I’m already excited for you. You must be here because you’re going to ask someone to spend the rest of their life with you – and that’s a huge deal. This blog is here to help you plan the perfect moment for your surprise proposal, with tips on including a photographer, and on keeping the moment natural, magical and authentic!

I do appreciate that top of your list of things to worry about will be the response from your intended. Ideally, a great big yes, a huge grin, some happy tears, the biggest hug you’ve ever had… right? So first of all, let me advise you to focus on that moment with excitement in your heart. You’re going to make your favourite person in the world the happiest one too! Whenever nerves kick in, imagine how that moment will feel. However it plays out, the moment will be special for the two of you.

The perfect surprise proposal – for you

There’s a lot of talk online about the ‘perfect’ surprise proposal, and the online noise around asking someone to marry you can be a little distracting. There are even proposal companies who’ll arrange the ‘event’ for you, like a wedding! (And quite honestly, I’m super uncomfortable that this is even a thing.) So if you’re feeling the pressure to stage the perfect moment, the best advice I can share right now is this advice from Lake District wedding and proposal photographer Mark Battista:

“The single most important thing is to try not to overthink your proposal. I’m all about the feels. Whilst a beautiful backdrop is nice, to me, it’s the moment that matters most. The best proposals are all about genuine emotion; it’s these photos that you will look back on and remember.”

Perfectly tuned in to who you are as a couple

So spend a little quiet time thinking about the two of you as a couple. Not just the places you’ve been and the locations which feel romantic, but who you are. Are you quiet, introverted? Fun, adventurous? Do you enjoy being the centre of attention, or prefer those private little moments where it’s just the two of you?

Deciding where and how you propose shouldn’t be about ideas you’ve seen on instagram, or finding the most amazing spot to ask the question. It should be about who you are, as a couple. It should be making a perfect moment, which is all about the two of you. It’s wonderful to make a really special memory, and to have a ‘proposal story’ you can share with everyone… but the best thing will be to look back on the moment together, and remember how it felt: amazing and romantic can be all about the look in your eyes, wherever in the world you happen to be.

 

A romantic location to pop the question

Which brings us to the specifics. Where and when should you propose?

At home is fine. Spontaneously on a nature walk close to your home is fine. Whatever works for the two of you is fine and if you feel in your heart that the favourite spot you visit a couple of times a week is romantic and lovely and meaningful for you – then that’s all you need! Follow your heart.

If you want to choose a really special location, look to nature. The sea, the mountains, a forest or woodland, can all be perfect. In fact, anywhere there’s a view, or a romantic vibe that you both love, might be just the place for you. If nature’s not your thing, then a special restaurant, art gallery, coffee shop or city location can be just as perfect.

Remember – just keep it personal, and you’ll be fine!

A couple of essential tips to help you plan a smooth proposal experience

1. Be aware of how busy it’ll be
   If you’ll both be happy in a crowd of people, you won’t need to worry too much about this! But if you want a ‘just the two of you’ moment, choose a quiet time!
   This means for touristy locations you’ll need to avoid school holidays or busy weekends.   Early mornings can be lovely, as can golden hour and lucky sunsets.
2. Make the day your own – and plan accordingly
   This is really important if you’re bringing a photographer along to capture your surprise proposal. You’ll need to be in the right place at the right time, and planning this can be awkward, especially if you’re not the planner in your relationship!

Hiring a photographer to capture your proposal

While styled proposals aren’t my thing, having a photographer there to capture the moment absolutely is. I can totally get on board with having a trusted photographer there when you pop the question. It’s a moment which you’ll want to remember, to relive over and over again – and since the whole thing happens in minutes or seconds, after they’ve said yes you might both be bursting with joy but also in a state of “wait, what just happened?!”

You can also prolong the moment by having extra photos taken. (Nobody hires a photographer for five minutes. Make a morning / evening of it and cherish every loved-up, romantic, special moment!)

Top tips for proposal photography

• “Bring a hairbrush and some makeup (if your partner wears it) for a quick freshen-up after the proposal. It’ll help them feel confident and ready for the photos that follow, and they’ll definitely thank you later!” ~ proposal photographer Mark Battista
• Come prepared! Remember the ring, of course! You could also bring a nail file (just in case!) snacks to stave off hunger, umbrellas or sun cream – and really importantly, your mobile (see below, and read Mark’s first proposal photography story for a really great explanation of why you might need to be in contact on the day)
• Know the location – if possible. Will there be mobile signal? If it’s in the countryside, will you need walking shoes or trainers? You can always ask your proposal photographer, who might have extra tips to share about where to stand / which way to face (although of course this might be easier said than done)
• Communicate everything: where you’ll be, what you’ll be wearing – the busier the place, the more detail you should provide your photographer – and whether you’re five minutes early or ten minutes late. You won’t want to be checking your phone once you’re in situ, to make sure it’s 11am exactly so your photographer’s there… you’ll want to be fully in the moment.

Having a photographer with you when you propose doesn’t just mean you can capture the exact moment your other half says yes. Those photos of the spontaneous moment might be the ones which are super personal to the two of you – but you can also get some professional images which might be a little more posed afterwards. Some couples really love this as a way to announce their engagement to family and friends, and more widely on social media.

Personally, I think those authentic moments are everything… but it can be special to have those images to treasure, and others to share.

With thanks to lovely documentary wedding photographer Mark Battista for sharing his incredible Lake District proposal photos and excellent advice for this blog!