The 8th of February 2013 was the best Friday afternoon at work ever…so good in fact, that I got paid in diamonds!

Pippa from The Perfect Proposal had reached out over the holidays and booked me for the afternoon of February 8th 2013 to shoot a secret proposal on a secluded, private deck in the middle of the Silvermist forest in Cape Town. I was just a little bit excited to be shooting my first ever proposal but I won’t lie, as someone who was waiting and wishing for a proposal from her long-time boyfriend, I was also just a little bit jealous.

The envy returned with a twinge as I drove up the mountain drive and saw the view over the Constantia wine valley – one of my all time favourite areas in the Cape. I stopped to snap a quick pic for Instagram and sent it to Andrew too. You know…to show him how great of an idea this would be one day!

As I spoke to Pippa more about how the afternoon would unfold, I asked her a tonne of questions about “the couple” who I was going to photograph and this girl DID NOT BUDGE or slip up with any clues at all. Not even once. Not even when I mentioned how the colours “he” chose were my favourite or that the chocolates spread out for the picnic would have been my top choice too.

I photographed the details of the setup, and then on Pippa’s cue, decided it was a great idea to hide myself down in the bushes incase anyone caught a glimpse of me as they walked along the forest path. And it was from those bushes that all of this ensued:

I saw him…and my heart started racing as I got my fingers in place to start on the shutter. That guy walks a lot like Andrew, I thought to myself, so weird! Oh wait, why is he on his own? He was meant to bring “her” down there with him. Oh no, has he been stood up? That guy looks a lot like Andrew too. Actually, a LOT like Andrew. That IS Andrew. How does Andrew know I’m here? Oh yes, the photo. Wait, it’s Friday, he’s meant to be at work. Who’s died? Oh no, why is he here. Wait! Why is he here? Why is he pulling me out of this bush? I have sticks in my hair. Why is he leading me to the deck, the proposal is meant to take place there any minute. Why does he have a box in his hand? Wait! Is this MY proposal? OMG it’s my proposal. NO! Pippa, you’re kidding??? Wait…I need to concentrate on what you’re saying. *insert speech I will never remember but always love, if you know what I mean* Cue: me trying to make Andrew stand up so I could kiss him. Andrew, “can I give you the ring first? Do you want to open the box and see it?”

Oh you guys…it was the best surprise. Ask anyone who knows me, I am IMPOSSIBLE to surprise. So to be totally and truly tricked just made the day ten times funnier, sweeter and still one of my favourites to date…which is why I can sit here, 5 years later and recount each moment, giggle at so much of how it all unfolded and look back and realize I said so much by saying yes that afternoon.

I said yes to the guy who ignores “the sticks in my hair” and still tells me I am beautiful (even when I know he really is grasping at straws sometimes!)
I said yes to the guy who compromises and puts my comfort first, always. The guy who agreed that yes, it was FAR too hot and sweaty to partake in the romantic picnic he had planned and wrapped everything up and took me home to freshen up (and call EVERYONE with the news).
I said yes to the man who is adaptable and easy going. Who canceled the romantic reservations he had made for dinner and instead, welcomed all of our friends into our home THAT night, to celebrate in person (and mostly so you could tell the story one million times over!)
I said yes to the man who promised an adventure (and boy, has he delivered on that!) but also yes to the guy who knows I’m all about the small stuff and makes sure to fill my ordinary days with that little bit of extra.
I said yes that afternoon after imagining what “that moment” and “our story” would be for so long. I said yes and I still can’t believe how much better it was than I ever imagined…and how often life works out that way!

Do you have a super special surprise planned for your love? Want the moment photographed (most likely through happy tears but also with lots of love?) Contact me to get chatting about how we can document the start of your own adventure together.