6 Tips from a Dallas-Fort Worth Photographer for the Perfect Surprise Proposal

Congratulations! You found The One and you’re ready to pop the question! There’s just one thing – you don’t know exactly where to start. 

As an engagement photographer, I’m here to share my tips on planning the perfect proposal, as well as some photos from a recent proposal. Plus, if you’re from Dallas-Fort Worth, don’t miss my recommendations for some of the best places to get engaged in DFW. 

1. Buy the ring. 

An engagement ring is the single most important piece of jewelry a woman owns. Some women like to be involved in choosing the ring, while others prefer to leave the choice up to you. No one knows your girlfriend better than you, but it’s never a bad idea to ask your girl’s best friends or sisters for help with ring size and/or style – just make sure whoever you ask is good at keeping secrets! 

2. Keep it personal.

Knowing your audience is the key to the perfect surprise proposal. Would she prefer being asked privately or in public? Does she want her family there when you ask her to marry you or does she want them to come to a party right after you propose? Details like flowers, candles, and photos of you two can be nice details to include. 

There’s no right or wrong way to ask someone to marry you as long as you keep their preferences in mind. Remember that you’ll be telling the story of this day for years to come, so have fun planning this special day!

3. Plan what you’ll say

Just as you’re putting a lot of thought into your surprise proposal, it’s a good idea to do the same with the words you’ll say. You may want to write them down and practice reading it out loud a couple times. You’d be surprised how different you’ll feel once you’re in the moment – it’s easy to be overwhelmed, so it definitely helps to practice a little beforehand. Good news if you happen to get a little tongue-tied: if you get down on one knee, she’ll know exactly what’s happening.

4. Location, location, location!

Is there a place that has special meaning for you two? Maybe where you met or went on your first date? Do you have a favorite vacation spot? Wherever you propose, this place will of course take on new meaning and you’ll likely return here for years to come.

5. Best places to get engaged in Dallas-Fort Worth?

For my Dallas-Fort Worth couples, there’s locations for all types of proposals. Here are a couple of places to consider:

For nature lovers: White Rock Lake Park or Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens 

For a dramatic view: Downtown Dallas parking garage with a skyline view or Reunion Tower at night

For true city feel: Klyde Warren Park 

For an artsy vibe: Nasher Sculpture Center

For amazing skyline in the background: Trinity Groves Overlook

For something different: Take a gondola on Lake Carolyn

Plus, there’s tons of incredible restaurants to choose from in the area if you want to propose at a dinner. 

6. Consider hiring a surprise proposal photographer

In general, girls love pictures, so why not hire a photographer to capture the biggest day of your girlfriend’s life so far? She’ll be so happy you thought of documenting the moment. You’ll have a wonderful keepsake for years to come of a day you’ll never want to forget. Plus, photos from the proposal are great for the upcoming save-the-dates, wedding website, invitation, and, of course. . . instagram.

You may wonder how to find a proposal photographer. Google is your friend, but so are friends and family! Ask if they know a good photographer who has experience capturing a proposal or who simply has a style they liked. 

Now that I’ve shared my tips as a proposal photographer, here’s the story of one of my amazing clients who executed a perfect surprise proposal!

How this guy recently knocked his surprise proposal out of the park:) 

One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to know my clients’ families and documenting multiple special occasions in their lives. This surprise engagement session was no exception. 

6 months ago, I had the pleasure of doing a newborn photography session with a wonderful little family. So, I was excited to open my instagram to this message from the momma recently: 

“Hey, my brother is getting engaged. . . I really like all our newborn photos, so I wanted to see if you’d be available to take photos for my brother’s surprise proposal?” 

These types of photos are always super fun, so of course I said yes. After all, who doesn’t enjoy getting to play a part in such a special day in a couple’s life?

This momma shared her brother Harrison’s plan: he would take his girlfriend Parker out to dinner, while his family would set up a beautiful scene overlooking a lake for him to bring Parker to after dinner. My videographer and I would arrive at the lake, hide in the bushes, and then Harrison would bring Parker to the lake right at sunset to ask her to marry him. 

Before the big day, Harrison sent me some photos of the dock on the lake to give me a sense of the proposal location. There was no question – it was a stunning setting!

The day of the proposal, my videographer and I arrived onsite early to capture the beautiful setup. Harrison’s family did such an amazing job – there was a table complete with the ring (of course!), a personalized letter Harrison wrote to Parker, a framed photo of the two of them, a candle, and a gorgeous bouquet of pink and white roses. Twinkly lights magically framed the space, and there were rose petals spread all over the dock. 

We snapped some photos and took some video, then waited to hear from Harrison. The texts started coming . . . “about to get the check” . . . “we’ll be there in 5 minutes”. . . so we quickly hid ourselves in the bushes. 

Harrison and Parker appeared, walking towards the dock. I discreetly started taking photos from far away as Harrison led Parker to the table. As he got down on one knee to propose, I moved closer to capture the big moment. Parker was just about bursting from excitement (video evidence can be seen on my instagram page!). As you may have guessed, she said yes!

I love being a photographer for moments exactly like that one. It’s so sweet because you’re witnessing and documenting real, raw emotions on a day the couple is never going to forget. 

After photographing the proposal, I gave Harrison and Parker a minute, and then we took some proposal photos. As you can see, they were both glowing! 

We then went back to Harrison’s parents’ house, where friends and family were waiting to celebrate. Thank you Harrison and Parker for allowing me to photograph your wonderful engagement! 

If you’re looking for a surprise proposal photographer in Dallas-Fort Worth, I’d love to be a part of your special day! Contact me for more information at https://anadufrechephotography.com/contact. 

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