re: Gen Z engagement/proposal shoots- how much of a surprise is it?

Daughter got engaged this weekend, and it was a surprise. She thought they were going to have brunch with friends, so she was dressed appropriately. He stopped along the way under some oak trees near the beach. He had a photographer nearby take photos. Our daughter didn’t even notice the photographer until after the pictures were taken. After he proposed, he texted us to come to the site, and we all congratulated them and took family photos. We even brought her dog for the pics.

As her mother, I was glad to have photos of that special moment. She truly was surprised, and the cost was minimal.

The future groom has no social media at all, and the future bride has very small followings (deliberate decision-family and close friends only) on Instagram and FB, so it wasn’t done to get thousands of likes.

Both are Gen Z, but neither acts like it. They are both quite conservative and traditional.