Your search for a NYC surprise proposal photographer is over! Here are my top NYC 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 NYC proposal. 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 in Central Park or the city skyline- New York City has it all!
NYC PRE-PROPOSAL RESOURCES
BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN NYC (FOR A SUNRISE PROPOSAL CAFFEINE BOOST)
BOOK YOUR NYC PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHER
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO PROPOSE IN NYC
NYC is a year round destination that should not be missed. Here are some top tips for choosing when to propose in New York:
- Weekdays are naturally less crowded
- If you want to propose in the summer (between June and late August), but ideally want to have as close to a private outdoor proposal as possible opt for a sunrise session.
- You’ll find NYC to be the “quietest” mid January through March.
- Summer: June-August, Fall: September-November (maybe you want fall foliage), Winter: December-February, Spring: March-May (maybe you’d like to have a NYC cherry blossom proposal in April)
WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU PROPOSE IN NEW YORK CITY
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).
LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A NYC PROPOSAL
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nycxr-the-st-regis-new-york/overview
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york
PROPOSAL PLANNING TIPS AFTER YOU’VE BOOKED ME
We chat about your proposal location! 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.
BEST LOCATIONS FOR A NYC PROPOSAL
NYC RUSTIC/PARK PROPOSAL
CENTRAL PARK: Bow Bridge, The Mall, Bethesda Terrace/ Fountain, Cherry Hill, San Remo Lookout Point. (best at sunrise for a just us experience, but sunset options available if you don’t mind crowds)
WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK (sunrise only for a just us experience)
NYC PROPOSAL SPOTS FOR CITY VIBES
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING (You would need to book their $1000 Happily Ever Empire package before inquiring with me. Additional ticket fee would be added on to your proposal photography collection). https://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets/happily-ever-after
HUDSON YARDS THE EDGE PROPOSAL (You would need to book either of their two packages before inquiring with me. Additional ticket fee would be added on to your proposal photography collection.) https://www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com/events/propose-edge
ON BROOKLYN BRIDGE (sunrise only for a more private experience)
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK Amazing backdrop with the Brooklyn Bridge and city skyline behind you
ON WASHINGTON STREET in DUMBO for the iconic shot with the Manhattan Bridge
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS PROMENADE
OUTSIDE THE NYC PUBLIC LIBRARY
610 LOFT & GARDEN (additional rental fee)
PEBBLE BEACH For those epic city skyline views with the Brooklyn Bridge behind you
NYC HOTEL ROOFTOP PROPOSALS
NYC BEACH & LIGHTHOUSE PROPOSAL SPOTS (AND BEYOND)
Rockaway Beach
Coney Island
Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse (outside the city, but currently under construction)
Montauk Point Lighthouse
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 casual 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 Broadway show.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR NYC 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!).
NEW YORK CITY 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
https://www.theboxsock.com/products/perfectly-engagement-ring-box
CLIFTON – LUXURY OPTION
WHAT IF IT RAINS ON PROPOSAL DAY?
New York weather always changes so I start paying attention to the forecast about 48 hours before a session. Anything more than 48 hours before I don’t pay attention at all haha and then when we are in the shorter window I start looking at the forecast and watching the weather radar. If it’s showing rain we have a couple options!
1. If it was showing a total washout and you could be flexible with your date/I had availablity we could change the date to a nicer day.
2. If it was showing some rain scheduled during our set proposal time we could move it earlier or later in the day to catch a window where it wasn’t raining. I don’t ever book two shoots in a day, so that date is entirely yours for us to be flexible!
3. Lastly if you still wanted that exact date and time we would just embrace the rain. Sometimes people already have a bunch of reservations made or are only visiting the location so that date & time we picked was their only option. Lucky for you being a wedding photographer for 10 years I do have experience photographing a wedding day in the rain so your photos will still look beautiful. Rainy sessions can be super fun & romantic- I bring along my cute clear umbrellas for you to stay dry!
Rain is not a means for cancellation.
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 collection to take engagement photos.
Celebrate by going out to drinks after or grabbing dinner.
Call your family and friends and share the good news before you post on social media.
+ COMMENTS
add a comment