The key ingredient to a proposal is the surprise. No matter how much your partner may expect the pending question, it is still possible to make this event a surprise. The surprise may stem from where, how, or when you propose or from all three of these elements! These are the steps to take and the tips I recommend when planning a surprise proposal at the Grand Canyon.
5 Steps to Take When Planning a Proposal at the Grand Canyon
Couples can enter the engagement stage of wedding planning from very different phases in their relationship. You may already live together, have talked about planning a wedding for years, or you could be at the very early stages of your relationship.
No matter where you are entering the proposal phase from, keeping it a secret can always be challenging. The following are my top tips for keeping a surprise proposal a secret!
STEP #1: Keep Things Simple
I’m sure you’ve seen some surprise proposal photography with flower petal paths on the beach, and a big neon sign asking “will you marry me?” or even those that include a marriage proposal scavenger hunt. The more parts to this process, the higher the risk of these steps potentially going wrong.
Fortunately, when you choose a proposal at the Grand Canyon the simplicity is built in since items like signs and flower petals are not permitted on this protected land. I will walk you through the entire process of how to plan a surprise proposal starting with the selection of your proposal location.
The viewpoint will be easily accessible with convenient parking and only a short walk. It also will include enough real estate to meander away from other people without having to hike far to a secluded spot.
I’m generally at a distance hidden in plain sight appearing like other tourists present in the popular area. Your partner will have no idea that I’m photographing you two and not just the Grand Canyon sights!
STEP #2: Make it Easy for us to Find Each Other
You won’t want to be mysteriously texting a lot on the day especially since there is limited service in the park. That’s why we make a plan so it’s easy for us to identify each other without needing to communicate.
When possible, I will choose a location with a smaller parking area which allows me to see every car as it arrives. I tell the proposer the make and model of my car and share what I look like but I don’t get out of my car until they arrive. I’ll also identify you by your own shared car description and license plate. When possible, you’ll also send along a quick photo of you two from that day.
STEP #3: Prep Amazing Photos for a Proposal at the Grand Canyon
- Leave Accessories in the Car
For the best possible photos of your proposal at the Grand Canyon, I recommend leaving purses, bags and backpacks in the car or setting them down before the proposal itself.
One way to convince your partner that usually works is to plan on taking a selfie together or a photo of your partner. This provides causality to remove items like these in order to take a nice photo.
- Stay Down on One Knee
If you elect to propose on one knee, I ask that you do so for what seems like an eternity. The inclination is to stand up right afterwards. But, staying down makes it easier for your surprise proposal photographer to get shots from a distance as well as up close.
As the moment is breaking loose, you might start to notice me. But, I’m always surprised how the one being proposed to usually doesn’t notice! Another pro tip is to place the ring on their hand while still on one knee so your back isn’t to the camera.
STEP #4: Find a Reason to Dress Up
If your partner is one who is generally into dressing up in photos, then encourage them to dress nicely on the day of the proposal! A natural way to make this happen for a proposal at the Grand Canyon is to schedule a dinner reservation preceded by a sunset drive. This ensures that you both are dressed well and will feel better about the idea of being caught in a surprise photoshoot!
Other great ways to do this depend upon your personality as a couple. We can capture sweaty and unassuming engagement photos while on a hike! This allows for you to propose organically in a super relaxed way!
You can then follow that up with a second photo session for sunrise or sunset the day after. For these photos, your partner gets to choose what they are wearing which may make them more comfortable. They then may be more inclined to use these photos for save-the-date cards or engagement announcements.
STEP #5: Be in The Present Moment
There are so many little details to keep track of when planning a surprise proposal at the Grand Canyon. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to create the most perfect moment possible. But, at the end of the day, I would rather have you fully experiencing the moment. Trust that we did our best and let the rest unfold naturally.
If you aren’t standing in the world’s best spot, it’s going to be OK. I’ll still be there getting the best photos of this unfolding moment. Fortunately, I’ve done this before and I’m prepared for the unexpected. It’s within these impromptu moments that your Grand Canyon photographer thrives the most!
Take a look at these proposals at the Grand Canyon and then we can connect about planning your own!
- Grand Canyon Proposal with an Added Surprise
- Questions About Planning Surprise Grand Canyon Proposals
- Magical Stormy Proposal at the Grand Canyon
