There's something undeniably romantic about the sea, especially when it becomes the setting for one of the most important moments of your life. Imagine the gentle sway of the sailboat, the sun dipping below the horizon, and your loved one beside you, completely unaware of the life-changing question you're about to ask.

Our featured couple's journey began with a desire for an intimate yet exhilarating setting. The sun-kissed waters of Fajardo, paired with the warm Caribbean breeze, set the stage for an unforgettable sailboat proposal that was a joy to capture by me and filmmaker friend Zura Film.

Nautical Offshore Engagement Session in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Fajardo is a gem on the eastern tip of Puerto Rico, offering postcard-worthy scenery and a vibrant nautical culture. With its proximity to stunning cays like Icacos Island and the bridge to the Lesser Antilles, it provides an idyllic escape for couples seeking privacy and natural beauty.

Sunset boat tours in Fajardo are particularly popular, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, perfect for a romantic backdrop.

Step-by-Step Planning A Boat Proposal

I was impressed by Ryan's organization and responsiveness during the planning session.

Two days after booking my photography services for the date, he had already come into contact with the Sandy Bottoms Sailing, and we were already talking logistics.

He also wanted video footage of the proposal, so I recommended my friend Zuriel from Zura Films. After a few e-mail exchanges, we were all set!

• Select your charter: Opt for reputable providers like Sandy Bottoms Sailing, known for their excellent service and local knowledge.
• Coordinate with your photographer and videographer: Camille Fontanez and Zura Film expertly captured every moment of this special day.
• Prepare for the unexpected: Pack essentials like motion sickness remedies and confirm weather conditions for smooth sailing.

Communication with your charter team and vendors is essential to create a seamless experience.

Proposal Story: Sneaky Arrival into the Marina

There are many strategies to be inconspicuous on a venue or location. But this time, we would be sailing together for about 45 minutes to Icacos before proposing. So Ryan didn't tell Josie this was a private boat; instead, she thought this was a small sunset sailing tour.

I arrived about 15 minutes before check-in time so that I could be on the ship first.

Upon our arrival at Marina del Rey in Fajardo, I met the charming couple Arturo and Katie, owners of the sailboat, and also our hosts for the evening.

We made some banter regarding our job for the day and strategized on how to act casually during our sail. Then, Zuriel and Raymond from Zura Film arrived. We were very excited.

Finally, our happy couple showed up: we shared a shy greeting and proceeded to intentionally "ignore" each other. I brought my boyfriend as an assistant/wingman, we pretended to be on a romantic date, not that hard when your office for the day happens on a sunset sail.

At some point, Josie went inside the boat for a quick restroom break, and we all shared two minutes of euphoria with Ryan.

We wished him well and reassured we were ready and so excited for him. Then, the sail started, and we went back into stealth mode.

Our sail eastward was beautiful, the day was perfectly sunny and breezy, and we were all doing some small talk as if we were getting to know each other that day. So sneaky!

It's proposal time! Sunset Sailboat Proposal at Icacos

Ryan would propose once we had moored on our destination. The Capitan starting to work the ropes would be our cue so that Zuriel would go downstairs, and Ryan would follow him to get his mic on.

Then he asked me, the tourist girl looking out at the water, if I would take a snapshot with his cellphone of him and his girlfriend. After two or three pics, he held her hands and asked her to look at him instead. I took my camera out, and my photos tell the rest of the story better than my words do.

We kept on shooting until sunset. Then we sailed back to Fajardo, chatting about how epic the day was, getting to know a bit better about their love story, and of course, talking about weddings. I drove back home with a big smile on my face: after a decade of photographing love, I feel so privileged to witness so many epic love stories. Thank you for trusting me with those.

xo,

Cami