I photograph a lot of proposals at The Don CeSar, and there’s a reason my clients keep choosing it. It’s the most iconic coastal beach architecture on Florida’s west coast—and arguably one of the best places in the country to watch the sunset.
The Don CeSar says luxury. It says, “We’re going to have an amazing wedding, and our friends and family should start getting excited.”
Planning Your Proposal
Not local? No problem—I guide every client through the full process so everything feels natural and stress-free. This includes:
- Choosing the exact location spot for your proposal
- Timing your proposal to catch the perfect sunset glow
- Making sure the whole experience feels effortless and genuine
You don’t have to figure this out on your own—I help you plan the details so you can focus on the moment.
The Don CeSar: Not Your Average Beach
No—it’s not the local public beach access. The Don CeSar is a private luxury resort, and they don’t just let anyone roam the property with a professional photographer even if you are staying.
Yes, to have a session inside the property, you are required to pay for a permit through the catering department. If you have a professional photographer with you on the property without a permit, they will shut it down.
Does that mean you can’t propose here? Absolutely not! We know the rules, we know what works, and that’s exactly what a professional proposal photographer brings to the table. We walk you through the process and plan everything out so your moment is perfect.
Our Don CeSar photos are taken at the beach and surrounding properties—not on the resort property itself.
To book an official proposal through The Don, expect to pay over $2,000, plus a 26% service charge and 7% tax. It includes dinner and champagne, but you don’t get to choose your photographer. By the way, photographers are invited to pay to be on that list. They’re all light-and-bright-style wedding photographers.
Your Proposal Photographer at The Don CeSar
Our standard service includes:
- A 1-hour session
- A shareable gallery with unlimited downloads
We know our competition and how they operate, but the difference is clear: we are the original proposal photographers on St. Pete Beach. Since 2020, we’ve photographed over 250 proposals (we lost track after that), helped establish the standards and trends, and set the bar that other photographers follow.
Many newer photographers are booking based solely on their social media content. With us, you get focus, attention, and an experience built around you—not just Instagram content.
A Husband & Wife Team: Twice the Coverage, Twice the Peace of Mind
One of the biggest advantages of working with us is that we’re a husband-and-wife team—two photographers who know each other’s style inside and out.
Having two photographers available means:
- Full coverage of your proposal from multiple angles
- Backup in case of emergencies, including lighting, equipment, or anything unexpected
- A smoother, more relaxed experience for you
Even if your booking is just for one photographer, sometimes we both attend to make sure every moment is captured perfectly.
And yes—if you choose to book a second shooter, we can also offer additional content and video, giving you even more ways to relive your proposal.
Some of our clients prefer Kyle, and some prefer Xina. Sometimes one of us is already booked and the other gets assigned. Sometimes you get both of us. Lots of options here!
YOU NEED TO KNOW: Parking & Beach Access at The Don CeSar
The Don CeSar is gorgeous, but getting to the beach isn’t as simple as pulling up to the hotel and walking through to the sand. Parking and beach access are two things you absolutely need to plan ahead.
There’s Almost No Public Parking
WE ADD A FEE of $50 for Don Cesar Proposals because of parking.
There are only about 3–4 public parking spaces on 32nd Avenue, and they’re limited to 30 minutes.
We don’t park there for our proposal sessions because we need at least 1.5 hours to photograph the proposal and portraits afterward. Thirty minutes simply isn’t enough.
You’ll need to arrange appropriate parking ahead of time. Don’t assume you’ll find a spot right next to the beach!
You Can’t Just Walk Through the Hotel to the Beach
Stay at the resort – access problem solved. Already booked? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is ideal for people STAYING at the resort.
Even if you get dropped off at The Don CeSar, you can’t necessarily walk through the hotel and out to the beach. Access through the resort’s beach gate is controlled.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Have a day pass? If your pass includes beach access, you can access the beach independently.
- Have dinner reservations at the hotel? A dinner reservation doesn’t get through the beach gate.
- Getting dropped off at the hotel? That alone doesn’t give you access to the beach. You’ll generally need someone with the appropriate wristband to let you through the gate. Or you need daypasses with beach access.
Make sure you know how you’re getting to the beach before your proposal date. Finding out you can’t get through the gate when you’re supposed to be proposing is not the kind of surprise anyone wants!
Staying at Hotel Zamora?
We’ve had clients staying at Hotel Zamora get dropped off by golf cart near 32nd Avenue and then walk north along the beach about 2–3 blocks to reach the proposal location. This also applies to people who aren’t staying at the resort, or the Zamora. Again there are only 3-4 parking spots here for 30 minutes!
Keep in mind that Zamora guests can no longer rely on access through the neighboring HOA community’s gate. That option is no longer available, so you’ll need to plan an alternative route.
Factor in the walk, your shoes, and the time needed to get into position before the proposal. A little planning makes a big difference!
The bottom line: Arrange your parking, confirm your beach access, and give yourself plenty of time. We’ll help you coordinate the photography plan around your arrival and access arrangements.
If you’re thinking about proposing at The Don CeSar, we’d love to help you plan it and capture it perfectly.
Reach out today and let’s make your proposal unforgettable. Use the contact form at the bottom of the page or text (727) 537-0754 — ask for Xina!
👉 Head to the Proposal Page to see more photos!
👉 Proposal Packages start at $600
Thank you Xina
We were so impressed with the quality of the photos we received. They came out better than we expected and will be treasured forever! We are going to have to get some of them printed to hang up in our home. They are worth every penny! We can’t recommend Xina enough for any of your professional photography needs.
