and recommending locations, outfits, and flowers. Dylan & Rachel love hiking, the beach, and being outdoors. They love the simplicity of holding hands, and snuggling after a long hike. Together, we decided to photograph a romantic coastal engagement in Palos Verdes, CA. We love this location because it has a unique landscape, similar to Big Sur. We adore the rocky cliffs and low tides. They make any adventure truly magical!