Your search for a Cape Cod surprise proposal photographer is over! Here are my top Cape Cod proposal tips to ensure that your proposal experience is nothing short of spectacular.
My name is Meghan Lynch and I would absolutely love to capture your beach proposal on the Cape. I photograph proposals on a weekly basis (working with couples is my speciality) and have loads of location suggestions if you need them. Whether you are looking for a proposal backdrop with the ocean, tall dunes, the occasional seal, sandy beaches, or lighthouses- Cape Cod has it all and makes an amazing choice for an unforgettable proposal!
CAPE PRE-PROPOSAL RESOURCES
WHICH CAPE COD PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION IS BEST FOR ME?
30 MINUTE COLLECTION: COVERS THE PROPOSAL MOMENT AND A FEW PORTRAITS AFTER IN THE SAME LOCATION
1 HOUR COLLECTION: COVERS THE PROPOSAL MOMENT AND MORE OF A FULL ENGAGEMENT SESSION VIBE IN 1 LOCATION (OR A SECOND WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE). AN EXAMPLE OF THIS WOULD BE THE PUBLIC GARDEN & BEACON HILL
3 HOUR COLLECTION: COVERS THE PROPOSAL MOMENT AND A FULL ENGAGEMENT SESSION WHERE WE ARE DRIVING TO OTHER LOCATIONS OR THE PROPOSAL MOMENT, ENGAGEMENT SESSION, AND THE BEGINNING OF A PARTY CELEBRATION WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO PROPOSE ON THE CAPE
- Weekends to avoid due to high crowds and traffic: Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend, and Labor Day weekend
- Best months: When the summer crowds are less and the weather is still nice- May, June, September, and October
- December is still a really nice time to propose on the Cape! Most towns go all out for the holidays with lights and wreaths on the lighthouses
- Weekdays are less crowded than weekends during high tourist season Memorial Day to Labor Day
- The Cape is the quietest during it’s off season January-April. The positive is you’ll feel like you have the area to yourselves and the downside is many shops and restaurants do close during this time.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU PROPOSE ON CAPE COD
First things first you want to casually have “the talk” to make sure you are both on the same page about marriage and your future together. The last thing I want is for you to propose and get a “no” as an answer. Luckily that has never happened to me before when I’m photographing a couple, but it’s always good to get the green light from your partner before you start proposal planning.
Go ring shopping together or find out what they like. Be sure to get their ring size, save receipts, and get insurance on the ring as well. To find out their preferences you can enlist family members to ask or if they have a Pinterest board of saved ring images they love have them send it your way.
Ask them if they want their proposal to be private or more public. If you know your partner doesn’t like being the center of attention then it’s best to avoid proposing publicly with a grand gesture (that means jumbotron proposals in front of a large crowd would be a no-go).
Ask them hypothetically: if you were to propose would they want to just celebrate with the two of you or do they want to celebrate with family and friends present afterwards?
Pick a proposal date that is unique and not when another big event is happening for them or for someone else (someone’s wedding day, their birthday, your anniversary, major holidays- unless they love a specific holiday).
WHERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A CAPE PROPOSAL
If you are making your Cape proposal into a vacation rather than a day trip here are some wonderful accommodations to consider to make your getaway extra special!
Chatham Bars Inn- Cape Cod’s Luxury 5 Star Hotel
Autocamp Cape Cod- Luxury Airstream Camping
CAPE COD HOTELS ON THE BEACH – more inspiration!
PROPOSAL PLANNING TIPS AFTER YOU’VE BOOKED ME
We chat about your proposal location! You can check out the best of the best locations by clicking here for my Top Cape Cod Proposal Locations
Best spots for a lighthouse proposal: Nobska Beach, Nobska Lighthouse, Chatham Lighthouse Beach, Nauset Light Beach
Best spots for a proposal with dunes: Chatham Lighthouse Beach (they are smaller but you don’t have to travel as far north), Nauset Light Beach, White Crest Beach, Cahoon Hollow, Marconi Beach- these are just a few names!
Select a spot that is sentimental to the two of you for the actual proposal or spend time in that location before or after your proposal. Examples: where you asked them out, where you had your first date, where you had your first kiss, where you first said I love you, where you had one of your favorite memories, a bucketlist location you two always wanted to go, your favorite date spot, favorite beach, favorite hike or the first place you met. If you don’t have a specific spot in mind then any of these epic locations below provide great proposal backdrops.
If your significant other is one to get manicures have a friend or sibling take them out to get their nails done 1-2 days before proposal day.
Email me a photo of what the two of you look like so on proposal day I can keep an eye out for you.
EXCUSES TO GET YOUR PARTNER TO DRESS UP ON PROPOSAL DAY (WITHOUT GIVING IT AWAY)
I want you two looking your best on proposal day so here are some ways to ensure that your sweetheart dresses nicely without blatantly asking them to dress up for no reason. These excuses below typically do the trick so you don’t have to convince your significant other to change out of their beach clothes half way through the day.
Say you want to have a date night and go out for a romantic dinner.
Your family or friends are in town and they want to meet for dinner.
If work events is something you’ve brought your partner to ask them to come to a work event (like a work cocktail party) with you and let them know the dress code
You’ve got tickets to a theatre show.
Lots of my couples have gone to Chatham Bars Inn for drinks or lunch earlier in the day.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR CAPE COD PROPOSAL
Here are my top tips on what to wear in the link below.
https://meghanlynchphotography.com/what-to-wear-for-engagement-photos/
Go for clothes you feel amazing in and are also comfortable to wear and move around in. Solid colors and larger patterns typically photograph better—small, tight patterns can occasionally become distorted when digitally photographed. You can always send me photos of what you’re thinking and I’ll take a look and give my opinion if you need any help!
You can never go wrong with a white button down, gray/black/navy/tan color dress pants (avoid jeans), and brown or black dress shoes (barefoot on the beach is a-okay!). Especially for beach sessions colors like white, tan, and blue look amazing playing off the colors of the beach & ocean.
CAPE COD PROPOSAL TIPS: PURCHASE A SLIM RING BOX
The ring boxes they give you with your engagement ring are big and bulky so if you are worried about your partner seeing it in your back pocket or jacket pocket then purchase one of these slim ring boxes. Etsy also makes some where you can get engravings on them. Problem solved!
THE BOX SOCK – BUDGET FRIENDLY OPTION
CLIFTON – LUXURY OPTION
PROPOSAL DAY TIPS
Share your location with me and text me when you are on your way to the spot.
Text me what both of you are wearing & what color so I can easily spot you in the area.
Remember to have sunglasses off for the photo.
Empty your pockets as much as you can! Things like a wallet, phone, or large ring box can stick out big time especially when you kneel down.
You take a selfie which is my cue that you are about to pop the question. When you propose stay on your knee for your sweetheart’s entire reaction so I can take photos from multiple angles.
You two just take in the moment for as long as you want! I won’t interrupt at all and wait for you to wave me over when you want me to formally introduce myself.
THE POST PROPOSAL CELEBRATION
Depending on the package you’ve booked we will use the remaining time in your 30, 60 minute, or 3 hour package to take engagement photos.
Celebrate by going out to drinks after, taking a sunset cruise, or grabbing dinner.
Past couples have gotten dinner at the Chatham Bars Inn or Twenty Eight Atlantic (make reservations) or gotten drinks at Chatham Bars Inn or the Pelham House Resort for ocean views. If you like wineries then I recommend Cape Cod Winery in Falmouth or Truro Vineyards.
Call your family and friends and share the good news before you post on social media.
WHERE TO CELEBRATE ON THE CAPE AFTER PROPOSING FOR DINNER OR DRINKS
Twenty Eight Atlantic at Wequasset (the first and only Forbes Five-Star restaurant in the region)
CAPE COD PROPOSAL PLANNERS
Cape Cod Celebrations- Cape Cod Proposal Planners
Jasmine Rose Events- Proposal Planner
Cape Cod Wedding Planning by Alexa Victoria
Alexa either buys or find vendors you need for your proposal day. She plans and coordinates everything for you so you don’t have to. Alexa makes sure the outcome fits your vision and is really nice. She works with me, we coordinate all the stuff on logistics, and she helps set everything up on the event date.
BOOK A CAPE COD PICNIC SETUP
Whether you want to celebrate just the two of you or with loved ones, you can hire one of these extraordinary vendors for a gorgeous beach picnic setup.
Grazing Cape Cod Luxury Picnic Setups
CAPE COD FLORISTS THAT CAN CREATE BEAUTIFUL FLORAL BEACH PROPOSAL SETUPS
KJ Floral Designs – Kristyn
You can see a recent proposal setup here!
American Stems – Kelsey
The Petal Gypsy – Amanda
The Salty Florist – JoAnn
EXAMPLE CAPE COD PROPOSAL GALLERIES
Dreamy Fall Sunset Proposal on Chatham Lighthouse Beach
Sweet Wellfleet Proposal (with the family there as a surprise)
Romantic Summer Sunset Chatham Lighthouse Beach Proposal
BOOK ME AS YOUR CAPE COD SURPRISE PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHER
I photograph proposals Monday-Thursday during my wedding busy season (May-Oct). Bonus weekdays are less crowded and offer a more private proposal experience! If I’m not photographing a wedding Friday-Sunday, feel free to reach out and I may be available!
You can find proposal info & pricing here.
To get the most dreamiest light for your engagement photos, I only capture proposals during golden hour- within the first two hours after sunrise or the last two hours before sunset.
Fill out my contact form here to see if I’m available for your date! I’d love to capture your beach proposal!
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