A Surprise Engagement in the Northern California Redwoods

If you’re dreaming of a surprise proposal in the Northern California redwoods, Haithum and Kailyn’s engagement is proof of just how romantic it can be.

Haithum and Kailyn had been together for five years, and Kailyn thought they were simply celebrating their anniversary with a couples photoshoot in the redwoods.

She had no idea Haithum had something much bigger planned.

Her cousins were in on the surprise and encouraged her to dress up really fancy for their anniversary session. Good job, cousins! Kailyn ended up finding the most beautiful vintage wedding dress in her aunt’s closet, and it could not have been more perfect.

The flowing vintage dress against the giant redwood trees gave the entire session such a whimsical, fairytale feeling.

An Anniversary Photoshoot Turned Surprise Proposal

We started their session at our first redwood location just like any other couples photoshoot.

While I photographed Haithum and Kailyn together, her brother and family were secretly setting up a romantic proposal spot at our second location.

They filled a quiet place beneath the towering redwoods with candles and created the most beautiful setting for the proposal.

After about thirty minutes of photos, we casually “decided” to head to location number two.

Kailyn still had no idea.

Once we arrived, Haithum walked her through the forest toward the candlelit setup waiting among the giant trees.

Then he asked her to marry him.

She said yes. 🤍

Engagement Photos Beneath the Redwoods

After the surprise proposal, we finished the evening with their first official engagement photos.

And the light could not have been more perfect.

Sunlight streamed through the redwoods around them, catching Kailyn’s vintage dress and creating the dreamy, glowing light that I love photographing.

The vintage dress, the candles, the towering trees, the surprise and that incredible streaming light made the entire evening feel almost unreal.

Their family and cousins were waiting nearby to celebrate with them afterward, making the evening even more special.

It truly could not have been more perfect—or more whimsical.

Planning a Surprise Proposal in the Northern California Redwoods

The redwoods are one of the most beautiful places in Northern California for a surprise engagement.

Planning the proposal as an anniversary couples session gave Haithum the perfect excuse for Kailyn to dress up, meet me in the forest and take photos without becoming suspicious.

Using two locations also gave their family time to prepare the proposal setup while we photographed somewhere else.

Once she said yes, we were already in an incredible location for their engagement portraits.

As a Humboldt County engagement photographer, I love helping couples plan surprise proposals that feel private, romantic and completely personal to them.

If you’re planning a redwood proposal, Northern California engagement session, or surprise proposal in Humboldt County, your proposal can become more than just the moment you ask the question.

It can become the beginning of your engagement story.