It all came down to the one moment. After days of excitement. Weeks of detailed preparation. Months of planning. Seasons of laughing together. Years of love. This one moment. When Isaac asked. And when Kelli said ‘Yes!’ This surprise proposal at Devou Park will be on replay in my photographer highlight reel!

It all started in college. Isaac was a sophomore and Kelli was a freshman. They lived next to each other in the same dorm and met when Isaac and his roommates were playing music too loudly. Friendship grew into something more and these two began dating about 2 years later! And now Isaac was ready to pop the ultimate question!

Isaac actually found me through his sister Jenna, who I have known for a few years (we even captured their engagement session last year)! So we met up a few weeks before the actual surprise proposal to pick the perfect spot at Devou Park. Isaac had concocted a clever dinner reservation diversion to convince Kelli to take a walk around the park before his mom’s ‘birthday dinner.’ It worked perfectly–even though Isaac apparently drove like a wild man to get to the park in time! Isaac told me that the biggest thing he wanted to capture during the proposal was Kelli’s pure reaction. He knows that she loves surprises, and he was so excited to plan the surprise of her life! Follow along for the absolutely perfect moments between ‘will you marry me’ and ‘yes!’

Isaac not only hired a surprise a photographer (me) to capture this moment, he also recruited his sister and sister in law, Ally to help with the set up! Sparkling wine, rose petals, photographs through the years. What a romantic moment!

Just me hiding in the bushes, seconds before Isaac and Kelli walk up the pathway!

IT’S HAPPENING!!!!

SHE SAID YES!! Ah, first kiss as fiancés!!

And here is the moment Kelli realized that her fiancé is so awesome to have brought family and a photographer along for the proposal! I love the absolute pure surprise on her face! Isaac, you definitely surprised her!

And now it is time to pop some bubbly!

Look at that just-engaged glow!

We had to keep the celebrations going, so did a little mini-engagement session!

Isaac, thank you for trusting me with this EPIC moment in your love story with Kelli! It was probably the biggest honor I have had as a photographer since I started my business 4 years ago. Kelli, I loved being able to meet you on such a joyful night of your life with Isaac! I hope you both had as much fun as I did. Straight up, I may have teared up a *couple* of times while editing your gallery. And my cheeks definitely hurt from smiling so much looking at you two. Congratulations and best wishes!

Rachel