Yay!! Let’s start planning your surprise proposal! If you want to ensure that your partner isn’t suspicious of the upcoming proposal and will be completely surprised, these tips are for you. In this blog post, discover how to plan your surprise proposal in 3 simple steps while walking through a romantic surprise proposal photos at the Great Marsh Estate in Virginia.
3 Steps to Plan Your Surprise Proposal
Step #1: Choose a location or general region to do the proposal
Step #2: Hire a photographer to narrow down exact locations, times of day and logistics
Step #3: Plan the proposal with your photographer. Hiring a local photographer or at least someone who works in your desired area a lot means they know the best locations and best times of day for the best light as well. They’ll be able to walk through the logistics of where you need to go for the proposal and which way to face in order to get the best photos possible.
The 2 Different Types of Surprise Proposals
Now that we’ve walked through the steps, one of the most important factors in planning your proposal is deciding which type of surprise proposal would be the best fit for what you’re envisioning!
There are two main ways to do a proposal with a photographer: 1) Complete surprise with the photographer hidden or 2) Schedule a couples session with a photographer and propose during the session itself.
Option 1: The Hidden Photographer
The most common way to do a surprise proposal is the COMPLETE surprise with the photographer hidden! However, this way requires more communication and careful planning between the person proposing and your photographer.
For this to work, this is what you are going to need to do…
You’ll need a ruse to get your partner out of the house and dressed up in some way (trust me, NO one wants to be proposed to in sweatpants and a messy bun). So, plan a date day with cute outfits or something to motivate them to look good! But make sure that your date day isn’t too abnormal from your typical dates, so they still don’t suspect anything.
Plan your date day around the main activity and location that you and your photographer have agreed upon. And while you don’t have to do a date day, I think it’s super cute to make a whole day of it doing things that you love to do together. Then, you can end the day with the proposal!
Option 2: A Planned Couples Photoshoot
Briefly, I’ll explain how the second option works. You hire a photographer to do a couples session (typically 1-2 hours if you’re doing a bit more adventuring around locations). Your partner knows this session is happening and is excited; it’s a date day treat for them and yourself. They can get dressed up and have input in the location and time/day. Most importantly, they know the photographer will be there!
During the session, everything is normal as you’re taking photos together with your photographer. Then, at some point during the session, you and your photographer will have planned a special pose/prompt where your partner looks away from you. Typically they will have you and your partner’s back to one another!
That’s when you can pull out the ring, get on one knee, and pop the question when they can turn back around!! And bam!! Your photographer is already there in place to capture it all. You’ll have a moment for yourselves and the rest of the session is an engagement session!
This is a great option if you and your partner like taking photos. It would be normal for you to book a regular couples session (with the proposal as a surprise).
Frank and Virginia-Lee’s Surprise Proposal at Great Marsh Estate
This proposal was a complete surprise with the photographer hidden! Frank reached out to me and already had a location/venue in mind – Great Marsh Estate. His plan was to take Virginia-Lee out on a date day. For other dates in the past, they’ve rented cool cars and went to lunch at fancy places before, so this day was no different.
Frank rented a sleek black Porche to take out for the day. They had a fun day filled with activities while driving around DC and Northern Virginia.
Frank told her that he had booked a private tour of a historic mansion and they made their way over to Great Marsh Estate. Normally a wedding venue, there’s a special permit process for couples who want to book events or engagement photos on the grounds of the estate.
How I Support My Couples Plan Their Surprise Proposal
Of course, you’ll get stunning photos, but when you hire me, I’ll also support you in planning out the details! This includes the timeline and location scouting, so you can feel relaxed and prepared for your session!
I arrived 30+ minutes early ahead of when Frank and Virginia-Lee would arrive, so I could make sure I was in place. Earlier in the week, I had met up with Frank and a venue coordinator to walk around the property to make a plan for where Frank would propose.
I was hiding inside the mansion waiting for them to arrive. When they did, I went to my post out on the back porch. This is where I could lay down on the ground and hide from behind the railing with my camera!
The Surprise Proposal!!!
Frank and Virginia-Lee walked around the property, and it was honestly such a beautiful fall day. He led her down the path in the backyard. They soaked in the view for a few moments before Frank got down on one knee to propose.
Tears were shed and laughter followed as Virginia-Lee said, “Yes!”
I continued photographing their moment alone to allow them those special moments before walking down to introduce myself. She was so surprised and truly didn’t suspect a thing. We went back into the house to freshen up a bit before taking these gorgeous engagement photos around the property.
Great Marsh Estate Engagement Photos
Great Marsh Estate is always beautiful year-round, so it’s the perfect backdrop for your surprise proposal or engagement session. As the sun was just beginning to dip behind trees, we got some of the glowy golden hour light for Frank and Virginia-Lee’s session.
I definitely wanted to use the back porch and columns for some photos, so I had her sit up on the railing and the light coming in behind them was amazing.
After taking in the backyard, we went inside to do some photos in the beautiful and unique rooms! The red room was their favorite with the library, and they cuddled on the couch.
Then, I had Frank stand behind Virginia-Lee while she sat in a chair. I swear it looked like a scene from Downtown Abbey or just a romantic period movie in general!
I love to take inspiration from films and cinema when I can – Watching movies like the 2005 Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley is a cinematic masterpiece!!
So, of course, we also had to use the car out front of the venue. They made for such romantic and fun engagement photos! All happy tears and laughter the whole time. They truly were so happy. They drove off into the sunset on their way to a nice dinner to celebrate their engagement!
Juliana Wall Photography | DMV and East Coast Elopement and Couples Photographer
Below you’ll find more photos of this Great Marsh Estate surprise proposal to inspire your own proposal session. When you hire a photographer for your proposal, you’ll also get intentional engagement photos like these! For more couple photo inspiration, whether in the mountains or downtown in the DMV area, you can view my portfolio on Pinterest!
Do you like my photography style and think we’d work well together? Connect with me here, and let’s start planning your proposal!!
Start Planning Your Proposal
I am here to serve YOU. I am a firm believer in the a rising tide lifts all boats mentality because I THRIVE on seeing those around me also succeed. I want nothing more than you to have the best surprise proposal ever!
This is why I’m different. I’m here for you!
To book with me to capture your proposal and assist you in your planning process, you can inquire with me here. I cannot wait to connect with you and hear about what you are envisioning!! Let’s bring your ideas to life.
For more resources on how to plan your proposal or engagement session yourself, you can check out my blog for tips and insight!
Virginia-Lee’s Review from This Surprise Proposal
After being completely surprised with her proposal, Virginia-Lee wrote the sweetest review. I feel so grateful to have been able to work with Frank and Virginia-Lee. It was an honor to capture such a significant moment of their love story!
“Juliana did a spectacular job with our engagement session. The pictures came out just beautiful. She is clearly a natural and easily moves from one picture to the next.”
Want to feel the same way about your engagement session? Get in touch!! Fill out an inquiry form, and I’ll reach back out to you shortly.
