Big Bend National Park Engagement

Our wanderlust-loving hearts are simply swooning for this national park engagement from Caitlin Rose Photography filled with so much love, style, and breathtaking views! Steven and Bryan have been together for about nine years now, and their upcoming October wedding date is just shy of their 10th anniversary! Both say it’s been so exciting to pick and choose which traditions they embrace and which they modify a bit. One thing they knew for sure, though, was that they both wanted to propose to one another so the other would know how special and serious they were taking this next part of their lives together. And boy did they have to be as intentional as ever!

To plan his Big Bend proposal captured below, Steven didn’t have it easy – from being postponed for COVID twice to one last time when the ice storms shut down most of Texas. Finally, the stars aligned and Steven enlisted the help of their dear friend and talented photographer Caitlin Rose Photography and had Bryan’s family and close friends surprise him in Ruidoso, New Mexico. In May, when it was Bryan’s turn to propose and Texas weather decided that flooding was in store (read on for the full story down below)! Though there was lots thrown their way, nothing could deter the two from taking the next step toward making their long-time love official.

For their Austin wedding next fall, there are talks of a chic mid-century modern design utilizing mixed elements and textures like exposed concrete, wood, and greenery that should turn the perfect ambery color by the big day. Their celebration will be filled with tunes from the DJ pros at Dart Collective and every guest can party hard since they will all be staying on-site afterward! We love that idea and can’t wait to see their tasteful wedding design play out for ourselves. Keep scrolling for Steven and Bryan’s sweet proposal stories that led to this national park engagement. Cheers to the soon-to-be newlyweds!

From the groom, Steven: “I was ready to propose years ago, but COVID and life interfered with my over-the-top plans. So in February, I planned a trip to West Texas, brought my photographer/friend Caitlin Rose Photography, and had Bryan’s family and close friends surprise him at their house in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

As if postponing for COVID twice wasn’t enough, my proposal was scheduled for the week of the snowpocalypse! With no power or water, I sat in my car ‘pretending to work’ for hours getting everything moved to the following week. I still feel so lucky that Caitlin Rose Photography, The Local Chapter, and Willow House were all so accommodating. And of course, the family and friends for effortlessly changing things to be in New Mexico!

In May, it was Bryan’s turn to propose. Texas weather threw another curveball our way. Bryan proposed in front of Contigo where we had our first date…in the middle of a flash flood. No literally, he got down on one knee submerged in floodwater while I sat in the car, still buckled in laughing hysterically.

It turns out he was on a tight schedule, so a mild flood wasn’t going to stop him. We checked into the The LINE Hotel Austin, still soaked. Then he took me to Il Brutto, where my family and close friends were waiting for me. After almost fainting, twice, from excitement, we ended the night at some of my favorite bars, like Shangri La and Barbarella!”