Two people run on wet black sand beside a massive piece of driftwood, waves in the distance.

Coastal Rain, Redwood Rings, and a Double Proposal

Emily (she/her) and Liz (they/them) planned not one but two proposals: one on a rainy beach in Tacoma, the other inside a hollow redwood along California’s Avenue of the Giants. Their relationship has always been rooted in nature, so when it came time for engagement photos, they chose the misty beaches and forest trails of La Push, Washington. Jenn from Wild Coast Photography captured every soaked jacket, glowing lantern, and quiet moment along the way. 

So… who proposed first?

Emily: Me! I proposed in December 2023, about six months before Liz expected anything. They were sick (preschool teacher germs), so I had to scrap my original snowshoeing plan and instead took them to Tacoma Narrows Park. It was misty and quiet, and I dropped to one knee right as a harbor seal popped its head up. No joke. Liz said yes through tears. Then our friends, disguised with fake mustaches and glasses, showed up late and we all celebrated with champagne in the back of our Subaru.

Liz: I couldn’t let Emily have the last word! On our road trip down the coast to visit family, I brought a ring I had made just for them. I found the perfect tree in the Avenue of the Giants: a hollowed-out redwood. While pretending to take pictures, I pulled out the ring and proposed right there. It was private and perfect. Emily cried. It was a yes.

What made you choose La Push for your engagement photos?

The Olympic Peninsula is one of our favorite places to backpack. It’s where we feel most like ourselves: quiet, outdoors, and a little scruffy. We knew we wanted photos that reflected that. Jenn from Wild Coast Photography captured it perfectly.

The session felt less like posing and more like hanging out. We had lanterns, boots, and some misty PNW magic. A rain squall hit halfway through and instead of running for cover, we just danced through it. Then the sun came out. It was unreal.

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Tell us about the rings. We heard there’s mountain magic involved?

Emily: Mountains are a huge part of our relationship, so I wanted something that honored that. I found a raw diamond ring online called “The Avalanche”. It had a yellow gold band shaped like a mountain range. It felt like Liz.

Liz: After Emily proposed, I found a ring designer at a queer wedding expo in Seattle: Mary Elizabeth of Glitter and Gold. She helped us design custom rings based on Washington mountains. My engagement band features Mount Rainier. Emily’s is Mount Baker. We even had a wedding band-making party with friends casting the rings and setting intentions. It felt deeply us.

Why was Jenn the right photographer for you?

I’d been following Jenn since 2019, way before I met Emily. Her work is stunning, but more than that, she lives her values: LGBTQ+ inclusion, disability justice, animal advocacy. We knew she’d see us for who we are and create space that felt safe and affirming. And she did. The experience was empowering.

What has your engagement taught you about each other?

That we’re a great team. We planned two proposals, a road trip, and now a wedding, all while holding each other through some of the scariest political shifts we’ve seen in our lifetimes.

We’ve had to ask hard questions lately. What if our marriage isn’t recognized in a few years? Do we move our timeline up? Through it all, we’re communicating, growing, and doubling down on happiness and resistance. This engagement is our love letter to each other and our community.

What’s wedding planning looking like?

Emily: I work in event planning so spreadsheets are my love language. We have tabs for everything. We’re planning a sunrise ceremony in the North Cascades, just us and a few people we love. Jenn has been a huge help with vendor recs and timeline tips.

Liz: We agreed on one rule: if planning stops being fun, we’ll pivot. So far, it’s felt like a series of cozy date nights, but with spreadsheets.

Photography by Wild Coast Photography

Engagement Rings Glitter and Gold

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