Angela & Nick: A Surprise Marriage Proposal in Vieques, Puerto Rico

Punta Arenas Beach, Vieques, Puerto Rico

     As a destination wedding photographer in Puerto Rico, I’ve captured countless love stories, but this one took me somewhere entirely new—Vieques, a small island municipality off the east coast of Puerto Rico. It was actually my first time visiting, and the reason for doing so was because Nick, a gentleman from Virginia, reached out to me wanting to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Angela.

     Nick contacted me via my website and we hit it off from the start. He stated that they matched on Hinge just over a year ago and met for dinner the very next night. They both felt it—one of those rare “this is my person” moments—before the appetizers even arrived. Since that first date, everything has been equal parts effortless and magical, from spontaneous road trips to quiet Sunday breakfasts.

The preface

     Nick was adamant about proposing outside of the mainland, so this meant booking flights, renting a Jeep, and possibly staying overnight at an Airbnb. After logistics were taken care of on my end, I let Nick know and we were off to the races.

     As I arrive to Isla Grande Airport, Angela and Nick sit down in front of me at the gate and I had to contain my laughter because he was literally not supposed to be there; humorously, I later find out he missed his first flight out, thus forcing him to catch the next one. As if that wasn't funny enough, all three of us were the only passengers in the same flight to Vieques.

The magical moment

     Nick tried to make small talk with me during the flight and asked questions as if we didn't know who we were because we couldn't blow our cover in front of Angela.

     When we arrived at the airport in Vieques, I see Nick heading to the bathroom and I use it as an opportunity for a quick, covert conversation in private. As we're both washing our hands, I take a few minutes to give him a refresher course of what's going to happen later that afternoon at Punta Arenas Beach, the venue Nick had set his sights on.

Sweet bliss

     Defusing the anxiety bomb in my client's chest is always a great thing to do because it's a very nerve-racking moment for your proposers. I also take advantage of the moment to tell Nick I'll be checking into Hix Island House, my chosen Airbnb spot, renting a Jeep Wrangler at Avis Rent-A-Car, and heading to Punta Arenas early so that I can scout the best locations on the beach.

     As fate would have it, we took a courtesy car to the car rental location and fine-tuned the details. We'd be seeing each other again in a matter of six hours or so, therefore I grabbed snacks at the nearby supermarket and went to check-in at my Airbnb destination.

The sandy knee

     I was told by the car rental place that Punta Arenas is infamous for mosquitoes and gnats during Golden Hour, so I made sure to buy some insect repellant; after showering at my Airbnb, I lathered myself in two coats so that flying insects would not be a distraction throughout our event. Little did I know this would prove to be futile.

     I get to Punta Arenas Beach in Vieques at least an hour before our scheduled marriage proposal in Puerto Rico. I kindly ask Nick if he's alone so that I can FaceTime him and show him the two areas within his preferred beach that we can shoot in. After contemplating both for a few minutes, we decide on a more secluded part of the beach where only a couple could be seen embracing in the water and enjoying each other's company.

Wholesome

     I interrupted them to tell them I was a destination wedding photographer in Puerto Rico who would shortly be documenting a surprise marriage proposal, and they became quite excited. I had an ulterior motive as well: since Nick had requested a video clip of the actual proposal, I needed a place to hide my tripod and camera discreetly so that Angela didn't suspect a thing if she were to see it out of the corner of her eye.

     I asked the couple if I could set the rig between their two beach chairs with one of their towels over it, and they were nice enough to allow it.

Two peas in a black and white pod

     Shot number one was in place. The second vantage point was my new GoPro Hero 13 Black strapped to my left shoulder as a POV/behind-the-scenes angle. Nothing beats being able to see an event through my eyes, and there's no better way to experience it than to have your photographer document the process as it happens from his/her eyes.

     Finally, my Canon R6 Mark II had my RF 100mm IS L USM lens on it so that I could be discreet from a distance and take that ever-so-important shot of the preface of the couple as well as Nick down on one knee.

Majestic

     As the moment arrived, I was in position making sure that I wasn't blocking the static shot from the other camera recording video. Angela was over the moon and gave Nick a resounding yes. I know this not only because of her reaction, but because I strategically placed flowers with a microphone hidden in the stems to capture audio as best as I could.

     After a minute or so of allowing the couple to wipe their tears and fix their hair, I approached Angela and Nick and she couldn't believe it! She blurted out: "OMG, it's YOU!" referring to having seen me throughout the course of the day and hiding in plain sight. All three of us got a laugh, and I proceeded to fill Angela in on what had transpired in secret in order for all of this to happen. Her jaw was on the floor in terms of logistics that needed to take place, and Nick and I high-fived each other to seal the deal on an epic adventure.

Golden Hour at Punta Arenas Beach in Vieques, Puerto Rico

     Since we were burning daylight, we took advantage of the gorgeous Golden Hour to enjoy an engagement photoshoot with what sun we had left. This is the part where the gnats and mosquitoes started to play a role. Since I was breathing heavy and sweaty from all of the running around, I was an easy target and they definitely didn't let me off the hook. I constantly had around ten of them in my face the entire time and made it very difficult to get shots in; my couple wasn't having too much fun either. As much as I hate to admit this: I must’ve inhaled about five gnats and washed them down with some Pellegrino mineral water shortly thereafter. 

     Angela and Nick could barely hold still for more than three seconds before having to swat bugs from their face and bodies. We made it happen nonetheless, and I even whipped out some flash photography towards the end, but things became so miserable that we mutually agreed to end the session because it became unbearable to be there. We were forewarned about the insect situation, but when the client knows what they want, it's my goal as a destination wedding photographer in Puerto Rico to oblige.

Perfection personified

    A few days later, I sent Angela and Nick their pictures along with their lightly edited video, and they're over the moon. My first time in Vieques, Puerto Rico was an absolute success, and I cannot wait to go back!

     Planning your own Puerto Rico proposal or engagement session? Whether it's Vieques, Old San Juan, or a hidden beach spot, I’d love to help bring your vision to life.

     Contact me today and let's make it happen.