My biggest tip Planning your proposal (from a Philadelphia Proposal Photographer)
Philadelphia Proposals Tips
As a Philadelphia photographer, I have had the opportunity to photograph many proposals in and around the city, and in this blog post, I am about to reveal one of my biggest tips for your proposal. After realizing how common this mistake is during a proposal, I have since made it part of my standard reminders for everyone who I work with. It is, in fact, a very simple but also often overlooked and important aspect for proposal photos and your overall experience. Ready? Ok, my biggest tip is: Take Your Time.
You have likely spent months planning this special moment, from choosing the best location to picking out the ring, and going over again and again in your head what this moment will be like. When the day of the proposal finally arrives, and you are walking towards the planned location where you will get down on one knee and pop the question, most people are nervous and excited, full of butterflies and emotion.
How to Make Your Proposal a “Moment” and Not Just a Question
What often happens is that once they get to the designated spot, they immediately drop to one knee and say, “Will you marry me?” I think this is most people’s natural inclination: to get right to the heart of things and ask the question they’ve been waiting to ask. I encourage you to take your time. With a few small changes, you can really shift the entire proposal experience from feeling like a blur and a whirlwind and a “What just happened?” moment to a memorable and long-lasting feeling and experience that you are both able to really enjoy. By sharing a few words from the heart, you will be able to slow down the moment, and you will both be able to take in together the significance and excitement of this life-changing moment.
How To Propose
When you get to the designated location, don’t just immediately drop to one knee. Instead, stop your soon-to-be fiancé, hold their hands, look in their eyes, and have a few kind words to say to them. Be in the moment and let them be in the moment. Let them realize what is about to happen and bask in the flood of emotions. You can keep it short and sweet if you like and maybe say something as simple as, “There is another reason I brought you here today; there is a very important question that I have been wanting to ask you for quite a while now. You have been such an important part of my life, and my love for you continues to grow. I cherish what we have built together: the friendship, the trust, and the foundation for a lifetime together.” This is just an example, of course; please find your own words that are true to you. Make it personal; you could even tell a quick story or reference a funny or meaningful moment when you “knew they were the one”. My point here is: have a few words to say while standing up, holding their hands, and looking into their eyes. It doesn’t have to be too long, but something short and sweet. This allows your soon-to-be fiancé to really take in the moment and soak in what is about to happen. Then you can get down on one knee, take out the ring box, present the ring, and have a few more sentences to say. Maybe something like “I truly can’t imagine my life without you. I want to travel with you, grow with you, and grow old with you. You are the only one for me. Will you marry me?” Again, please use whatever words are from your heart here. The important point I am trying to make is for you to take your time. Having a few words to say standing up and have a few words to say while on one knee is one of the best ways to stay in the moment and actually make it a “moment” instead of a “question”. I have even had people write a card or write down their thoughts and then read it aloud. This option ensures you are able to express exactly what you intended to say.
Take Your Time When You Are Proposing
Having some loving words to say throughout your proposal and, in turn, slowing down the moment, is helpful for two reasons. One, it helps create a moment and let the moment breathe. You have to create a moment by allowing a little bit of time and space, and let your soon-to-be fiancé squirm and wriggle and feel all the excitement. The other important reason to take your time during your proposal is to allow your photographer to take photos. Having a few sentences to say will give me, or whoever your proposal photographer is, a chance to get photos of this very special moment. Just a few sentences can really allow a chance for some great photos that you would not otherwise have gotten. This very simple but very important tip can transform a proposal from “popping the question” to having a memorable, ceremonious and heartfelt moment. I hope this tip was helpful!
I would love to know, is this something you have thought about in your proposal planning as of yet? If you are in the midst of planning your proposal in Philadelphia, I would love to chat with you about photography packages and answer any questions you have. Feel free to fill out the Heidi Roland Photography contact form, and we can schedule a time to hop on a quick call. I can’t wait to hear about what you are planning for your proposal moment!
Planning Your Philadelphia Proposals
If you are looking for more planning tips, ideas, and inspiration, including location ideas for proposals in Philadelphia, check out these posts!
Best Private Proposal Locations in Philadelphia to get Engaged
Planning Your Philadelphia Proposal: The Ultimate Guide
