perfect

How to plan the

SURPRISE

PROPOSAL

Surprise proposals aren’t for everyone, and they may not always go according to plan. My hubs, Patrick was planning our own surprise during our trip to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. I casually said, “don’t propose at base camp” after seeing how many people were on the trail and suffering from altitude sickness. We ended up having an engagement story neither of us could have predicted. There was no camera to capture the moment, and he didn’t even have a ring, but it was so so special to both of us. (He proposed during the missile warning that happened in Hawaii in 2018. We were in our pajamas in our living room and it was still SO special).

If my hubby Patrick had made the big, dramatic proposal, it probably would have made me uncomfortable around all those people. In other words, I wanted my reaction at that moment to be my genuine emotion, not inhibited by the other people around us. Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered, but in my head, it did!!

PHOTOSHOOT PROPOSALS MAKE THE MOMENT YOU ASK AN EVENT, NOT JUST A QUESTION

MAKE IT MAGICAL

STEPS TO PLANNING THE PERFECT PROPOSAL

03.

02.

01.

Plan for the moment

Hire your photographer

Talk to your partner

This is the fun part! Now you can really dive into how you want to spend your day. This is a great way to create a unique and personal proposal that you and your partner will love every second of. Think about how you want to spend your day, and what’s meaningful to you. What would surprise your partner (even something small like having their favorite dessert as a surprise after they've said yes). Your proposal can be as adventurous or laid back as you want it to be.

Call us biased, but we think photography is one of the most important parts of our lives, but it's now overlooked. These photos are one of the only tangible things you will have left to document the moment after it's over. Your love story deserves to be told in a way that’s authentic to who you are, in a way that makes you FEEL. These photos are so much more than just for a post on Instagram or a selfie that's left forgotten on your phone. These are the photos you will be showing your grandchildren when you are old and wrinkled, and I truly believe you will never regret investing in those memories.

This may seem obvious, but the first step is to planning the ultimate surprise proposal is do a bit of digging. Assuming you and your partner have talked about marriage (you might want to do that first if you’re thinking about proposing!), ask a few more specific questions. What did they imagine the moment would be like as a child? What would be their dream proposal now? Would they want it to be just the two of you? Are they okay with a crowd? Some people might not have any expectations. But, if you have the opportunity to make one of their fantasies come true, wouldn’t you?

01

Surprise

COMPLETE

You can make the proposal as elaborate, or intimate as you like. Want to happen upon a beautiful picnic in the forest where you get down on one knee? Planning a romantic walk on the beach after dinner? Hiking to an epic view and want the proposal captured. Whatever the case, we can make your dream a reality.

PROS

CONS

CAPTURING THE REAL, THE AUTHENTIC, AND THE INTANGIBLE

02

Surprise

PHOTOSHOOT

We don’t want to give to toooo much about this process (after all if we give away our secret how will we surprise your partner!). This type of proposal is great because the actual proposal moment doesn’t happen until after we’ve captured a few other photos and gotten to know you two a bit. We usually have already discussed a plan and signal so we can capture the exact moment of the proposal (from two angles, perks of a second shooter!). When we’ve planned to capture the proposal this way we’re already in the perfect spot and can capture the genuine emotion from your partner when you pop the question.

PROS

CONS

Your partner might be expecting it (but that’s okay, we’ll still make it a surprise!).

How to make your proposal

extra special

Add videography, so you also have the moment (and speech!) on video.

Gift a lei, haku (flower crown), or bouquet.

Bring along a bottle of champagne, beer, or whatever the two of you like to drink as a celebration.

Include a gorgeous picnic with their favorite treats.

Include family or friends by giving a pre-written congratulations from someone who was in on the secret.

Tell us “your song” so you can share a dance during the photoshoot.