There are some places that already feel romantic as soon as you walk in, and Nido Dining at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica, is definitely one of them. Set high above the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by the natural landscape of Peninsula Papagayo, Nido Dining made such a beautiful setting for this surprise proposal. Red roses, candles, an incredible ocean view, and that warm Costa Rican golden-hour light made the whole moment feel intimate and very special for the proposal.
And then, of course, came the YES!
What we loved most about photographing this proposal was everything that happened right afterward: the surprise, the smiles, the excitement, both of them looking at the ring over and over again, a glass of champagne together, and simply enjoying those first few minutes of being newly engaged.
From the Proposal to the Engagement Photos
One of the best parts about planning a proposal at Nekajui is that the photographs don't have to end once the question has been asked. After giving them some time to celebrate at Nido, we continued their engagement photos around the resort as the sun went down. We photographed them on Nekajui's suspension bridge, which gave us a completely different setting from the proposal itself. Instead of the open Pacific Ocean, we were surrounded by trees as the light disappeared and the resort began to glow.
We always love having this time after a proposal. Once the nerves are gone and the secret is finally out, you can actually enjoy being engaged! We can photograph the ring, walk around together, open the champagne, and take advantage of the last beautiful light of the evening.
It also means your final gallery isn't only about the few seconds when the proposal happened. You have the moment itself, but also everything that came right after it.
Planning a Surprise Proposal at Nekajui
If you're planning a surprise proposal in Costa Rica, having a plan beforehand makes everything much easier. We can help you think through the photography side of it: the timing, where we'll be waiting, where you should stand, and how we'll transition into engagement photos afterward.
For a location like Nido, timing is especially important because the ocean view and evening light are such a big part of the setting. We want to have enough light for the proposal itself, but also enough time afterward for photographs without making the evening feel rushed.
And most importantly, when it's finally time to ask the question, you shouldn't be thinking about us.
You keep the secret. We'll worry about the photographs.
A Proposal at Nido Dining
Nido is what made this particular proposal feel so special. The dinner setup was already waiting for them, surrounded by red roses and candles, with the Pacific Ocean below. After the proposal, they didn't have to immediately leave the moment behind. They could sit down, have champagne, take everything in, and continue celebrating together.
Those details become part of the photographs too: the flowers, the ring, the table, the view, and all those little things that were chosen for that evening.
Nekajui Costa Rica is an incredible location for proposals and engagement photography, especially around sunset. And Nido Dining? With the Pacific Ocean below, the surrounding forest, and that golden Guanacaste light, it's hard to imagine a more beautiful place to ask one of life's biggest questions!!!
