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Proposing to the love of your life is a momentous occasion - let’s capture the moment forever! You share your desire to commit to one another and declare your love - these moments should be preserved on film. There are many ways to propose marriage, but a surprise proposal is a truly romantic, unique, and exciting way to begin this new phase in your relationship.
At Fly Free Photography, I treasure capturing engagement photos. I would love to capture all of the beautiful moments as images of your unique proposal.
Hey! I’m Krystal - the Boss Lady at Fly Free! I will personally be by your side, every step of the way - from planning the nitty-gritty to capturing the lead-up, proposal, and happily ever after moments as the sun sets on your special surprise proposal day. My soul adores adventure, travel, and capturing treasured moments on film.
My team and I will be your photographer, videographer, day-of coordinator, trusted resource, best friend, planning partner, location scout, and more - we are in this together. From the surprise engagement to the wedding day - let’s do this thing!
I am committed to ensuring that your proposal is everything you have dreamed of. If that means hiking to your location in the days leading up to determine where the light hits best or snapping photos from unconventional places - you better believe I will be there!
I would love to help you achieve the perfect romantic proposal and I have been there before! I’ve put together a list of tips and ideas to help you plan your perfect surprise proposal. If you’re considering making your proposal a surprise, you won’t want to miss the amazing locations, friendly tips for choosing the date, and ideas to help you get it just right. Plus, discover common proposal mistakes to avoid when you pop the question.
Is a Surprise Proposal a Good Idea?
Studies show that surprise proposals are a great idea. Most people want to be, at least a little bit, surprised. Even if they suspect it’s coming, a special surprise moment is romantic and it makes for excellent engagement photos.
The excitement of a surprise wedding proposal is contagious! You’ll be rewarded with your partner’s emotional reaction and authentic facial expressions. With an engagement photographer on site, you’ll be able to capture candid reactions and save those moments forever. These images will become keepsakes for you and your family to cherish for years to come.
Making your proposal a surprise is a great way to plan something extra-special. By keeping it a secret, you’ll have the freedom to plan the perfect proposal at the right time in the exact right way. Without outside influences, you can choose the location and the best way to propose for just the two of you - and I will be there to help you plan it all!
Plus, these proposals make excellent engagement stories! As you share your engagement story with friends and family, you’ll get to relive the magic, bring your family along visually, and see their reactions to the big news. Sharing this incredible surprise with friends and family is a whole new kind of excitement.
Choosing the Date
Choosing the right date for your proposal is a meaningful part of the planning process. Many people choose to propose on a date that is significant to their relationship. However, your partner might be expecting this. Planning a memorable proposal might mean choosing a date that’s close, but not exact, or that is completely random and lines up with some days off. An unexpected date preserves the element of surprise and helps you achieve the memorable reaction you’re hoping for with a surprise proposal.
Selecting a Proposal Location
After you’ve decided on a surprise wedding proposal and chosen the date range, you’ll want to choose the perfect location to make it happen. Choosing the right spot to pop the question is one of the most important details when planning a romantic proposal. This is a moment you’ll never forget!
When you work with Fly Free Photography, you can rest assured knowing I will help you choose the right place to share this incredible moment. In Calgary and the surrounding areas, I am happy to recommend many incredible locations for a surprise proposal. Below you will find some of our favorite locations to consider.
Surprise Proposal Ideas
Surprise Proposal at the Lake
Moraine Lake in Banff National Park is a gorgeous spot to propose! The sun shines on the valley of the ten peaks in perfect contrast with the radiant blue of Moraine Lake.
The lake itself is also perfect for engagement photos! Have a look at these Moraine Lake proposal photographs for a little inspo that I have captured in the past:
Another beautiful location for planning a surprise proposal is Lake Minnewanka. It’s also in Banff National Park and just as stunning as Moraine Lake. As a bonus, Lake Minnewanka is easier to get into and much less crowded. If you’re searching for a quietly beautiful location for your surprise engagement, Lake Minnewanka or a few other lakes in the area might be right for you.
Propose at the Calgary Tower
The Calgary Tower is an iconic landmark in the city with breathtaking views of the city skyline. Book a private table at the tower's revolving restaurant, offering stunning panoramic views for a calssic and romantic proposal. Before or after enjoying a delicious candlelit dinner, you can propose while admiring gorgeous views of the city below.
Helicopter Proposals
A helicopter tour is an excellent way to pop the question! Imagine soaring high above the Canadian Rockies, creating an unforgettable moment for just the two of you with stunning aerial views. This is a great option for the adventurous couple or someone looking to ensure a unique proposal.
If you’re up for exciting and adventurous proposal locations, you might want to consider romantic locations that can only be reached by helicopter. At Fly Free, we’ve partnered with Rockies Heli Canada to help you reach the most amazing places, far off the beaten path for your engagement. Find more info about our heli packages here.
Vineyard Proposal Inspiration
Not far from Calgary, into BC and the surrounding areas boast beautiful vineyards and wineries with unforgettable locations to inspire your unique proposal. If wining and dining is your thing, this is a great option for you! You can plan a date to the vineyards for a tour and tasting. Then, find a quiet place on the grounds to surprise your sweetheart with a ring.
Plan a Photo Shoot
Sometimes it’s less about where you are and more about what you’re doing when you propose. Planning a photo shoot with your significant other can be a great way to create an engagement surprise and capture the moment forever!
Don’t miss my tips on what to wear to an engagement shoot and what to bring to your engagement shoot to make the moment perfect.
Surprising your significant other with a proposal during your photo shoot will ensure that you capture the moments while looking your best. Imagine the moment you drop to one knee, creating a perfect photograph and an even more perfect memory. The genuine emotions I capture when you ask your love to marry you will be preserved eternally on film with a surprise photo proposal.
Scavenger Hunt Wedding Proposal
This one starts with planning a trail of meaningful clues and locations beginning with a sweet note leading to one of your favorite places. At each stop, include small tokens and love notes. Finally, meet your sweetheart at the final destination with a ring and a heartfelt marriage proposal.
You can enlist the help of friends and family to build anticipation and create a personalized experience. Add a Calgary engagement photographer to capture all the special moments along the way. This fun, playful way of proposing is so much fun when captured on film!
Hiking Proposals
The Canadian Rocky Mountains are full of scenic hiking trails with beautiful natural landscapes to create the perfect backdrop for your marriage proposal. You could plan a hike with your partner to capture the moment surrounded by the wild natural beauty of the mountains.
Bring along your favorite drinks and snacks to enjoy time together in nature. You can even include friends and family to witness this creative engagement moment. Remember that we can plan this so that it is the perfect reflection of your relationship - the sky is the limit!
What to Say When You Propose
Once you know when and where you’ll propose, you have to decide what to say. It’s easy to understand why some people get tongue-tied during a proposal. It’s a big moment!
Remember these tips to help you decide what to say when you propose:
Don’t wing it. A carefully worded proposal demonstrates care, consideration, and commitment.
Practice. The best way to avoid nerves is to practice your proposal ahead of time.
Breathe. Breathing calmly helps manage nerves, allowing you to speak with confidence so you can fully express your feelings and enjoy the occasion.
Make an engagement photography plan. You don’t want to miss this moment and your partner will want to remember it too.
Avoid These Common Proposal Mistakes
Avoiding common proposal mistakes will ensure the surprise proposal goes off without a hitch! There will always be things out of your control, but avoiding these mistakes can help you better achieve the perfect engagement moment.
Don’t put the ring in food
While this one seems like a tried and true option thanks to the movies, I actually don’t recommend it! It’s risky and potentially dangerous to hide the wedding ring in food. There’s a chance you could damage the ring, ruining your proposal. There’s also a chance of choking, definitely not the way you want to remember this moment.
Hiding the engagement ring in food can also create a messy moment that’s far from romantic. Instead, choose a safer, more thoughtful approach to ensure your proposal is special.
Hide the ring
Leaving the ring out in the open is risky. If your partner spots the ring before the surprise, it may ruin the moment. Plus, you risk others discovering your plan and revealing the secret before you’re ready to pop the question. Choose somewhere safe and secure to hide the ring until you are ready to reveal it and pop the big question.
Make a plan
It’s important to create a plan for your proposal and consider all the potential obstacles along the way. Careful planning will give you time to prepare and ensure your marriage proposal is extra special. You’ll rest easy knowing that you have considered the moment and developed a plan to help it run smooth - we can even do this together!
Don’t involve too many people
It’s important to get help when planning a surprise proposal, but involving too many people can lead to issues. It’s best to involve as few people as you can so that others will be less likely to spill the beans about your surprise. Involving too many people can also affect the planning because everyone will have an opinion that might be different from what you originally wanted.
At the same time, you’ll want to be certain you have enough help to pull it off. Choose one or two trusted assistants to help you keep the secret and execute the plan. Everyone else attending can simply be just as surprised as your partner!
Lets Plan Your Surprise Proposal
When you’re ready to pop the question, there are numerous ways to plan a jaw-dropping proposal and create a magical moment for you and your partner. Whether you're interested in a quiet intimate proposal or a grand gesture, it’s important to choose something that reflects your love and commitment to one another.
With planning and creativity, you can create an unforgettable surprise moment! If you want to execute a creative way of popping the big question, send us a message to learn more about how I can help. We’d love to be a part of your surprise proposal!
xo
Krystal