As a wedding planner, I spend my days immersed in the beautiful, intricate details of other people's love stories. I champion the idea that the best moments are the ones that are deeply personal and thoughtfully planned. It’s not every day that I find myself on the other side of that planning, but back in 2023, I was lucky enough to experience it for myself. I wanted to share the story of my own engagement—a moment that perfectly captured everything I believe a celebration should be.

My fiancé, Conner, and I got engaged on September 2, 2023, in the cabaret at Taliesin West. It was my 27th birthday! Conner and I met in Somerville, MA and dated long distance for a full year before he was able to move to the Bay Area, where I live and am from, for a new job.

This wasn’t our first time visiting Taliesin West - I’ve been over 5 times and took Conner for his first ever tour in February of that year when we were in town for Spring Training. We loved learning about the history of Taliesin West and Frank Lloyd Wright, the architectural school, and all of the special details that went into this amazing piece of history.

On the day, Conner surprised me by having my two best friends fly in from Los Angeles and New York to surprise me. We did the audio tour together and I pointed out special tidbits I’d learned on a guided tour years ago. When we got in the cabaret, he brought me to the front, read me a speech off of a birthday card, and then asked me to marry him. I was overjoyed - we’d been talking about this moment pretty much since we met. I always knew we were going to get there. Ann, our incredible photographer from Noranna Photo, then took us back through Taliesin West to take the amazing photos you see. She is a true artist and it was a gift to work with her.

Reflecting on that day, I'm struck by how every element Conner (and really, my mom) planned is what I strive to create for my clients: a seamless experience, a deeply personal touch, and a moment that feels both like a complete surprise and a perfect inevitability. It reinforced my belief that a truly great event isn’t just about how it looks, but how it makes you feel—cherished, celebrated, and completely in the moment.

I’d recommend a tour at Taliesin West to anyone visiting the Scottsdale area, even before it became a landmark in my and my fiancé’s relationship. It’s truly a marvel of innovation, a glowing showcase of the principles of Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Warmly,

Natasha

A Planner's Proposal: Our Taliesin West Engagement Story