Florida can be a beautiful place for a romantic getaway – the sun, the ocean air, the stunning landscape, and even more stunning sunsets. It’s no surprise that Florida is also a popular place to take romance to the next level and pop the question.
That’s exactly what Michael had in mind for the love of his life, Brittany. This adorable couple from Massachusetts has a joy that is truly infectious, so it was an honor to be able to photograph these two making it official. Brittany was shocked in the best possible way when she saw Michael get down on one knee in the shade of a palm tree, and she simply couldn’t wait to say “yes!”
Michael proposed to Brittany at the lovely Grand Floridian Resort, which is one of our favorite places in the area for photo shoots. The grounds of the Grand Floridian and gorgeous, and we took full advantage of this couple’s engagement photo shoot.
We chose a relaxed feel for the engagement portraits, and they fit this couple’s style perfectly. Many of our shots feature a quaint gazebo that has a wonderful Florida look. The Grand Floridian’s idyllic courtyard is a beautiful backdrop as well, with a charm that only comes second to the charm of this cute couple.
Throughout the session, it was a joy to see how much Michael and Brittany enjoyed each other’s company, making each other laugh and having a fantastic time together. We’re certain that these two will have a marriage filled with love, laughter, and adventure.
Proposal photos are a wonderful way to capture the memories of this most incredible day in your life, and they can serve the added purpose of checking engagement photos off your to-do list. Book your proposal photos at The Canovas Photography today.
As the saying goes, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” Rain has become a symbol of this: it’s a curveball that nature throws our way and it can dampen nearly any mood (literally) or break down any plan we might have had. But that makes it all the more special when something incredible is able to break through the rain.
That’s exactly what happened for this adorable couple’s engagement photo shoot. You might know that Florida tends to have truly epic rainstorms, and the rain that poured down on the day of these two’s engagement was no exception. Not only did the rain make the outdoor atmosphere of the Magic Kingdom a bit less welcoming, but it threw a wrench in the schedule for the day too.
And yet, in spite of everything, this groom-to-be stepped out from under the umbrella, got down on one very wet knee, and made this one of the best days his soon-to-be wife will have in her life. Clearly, it was a good call, because do you see her amazing smile? She couldn’t contain her excitement, and the rainstorm seemed to fade away purely from how bright and joyful she was.
This engagement photo session was actually special for a few other reasons too. First of all, it was planned as a gift for the couple by the groom-to-be’s mom. It was a pleasure to plan it with her, and I can already tell how excited she is to welcome her future daughter-in-law to the family! Second, we received a special extra treat: the ability to get this sweet couple’s daughter in their engagement photos. She might not grasp what’s going on, but in the years to come, I know that she’ll treasure this special day and I’m thrilled that she’ll have these engagement portraits to look back on.
If you’re planning on popping the question at Disney, let me help you chronicle the moment! Contact us here.
Proposal Photos at the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
I love taking proposal photos! Some love stories are whirlwinds that happen quickly and sweep you off your feet. Other love stories are years in the making, with a series of steps that all lead up to an amazing happy ending. Christian and Ellen’s story was the latter, and I was so honored to be there when that story reached a beautiful milestone: their engagement.
Christian and Ellen first met in high school and struck up a friendship. While they were friends on the surface, Christian always held a flame for Ellen, and as their friendship deepened, they both realized that it was turning into so much more. At one point, Ellen mentioned that her dream proposal was a Disney World proposal, and unbeknownst to her, Christian stored that idea away for the future. Ten years later, the now loving couple went on a vacation to Disney and Christian made Ellen’s dream come true.
It was so touching to watch these two together and to be able to share in their love story! Some of my favorite photos are capturing the adoring way they each look at each other, and it’s clear that they treasure each other in a way that will last a lifetime.
The Grand Floridian Resort created a perfect setting for Ellen and Christian’s engagement portraits. The quaint scenery and gorgeous outdoor space created a romantic atmosphere to capture the tenderness between these two lovebirds, and I’m so honored that these photos will be part of the beginning of their new life together! Ellen is already excited to start planning their big day, and they can’t wait to be the future Mr. and Mrs. Aldecoa.
If you want to memorialize your Disney proposal or another special moment in your love story, we are the perfect fit! Contact us to schedule your photo session today.
We LOVED Emily and Henry’s Magic Kingdom Proposal! They are the sweetest couple. Their families were there to make it even more special. I got this from Henry when we planned the proposal: “The proposed plan is as follows: My sister, Honey, will be taking photos around the park to help promote her new Disney jewelry products that she’s been marketing. As my girlfriend will be taking these photos (likely in front of the castle), my sister will at one point pull out a sign from her pocket/bag that will tell Emily to “turn around”, and at that moment I will be kneeling in behind of Emily with the ring (contained in a box-shaped like the My Adventure Book from the movie Up). At this point is where she will hopefully turn around and the moment can be captured! I’ll say a few words to her and await her answer. “
Read Emily’s story here: I guess we met in 6th grade (at least he knew me then) and we became friends in 7th grade. He’s basically the boy next door since we lived in the same neighborhood and we met on the school bus. I remember it clear as day. My friend and I were sitting together and then another boy came over on the bus and sat on the seat next to us. Henry followed him over and sat next to us as well but didn’t talk much. He was super shy and quiet, and I remember thinking he had huge hair! Us four became the new quartet and always did things together. But as high school started, it became just Henry and I. We became closer and closer by bonding over Manga, talking over AIM messenger, and biking around the neighborhood. The summer before 10th grade started, I definitely considered him my best friend, but I also started to like like him. However, knowing Henry, if anything was going to happen, I was going to have to make the first move. So, I did—I told him I liked him first! He said the same thing and I could say the rest was history, but it wasn’t that easy.
During the summer of 2010, we started dating each other. We didn’t make it public at first, but a lot of people easily caught on to this! Then, we went to separate colleges and even had 5 months apart by a 6-hour time difference when I studied abroad in Copenhagen. We had a lot of trying times together facing different personal and family challenges. However, through it all, we let each other grow and become our own person. I have never felt held back by Henry or tied down to him in a limiting way. I’ve only ever felt supported and unconditionally loved by him. We’ve been together for 11 years and we’ve grown as a couple and as our own independent selves. That is something I’ve always loved about us.
In August of 2020, Henry moved in with me to my apartment in Boston. This was another learning curve but was also a moment we’d both been waiting for for a while. Finally, we didn’t have to say “Goodbye” after a weekend visit together but just a “Goodnight.” After five months of living together we decided to look at engagement rings! The only problem is that I don’t like rings, but I wanted an engagement ring and I wanted something I would love. So naturally, I chose my own ring!
After we bought the ring in February of 2021, I tried to not ask questions or bug Henry too much about the proposal. I mean, I may have shown him dozens of Instagram reel of different proposal videos or watched Say Yes to the Dress in front of him many times. I may have also blatantly told him “You better propose by the end of 2021!” Little did I know he was actually planning the most perfect proposal for months in the happiest place on Earth—Disney World!
Disney holds special meaning to me, and Henry knows this. My parents had their first date and honeymoon there. I’ve been at least 15 times since I was a baby and I absolutely cherish the place. Back in March of 2021, we booked a trip to go there with his family for his sister’s birthday in August. I thought that’s all it was going to be, just a birthday trip. But then my mom got wind of our trip and also booked a trip for her, my dad, and brother to go there the same week as us. However, my mom is known for her spontaneity and I didn’t question it. I was actually kind of worried about both of our families being there and trying to make it clear it wasn’t a “joint” trip because I didn’t want to stress his sister out.
Fast forward to Monday, August 9th, our flight gets canceled, we’re running on three hours of sleep, it’s thundering and starting to lightly rain, and my family gets stuck on The People Mover. I guess these factors explain why Henry seemed to keep falling asleep everywhere we went: the hotel room, the bus to the Magic Kingdom, and under the canopy outside Casey’s Corner. Poor guy was freaking out! Meanwhile, I was just becoming more and more confused as everyone just stopped moving. Then his sister takes me to the Hub Grass and asks me to help her shoot some content for her Etsy shop. She explains to me that she’s going to hold up different signs for her shop and wants me to record it. As I’m recording, I remember giving my brother and mom a look saying, “What is going on?” But then once Honey reveals the sign that says, “Emily Turn Around,” everything froze. I was already crying as I turned around but when I saw Henry on one knee, that’s when the waterworks really started. That’s when I realized that this man planned everything for months and orchestrated the whole thing to have both of our families present for this special moment at one of my favorite places on Earth. I don’t really remember what he said, but I do remember feeling like my heart was going to explode from the love I felt. Then, he surprised me again with a photo shoot!? I was blown away! He honestly made me feel like a real-life Disney princess and I really can’t wait to live out my happily ever after with him. He says he waited 14 years for this proposal, and now we both can’t wait forever.
John and his girlfriend are from out of state and were staying the weekend in Orlando for a little vacation. They hadn’t been to Leu Gardens but thought it’d be a great change of pace between days when they visited Disney World. It was a perfect day for a proposal and of course, she said yes! Congratulations you two!
The Harry P. Leu Gardens are semi-tropical and tropical gardens in Orlando, Florida, United States. The gardens contain nearly 50 acres of landscaped grounds and lakes, with meandering trails shaded by 200-year-old oaks and forests of camellias. They are open to the public.
The pandemic has been hard on everyone. But today we finally got to get back to our Disney engagement and proposal sessions! Well masked up and 6 feet apart of course. We love the Magic Kingdom and so do our wonderful clients! Some people may not want to get their photos taken with masks, but we can still deliver a great portrait experience. Take a look at Ian and Kaylie from Ohio – a beautiful proposal and engagement shoot where masks did not hide their love and happiness xo
Brian really surprised Maddie for her Disney proposal – she was celebrating her birthday with friends and Brian showed up from Ohio to propose to her ❤️💕 Right after she said YES they went on a sunset pontoon boat ride from the Polynesian Resort to watch the fireworks 💥 Congratulations you two!
Aaron called me from New York to help him plan his proposal to his girl Samantha at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. We had fun going back and forth, making plans. Their beautiful story is best told by them so here it is xo:
Aaron: We met at a party my sister forced me to go to shortly after returning home from the army. I was being reasonably belligerent and I saw her and she shot daggers at me with her eyes and I said, “boy I’m glad I didn’t marry you!” Haha. She’s been with me on what’s been a 5-year recovery.
When we met I had no car, no job, no money, and a drug problem. One night I was at a get together at her mom’s and she came home from being out with friends and she sat down and I talked to her for 6 hours that night. Told her everything about who I was in honest truth and that was the beginning of the emotional connection.
She’s a caretaker; compassionate, kind, loves kids, a social worker. She’s a wonderful partner and exactly what I want in a mother for my children. Disney is her favorite place, and after all the hassle of trying to plan a local proposal and follow on dinner our families wanted, Disney world was a no-brainer. She took me for my first time new year 2015 but I think I took her for her most memorable trip 😉
Samantha: growing up, I always knew I wanted to be married. I am a very committed person when it comes to my relationships. I’m a giver. I am also very selective with who I show this side to.
When I got to know Aaron I immediately wanted to give him everything. no holding back, no restrictions. My love for him was immediately unconditional. I have always been content with the idea of spending every ounce of time I have with him.
At some points of our relationship, we questioned whether marriage was going to happen for us.
Never once doubting our love for each other.
That’s why I cried so hard when he proposed. This was a day that almost didn’t happen for us and it made me appreciate it a million times more.
Disney world is my favorite place. My family took vacations there every year when I was a kid. I continued to go there as an adult. Everyone that knows me, knows that I love it there.
I never imagined getting that kind of proposal. I am so blessed to be with someone as thoughtful as he is.
Aaron is also very compassionate and resilient. He makes me stop and appreciate the little details of life. He makes me laugh harder than anyone else can.
He makes me want to be the best version of myself, every day. He is my hero. Just when I think I couldn’t love this guy more…I do!
It was a really rainy day, but that did not stop Ricky from asking Michelle to marry him! Big Disney fans, Michelle and Ricky got engaged at The Grand Floridan at Narcoossee’s restaurant. We were so happy to be a part of it. xo
From Ricky: Michelle and I went to rival high schools and were part of different social circles; she was a cheerleader and I was a band kid. We knew of each other but had never met. We met three years after high school at a local bar and quickly became close friends and started dating a little over a year later. I fell in love with her smile, laugh, sense of humor, thoughtfulness, kindness, beautiful eyes, and the list could honestly go on and on. I am very lucky she loves me back and that she fell in love with me for a lot of the same reasons I fell for her: my smile, laugh, kind heartedness, my compassion, and again another endless list of traits. After a short 24 hour trip to Disney World to see the last Wishes firework show I decided I wanted to propose to her in the happiest place on Earth. It was seeing how magical her first time going to the Magic Kingdom was and I knew it would be the perfect place to ask her. I spent two months before the proposal making reservations and gathering help from her friends and family planning how I was going to ask. I made a photobook of our relationship with her close friends and family writing something near the end. Of course at the end of the book I would ask her to marry me. I told her we were staying at All Star Movies when in reality we had reservations at Beach Club. Our first night there we had dinner at Narcoossee’s restaurant at the Grand Floridian. It was after dinner we went out onto the deck overlooking the Magic Kingdom and I showed her the book. When we arrived at the section where her family and friends had written she began to cry, realizing what was happening. At the end of the book I got down on one knee and she made a little squeak of excitement and nodded her head vigorously and said yes! We are hoping to have our wedding in either December of 2018 or early 2019.
Michael brought Ellie to Walt Disney World all the way from London to propose to her! We tried to surprise her – but she figured it out pretty quickly. We had a fun photo shoot with Cinderella Castle and fireworks in the background. Michael had it all planned, first dinner at Victoria and Albert’s, then a proposal right before dessert. I got a few shots back at the famous Kitchen Table. Congratulations you two! xo
