A Perfect Proposal at Canyonlands: Ali and Genaro’s Surprise Engagement
Engagements

A Perfect Proposal at Canyonlands: Ali and Genaro’s Surprise Engagement

Genaro had been planning the perfect proposal for months, and Canyonlands National Park was the ideal backdrop for this once-in-a-lifetime moment. On the first day of their two-week road trip through the Southwest, the couple enjoyed a sunset hike at Green River Overlook, where Genaro dropped to one knee. Get all the details below.

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About This Surprise Proposal in Canyonlands

Ali and Genaro’s adventure started with a two-week road trip through some of the most stunning landscapes in the Southwest. “We started in Denver and went to Moab, camped at Bryce Canyon, explored Zion, and then headed down to Sedona to meet Genaro’s family,” Ali shares. The spontaneity of their travels added excitement to their trip, with no clear plan on how they would return home—just a sense of freedom and exploration.

“We have been planning the surprise proposal for a few months. Genaro and Ali have been together 12 years and he wanted it to happen at the beginning of their 2-week road trip in the Southwest. It’s always tricky to find a way to have the couple dress a little bit up for a hike in the National Park but we made a plan for a dinner date after the sunset walk in one of the most beautiful corners of Utah.

We tried finding a bit more private spot, and from my experience, Canyonlands offers just that. I was casually walking pretending to take photos of the plants and the landscape when Genaro asked Ali to step forward a bit to take a picture of her and the landscape. When she turned around and saw him on one knee everything clicked.” [Marta, the photographer]

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A Surprise Proposal at Green River Overlook

Their adventure reached its peak at Green River Overlook in Canyonlands. “We had dressed up for dinner and decided to explore the overlook, where we had the whole place to ourselves,” Ali recalls. Little did she know, Genaro was about to propose with a breathtaking view of the Green River Canyon as the backdrop. “I didn’t expect a photographer to be there, but Marta was so fun and captured the moment perfectly.” The couple spent the rest of their trip soaking in the joy of their engagement, keeping it a sweet secret for a week before sharing the news.

Planning Your Adventure in Canyonlands

“Canyonlands doesn’t require any specific permits for couples and family sessions. Weddings and elopements are a different story and you can learn more about permits here. If a place resonates with you try to embrace that. Stay a bit longer, come back, see it in a different light, and maybe come hang out with a book or a sketchpad. Utah has so much to offer that it can turn into a very fast-paced exploration and leave you overwhelmed. I always encourage my humans to slow down, and just… be.

I always try to gently educate my clients on cryptobiotic soil, how fragile it is, and how to identify it. What I love about Green River Overlook is that it’s mostly solid bedrock which is exactly the surface you want to stay on while adventuring in this part of the world.” [Marta, the photographer]

Working With Professionals

“What really stood out is how much time and intention Genaro put into this day. Proposing can be a pretty stressful event in your life, even if you’re pretty sure about your partner saying yes. Ali is a business coach and has quite a presence online. Genaro wanted to hire someone who was going to be aligned with her vision, meet her expectations, and who would add to their day.

My goal was to make the entire experience feel really relaxed and mellow and it really worked for them. Their playful side came out but also so much love, and so much care.” [Marta, the photographer]

Final Words of Advice

“My advice is, first of all, if you’re going to be hiring a photographer – find someone whose energy aligns with yours. It’s so simple but so real. The day is already going to be stressful and you truly don’t want their presence to make it harder.

The other piece is to just lean into who you are. After all, these images are for you and they’re supposed to become a beautiful memory of one of the biggest days in your life. Listen to your photographer’s advice, but ultimately, follow what feels good.” [Marta, the photographer]

Photos From This Engagement Proposal

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