Proposal Ideas

Since 2013, Flytographer has captured thousands of surprise proposal photos all around the globe. Explore romantic proposal ideas and tips from real couples, enjoy their heartwarming love stories, and discover how their big “Will you marry me?” moment unfolded.


Benedict's Proposal Story in Paris

What is your love story?

We met on instagram when my beautiful fiancé randomly followed me and I said "Hey, this girl is too beautiful for me not to take my shot." So I did and here we are almost 3 years later, engaged!

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Paris is Uju's favorite city in the world so it was a no brainer.

What is your proposal story?

I purposely planned a "vacation photo shoot" 3 days into our trip to try and throw my now fiancé off the trail and make think it was a birthday trip. It had rained early that morning but the sun came up perfectly for the time for our shoot and my now fiancé was swept off her feet!

Proposed in Paris in August

Photo Shoot Location: Trocadéro & Eiffel Tower

Rachael in Paris for Flytographer


Barry & Erika's Proposal Story in New York City

How did you meet?

Bumble

Proposed in New York City in May

Photo Shoot Location: Gapstow Bridge & Skyline

Monika in New York City for Flytographer


Joe's Proposal Story in Munich

How did you meet?

School

Proposed in Munich in April

Photo Shoot Location: Nymphenburg Palace

Marina in Munich for Flytographer


Richard & Katherine's Proposal Story in Amalfi Coast

How did you meet?

School

What is your love story?

We met on our first day of college, in our first ever college class on Monday morning at 8am. After a semester of chatting, I worked up the courage to ask her on a date and then it was smooth sailing from there. Six fantastic years later I finally took the next lead and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me.

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Beautiful coast lines, great weather, and fantastic views. There was no shortage of beauty and activities on the Amalfi Coast.

What is your proposal story?

We were scheduled to do the photo shoot in the morning at sunrise but it was canceled due to rain. We were entertaining the idea of moving to the following morning, but the beach was not busy and the sunset was beautiful that evening. My photographer was in the area and we made a quick pivot to have the moment around 6pm at the Positano Beach. I took her on a walk along the water, and after my short speech, I’ll pulled the ring from my sock and she said yes!

Best tip for proposing in Amalfi Coast

Early in the travel season (late April) was perfect timing as the beaches/roads/towns were not jam packed with people. Make sure to leave extra walking or travel time as there are many many stairs, and very narrow streets.

Proposed in Amalfi Coast in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Barbara and Claudio in Amalfi Coast for Flytographer


Ikshit & Saumya's Proposal Story in Kauai

How did you meet?

Met her at my Sister's Birthday party.

Proposed in Kauai in April

Photo Shoot Location: Hanalei Bay Beach

Taggart in Kauai for Flytographer


Brendan & Julia's Proposal Story in Positano

How did you meet?

Bumble

What is your love story?

Julia and I met on Bumble in early 2020. What started out as social distanced dating blossomed into a 4 year relationship. Like many others, we grew very close during the COVID pandemic and quickly became best friends. We bought a house together in St. Louis, MO and adopted two dogs. We have a shared love of travel. We planned a near 2-week trip to Italy which ended with our engagement in Positano!

What made you choose this proposal destination?

We had our trip to Italy planned and Positano seemed like the perfect location for such a special day.

What is your proposal story?

I decided to go with the “planned photoshoot” scenario. I knew that would guarantee that my girlfriend was wearing exactly what she would want for the moment. We had to work around the weather a bit on the day and it was very easy to communicate with the photographer. Once we had a time finalized we met our photographer, Claudio, at a pre-planned location. Claudio began the shoot very casually and guided us to the desired location of the proposal. Once we were in position, he communicated to me that everything was ready in a subtle manner. I was able to propose within the first 5 minutes of the shoot and the rest was an engagement photoshoot filled with excitement!

Best tip for proposing in Positano

Weather can be very unpredictable but your photographers will work with you on timing. Positano is a big tourist destination. So you may get worried about crowds in the background of photos, but our photographer did a great job minimizing this distraction.

Proposed in Positano in April

Photo Shoot Location: Positano Village

Barbara and Claudio in Positano for Flytographer


Christopher & Kristen's Proposal Story in Florence

How did you meet?

Hinge

Proposed in Florence in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Ellie in Florence for Flytographer


Eduardo & Paola's Proposal Story in Lake Como

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Since the beggining of our relationship we dreamed of a vacation to Italy, especially the beautiful Lake Como. Villa del Balbianello is our favorite Villa in Lake Como.

What is your proposal story?

She was surprised! We were nervous about the weather since it had been raining all morning, however the rain stopped and the proposal went perfectly. I could have not asked for a better photoshoot and proposal.

Best tip for proposing in Lake Como

If you are planning to propose on a Villa, make sure to contact them way in advance. All Villas get booked months in advance. I booked Villa del Balbianello 4 months before the proposal. 100% recommend proposing in Lake Como, it is the most romantic.

Proposed in Lake Como in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Mattia in Lake Como for Flytographer


Ryan & Mollie Drew's Proposal Story in Lake Como

How did you meet?

At university

Proposed in Lake Como in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Mattia in Lake Como for Flytographer


Drew & Savannah's Proposal Story in Lake Como

How did you meet?

We grew up down the street from each other

What is your love story?

We started as childhood friends and we started dating at the beginning of high school. We went to college together at UW-Madison and following graduation, we then moved to Chicago. We are each other’s best friend and couldn’t imagine growing up and living the rest of our life with anyone else.

What made you choose this proposal destination?

I wanted to propose in the most romantic, beautiful place and Lake Como absolutely exceeded our expectations.

What is your proposal story?

We had the most perfect day exploring Varenna and Bellagio. We returned to Varenna for cafe and drinks at the Villa Monastero Gardens and sat at a bench to watch the sunset over the lake. I handed her a few handwritten letters so we could reminisce on the last 9 years of our relationship. We then walked to the beach (that I had planned to propose and meet the photographer at) and handed her the last letter that ended with “Will you marry me?” and got down on one knee!

Best tip for proposing in Lake Como

Have someone local to the area (like a Flytographer) scout out possible locations because it is hard to predict how crowded areas will get. Try not to pack your day with visiting too many cities on Lake Como—stick with 1-3 because lines for the ferries can get long and there is so much to see in every city so take your time walking around, see some gardens and take in the views. Either propose in the morning or around sunset because the crowds get larger near the middle of the day.

Proposed in Lake Como in April

Photo Shoot Location: Varenna

Mattia in Lake Como for Flytographer


Dimas & Ariana's Proposal Story in Tokyo

How did you meet?

School

Proposed in Tokyo in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Ayako in Tokyo for Flytographer


Andy & Alexandra's Proposal Story in Osaka

How did you meet?

School

What is your love story?

We have spent a lot of time together and share a lot of core values, I knew she was the one when we sat down for our first date and the time flew by so fast that I though the restaurant was intentionally trying to get us out of there quickly!

What made you choose this proposal destination?

We were already vacationing there with friends and Japan is gorgeous!

What is your proposal story?

Coo picked out a quiet location! I did my best to get as many bags and cameras off her person as I could! I proposed with a poem in front of a cherry blossom tree at Osaka Castle and it was the most incredible moment of the whole trip!

Best tip for proposing in Osaka

Find a location that is a bit more secluded for the proposal! This was the location we used: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4itzzBtKUP4Qjapy7 Make sure to get some photos in Dotonbori too!

Proposed in Osaka in March

Photo Shoot Location: Osaka Castle

Coo and Yurika in Osaka for Flytographer


Kendall & Nancy's Proposal Story in New York City

How did you meet?

Hinge

What is your love story?

When she messaged me our conversation was immediately nonstop and I knew that I never wanted it to end.

What made you choose this proposal destination?

We have a mutual love of broadway musicals and movies/shows filmed in NYC. I wanted her moment to feel iconic and Central Park felt like the perfect place for that.

What is your proposal story?

We traveled to NYC for the first time together and started our trip off with a tour of the cherry blossom trees in Central Park after the tour we wandered around on our own to a perfectly secluded spot my photographer helped pick out for the big moment.

Best tip for proposing in New York City

I proposed in spring and the foliage was beautiful but the unpredictable weather was a little stressful. It ended up work perfectly, the slight rain throughout the day helped make Central Park feel much less crowded. Lean into your photographers knowledge of the city and then walk by places on google maps so you can get a feel for what works best for you!

Proposed in New York City in April

Photo Shoot Location: Central Park

Nicole in New York City for Flytographer


Matthew & Daisy's Proposal Story in Florence

How did you meet?

Friends/Family

Best tip for proposing in Florence

I would recommend finding places outside of the main tourist spots. We had great photos that capture Florence and the Italian architecture but there wasn’t any other people around. This was thanks to our photographer - use them for ideas and suggestions because they know the area!

Proposed in Florence in December

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Ellie in Florence for Flytographer


Gabriel & Ivy's Proposal Story in Athens

How did you meet?

Work

What is your love story?

We always had eyes out for each other since we met but took a long time to figure out that the other side was mutual. We flirted in our own ways without either side figuring out and being comfortable enough to fully commit to the idea until I realized it had to be her and I didn’t want to waste more time or opportunities.

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Ivy’s dream vacation has always been greece, she loves the waters and natural beauty of greece especially. I wanted to make her dream of visiting come true and my dream of marrying her come true at the same time!

What is your proposal story?

We got to the temple of poseidon And I let my girlfriend tourist it up and take photos to keep her busy while i was talking to my photographer about when and where. We found an empty spot looking over beautiful waters and I knew it was the spot my girlfriend would most love too. It was time to finally take the knee

Best tip for proposing in Athens

Avoid over crowded areas or else be prepared with patience

Proposed in Athens in April

Photo Shoot Location: Temple of Poseidon in Sounion

Spyros in Athens for Flytographer


Zac & Alli's Proposal Story in Rome

How did you meet?

A bar

Proposed in Rome in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Guido in Rome for Flytographer


Andrew & Andrea's Proposal Story in Lake Como

How did you meet?

Friends/Family

Proposed in Lake Como in April

Photo Shoot Location: Bellagio

Mattia in Lake Como for Flytographer


Kevin & Chantel G's Proposal Story in Osaka

How did you meet?

Social Media

What is your love story?

When you know, you know!

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Her first trip to Japan and first time out of the country.

What is your proposal story?

My family surprised us with a photoshoot for my finances first trip to Japan. We went on a "picture and city tour"

Best tip for proposing in Osaka

Dotonburi is a very romantic and a great place to publicly to drop knee. Others will cheer you on and congratulate you on your big day!

Proposed in Osaka in March

Photo Shoot Location: Namba

Coo and Yurika in Osaka for Flytographer


Christopher & Stephanie's Proposal Story in Venice

How did you meet?

Bumble

What is your love story?

When I first met her in San Diego, California

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Venice is the most romantic city on earth!

What is your proposal story?

I told her we were going to the bookstore and made a wrong turn and ended up on the bridge were I proposed!

Best tip for proposing in Venice

Make sure you choose a spot that is more private. Venice has lots of traffic

Proposed in Venice in March

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Olga in Venice for Flytographer


Aakaash & Shaili's Proposal Story in Lisbon

How did you meet?

School

What is your love story?

We met in school at a very young age and spent many years getting to know each other. I knew she was the one due to our compatibility, respect for eachother, and many similar thoughts about life, love, compassion. We have always been life partners and now we will be for years to come!

What made you choose this proposal destination?

I wanted to find a place that captures love, beauty, charm with a laid back mentality

Proposed in Lisbon in March

Ana Lucia in Lisbon for Flytographer


Gregory & Mia's Proposal Story in Sydney

How did you meet?

School

What is your love story?

We met in High-school, but started dating in College. We're from New Orleans in the USA. I knew Mia was the one when she would unconditionally go out of her way for me. She always keeps my spirits up and understands me.

What made you choose this proposal destination?

This was Mia's first time traveling internationally and I wanted to make sure she had a beautiful memory to last forever. None of our friends and family have been to Sydney, so I knew a picture with the Opera House in the background would be incredibly unique and picturesque.

What is your proposal story?

I told Mia that we were going to take nice pictures in front of the Opera House and to dress nicely. I'm pretty sure this gave it away. She's very perceptive, but I think she enjoyed the anticipation. We walked out onto the pier and I'll never forget looking up at the smile on her face.

Best tip for proposing in Sydney

Make sure you Uber or drive to your destination. Towards the end of the photoshoot we were very hot and sweaty. I'm glad we knocked out our pictures while we were still fresh and nice.

Proposed in Sydney in February

Photo Shoot Location: Mrs Macquarie's Chair

Jeff in Sydney for Flytographer


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