Sean and Alyssa's suprise proposal at Europa Village in Temecula

You know, it is the strangest of things when you are a documentary wedding photographer and you’re 8 years into this specialty and you’re only now shooting your very first surprise engagement session. I know… I would have expected to shoot quite a few by now but this one is even more special because Sean is my friend (and my chiropractor).

Sean’s original idea was to shoot at a lantern festival that was meaningful to them but it eventually got cancelled this year!! BOOOO! what an absolute bummer this was. I was truly looking forward to it… but now I was invested to help make his proposal just as meaningful so we put our heads together over lunch and after a few pointed questions, I teased out of him that they loved wine tasting so much (they go very often) that this was the perfect opportunity and location for a surprise proposal with Europa Village in Temecula being ideal for this. It’s gorgeous, with plenty of photo opportunities… and as a good Frenchman, I sampled a couple of the wines… and they are GOOD! I was very pleasantly surprised. I know… We French have a difficult time sometimes admitting Americans can make good wines hahaha… but not this guy. :P

I hope you enjoy the photos. I loved taking them and love to see Sean and Alyssa’s happiness at their engagement. I… CANNOT… WAIT… for their wedding!!