The Malibu Beach Inn: Our Engagement Story

It’s been exactly 2 weeks since Brennan and I got engaged, and let me tell you, it’s been the fastest two weeks of my life.

Isn’t it funny how a moment you’ve imagined your entire life can come and go In what feels like less time than it takes you to blink? Cliché, I know, but now I can say I am speaking from experience.

What makes me love our engagement story even more was how much time actually DID go into that one moment.

The moment that left me feeling shocked, swept off my feet, and overcome with the most joy I have ever experienced thus far was a long time coming.

Months ago I met a wonderful woman at a fashion exhibit at The Getty; she mentioned that she did marketing for the Malibu Beach Inn and that if I ever wanted to do a staycation to just let her know and she would get us taken care of.

An opportunity to travel to one of my favorite parts of LA and capture amazing content while experiencing a new hotel? Sign me UP. I love my job. I followed up with Jordan and we booked a stay for October 15-16.

Now, if you follow me on Instagram then you know that Brennan and I are always going on quick trips to Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco ( when he’s feeling real spontaneous ) and everywhere in between. We LOVE our quick getaway trips and will take any and all opportunities to get out of LA and spend quality time exploring a city we love together.

After the Malibu Beach Inn stay was set in stone, I told him about 2 months in advance simply because he is so spontaneous that I didn’t want him to forget and plan something else by mistake. It was written on our calendar for a whole month leading up to October just so I could be SURE that we’d have nothing overlapping those two full days.  

During this 2 month wait time for our upcoming trip to the Malibu Beach Inn, we drove up PCH a few times ( that’s our favorite way to get to Santa Barbara…it’s a gorgeous drive ), and each time we’d see the Malibu Beach Inn and talk about our upcoming trip.

We were excited because we’d never stayed anywhere in Malibu before and the thought of being tourists in our own city was really fun. Little did I know Brennan was slowly but surely setting plans into motion with each conversation…and already had a ring.

A week before we were set to arrive at the hotel he suggested after we check in that we walk to Nobu for a drink. We realized neither of us had ever been there before, and if we were being honest the only thing we could probably splurge on was a drink, anyways so why not pretend to be boujee and hit happy hour before our dinner at the Carbon Beach Club.

To be honest, I don’t even know if Nobu has happy hour because you can probably guess that we didn’t make it there the night we got engaged after all.

If you know Brennan, you probably know he’s not much of a planner. He’s notorious for calling me on the way home from work on any given night letting me know he’s got tickets to Shania Twain, a Clipper’s game, or simply the urge to get out of town. Which is something I love about him, and one of the traits that helps balance us out the most.

I should have seen it then, but hindsight is 20/20 and I really had no reason to suspect anything anyways.

He was stating to ask me more details a few days before our trip: “what time are we checking in? What time are we going to Nobu? What time is dinner? I should check when high tide is just to make sure we can walk on the beach to Nobu.”

Looking back now, ALL indicators that something was up because like I said, Brennan doesn’t typically plan things out…especially down to the hour, let alone down to the TIDE.

October 15 had FINALLY arrived. That morning we biked to our favorite coffee shop, did laundry, and Brennan helped me shoot some campaigns in our apartment ( throwback to him cleaning my ring light ). Then I was off to a quick photo shoot for my go-to hair salon and we’d be on our way to our staycation.

We left about an hour past our target departure time, and thanks to the Santa Ana winds that knocked out the power it took nearly an entire hour to inch our way up PCH.  

Despite our delays, Brennan kept his cool…as always. Proof in this sad attempt at my Malibu Beach Inn vlog – I was a little thrown off and didn’t film anything after we arrived at the hotel, but I love this clip because he had SO MUCH PLANNED and I had no idea.

Little did I know he had been to the hotel the week before and was quite literally praying that none of the staff would accidentally say something to blow his cover.

Good news, they were flawless.

After we checked in and I SWOONED over our PERFECT ocean front room, I went into business mode. I wanted to capture content that would showcase the amazing room we were in, pop the sparkling rose, try some macaroons, and take my sweet time before we went off to Nobu. I also wanted to meet with Jordan to thank her for such an amazing opportunity with one of ( in my opinion ) the best hotels on the West Coast.

I mean seriously you guys…from your bed, it looks like you’re floating on the pacific ocean. You truly can’t beat it.

While I’m in business mode, Brennan is politely trying to suggest I quickly change and forego my meeting with Jordan to save time – he assures me we can thank her after our drink at Nobu. In my mind, this girl has got to get home – it’s been a long work day and the last thing she wants to do is wait for us to enjoy our drinks before she can go home. So I of course INSIST that we stop in the bar to find her and chat with her for a while. This is a job after all, right?!

Meanwhile, Jordan and Brennan are both holding their breath praying I don’t spot our dear friend Andrew who is hiding in said bar, waiting for everything to go down so he can capture every second on camera.

Thank god I have tunnel vision issues because since my mind was set on finding and thanking Jordan, their secret was left untouched and we were soon on our way towards the beach to carry on with our evening plans.

Now keep in mind the Santa Ana winds were in full-effect while all of this is going on. Of course I chose to wear my new XIX Palms dress because it was perfect for what I had in mind for our beach walk, but it was short. Short dresses and wind don’t go together so well. So naturally the second we get onto the beach I begin to book it to Nobu.

Brennan immediately asks “do you want to take a picture on that rock?!” In my head I think, wow I’m honestly impressed he’s suggesting photo opportunities, but what came out was, NO IT’S WAY TOO WINDY MY DRESS IS FLYING EVERYWHERE LET’S GO. Insisting that I pump the breaks he says “wait!” and pauses as he strategically blocks me from Andrew who is getting into position on the balcony of the Malibu Beach Inn behind us.

After a few seconds he tells me that he has a question for me. Since I was still unsuspecting, it wasn’t the first thing that crossed my mind. Until he started with “babe, I love you…” with the biggest smile and most joyful face I had ever seen, and began to get down onto one knee.

Everything went in slow motion from there, and his words still ring in my ears every day. The only thing that snapped me back into reality was the fact that a family was on their balcony in a house next to us and they all began to cheer when they saw what was happening below them. It brought me to tears. I couldn’t believe what was happening.

Brennan then pointed out that Jordan and Andrew were on the balcony and all a part of this wonderful, sneaky scheme…and then I burst into TEARS because I was so dang happy and overwhelmed all at once. I couldn’t believe what I had prayed about for so long was finally happening, with the most incredible human I had ever met.

It’s true when they say: it is the easiest YES you’ll ever say… how could it not be when your best friend is asking you the most important question of your life?!

Needless to say, we DIDN’T go to Nobu. We turned right back around and celebrated for the rest of the night at the Carbon Beach Club.

Naturally, my first drink order as a fiancé was an Aperol Spritz from the bar in the hotel.

After enjoying cocktails in the bar we moved our celebrations onto the deck of the Carbon Beach Club and indulged in the most epic seafood platter I’ve ever seen.

The next morning we woke up to the sound of waves crashing and a view of the ocean that I’m convinced can’t be beat.

We walked on the beach ( totally freaking out that that were ENGAGED and back on the very beach where it had happened the night before ) to Malibu Farm where we enjoyed an amazing breakfast. A key detail to know about the Malibu Beach Inn is that it’s right next to the Malibu pier where you’ll find endless yummy food, amazing coffee, and the cutest shops.

After our first meal as an engaged couple we walked back to get settled in for our day on the beach.

One of my favorite amenities at the Malibu Beach Inn is the series of umbrellas and lounge chairs on the beach reserved for guests that rival the Italian coastline. We planted ourselves there for hours as we relayed the exciting news to our friends and family.

After hours in the sun, with heavy hearts we checked out and said goodbye to our new favorite hotel.

Not only will the Malibu Beach Inn forever be a special place for Brennan and I, but I can honestly say that it is one of the most impressive hotels we’ve ever stayed in ( and we’ve had our fair share of hotel stays ).

The hotel staff goes above and beyond throughout your entire stay to make sure you are not only comfortable, but well taken care of. The ocean-view rooms are spacious and so breathtaking that it’s hard to leave. Guests get access to a full gym, sunrise yoga on the beach, an incredible menu at the Carbon Beach Club with the option to enjoy your meal on the beach picnic-style, and Aperol Spritz. Need I say more?

OH – they also have the cutest denim souvenir totes hanging in the closet for you to use throughout your stay and bring home as a memento from your trip. Have you EVER seen anything cuter?

I’m so thankful that Brennan and I could celebrate such a momentous occasion in a beautiful location like the Malibu Beach Inn. It was calm, peaceful, beautiful, and for lack of a better word just all around perfect.

I can’t think of a better setting for the starting point of our next chapter together, and I know it’s just the beginning to the adventures we’re going to share in this life.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Malibu Beach Inn, check out their website and Instagram.

Get ready for some new content around these parts: WEDDING PLANNING 😉

xx

Engagement Photography by: Andrew Kalicki