A photographer offered to take their picture — she didn’t know her boyfriend had planned a proposal
Pretending to be a stranger, she approached the couple, complimented the woman’s yellow dress, and began filming without revealing the plan
Sunsets are perfect for something too special to be captured under ordinary skies, and for one woman, it became the backdrop to her surprise proposal. A boyfriend wanted his proposal captured without giving anything away, so he brought his friend, a wedding photographer named Alina Giles (@pixbyalina), to secretly capture it. Pretending to be a stranger, Giles approached the couple at an overlook in East Tennessee, complimented the woman’s yellow dress, and began filming without revealing the plan. She documented the moment on March 1 in a TikTok video, which has since gained 49 million views and 5.2 million likes.
@pixbyalina They were the sweetest couple! Should I post part 2 with her reaction? 🤭 unfortunately the glasses only record up to three minutes, so it cut off, but I started recording again 🫶🏼 #surpriseproposal💍 #engaged #engagementphotoshoot #couplephotoshoot #behindthescene
♬ original sound - TN Editorial Wedding Photog
The 26-year-old Knoxville photographer was meant to “accidentally” bump into the couple while they were taking in the view, acting like she was simply there doing her own shoot. “I’m nervous," Giles expressed in the overlay caption of the video. As the couple started to descend along the rugged cliff, Giles approached the lady and asked, “That dress is so cute. Where did you get it from?" She seemed flattered by her compliment. That’s when Giles caught the opportunity and diverted the conversation. “Can I take a picture of you?” she asked them.
“I work weddings,” Giles said, saying that she had been wanting to get a picture of a couple, but didn’t find any couple up there. Pretending that she didn’t know their names, Giles asked for their names. Michael Onate and Anna Carrillo, they said. The plan was running smoothly — the couple took the position and looked at Giles for the next instruction. “If you have something in your pocket, just take it out. Just do it,” Giles asked the man. He rummaged through his pockets and pulled out everything, first a phone, then a wallet, a velvet ring box, and then a chain.
@pixbyalina Part 2! Okay everyone, in my defense, I’m just a girl and part 1 only had 15 likes when I went to bed, so everyone please stop yelling at me 😂 Also, I’ve been getting a few DMs asking about weddings and sessions! Please fill out the contact form on my website (link in bio) for this, because I don’t check DMs as often as email + the contact form will give me all the info I need to give you a proper quote! If you’re a photographer or have had your photos taken before, you know we always take things out of pockets to make the photos better! It’s just an instinct lol. People have said that she knew, and maybe she did, but it was so cute and a great time regardless. 🥰 The videos were filmed with meta glasses, and my camera is the Nikon Z7II. I think that covers your questions/ comments 😊 Thanks for the love! :) #surpriseproposal💍 #engaged #engagementphotoshoot #couplephotoshoot #behindthescene ♬ original sound - TN Editorial Wedding Photog
In the second part of the proposal video, in what looks like a "La La Land" moment, Onate kneels down on one leg and slides the ring on her finger, right after the first shot. The romantic shot wrapped up with a warm embrace and kiss. In an exclusive interview, Giles revealed to PEOPLE that she was the one who had shared this location with Onate. She had sent him a list of locations, and he liked this one the best. She also posted photos of the proposal in follow-up videos.
@pixbyalina Surprise sunset proposal with results! Loved this session so much 🤍 • • • #surpriseproposal💍 #engaged #engagementphotoshoot #couplephotoshoot #behindthescene ♬ Love Notes - Olivia B Moore
Proposals today aren’t as spontaneous as they once were, with many people putting real thought into how the moment unfolds. According to The Knot's 2019 data, 58% of proposers say they feel pressure to create a "highly unique proposal," and almost half planned their proposal one to three months in advance, compared to 31% in 2017. Also, nearly one in four people even brings in professionals to help plan or capture it.
Viewers were smitten by the proposal, and some even noticed how Carrillo might have been aware of the proposal. @freen said, "SHE KNEW IT. BUT IT'S SO CUTE. His efforts." "People are making a big deal that she knew, so what!? It's still the sweetest thing," wrote @yasirwithawhy.
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