The Plan
There were maps, diagrams, aerial photos, text chains, Zoom calls, timelines. Troy left nothing to chance with his Kiawah proposal to girlfriend Nikki. It needed to be perfect, and grand, and planned in secrecy. Because, as all her friends and family say, Nikki is nosy and will not hesitate to snoop.
Troy had kept the engagement ring in a box inside another box. In addition, the ring box had a note on top: “ABSOLUTELY DO NOT OPEN! Seriously, you will ruin everything, Nikki!”
Nikki thought she was simply joining in on Troy’s parents’ family vacation to Kiawah. But Troy secretly invited her best friends, sisters and parents as well. As Nikki was out getting her nails done, her friends and family transformed an adjacent, secretly reserved hotel room into a romantic, candlelit sanctuary. When Nikki returned, Troy met up with her and lead her away from the group. At that point, she knew something was up.
The Proposal
Again, Troy had thought of everything. So when Nikki arrived at her own hotel room, her mother and best friend were there waiting with a new dress, accessories, a pack of tissues and everything she would need for this moment. After she got dressed, Troy led her into the adjacent room. Rose petals, candles, chocolates, champagne and photos of the two of them together greeted her. Then, Troy brought her out onto the balcony, where she saw her friends and family on the beach below, holding big red cardboard hearts, and the words “MARRY ME” raked into the sand.
When Troy knelt down on one knee and opened the ring box, Nikki’s joyful scream could be heard up and down the beach and probably all throughout the hotel. This was everything she had dreamed of, and it was happening. And yes, it caught her completely by surprise.
The Celebration
After taking a moment to soak it all in, Nikki and Troy joined everyone down on the beach for hugs, photos and a celebratory champagne blast.
The next day, the four of us, and videographer John, set out for their official engagement session on Kiawah, exploring the natural beauty of the island. We then took one of the family’s boats to Sandy Point beach, for sunset photos with a shipwrecked sailboat.
Troy definitely pulled off the perfect Kiawah proposal, with the invaluable help of their closest family and friends. The entire two days felt like a movie. And this is only the beginning! Now it’s time to plan the wedding.
Planning to propose in Charleston? Or looking to do your engagement photos in Charleston? We would love to be there for you!