Couple embracing and kissing on a red sand desert dune at dusk with sparse grass and a clear sky backdrop.

Proposal

Coral Pink Sand Dunes Kanab Sunset Picnic and Proposal

The Priority

Quincey Wanted the Surprise Kept Alive, Even Though She Already Knew It Was Coming

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park sits about 10 miles north of Kanab, Utah, and its rolling pink-orange dunes turn candlelit and warm right at sunset, which is when Brody set up an intimate picnic proposal for Quincey.

I met Quincey and Brody in a roundabout way. Quincey’s mom found me on Google and reached out with the exact time and location Brody had picked for the proposal, asking me to be there. Since I work directly with the person proposing, I got Quincey’s number, checked with her first, then reached out to Brody. Quincey wanted to know what was coming, but she still wanted some surprise left in the moment itself, so she pointed me toward Brody and let us build that surprise back in.

What They Considered

Brody Considered Changing the Location Quincey Already Knew About

Brody and I talked through his options and landed on a couple of ideas to help the surprise land: changing the location Quincey’s mom had already mentioned, or building an intimate picnic right there at the dunes instead.

Couple holding hands walking on red sand desert dunes at sunset, man in white shirt and woman in white dress.

How It Came Together

An Intimate Candlelit Picnic Kept the Location and Still Surprised Her

Brody and I ended up settling on an intimate candlelit picnic set up for them when they arrived. I got all of the supplies, including the picnic blankets, candles, food, and champagne for their picnic.

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His Personal Touch With the Bible

Brody and Quincey share a Christian faith, and Brody wanted to bring that into the moment. He brought his Bible, read verses that mattered to him, and shared his thoughts and feelings before they prayed together.

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The Proposal

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Couple Photoshoot

Couple in white outfits posing on sandy dunes at golden hour with lush greenery in the background. A couple shares a romantic kiss outdoors, with the woman wearing an engagement ring and bracelet. Couple sharing a romantic kiss on pink sand desert dunes at golden hour, woman in white dress, man in white shirt. Couple in white outfits showing off engagement rings, woman kissing smiling man outdoors at golden hour. Close-up of couple's hands with their engagement rings above pink sand dunes Couple embracing on red sand dunes at golden hour with green trees and red rock cliffs of kanab coral pink sand dunes Couple in white outfits holding champagne flutes, man with tattoos, woman wearing engagement ring and bracelet.

Champagne Pop

To make it a proper celebration, I brought two bottles of champagne: the cheapest bottle at the liquor store for the champagne pop, and a nicer bottle for them to drink that night or later on their trip. It was the same variety they’d planned to have at their wedding.

A man and woman opening a champagne bottle together in a red dune landscape at sunset. Couple celebrating on red sand dunes by popping champagne, woman in white dress, man in white shirt and navy pants. Couple celebrating on red sand dunes, popping champagne bottle, woman in white dress laughing, desert landscape background. Couple celebrating on red sand dunes, opening champagne bottle, wearing white outfits, with red rock cliffs at sunset. A man pours champagne from a green bottle into a woman's mouth on red sand dunes at sunset. A couple in white outfits celebrates on red sand dunes, with the man drinking champagne from a green bottle. Couple celebrating proposal outdoors in desert, man pouring champagne into glasses at sunset. Couple sharing champagne toast in pink sand dune landscape, woman with tattoos in white dress, man pouring champagne Black and white photo of hands holding champagne flutes while being filled from a bottle at a proposal celebration. Couple celebrating with champagne in desert landscape, woman drinking from bottle, man holding glass. Couple celebrating with champagne on red sand dunes at sunset, woman with tattoos in white dress, man in cream shirt. Couple in white outfits drinking champagne with interhooked arms to celebrate their engagement woman pouring celebratory champagne for her boyfriend to celebrate their engagement at the coral pink sand dunes Couple sharing a champagne toast on red sand dunes at sunset in a romantic outdoor celebration of their engagement Black and white photo of a couple toasting with champagne glasses on sand dunes, smiling at each other. Couple toasting with champagne glasses on red sand desert landscape at sunset, both with tattoos. Couple in white outfits toasting with champagne glasses on pink sand dunes at sunset. Black and white photo of a joyful couple raising champagne glasses in a celebratory toast at kanab pink sand dunes. Couple celebrating outdoors in desert landscape, raising champagne glasses and smiling, wearing white outfits at sunset. Couple toasting with champagne glasses on coral pink sand dunes at sunset, woman with tattoos in white dress, man in white shirt. Happy couple celebrating their proposal with champagne glasses raised on kanab pink sand dunes at sunset in white outfits. Couple in white outfits toasting with champagne glasses in coral pink sand dunes of kanab engaged Couple sharing a romantic kiss while holding champagne glasses on coral pink sand dunes at sunset. Couple kissing while holding champagne glasses and displaying engagement rings on red sand dunes at sunset, man with tattoos in white shirt. newly engaged Couple holding champagne glasses smiling on red sand dunes at sunset, man with tattoos in white shirt. newly engaged Couple in white outfits holding champagne glasses on red sand dunes at sunset. Couple toasting with champagne flutes to celebrate a proposal on red sand dunes with green trees and rocky cliffs in background.

To let them finish off their night and celebrate being engaged, I left them to enjoy their picnic and time together out on the sand dunes as it got dark and the stars came out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park?

It’s about 10 miles north of Kanab, Utah. Take US-89 north to Hancock Road Scenic Backway, then head west; the park entrance is roughly 5 more miles up that road. The park is open daylight hours, seven days a week, and charges a per-vehicle day-use fee (an annual Utah State Parks pass covers it too).

Do I need a permit to propose at Coral Pink Sand Dunes?

A simple proposal (like a picnic setup for just the two of you) generally doesn’t need anything beyond the standard vehicle day-use fee, which is different from a full wedding ceremony, which usually needs a special use permit at Utah state parks. Rules and fire restrictions can shift with the season, so call the park directly at 435-648-2800 to confirm before you plan anything elaborate, especially if candles or an open flame are part of your setup.

What time should I plan a sunset proposal at Coral Pink Sand Dunes?

Time it for sunset. The park’s only open during daylight hours, and that’s also when the pink-orange dunes and the long shadows across the sand look their most dramatic. Brody and Quincey’s candlelit picnic was built entirely around that window.

Can I set up a picnic proposal on the dunes?

Yes. A blanket, candles, food, and champagne all worked beautifully for Brody and Quincey’s proposal here. Just check current fire restrictions before you bring candles or anything with an open flame, since those rules change with the season, and plan to pack everything back out with you.

How do I plan a surprise proposal if my partner already suspects something?

Coordinate through a third party who can manage the details without tipping anything off directly. In this story, Quincey’s mom first reached out to loop in the photographer, and Quincey herself later worked directly with me to help preserve some mystery around the exact moment, even though she already knew a proposal was coming.

Let’s Plan Your Kanab Proposal

Kanab sits in the same southern Utah corridor as St. George. See my full St. George proposal photographer page for other nearby spots and pricing.

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Jade Jarvis, Utah wedding, elopement, and proposal photographer

Written by

Jade Jarvis

Utah-based wedding, elopement, and proposal photographer since 2025. I've scouted these locations myself, so the advice here comes from firsthand experience, not guesswork.

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