THE WAKESURFING PROPOSAL ON THE LAKE

THE WAKESURFING PROPOSAL ON THE LAKE

THE WAKESURFING PROPOSAL ON THE LAKE

by Alexis Ancel

The Short Take

After years of wakesurfing together on Hayden Lake in Idaho, Matthew proposed to Brynn — while hitched to a moving boat.

How He Did It

Matthew Gencarella and Brynn Hathaway have known each other since they were 10 years old. They started dating at 17 and it was important to Matthew that he propose in a place that was special to them both, surrounded by close friends. A friend who owns a boat took them wake surfing, telling Brynn that they were making a commercial for a water sports business.

You Can’t See It But He’s Down on One Knee

The film crew making the “commercial” was actually a professional wedding video team. As soon as the would-be groom and bride were successfully on the board together, Matthew got down on one knee and asked Brynn to marry him. Wisely, he waited until they were back on the boat before giving her the ring. 

They Captured the “Yes” Back on the Boat

Props:

  • a boat
  • wakeboards and life jackets
  • a camera

Location: A lake that allows wake surfing 

Cost: About $100 an hour for boat rental; more if you work with a photographer or planner

Concerns

Make sure you’ve got a partner who actually knows how to wakesurf (or has water ski experience). It will kill the moment if one or both of you falls before (or worse, during) the proposal. Also, keep in mind that if you want to film your proposal, you won’t be able to hear anything over the sound of the boat and the water.

And whatever you do, don’t take the ring with you while you’re surfing. There is no reason to propose to the bottom of a lake, because that’s where your diamond will end up.

Prep

As long as you can both stay above water for at least 30 seconds, and a ring is ready and waiting on the boat, you’re good to go. This couple had a professional videographer, but the production level is up to you. See the actual video below.

Photos and video courtesy of Matthew Gencarella and Brynn Hathaway

See more Plunge Proposals