BRUNO + AMANDA’S SURPRISE PROPOSAL IN PEEKABOO SLOT CANYON UTAH | SOUTHERN UTAH SLOT CANYON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | KANAB, UTAH

Want to know my biggest advice when planning to propose? Hire a photographer! And that’s exactly what Bruno did when he started planning the most amazing proposal for his girlfriend (now fiancée!) Amanda. We started planning this epic surprise about 4 months in advance, but you can choose the amount of time to plan based on personal preference.

Bruno came to me with an idea to propose in a slot canyon while they were on vacation in the area. The red rock desert (specifically around Page, AZ) is Amanda’s favorite place on earth. But after hearing his initial plan for Antelope Canyon, we actually pivoted to the nearby Peekaboo Canyon in Kanab, Utah. As of publication all the privately owned canyons on the Navajo Nation have a mask mandate. We realized this would kind of defeat the purpose of seeing the surprise on Amanda’s face! These guys still visited Antelope Canyon and the famous Horseshoe Bend in the days leading up to the proposal. It was an awesome vacation even before the surprise!

Bruno and I spent a ton of time on the phone planning out all the details. I was quick to inform about the deep sand on the road out to Peekaboo Canyon. It’s a challenge to navigate that road without a high clearance, 4×4 vehicle. I offered a few tour suggestions and Bruno hired Razors Edge Tours to drive us all out in a UTV – so stinking fun! As we flew down the sandy road in the UTV, the laughter was infectious.

But even before we all hopped in for one of the funnest rides, I had spoken on the phone with Jared, our tour guide, getting insight on the best places in the canyon for a proposal. I recommended to Bruno booking an earlier, private tour for better lighting in the canyon. Then using google earth photos and descriptions we showed Bruno exactly where he should pop the question. We even planned out what my fake role was to not tip off Amanda (I was pretending to get new photos for Razors Edge Tour’s website! haha). Then we planned out what Jared and I were going to say to get these two in position.

When we got to the canyon, Jared led the tour as usual. He pointed out the subtle beauty of the erosion in the canyon, amazing fossilized plants, possible Native American steps, and offering slot canyon safety advise. As we rounded the corner and saw the chosen spot, all of our hearts were beating madly. Jared suggested we all stop for some photos *wink wink,* Bruno positioned Amanda pretending to take her photo on his phone, I got in position, and then she turned around to this beautiful surprise.

It was one of the sweetest moments. Amanda was completely surprised in the best way. We finished off the slot canyon tour somewhat like normal. There were still some cool things Jared pointed out, but we took our time too. It was fun photographing these two glowing in the recent status change, and slowing down for a few gentle photos of the two of them.

When we finished in the canyon, Jared took us out to the sand dunes near by for some sand sledding/boarding. The pretty new engagement ring was placed safely away, and these two hit the dunes running. The blue bird day with the Grand Staircase Escalante mesas in the background made for one of the most beautiful and fun ways to end their Utah slot canyon proposal. I even stowed the cameras and hopped on a board too! We all got sand everywhere but it was 10/10 worth it! Definitely recommend. To top it off, Jared took us for a spin around the dunes in the UTV, flying over the hill we just sledded down. It was like a roller coaster and all of us adrenaline junkies were in hog heaven.

---

---

Planning to propose? You’re in the right place! Get in touch here and we’ll start planning your perfect proposal, and of course making sure you guys have photos of it 🙂 From slot canyons, the beach, the mountain tops, to glaciers ice caves, the locations for an adventurous proposal are endless. My advise – choose what speaks to your soul! Or somewhere you’ve always wanted to go together! And if you need help, I have a ton of location suggestions and can help every step of the way. I’m stoked you are here and getting ready to enter this exciting time of engagement!