{"id":15298,"date":"2025-03-10T20:05:34","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T20:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/?p=15298"},"modified":"2026-03-21T18:21:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T18:21:01","slug":"catalina-island-surprise-proposal-gordon-his-sunset-engagement-in-avalon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/catalina-island-surprise-proposal-gordon-his-sunset-engagement-in-avalon\/","title":{"rendered":"Catalina Island Surprise Proposal: Gordon & His Sunset Engagement in Avalon"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Helpful Tips<\/strong><\/h3>

\ud83d\udccd\u00a0Avalon, Catalina Island, California
\ud83d\udcc6\u00a0March 9th 2025 \u2600\ufe0f Sunset at 7pm
\ud83c\udf21\ufe0f Clear sky weather
\ud83c\udfac Start time at 6:30pm<\/p>

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Catalina Island Surprise Proposal: A Sunset Yes in Avalon<\/strong><\/h1>

There\u2019s something wildly romantic about Catalina Island \u2014 the ferry ride, the tiny golf cart taxis, the palm-lined views of Avalon. And on March 9, 2025, it became the perfect backdrop for Gordon\u2019s surprise proposal to his girlfriend (now fianc\u00e9e!) on a sunlit Sunday afternoon.<\/p>

This wasn\u2019t just any proposal \u2014 it was a carefully coordinated mission involving backpacks full of gear, a handmade floral setup, our pup Shabu riding in style, and a whole lot of love.<\/p>

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Planning a Catalina Island Proposal (The Real Behind-the-Scenes)<\/strong><\/h3>

The day started with an early ferry ride from Long Beach, and trust me \u2014 when you\u2019re packing a camera kit, a crate, a travel dog, AND florals, it takes some strategic planning. Since we couldn\u2019t bring flowers from the mainland, we called ahead to Vons in Avalon<\/strong> to make sure they\u2019d have fresh blooms. Pro tip: They get shipments on Saturdays!<\/p>

Once we arrived, we made our way through the island\u2019s charming streets, picked up the flowers, champagne, and a few extra snacks, and assembled a classic, low-key proposal setup near the iconic Bluewater Grill overlook.<\/p>

The Setup: Simple, Scenic, and Full of Heart<\/strong><\/h3>

Gordon\u2019s vision was straightforward: romantic but not over-the-top. A wood crate, champagne flutes, a fresh bouquet, and the ocean just steps away. His friend Alex helped hold down the fort while we discreetly captured B-roll and prepped everything on location.<\/p>

The couple arrived right on schedule \u2014 she was definitely suspicious (we heard her say \u201cThis would be the perfect place to propose\u201d<\/em> on the walk up), but Gordon kept it cool. And when he finally said those words and dropped to one knee? She lit up. The joy, the laughter, the \u201cWait, is this really happening?\u201d<\/em> energy \u2014 we captured it all.<\/p>

After the Yes: Engagement Photos & Ocean Views<\/strong><\/h3>

Once the initial cheers died down, we took a little time for portraits \u2014 just the two of them, soaking in the moment. We even wandered down to the beach for some sunset shots, with golden light reflecting off the cliffs.<\/p>

It wasn\u2019t just a proposal \u2014 it was a mini celebration. A day they\u2019ll remember forever, and a gallery filled with images that feel like real memories, not staged ones.<\/p>

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