She said yes!!!!!!
Considering the fact that there's a whole blog post on these two, I'm sure you figure that Rachel said yes...but this story is so dang cute, I have to share more with you.
Not to mention these photos--how freaking CUTE are these two and all their happy giggles and hugs and smooches together? We also got lucky with a giant bunch of seagulls (who ever would think that's lucky besides a photographer?? lol) for these two to run through. No seagulls were harmed--but they probably were angry hahaha.
Zack and I had talked for a few weeks to plan the perfect proposal at North Avenue Beach, and had come up with a whole backstory to get Rachel there and on board for some photos.
Zack wanted to write a note and frame it for Rachel to read during the proposal and have me hand it to her (which I'll keep private for them to remember--just know it was super duper cute and made me cry a lil bit). The tricky part is, how do I hand a total stranger who doesn't know what's happening a note from her boyfriend but not let her read it until I'm in the perfect position for a photo? That's where some planning and improv came into play.
Zack had told Rachel that they were going on a dinner boat that will pick them up at North Ave--so she knew they were going there. However, out imaginary dinner boat didn't have a name, so I just walked up to these two and said, "hey! I'm with the boat. Do you two want some pictures before while we wait for it to get here?"
Rachel seemed a bit confused, probably because a random person just happened to find the right couple and ask if they were with "the boat," but she agreed to some photos. Now comes the tricky part--how do I get her to hold this framed note without reading it too soon?
I pulled it out of my bag and handed it to her so she couldn't read it, and just said "some people like to take a picture with this before they get on the boat. If you want to do that, I'll take a picture of it up close and then far away and let you get on your way!"
Once I was in the perfect spot to capture this North Avenue Beach proposal, I yelled at her from afar that she could go ahead and read it. It didn't take her too long to figure out what was going on, and she turned around to see Zack on one knee, proposing to her.








Lots of happy tears ensued, alongside shocked laughter and endless smiles shared between these two.
After a few minutes of these two hugging it out and catching Rachel up on the story of how Zack actually made this happen, and letting her know that I was in fact a hired photographer, not just a random person with "the boat" that didn't exist, we took some more engagement photos along the pier at North Avenue Beach during sunset.










Rachel was so in shock during this whole time but was ready to do whatever for some cute photos on the beach like a real trooper.
These two are so cute together, constantly laughing, smiling, hugging, and walking hand in hand along the North Ave Pier for the cutest sunset engagement photos, full of gorgeous blue water, green trees once again, and the most beautiful skyline behind them.









North Ave Beach Proposal Photos aren't complete without a little drama, so of course I asked these two to run through the seagulls for me!



We ended the evening by letting these two take a seat, soak up the sunshine + skyline, and snuggle up and let Rachel come out of the shock that she just got engaged!!!!!
These two were so incredible even for the short time I got to spend with them, and definitely gave me some practice at my improv skills lol.
I can't wait for the next North Ave Beach proposal to happen, but I'll be scrolling back through this one for a while <3


Wanna book Alana for your own North Ave Beach proposal experience?
(Hey, it's me at North Ave! ...Not actually for a proposal in this pic...but thought it was a cute beach pic so you know who you're about to inquire with lol)
Reach out on the contact page or email me directly at hello@alanalindenfeld.com and let's get started planning the perfect proposal for you + your partner. (Doesn't even have to be at North Ave!)