Kiawah Island Proposal | The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort | Jessie & Clay

Kiawah Island Proposal | The Sanctuary | Laura & Rachel Photography

Kiawah Island Proposal | You have to know the backstory to understand how epic this proposal went down. Jessie reached out to us about a month prior, her and Clay would be vacationing (a.k.a babymoon) along the white sandy beaches of Kiawah Island, and while here wanted us to capture her maternity session. If you’re not familiar with Kiawah Island, it’s a private island just south of Charleston, primarily known for its pure beaches and luxury golf resort, which will be home to the 2021 PGA Championship. If you’ve followed us since we were California, Kiawah Island is equivalent to Pebble Beach Resorts. What a dream right?!?!

About a week before their arrival, we get a surprise email from Clay, mentioning during their maternity session he wanted to propose! OH MY GOODNESS, YASSSSSSS! We couldn’t have been more excited to help him bring this to life!

The day after they had checked in to the resort, we get another email from Clay saying he couldn’t wait until the end of the week for his Kiawah Island proposal, and wanted to do it the following day. Of course we were down for the adventure! Clay had planned a day of rest and relaxation, a nice lunch out, an afternoon massage, and an evening sunset beach stroll (also where we would be for the proposal!).

We arrived early as always, and walked the palmetto lined paths of the resort, which waved between each wing of the hotel, between the pool and lounge areas, and to a wooden pier area that led to the beach. We found our spot amongst the sea grass, in between a small pile of drift wood and sand dunes. Remember we had already met Jessie virtually, so she knew what we looked like, and that made us a nervous wreck! There were only a few people scattered throughout the beach, so there was no where for us to actually hide. We wore our hair up, hats, and sunglasses to be incognito as much as possible.

The moment was here. Clay was holding her hand as they walked down the boardwalk towards the water. The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. A slight breeze just to cut out the humidity of the low country, the sun was setting causing a gorgeous array of colors and sea mist haze, and the tide was going out allowing the beach to be perfectly smooth as glass and cast an amazing reflection of its surroundings.

He found his spot near the waters edge. Just having walked out from their spa afternoon, Jessie hair up in a messy bun, wearing a bathing suit top exposing the most adorable sun-burnt baby belly, was completely not expecting what was about to happen. Clay was down on one knee, promising his love for her, and their new little one, forever and ever. Talk about a tear-jerker! We weren’t sure if our lenses were fogging up, or it was just from us crying.

The best part was when he pointed us out! Not only had he hired a photographer to capture the moment, but he had hired us! She was blown away! She ran up hugging us, saying she couldn’t believe we had pulled this off. We hung around and captured some adorable pictures of these two, then planned to meet up with them again a few days later for their Charleston maternity session. Like we said, what a dream day!

Clay and Jessie, congratulations on your Kiawah Island proposal, expecting your bundle of job, and happy wedding planning! We cannot wait to capture your Chicago wedding!

Let us help create the proposal of her dreams! View some of our past proposals to get some ideas on what we’ve done, but skies the limit! From a Carolina sunrise on the beach, California sunset along the cliffs, golden vineyards of Napa to Carmel Valley, historic cobblestone streets of Charleston, ancient mossy oak trees of a southern plantation, to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, together we will curate your perfect setting!