As a Los Angeles proposal photographer, I get to hear a lot of thoughtful ideas for making the moment personal. When David started planning his proposal to Olivia, he knew he wanted the entire day to revolve around something she loves: planets. Rather than simply choosing a beautiful place to propose, he planned a full day of activities that was completely personal to her. They started the morning at Griffith Park Observatory, followed by an early dinner at Castaway. From there, they planned to head up to Mount Wilson Observatory for a viewing experience, with David secretly planning to propose at sunset before the show began.
Then, on the morning of the proposal, their viewing experience was canceled. Thankfully, David and Olivia decided to make the drive to Mount Wilson anyway. And somehow, the change in plans ended up making their evening even more memorable.
A Mountain View Proposal at Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory sits high in the San Gabriel Mountains overlooking the Los Angeles area. It’s older than Griffith Observatory and home to some incredible historic telescopes. For someone who loves planets as much as Olivia does, David couldn’t have chosen a more fitting place.
I arrived before them so I could scout the area and figure out exactly where I needed to be for the surprise. While talking with the staff, I mentioned that I was there to photograph a proposal. That’s actually when I found out their scheduled viewing had been canceled! It was such a bummer knowing how much thought David had put into the day. But because of that, the park was incredibly quiet. Only a few other people were wandering around, which gave us plenty of space for the proposal and photos afterward.
David chose a spot on the observatory grounds overlooking the surrounding mountains. I got into position before they arrived and waited for the two of them to walk out to the overlook. With the mountains stretching out behind them, David proposed. Olivia’s reaction was so sweet, and the two immediately wrapped each other in a hug after she said yes.
Exploring Mount Wilson Observatory After the Proposal
Once Olivia knew I was there, we could relax and spend some time walking around Mount Wilson for their engagement photos. It gave them a chance to enjoy being newly engaged while we explored more of the observatory together.
And that’s when their evening got even better. As we walked around taking photos, the telescope domes began opening, including the dome housing Mount Wilson’s famous 100-inch telescope. The staff knew about the proposal by this point, and wanted to surprise the couple. This made the experience feel especially sweet after David and Olivia’s original viewing plans had fallen through.
It was one of those things none of us could have planned. David had spent so much time creating a day around something Olivia genuinely loves. Even though the itinerary didn’t happen exactly as expected, they still got to experience this incredible place together just after getting engaged.
From a photographer’s perspective, I also loved the variety Mount Wilson gave us. Their actual proposal had this expansive mountain backdrop, while their engagement portraits incorporated the historic observatory and telescopes. It allowed the photographs to tell the story of the entire experience rather than just the few seconds when David got down on one knee.
Planning a Proposal in Los Angeles?
David’s original plan didn’t happen exactly as expected, but the most important parts were still there. He chose a place specifically because Olivia would love it, surprised her at sunset, and gave the two of them an engagement story that couldn’t have been recreated anywhere else. If you’re planning a proposal or wedding in Los Angeles, I’d love to capture it. Whether you already have the perfect location in mind or need help figuring out the logistics, we’ll make sure you have a plan that keeps the surprise intact and gives you beautiful photographs of the moment.
