Dani’s Birthday, With One Extra Surprise

Dani’s birthday was May 11th, and Aaron decided that was the day he’d ask her to marry him. His first plan was Sunday the 10th. Then he found out The Ruby Hotel had a Mother’s Day event on the books that weekend, and he didn’t want to propose in the middle of a brunch crowd. So he pushed it to Monday, when the hotel would be quiet and the balcony would be all theirs.

When we got on a call in early April to talk through the plan, Aaron was very clear that he didn’t want a big setup. He’d booked a room with a private balcony looking out over Brushy Creek. The idea was to ask her right at sunset, take some photos around the property, and then head down to the hotel bar to celebrate her birthday like they’d planned to all along. By the time I got there, he’d already covered the bed in red rose petals with printed photos of the two of them scattered on top, and stocked the room’s cooler with drinks labeled Marry Me.

Aaron took care of the hotel side himself. He signed The Ruby’s photography agreement and asked if we could shoot at the bar too, which usually isn’t included. The manager said yes, and Aaron passed along exactly who to mention if anyone stopped us to ask. I love a client who reads the fine print before I have to bring it up.

The Proposal on Their Balcony at Sunset

The forecast for Monday looked beautiful, so we locked in 7:15pm to give us plenty of light before the sun went down around 8:15. That afternoon Aaron FaceTimed me from the hotel and walked me through the room and the balcony, pointing his phone at every corner so I could figure out where to stand. I still got there early to check my angles in person, because a balcony looks a lot bigger on a phone screen than it does when you’re trying to stay out of sight on it.

Their balcony looks straight out over Brushy Creek, with nothing but trees on the other side of the water.

Out by the railing, with the oaks behind him, Aaron got down on one knee in front of Dani.

He slid the ring on her finger right there at the railing, and then they kissed.

We stayed out on the balcony a few more minutes so I could get close ups of the ring on Dani’s hand before we headed downstairs.

Every room at The Ruby has its own balcony looking out at either the creek or the gardens, which is what made this whole plan work, since Aaron didn’t have to hope a public spot would clear out in time.

Photos Around the Grounds and a Birthday Drink at the Ruby Bar

After the proposal we spent about 45 minutes walking the property while there was still light. The hotel sits on three acres on a bluff above Brushy Creek, with live oaks that are around a hundred years old, so we didn’t have to go far for a good backdrop.

We started on the lawn under the big oaks, then walked the wooden boardwalk up to the dark gray house with the red Ruby sign out front, which is where the bar is. The prickly pear and agave planted along the hotel buildings made a fun backdrop, and the stairs leading down toward the creek gave us a few shots with the water behind them.

Before the bar, we went back up to the room so they could finally open those Marry Me drinks. They sat in the middle of all the rose petals with a drink in hand, and then ended up standing on the bed holding hands and bouncing, with petals going everywhere. On our way back down we caught the last of the light at the overlook above Brushy Creek.

Then we ended up at the bar, which was the plan from the very first inquiry. Aaron’s form literally said golden hour at the Ruby Hotel bar patio. The bar is inside the original house that stood on the property before the hotel was built, and it’s styled after 1950s and 60s cocktail lounges. They sat side by side in the blue velvet chairs at the bar, and we took a few last photos there before I left them to their birthday drinks.

Planning a Ruby Hotel Proposal in Round Rock

The Ruby Hotel is a 39 room boutique hotel just north of downtown Round Rock, about 20 miles from Austin. It’s small enough that you can actually get some privacy, which isn’t always true at bigger hotels. If you’re thinking about proposing there, here’s what I’d pass along from Aaron’s plan.

Book a room for the balcony

The balconies are the easiest way to get a private proposal spot at The Ruby. Ask for a creek view if you want the trees and water behind you, and book the room for the night so you have time to set up flowers or petals before you bring your person up.

Check the hotel’s event calendar

Weekends and holidays can bring private events to the property. Aaron moved his date one day to avoid Mother’s Day, and went with a Monday evening instead.

Ask about photography before you book your photographer

The Ruby has its own photography agreement, and the bar area isn’t included by default. Reach out to the hotel early so you know what’s allowed and who to ask for permission.

Time it around sunset

In spring and summer, plan to start about an hour before sunset. That gives you time for the proposal and photos around the grounds before it gets dark, and it lands you at the bar right as the evening crowd settles in.

Do a walkthrough

If you can’t meet your photographer at the hotel ahead of time, a quick FaceTime from the room works great. Aaron’s walkthrough on the afternoon of told me exactly where the balcony door was and where I could stand without being seen.

Congratulations, Aaron and Dani, and happy birthday, Dani! If you’re planning a proposal at The Ruby or anywhere around Austin, send us a message. We’d love to help you plan it.

Vendors

Venue: The Ruby Hotel | Photography: Photos by Yaz