These Retro California Engagement Photos Take Glam to a New Level

We have to admire a person who takes weeks and weeks planning how to pop the big question to his or her SO. Steve spent more than three months organizing the engagement surprise for his beloved, Shannon — and the backstory is about as adorable as it gets.

It all began with Steve leading Shannon to believe she was meeting a friend for coffee at a local cafe. When she got there, she was greeted by her five best friends from high school . . . who had traveled all the way from Seattle, Arizona, and DC.

"This began the 4.5-hour journey through the important places in our relationship — at each stop was a new group of people to surprise me," Shannon said. "They would read me a sweet note Steve wrote about the meaning of that location, and then I would receive a video clue from someone who couldn't join in of where the next stop was. One of my favorite parts that I could not stop talking about was the MASSIVE party bus Steve had us traveling in."

The final destination was the Pacific Palisades at Shannon's cousin's home, where Steve was waiting by himself, anticipating her arrival. Friends and family of Steve and Shannon were eagerly waiting outside for the pair to emerge together as engaged. Afterward, the gang went back to Steve and Shannon's place for an epic celebration.

In the days since Shannon said "yes," the betrothed couple posed for a SoCal, vintage-inspired photoshoot in Palm Springs — and we basically can't get enough of it.

"We started at a private home in Palm Springs, poolside with chilled Coca-Colas and festive sunglasses," said the photographers of Randy + Ashley. "We even re-created their Save the Dates, which were creatively designed by their friend and Steve's colleague, Rick Lynch. Afterward, we headed up to Joshua Tree for some nighttime glam James Bond-style, and they totally rocked it despite the temperature being absolutely freezing (literally, we were only a couple of degrees above freezing after the sun went down!)."

While the photo shoot was whimsical and lighthearted, the lovebirds also tied in a few personal elements. Shannon's engagement diamond, coat, and silk scarf from the daytime pictures belong to her grandmother, Bubbe. The earrings Shannon wore for the daytime look and the ring she donned for the nighttime session were passed down from her Nana.

See all of the phenomenal photos ahead!