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Exploring Life & Business with Kelly Kirk of The Yes Hunters / Sunrise Party Rentals

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Kirk.

Hi Kelly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Back in 2021, it all started with Kelly building wooden marquee letters by hand. We rented them out for parties and events under our rental company, Sunrise Rentals. People loved them, so we kept adding to what we offered: floral walls, backdrops, photobooths and eventually mobile bars.

Then we bought our first floral heart, and that changed everything. Couples started booking it for proposals, and word spread fast. Before long, proposals were the most popular thing we did. So we gave them their own brand, The Yes Hunters, focused entirely on helping people plan the perfect proposal.

Today we design and set up proposals all over the DC area. We still run Sunrise Rentals for parties, weddings and events. It’s been amazing to watch something that started with a few handmade letters grow into a business that’s been part of so many couples’ biggest moments.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not always! Growing from a small rental business into proposals meant learning a whole new side of events. Proposals are high-pressure. You only get one shot, and everything has to be perfect the moment the couple walks up.

Weather has been one of our biggest challenges. A lot of our proposals are outdoors, so we’ve had to get creative with backup plans. Over time we found go-to covered spots around DC so a rainy day doesn’t ruin anyone’s big moment.

Permits were another learning curve. Some of the most popular proposal spots, like the Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial, need National Park Service permits, and those go fast, especially during cherry blossom season. We learned to plan ahead and handle the permits ourselves, so our clients never have to think about it.

And like any small business, growing has meant a lot of trial and error: figuring out which products people actually want, investing in new setups and juggling several brands at once. Every challenge taught us something, and it’s made us much better at what we do.

We’ve been impressed with The Yes Hunters / Sunrise Party Rentals, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Yes Hunters is a proposal planning and decor company serving the DC, Virginia and Maryland area. We design and set up proposals that turn a park, rooftop, hotel suite or landmark into a moment couples will never forget, all while the person proposing gets to stay focused on the big question.

We’re best known for our signature floral heart setups. Our packages include Romantic Glow, Total Romance and our newest, Royal Ever After. Clients can add a photographer or violinist, and we handle all the details behind the scenes, from finding the perfect spot to getting National Park Service permits for iconic DC locations like the DC War Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.

What sets us apart is that we make it easy. Most people have never planned a proposal before and feel a lot of pressure to get it right. They tell us their vision, and we take care of the rest: the location, the setup, the timing and even a backup plan if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Our pricing is all-inclusive with no surprise fees, and we offer payment plans so more couples can have the proposal they’ve been dreaming of.

Our sister company, Sunrise Rentals, is where it all started. We still offer photobooths, a 360 video booth, floral walls, backdrops and mobile bars, including a converted horse trailer bar. That means couples can keep working with us after the proposal, for engagement parties, showers and weddings.

What we’re most proud of is the trust couples place in us. We get to be part of one of the biggest moments of their lives, and seeing that “yes” never gets old.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If you’re thinking about proposing, our biggest piece of advice is to start planning early, especially if you have your heart set on a popular spot or a busy time like cherry blossom season or the holidays. And don’t stress about making it perfect. The best proposals feel personal, not complicated. Think about what makes your relationship yours, and build the moment around that.

We’d also love to thank every couple who has trusted us with their big moment. Being part of so many love stories is the best part of what we do, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.

If you’re planning a proposal, an engagement party or any celebration in the DC area, we’d love to help make it unforgettable. You can find us at https://yeshunters.com/, follow along on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/theyeshunters/, or reach out at 571-548-1377.

Pricing:

  • Proposal setups start at $670, including setup in the DC area
  • Add a photographer or violinist to any package
  • Payment plans available
  • Visit https://yeshunters.com/packages/ for full packages and pricing

Contact Info:

A flower-covered heart-shaped arch and white bench beside a river, with a bridge and leafy trees behind.

Red flower heart installation on a reflecting pool, with the Washington Monument in the background.

A flower-covered heart-shaped wedding backdrop with a glowing sign, candles, and a white aisle at dusk.

A person kneels before another beneath a heart-shaped arch of red flowers, with candles and a glowing sign nearby.

A heart-shaped arch covered in pink flowers stands over a petal-strewn deck, with candles and floral arrangements beneath a cloudy sky.

Red floral heart-shaped arch frames a heart-shaped opening above a carpeted aisle, with white candles and flowers along the sides.

White floral heart and large “MARRY ME” letters on a sandy beach beside the sea.

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