The excitement of getting down on one knee and asking your partner to marry you is a huge deal. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, a story you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. A story that you’ll be telling your kids and grandkids when they ask you, “How’d you two meet? Who asked who out? And who proposed whom?”
Over the years of shooting secret proposals, I’ve realized that planning is the key to a great proposal, and that’s where most of us need help. As someone who got down on one knee a couple of decades ago, I still remember how nervous I was when I first decided to propose. I was excited, but I was also nervous thinking about how I would plan a secret proposal that would be romantic and grand for my now-wife.
I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling this. Planning a romantic proposal that wows your partner is as exciting as it can be nerve-wracking. Successfully keeping it a secret from them is an even bigger deal—they know that it’s coming, but they shouldn’t be able to figure out when it’s going to happen!
Now that I have captured hundreds of proposals as a successful Philadelphia portrait photographer, I can tell you with certainty what makes a proposal a great one. It’s all in the details, and how and where you decide to do it. So, I figured I would compile all my knowledge in this blog so that it can help anyone and everyone looking to get advice on planning a secret proposal.
Choosing THE Ring
Deciding on the ring you’ll be proposing to your partner with is a really personal and intimate decision. It’s THE ring, after all; it will be something they’ll cherish and wear for the rest of their life. In most cases, your partner will often give you a hint on the kind of ring they want.
Whether you’re getting a brand-new ring or planning to alter a priceless family heirloom, there are certain things you should keep in mind before you pop the ring, and the question.
Getting the right-sized ring is a big detail that you wouldn’t want to miss. I was lucky enough to get a friend to tell me my wife’s ring size before we got engaged, so hers was a perfect fit. If you’re buying a brand-new ring, make sure to ask your jeweler about ring resizing, as resizing depends a lot on the ring design and the metals used in it (plus, it is reasonable to expect at least one complimentary resizing).
When it comes to buying the perfect engagement ring, most people are clueless about what to get. If your partner has already hinted at what kind of engagement ring they would like, perfect. If not, here’s what you should consider instead before buying the ring:
- Metals: Most rings are made in Yellow, White, or Rose Gold. Some rings are also made in Sterling Silver, Platinum, or Rhodium. When choosing the ring, try to notice your partner’s jewelry habits to see what metal they like to wear.
- Ring Setting: Does your partner prefer the bling of multiple stones (pavé setting), or the classic “one big stone” (solitaire setting)? This is a big decision as it will decide the design of their engagement ring.
- Ring Stones: The saying “diamonds are a woman’s best friend” rings true here. While most classic rings are made from diamonds, your partner may feel that they are cliché and would prefer another stone instead. Either way, you should make sure that the ring and the stone fit within your budget and are of the best quality.
TIP: Make sure your partner doesn’t find the ring and spoil your surprise! Hide the ring in a place where you’re absolutely certain that your partner won’t look (maybe in a secret compartment in your wardrobe). Make sure to hide the receipt and the ring box, too!
Planning your Proposal
You’ve picked out the ring. Now, you have to figure out the next step, which is planning your proposal.
Planning is one of the most stressful but also the most rewarding stages if done right. Your proposal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so the more you plan it, the better your chances of making it dreamy and perfect for your partner!
As one of Philadelphia’s top portrait photographers who has shot many surprise proposals, I always recommend planning the time and place of your proposal and booking vendors in advance. Getting nervous as the proposal day comes close is natural, and planning these details will help you stay calm and relaxed so that you can keep the proposal under wraps from your partner.
Here are a few tips on how you can plan your proposal:
Start by understanding what you and your partner would be comfortable with. Do you want a private proposal with just the two of you in an intimate setting? Or are you okay with proposing in a public place with your friends and family as props?
- Choose the right location
Once you have decided on the kind of proposal you want, the next step is to choose the right location. Both you and your partner will always remember where the proposal happened, so make sure you’ve thought this through. Ideally, choose a place that’s meaningful to you both, or an entirely new place where you want to make new memories. If you’re proposing in Philadelphia, make sure to check out the famous LOVE Park, the breathtaking Longwood Gardens, the waterfront in Race Street Pier, the Philadelphia Art Museum, or the dreamy Addison Street for your proposal!
Here’s a list of some cool proposal spots in Philadelphia to plan yours!
The next big part of your proposal is deciding the day and time of the proposal. Has your partner indicated that they would like a summer proposal or a fall proposal? If they have indicated anything, note that down and work your way from there. Season plays a huge role in your proposal planning, and so does the time of the day.
Ah, a good ol’ toughie! I remember having so many words and nothing to say at the same time when I sat down to write my proposal “speech” (do we call it a speech? I dunno…); that’s how nervous I was. But once I started writing, thoughts started to come to me slowly, and I was able to write a decent speech! If you’re like me, I suggest writing your thoughts down on a pen & paper or the Notes app on your phone. Combine your thoughts and end it off with the big question: ”Will you marry me?”
Hiring a Photographer
You’ve come this far and planned a dreamy, romantic proposal for your partner. Why not capture the beginning of your forever as a beautiful keepsake with a photograph?
Hiring a professional portrait/proposal photographer is a great investment for your proposal because it captures your special moments that you can cherish and relive forever with your friends & family. Moreover, it takes the stress off you on your big day, allowing you to truly be in the moment and focus on giving the perfect proposal.
Some people prefer to DIY their proposal and ask family or friends to take their photos, usually from a smartphone camera. While this is completely doable, I would advise against it. Not because I am a photographer, but because this is an extremely special, rare, once-in-a-lifetime moment—and when it passes, you cannot replicate it again.
Why did I say that? It’s because, in almost every DIY case where a family member or friend is supposed to take your proposal photos, they’re recognizable—and you run the risk of ruining your “surprise” proposal.
If by some miracle your friends & family can keep it discreet, there’s a real chance that they may not be able to capture your special moment the way you wanted, which is focusing on your partner’s expression. And since all of this happens in seconds, the ingenuity, the candidness of your partner’s expressions cannot be replicated ever again—which is why I recommend hiring a professional photographer.
A few tips to keep in mind when you’re hiring a professional photographer:
- Research, Research, Research
Make sure you research your photographer well before you book them. Look into photographers who are experienced and specialize in photographing surprise proposals. Check out their portfolio and see if their work aligns with your vision for how you want the proposal to be captured.
Some photographers specialize in journalistic-style shoots, while others specialize in paparazzi-style shoots. While journalistic style is close to realism and focuses on aesthetics, paparazzi style is discreet, focusing on capturing the candidness of the moment and a person’s emotions. Before you book, ask your photographer what their style is, and how they handle surprise proposals. I specialize in paparazzi-style shoots, with an added flair of editorial-style photography, so that your photos look like a magazine cover shoot done for a celebrity. I also offer videography services where I capture your entire proposal as a video so that you can cherish it for years to come!
- Check Availability & Book Early
Once you’ve selected your photographer, check their dates to see if they are available to shoot your proposal on your preferred date. The best photographers book up months in advance, so I would suggest locking your preferred date with your photographer at least 6-8 weeks in advance. This will give plenty of time for the photographer to familiarize themselves with the location and plan your shoot accordingly.
Coordinating with your Photographer
So once you’ve booked your photographer, it’s time to loop them in on the proposal planning. This is to make sure that everything goes perfectly on the day of your proposal. Here are a few tips on how you can coordinate with your photographer:
- Plan the location & timing
The first thing you need to do is to share the details of the place where you’re going to propose. This is important because you and your photographer can visit and decide on the best spots to watch and discreetly capture the proposal. If you haven’t planned a location yet, you can take recommendations from your photographer. You should also work on a proposal cue, so that your photographer knows when you’re going to pop the question, and they can get ready to capture the moment.
If you’re planning to propose at a location that’s outdoors, make sure to discuss a backup plan with your photographer. This is to make sure that bad weather or any unforeseen circumstances don’t ruin your proposal.
Before the big moment, you should rehearse and go through the plan one last time with your photographer. This ensures that you both are on the same page and each will know what to do, so that everything goes smoothly and according to plan.
Relax. Breathe. Enjoy!
After all the planning, remember to take a breather. It’s a big day for both of you, and the last thing you need is to fumble the words or pass out in front of your partner. Take a deep breath, drink some water, and remember to be present in the moment and enjoy. You’ve got this!
Planning a surprise proposal can be stressful, but capturing the special moment doesn’t have to be. By working with an experienced proposal photographer, you can capture this special occasion forever so that you and your loved ones can relive the moment for years to come.
If you’re looking for a proposal photographer in the Philadelphia / New York / New Jersey area, I would love to help you! As an expert photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing countless “They said yes!” moments. My experience ensures that no detail is overlooked, and you’ll walk away with photos that capture the emotion and excitement of this important milestone.
My approach is paparazzi-style, meaning I stay out of sight to ensure that the moment feels natural and unposed. With over 20 years of experience in portrait and proposal photography, I specialize in creating high-end, editorial-style images that tell your unique love story. Plus, if you opt for it, I can also have a big, beautiful bouquet of red roses placed at your chosen location before your arrival—because roses are the ultimate expression of love and romance!
I also offer post-proposal photoshoot, where we take posed photos, and videography services, where I capture the entire proposal as a video, which you can fondly look back at and relive the moment. From the moment you decide to propose, I work with you to plan everything, so you get stunning photos and video that capture the love and excitement of your special day.
Ready to plan the proposal of a lifetime? Book your proposal photoshoot with Vikrant Photography today!
Inspiration:
Quoted Lines:
Planning a romantic proposal that wows your partner is as exciting as it can be nerve-wracking.
Hiring a professional portrait/proposal photographer is a great investment for your proposal because it captures your special moments that you can cherish and relive forever with your friends & family.
Before you book, ask your photographer what their style is, and how they handle surprise proposals.
Make sure to work on a proposal cue so that your photographer knows when you’re going to pop the question, and they can get ready to capture the moment.
Vikrant’s Blog Intro:
Hi! I’m Vikrant
(Please use a cursive/handwriting font that’s easily readable for this)
I’m a former model turned professional photographer. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, specializing in fashion/model portfolios, headshots, personal branding, and engagement/proposal shoots.
I have a fully equipped professional photo studio in Philadelphia and cater to the entire Pennsylvania/New York/New Jersey/Delaware area. I also travel to Los Angeles and do international shoots. I’m also a director and video producer.
