The Proposal Plan

I love the anticipation of a wedding day, but there is something especially fun about photographing a surprise proposal. When Jake asked me to photograph his proposal at his future in-laws’ lake house, I was SO in!

Jake said some college friends were coming into town for a weekend at the new lake house. The girls and guys would split up for the drive to the house. The guys were going to play golf, while the girls would get dressed up and head to a vineyard.

Except the guys weren’t actually going golfing. They would get to the house early to set everything up for the proposal, while Meg, the bride-to-be, would be all dressed up for photos. It was perfect.

When the Plan Changed

As the day got closer, Meg started throwing Jake some unexpected curveballs. She decided she wanted the weekend to be super low-key and relaxing with their friends, so she didn’t want to dress up or go to a vineyard. She just wanted to spend the whole weekend at the house and on the lake.

Then she started looking at Jake’s location and unknowingly caught him getting the ring from his dad’s house, where he had been keeping it safely hidden since he purchased it in secret.

Jake just went with the new plan.

Instead, he would propose after the girls arrived at the house. Meg would be showing the house to her friends, then walk outside and see Jake standing at the end of the dock with flowers.

Well, guess who delayed and delayed the girls’ car leaving? Hahahaha.

Eventually, though, the new plan was executed flawlessly. Meg shrieked from the top of the stairs and tears started flowing. She met Jake at the end of the dock and said YES! Yay!

It was so sweet that their friends were in on the plan and there to celebrate with them.

After a quick outfit change and champagne toast, we took a few more just-engaged photos. I love how Meg just kept looking at her ring. Those first few hours of the “engagement glow” are so fun and special.

I am so grateful to have been asked to capture such a fun moment for Jake, Meg, and their whole friend group. Enjoy some photos from this fun afternoon!

Are you planning a surprise proposal? I would LOVE to be in on the plan and capture this monumental moment in your relationship! Head on over to my contact page and fill out the “other questions” form.