So, you're thinking about popping the question in Sedona, Arizona, huh? Well, let me tell you, you've picked a good one! Cathedral rock is the backdrop of a proposal straight out of a fairytale.

Picture this: January 2023, icy trails, and a serendipitous encounter. I was out on this trail after hearing about the magical elopement spot (because who wouldn't want to tie the knot in an energy vortex, right?)

That's when fate stepped in, in the form of Norm.

Norm was on a mission to make his proposal at Cathedral Rock unforgettable. But with the trails resembling an ice rink and no photographer darring enough for the adventure, he was in a bit of a pickle.

And then, like something out of a rom-com, our paths crossed. Spotting my camera, Norm had a lightbulb moment and stealthily asked if I could capture his proposal. Well, you can probably guess my answer. We walked the last few switchbacks up to the top ridge where we secretly shooed away hikers to put his girlfriend, Jayda in the perfect spot. He casually asked if I could snap a photo of them, and we captured these moments.

Now could you imagine hiking up and having this moment without a photographer?!

Trust me, she’s gonna want the photos!

If you’re thinking about proposing in Sedona, I would LOVE to help! As an Arizona proposal planner and couples photographer, planning surprises like these on a beautiful hike are what I live for!

Here are my 3 tips if you plan on proposing in Sedona.

Think about your partner's personality and preferences when deciding where and how to propose. Does she love hiking, or do you see her wanting to be dressed up for photos? I would not recommend Cathedral Rock unless you have shoes with good grip. They are building out stairs on the upper trail to make it more accessible, but I have plenty of other hike options that are easier to hike. If she is more adventurous and you think she would appreciate an outdoor, active proposal, then this is a perfect hike that has a big reward at the end.
Popular hiking trails in Sedona (Cathedral rock, Devil’s Bridge, Soilders Pass, etc) can be challenging to access due to limited parking at the trailheads, and now the Sedona Shuttle service runs Thursday-Sunday and you are required to take the shuttle. So if you are wanting easier access, we can find a less popular trail, or go early on in the week. One of the benefits of hiring me as your proposal planner is that I have been to Sedona countless times and know many hidden gems.
You don’t have to hike to propose in a beautiful place in Sedona. It sounds crazy to read that from someone like me who lives to be outdoors, but if you want something more intimate and private, the reality is that Sedona is more than the hiking trails. There are many art galleries, gift shops, and local businesses that are fun to browse and explore on foot without hiking. Tlaquepaque has a beautiful courtyard that i’d LOVE to shoot a proposal in, SR-179 has many scenic viewpoints, and the breweries and wineries in Sedona, Oak Creek, and Camp Verde will provide beautiful backdrops if that’s more your speed.

if you're dreaming of popping the question in Sedona, know this: with a bit of planning and a whole lot of love, your proposal will be nothing short of epic. As a seasoned proposal planner and photographer in Arizona, I bring creativity, passion, and expertise to every moment. Let's turn your vision into reality—contact me today to start planning your unforgettable Sedona proposal.