Tips for planning a Surprise Proposal
Will and Eunice got engaged at the Peoples Gas Pavilion in the Nature Boardwalk of The Lincoln Park Zoo. This couples is from California and they were here visiting on a trip. It was a very sweet, quiet moment on a chili Spring day. Their friends were hiding close by and brought flowers on behalf on Will. When planning a surprise proposal I always advise the partner that’s booking the shoot to first consider what their partner would ideally want for the location, vibe and celebration of the engagement.
Questions to ask yourself before planning the main logistics of your surprise engagement proposal.
- Is my partner a person who wouldn’t mind being in a busy place for the proposal or are they a more private person who would want a quiet spot without foot traffic? * Once you determine that, you can then keep that in mind when choosing a location for the actual proposal. You don’t want to pick a high tourist area if they are a private person *
- Is the location I want to use a place that we would normally go to as a couple? * To make a surprise convincing, you want the location to be somewhere that won’t cause a lot of questions and suspicion. You want to create a storyline that is believable *
- What will my storyline be? * Depending on the vibe of your proposal , you will want either a casual or formal approach. If you want a formal approach you will likely want your partner to look nice and will need a storyline that provides an activity that will call for a nice outfit. If you want to stay casual, this won’t matter as much. Many times plans for a nice dinner or party will lend for a best dressed scenario. Sometimes the more casual route is more convincing and you won’t have to limit your location options. For example, if you want your partner to dress formally, choosing the beach for the proposal won’t be the best, most convincing storyline and would be a miss for someone in formal footwear *
- Where do I find an experienced surprise proposal photographer ? * This is where I come in. I have been doing surprise proposals for over 8 years and I have experienced every kind of situation. From an ice rink to a crowded bridge during rush hour, I have experience with navigating the city and its challenges with a wide variety of locations. You want to make sure you choose an experienced photographer for an event like this, hiring someone who has never done this kind of session before can be problematic. Its a lot of pressure and you want to make sure they can handle the quickly pivoting situation*
- Do I want to include friends or family in the surprise proposal? * Its fun to include friends and family for a surprise proposal especially if you think it would mean a lot to your partner. One important thing to ask yourself is, can the friends or family keep the secret. If you include them, you can allow them to be close by during the proposal to watch from a distance or you can have them join a celebration after the proposal happens *
For more tips on planning a surprise proposal, visit our additional blog here.
To find a Chicago location for your proposal, visit our blog about the best and most popular spots in Chicago.
I am ready to chat about your plans and provide expert advise! Reach out here to see if I am available for your preferred date!
