Grand Haven Proposal | Kevin and Alayna's Proposal Story
How he asked…
Kevin and Alayna have been dating for a few years and are best friends. Kevin has moved from the east side of Michigan (where they both grew up) to the west side of the state. Alayna visits him about every other weekend in Grand Rapids. During their weekends or dates over the years, Grand Haven has become a repeat date night spot and one of Kevin’s favorite places to be.
Kevin knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Alayna. If you spend any time with them, you know they are soulmates. These two have such a stable strong love for one another, it is truly inspiring. He began planning the proposal well before it happened. They had gone ring shopping so he knew her ring size and what she wanted. He had it custom set for her at a local jeweler in Grand Haven.
Kevin contacted me to help him set up the story/timeline of the proposal. I had taken pictures of the two of them at Rosy Mound Nature Center and he asked if I could tell Alayna that I had a photo shoot concept if she was willing to participate and it would be a couples session. This was no problem at all, because Alayna and I have been chatting on Instagram for a few years and knew that we wanted to do photoshoots together. I sent Alayna a few ideas and asked if Kevin would be willing to do this (knowing full well that he would, because this was HIS idea!). She let me know that he was willing to do another photoshoot and that it would be at Grand Haven so we could take some pictures by the sand and the pier.
Day of the session, I accidentally went to the wrong location across the water delaying me from starting the photo session with them (I am always early and this never happens!!) Alayna thought, the proposal must not be happening this day, because I was taking this so casually (my mishap ended up working out for this!).
We started taking pictures on the sand and made our way to the pier, where they have taken selfies and cute couples pictures before. And this is where he proposed! After their proposal we made our way back to our cars where they would let their family and friends know and continue their day that Kevin planned out for them. It was such a sweet and romantic proposal.
After taking a few pictures on the beach, we headed over to the pier. Kevin and Alayna have gone to this pier so many times on dates, and its one of Kevin’s favorite places in the world, we took a portrait of them in one of their go to spots. We stood in the middle of the pier waiting for the wind to calm, down and for there to be a break in the crowd.
I told them I wanted to create a GIF and that they needed to go back to back. But this was actually so Kevin could get down on one knee and she would turn around and be surprised - that’s exactly what happened. They went back to back, Kevin got into place, and then I told them to turn around. She saw him down on his knee and he proposed!! He shared how he felt in the sweetest words and she said yes!! Everyone on the pier cheered for them!
Shortly after the proposal they put their coats back on because it was freezing out on the Grand Haven Pier!
After walking the pier, we made our way back to the beach. Alayna and Kevin were greeted with congratulations from so many people on the pier as we walked.
