Surprise Photo Shoot Proposal at Rancho Valencia

This proposal story is very close to my heart because it’s my little brother’s! A few months ago, my brother Jacque asked me to head down to the jewelry district with him – he had reserved a ring for his girlfriend KarriAnn and needed his big sister’s final approval. It was nothing short of amazing!

From there, he enlisted my help to plan the big moment. We decided that Rancho Valencia, an incredibly luxurious resort tucked away in Rancho Santa Fe, California would be the perfect place for it to happen…doesn’t get more romantic than that! But how were we going to get them down there from LA looking their best?! We decided to create an elaborate fake photoshoot plot. I enlisted the help of my friends at JPR who sent me an extensive email of requirements for models for a magazine photoshoot they were “producing”. In exchange for modeling in the shoot, the magazine would offer Jacque and KarriAnn a one night stay at Rancho Valencia and pay them. The email included things like, bring several types of shoes, personal items like hats, scarves and sunglasses, please have hair clean and dry and nails painted a light pink or neutral color (see what I did there?!). I then forwarded the email to KarriAnn asking her to try to convince my brother Jacque to model in it with her. He was such a good actor and gave her trouble about how he didn’t want to do it for a bit and finally caved. The plan was in motion. For the next few weeks, KariAnn asked her model clients to teach her how to pose and smile for the big shoot. She had boxes of shoes and clothes shipped to the house so she would have enough options for the magazine…she was totally fooled!

I brought on a photographer that I know and love, Mirelle Carmichael, to shoot it, 1011 Makeup to come in and do editorial worthy hair and makeup and The Stylist LA to bring down a whole rack of clothes to style both KarriAnn and Jacque in. Everything was all set! The big day came and the weather was perfectly overcast to create amazing photography light. Once KariAnn had tried on several outfits and dug through her suitcase full of shoes, Mirelle led them to a pre-planned spot in the olive grove on property. She snapped pics along the way because the “magazine” wanted to “showcase the property as a whole.” Finally, they reached the spot. Mirelle started taking some depth shots with Jacque in the foreground and KariAnn in the background. When she asked him to turn around and face her, he pulled out the ring, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him! After several moments of tears from KariAnn she finally said yes! They changed into their second look and Mirelle took them around the amazing property to capture more shots as a mini engagement shoot. They have never looked so happy! It was a perfect day and such a fun surprise. Can’t wait to have a new sister-in-law! Let the wedding planning begin!

Afterwards, they popped some pink champagne and dined at CUCINA enoteca Del Mar, the Italian kitchen-meets-charming bohemian farmhouse stocked with over 250 wines from the Americas & Europe!