Proposal Planning Tips
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TLDR
- Make it personal: Take your time to decide on a personal and special proposal idea based on your partner and your love story!
- Include historical details: Look through your archives and pull out sentimental details to reference during the marriage proposal.
- Theme it out when applicable: Sometimes a theme can offer great inspiration and an even better photoshoot.
- Keep it a surprise: Protect the surprise proposal at all costs!
- Consider picking out the ring together: Couples prefer to pick out the engagement ring together.
- Plan a surprise manicure ahead of the big event: Ensure your partner’s fingers are ring and camera ready.
- Think about what you’ll say ahead of time: Tell your significant other why you love them and why you want to spend the rest of your life together.
- Practice the proposal moment: We all want a perfect proposal! Practice the big moment ahead of time to avoid any potential disasters.
- Plan a post-proposal event: Plan some time to bask in the big moment!
- Hire a professional photographer to capture the moment: Capture your proposal with Flytographer to relive this special moment forever. ❤️
Photo: Roberta in Rome for Flytographer. Natalie and partner capture memories in Rome with a proposal photoshoot at the Imperial Forum.
1. Make it personal
This is somewhat of a disclaimer and something to keep in mind when reading this list and with every piece of advice someone gives you on proposal planning. It will do you no good if you plan your beloved a Disney-themed getaway and castle proposal, like one you read about online, if they have no clue who Mickey Mouse is. Think about what your partner likes. Would they really enjoy a public proposal or a private one? Even the most extroverted person can prefer a low-key, just-the-two-of-you special moment. Take your time to decide the best proposal idea based on your partner and your love story! Plus, it might be less nerve-wracking if you know your partner will be more comfortable in a specific environment.
Photo: Flytographer in Honolulu. Amy and partner celebrate an engagement in Honolulu with an engagement photoshoot on Kualoa Beach.
2. Include historic details
This is the ideal proposal planning tip to look through your archives and pull out sentimental details to reference during the marriage proposal. Your first song playing in the background, bringing the first flowers you ever gifted (or a bouquet with a flower for every year you’ve been together), or planning it on a special anniversary date might be the perfect addition to make the proposal even more special. 💐 🥂
You might also choose to opt for a sentimental proposal location like your first trip away together, the place where you had your first date or the moment you first knew you were in love. You can’t go wrong with a romantic option that connects your past, present, and future. Unless it was a late-night pizza place, then in that case we suggest that you find a different (cleaner) sentimental spot. 😉
Photo: Mattia in Lake Como for Flytographer. Roland and partner celebrate a proposal in Lake Como with a proposal photoshoot in Varenna.
3. Theme it out when applicable
Sometimes going with a theme (like a favourite movie) can offer great inspiration. Take this special Banff proposal for example: Saket knew his partner Nupur was obsessed with Harry Potter, so he had a jeweller make the ring box into a golden snitch. (Find the full story and photos of this amazing top-of-a-mountain proposal here).
Top tip: A theme can make for some really fun and unique engagement photos! 📸
Photo: Flytographer in Banff. Saket and partner celebrate a proposal in Banff with a proposal photoshoot on the mountaintop.
4. Keep it a surprise
You’ve talked about it, and you know they’ll say yes, but that doesn’t mean you should, even for a second, think it’s OK to give away the mystery. Be your sneakiest and protect the surprise proposal details at all costs! Even if that means getting a close friend in on it to help with the planning process. ❤️
For more surprise ideas, check out our blog about surprise proposal outfit ideas and tips!
Photo: Barbara & Claudio in Positano for Flytographer. Oriana and partner celebrate a proposal in Positano with a proposal photoshoot at the Beach.
5. Consider picking out the ring together
OK, this sort of goes back on the surprise element a bit. However, it is said that one of the best proposal planning tips to pick out the engagement ring together. 💍 💍 It can be a lot of pressure to go to the jewelry store alone and pick a ring that someone is going to wear forever. This way, you’ll have no worries that the ring isn’t to their taste.
Photo: Josiah in Lake Tahoe for Flytographer. Mark and partner celebrate a proposal in Lake Tahoe with a proposal photoshoot in Logan Shoals.
6. Plan a surprise manicure ahead of the big event
This is a pro tip to plan before the big moment. 💅 This ensures the fingers are in top form for showing off the ring and taking photos. You can book it a few days ahead if you don’t want to arouse suspicion.
Photo: Vito in Venice for Flytographer. Dane and partner celebrate a proposal in Venice with a proposal photoshoot on a gondola ride.
7. Think about what you’ll say ahead of time
The words are why we’re here. Even if you plan nothing elaborate, telling your significant other why you love them and why you want to spend the rest of your life together is what they want to hear ALL ABOUT and one of the best proposal planning tips. So, think about it ahead of time, practice it aloud, even write it down and take it with you if needed. It doesn’t have to be spontaneous to be romantic. And who doesn’t love someone thoughtful enough to plan ahead?
Photo: Nadine in Cape Town for Flytographer. Kekoa and partner celebrate a proposal in Cape Town with a proposal photoshoot on Signal Hill.
8. Practice the proposal moment
There are two important motions to practice before the big day—the knee lunge and opening the ring box! When deciding what to wear, make sure you do a few tests of kneeling down on one knee to see how it feels. Try out a few places to hide the engagement ring so you’re ready for the moment and won’t have any wardrobe malfunctions.
The second most important proposal planning tip is to practice is opening the ring box. Picture this: You present the ring, but it’s upside down and falls out of the box and into a street grate. Take a deep breath and practice, practice, practice to avoid potential disasters.
Top tip: Head to our blog on the 10 biggest mistakes to avoid when proposing for help on executing the big moment perfectly!
Photo: Ella in San Diego for Flytographer. Alex and partner celebrate a proposal in San Diego with a proposal photoshoot on Windansea Beach in La Jolla.
9. Plan a post-proposal event
After the crying and the kissing at the main event, your fiancé will LOVE IT if you’ve planned some time to bask in the big moment. A special dinner, a gondola ride, a rooftop cocktail under the stars—make it romantic and make it for just the two of you. 🍲 🚡 🥂 They can share the moment with their best friends, family members, and loved ones at an engagement party later! Book a lunch or nice dinner, that way you both are dressed your best and it’s not suspicious to look camera ready.
If you have a whole range of activities planned (horse-drawn carriage through the park and fancy dinner, followed by a helicopter ride and champagne toast), propose early in the night so that you won’t be nervous and stressed (and sweating) all night about everything going to plan. This way, you can just enjoy the ride. 😎 PS. if you want to capture the celebration afterwards, check out this blog for engagement photo ideas to celebrate your proposal! 🎉
Photo: Ellie in Florence for Flytographer. Francesca and partner celebrate an engagement in Florence with an engagement photoshoot in the Oltrarno Neighbourhood.
10. Hire a professional photographer to capture the moment
Not only will a professional photographer capture that glorious look of surprise and pure joy on your faces, but you will also have wonderful mementos to look back on. You’ll have gorgeous photos of your proposal story to use to spread the great news! Check out Flytographer’s special proposal page for more info.
Photo: Spyros in Santorini for Flytographer. Niraj and partner celebrate a proposal in Santorini with a proposal photoshoot in Imerovigli Village.
35,000+ 5 Star reviews from across the globe!
“Matt was the best photographer. He recommended the perfect location and gave me great options. He had a great plan for the surprise proposal, he was extremely communicative and accommodating, gave us great direction for the shoot after the proposal and most importantly took amazing photos! My fiancé and I had the best experience with him and highly recommend him to everyone!!”
Chris
Bellagio
“This was my first time booking a photographer for my surprise engagement photoshoot. I was extremely nervous and confused. But Coo has been amazing in giving me guidance throughout the whole process. He gave us poses suggestions as well as we both are so new having our pictures taken. Overall, I’m very satisfied with Coo’s expertise and highly recommend him! He’s very nice, friendly and makes you feel extremely comfortable! On top of that we even gave us best local food suggestions! ”
Adem
Higashiyama District
“Flytographer, you guys are amazing! I can’t thank you enough for connecting me with the incredible photographer, Roberta. She truly went above and beyond to make my proposal to Julia absolutely perfect. From suggesting beautiful locations to capturing our most special moments, Roberta’s talent and dedication shone through. Not only that, but her friendly and fun personality made the entire experience even more enjoyable. I couldn’t have asked for a better engagement photographer. Thank you, Flytographer, and a huge thank you to Roberta!”
Natalie
Custom Route
