Surprise Sunrise Proposal | Hilton Playa del Carmen

A Sunrise Plan with a Twist

To keep the surprise under wraps, James told Alexis they’d be attending a Mayan sunrise ceremony — a spiritual beach experience led by a local shaman. It was the perfect cover story: meaningful, believable, and just the right excuse for them to be dressed up at dawn.

He timed it perfectly. We arrived at the Hilton Playa del Carmen before 6:00 AM and coordinated the setup while staying discreet. The beach was still quiet, and the light was just beginning to shift into that soft golden hue we love as natural light photographers.

The Proposal Moment

As they walked down the beach, Alexis had no idea what was coming. The Caribbean Sea sparkled behind them, and just as the sun peeked over the horizon, James dropped to one knee.

The emotion on her face said it all — surprise, joy, and that split second of disbelief before everything clicked. These are the moments we live for as candid wedding photographers: raw, unscripted reactions that tell a deeper story than words ever could.

We stayed tucked away until the moment was right, then stepped in to capture their first portraits as a newly engaged couple.

Romantic Sunrise Portraits

After the proposal, we took full advantage of the beautiful light and empty beach for a quick engagement session. The connection between James and Alexis made our job easy — their laughter, hugs, and joyful energy filled every frame.

Sunrise sessions offer a unique softness that’s perfect for fine art engagement photography. The golden tones, the peaceful setting, and the emotional high of the proposal combined to create images they’ll treasure forever.

What Made This Session Special

There’s something timeless about beach proposals, but this one stood out thanks to:

• A truly original cover story

• A private beach at sunrise with no crowds

• Emotional authenticity from start to finish

• A couple who trusted the process and stayed present

• One of the most romantic locations in Playa del Carmen

As destination wedding photographers, these moments are why we do what we do. It’s about more than just beautiful photos — it’s about connection, memory, and meaning.

Cinematic Video Coming Soon

Alongside the photos, we also filmed the entire proposal using our cinematic wedding videography approach. We blended steady gimbal shots with ambient beach sounds and real-time reactions to create a highlight video that tells the full story.

Their final video will be a keepsake they can share with loved ones — and relive for years to come.

Planning a Proposal in the Riviera Maya?

Whether you’re organizing a surprise beach proposal, a destination engagement, or a romantic elopement in Mexico, our Playa del Carmen photo and video team is here to help you create something unforgettable.

We provide full coverage across the Riviera Maya — including Cancun, Tulum, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Costa Mujeres — and we offer everything from drone wedding videography to underwater sessions and affordable photography + videography packages.

👉 Contact us here and let’s bring your love story to life.

The romantic sunrise surprise proposal video

of James & Alexis!