How to plan a surprise proposal in malaga
A photographer’s guide
As a wedding and couple photographer in Malaga, I’ve had the honor of capturing some of the most memorable proposals all over the Malaga region. Planning a surprise proposal can be overwhelming and exciting, especially if you are here on holiday, and don’t know the area well.
I am here to take some of that stress away and help you plan the perfect proposal that your partner, won’t be able to say no to. In this guide, I will share not only the best way to plan the perfect proposal but also how we’ll discreetly capture it all in photographs or video, so you can relive the moment again and again.
“I am here to take some of that stress away and help you plan the perfect proposal that your partner, won’t be able to say no to.”
Choosing the right location
As a wedding and couple photographer in Malaga, I’ve had the honor of capturing some of the most memorable proposals all over the Malaga region. Planning a surprise proposal can be overwhelming and exciting, especially if you are here on holiday, and don’t know the area well.
I am here to take some of that stress away and help you plan the perfect proposal that your partner, won’t be able to say no to. In this guide, I will share not only the best way to plan the perfect proposal but also how we’ll discreetly capture it all in photographs or video, so you can relive the moment again and again.
Planning the surprise (Consider your partner's personality)
While you might think you need to go all in, with grand gestures of flowers and musicians, I would say that you should start by considering your partner’s personality and what kind of surprise they would like.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Is your partner into grand Hollywood-style romance or small thoughtful gestures?
- Does your partner enjoy big, public surprises or would they prefer something more intimate and private?
I am not here to tell you what is right or wrong, but I will say that having your partner’s personality in mind is a good place to start! I will also say, that you should not be discouraged if you can’t afford to make a huge proposal, with flowers, a 10.000€ diamant ring, and a violin band.
If you can show, that you truly understand your partner, and know how to find a place that they would love, and make the moment special, then all the rest does not matter.
Adding a personal touch
You can make your proposal even more meaningful, simply by adding personal touches. Again, keep in mind your partner’s personality. You can go all in, and decorate a place with her favorite flowers, or you could hire an acoustic musician to play your song for you. But you could also do something simple and meaningful, such as reading a well-thought-out letter about your love for your partner. Or maybe the location in itself is holding a big meaning for you both. Whatever it is, just make it you!
I once had a guy who was truly into Pokemon, so instead of a classic Ring box, he bought a Pokeball, where he could place the ring inside. When he opened it, it read: “I choose you”. If you know of the Pokemon universe you understand this reference. Some might think it’s childish or corny to use such a prop, but it was something unique to that couple’s personalities and interests. And for the record. She loved it.
The best time for a proposal
Timing is everything, especially if you want to capture your proposal in beautiful photographs the lighting plays a huge role. There are also other things to consider when it comes to the time of the day, like how crowded the location you have chosen might be.
Generally speaking, the best times are either in the morning or during sunset. Not only do those times provide us with the best light for photos, but it is also the most romantic.
How to get my partner in nice clothes?
One of the biggest challenges of a surprise proposal is ensuring your partner looks amazing for the occasion, without giving away the secret! Here are some ways to make sure you they’re dressed up without getting suspicious:
- Plan a “fancy date night” – Whether you live here or are on holiday, tell your partner that you have made a dinner reservation at a nice restaurant that evening.
- Say you booked a couple’s photoshoot – While you want the proposal to be a surprise, you could say that you have arranged a photoshoot, to get some nice photos with your partner. This does not only get them dressed appropriately, but it also helps you both relax in front of the camera before you are ready to “pop the question”.
How do we capture the proposal in photos or video?
While there are tons of ways you can set up your phone to record your proposal or have a friend capture it on the sidelines, I will still recommend you hire a professional photographer to capture it all in the best way possible.
Over the years I have arranged many surprise proposal photoshoots, and generally, there are 2 ways for us to do it.
1: “The photoshoot” – Here you are upfront with your partner about the photo session, and we go to an amazing location as if we were just shooting a normal couple session. At a certain time during the session, I will give a signal that had been planned out beforehand, to let you know, that now we have the perfect place and time to “pop the questions”.
- Pros: It’s easier to ensure that you and your partner are dressed nicely, we can control the situation, and wait for people to get out of the way if our location gets crowded.
- Cons: Unless a photo shoot is something that you would normally do in your relationship, it might give away that something is coming.
2: “The Tourist” – This is where we have planned out everything beforehand. Typically you will share your live location on WhatsApp with me, and I will be standing ready at the location we have organised. I will be acting like I am just a tourist there to take pictures, but I will secretly be ready to capture the big moment when you kneel.
- Pros: It’s easier to maintain the surprise element, and you truly have your moment together.
- Cons: It is less controlled, and you will need to stand at the right place, for me to get the perfect photos during the proposal. Don’t worry I will make sure to help you with all that.
After the proposal - celebrate in style
Once you have gotten your big yes, it’s time to celebrate! Here are some ideas to what you might do, depending on where you choose the location.
- Photoshoot – I am already there, so let’s spend some time creating some amazing portraits of you two together, being happy and in love.
- Romantic dinner: book a table at a nice restaurant close by, to sit and relax and enjoy each other. I am happy to recommend you of some nice places.
- Couples spa experience: you could also finish the day off with a lovely spa and couple massage.
- Surprise engagement party: If you live here, or have the people you love on holiday with you, why don’t you arrange an engagement party to celebrate with them all?
Final thoughts
A surprise proposal in Málaga can be an unforgettable experience with the right planning. Choose a location that fits you and your partner’s personality and add some little personal touches to it. But I will say this. Well-considered thoughts and gestures mean more, than grand expensive gifts and flowers.
The most important question
Are you planning a surprise proposal?
Let me help you plan and capture your big moment.