Landon’s Fairytale New York City Rooftop Marriage Proposal
Landon wanted to to surprise Sarah with the perfect proposal. She loves NYC so he wanted to have views of the city surrounding her. I got him the perfect space for his proposal and decorated the space with lanterns, fairy lights and rose petals. When Sarah stepped out onto the roof she was in complete shock that Landon put this all together for her. She thought she was just going for early dinner drinks. She didn’t know she was going to a rooftop and definitely not a rooftop all for her and Landon! I’d love to help you plan your rooftop marriage proposal here in NYC. Each proposal is unique and can be customized with decorations, live musicians playing your favorite songs, custom flower designs, champagne and more.
The Proposal Podcast by Ash Fox, is the first Podcast all about getting engaged. This is the place to get insider tips tricks and insight into proposing. This is free advice from proposal expert, Ash Fox who has helped plan over 1500 marriage proposals for men and women from all over the world.
On the Proposal Podcast Ash will be guiding you through everything you need to know for planning your perfect proposal, from where to start, timing the proposal, buying a ring, how to write the perfect speech, how to know if you should propose, locations, what you should do after you propose, and how to integrate family into your proposal among many other topics. Ash will also be speaking with experts on relationships, the ring industry, and real couples with unique proposal stories.
If you have questions you would like to submit to the podcast, you can DM Ash on Instagram @ashfoxproposals or email Ash with the subject title “Proposal Podcast Question”
https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Podcastlogo.jpg18202369Ash Foxhttps://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ash-Fox-Primary.black-3.pngAsh Fox2019-03-21 18:00:332022-05-17 17:58:34The Proposal Podcast: Where to Start When Planning Your Proposal
Discovering restaurants is a huge part of New York life. I’ve lived in this fine city for 13 years and I’m constantly learning about new places, from my friends, family and many of my clients . In NYC some of the best places are the ones that have been here the longest, but there are also fantastic new places that pop up every day.
Whether you are looking to go to dinner before your proposal, propose over dinner, or have a celebratory meal following your engagement, I’ve got you covered.
Here are my favorite ideas from fine dining to old school classic romantic NYC options.
Higher End Dining
Park Avenue Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring (the name, menu and decor change seasonally. I love the way the decor and menu shifts for each season. It is the Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s restaurant. https://www.parkavenyc.com
One if by Land Two if By Sea This place is known as “The Most Romantic Restaurant in NYC” and so it is perfect for a post proposal dinner. There’s a fire place and a piano player and it’s located in the West Village on a quaint cobble stone street https://oneifbyland.com
Daniel Many of my clients rave about this Michelin Starred restaurant. It is the epitome of Fine Dining in NYC and will definitely make a impression on your fiancé. Daniel Boulud is the chef https://www.danielnyc.com
Midrange and Old School Dining
El Parador – This is one of my favorite place to go to celebrate. The food is delicious, the drinks are excellent. The waiters are dressed up and every table is dressed with a table cloth and candles. Insider tip: Get the peanut butter jalepenos! https://www.elparadorcafe.com
2. John’s of 12th street – This place feels like you’re in a Woody Allen movie. This is an old school Italian restaurant with excellent food that gives you the vibe of being in Lady in the Tramp with your parter. I highly recommend the shrimp parmesan and the Tirimisu. I never had a thing for Tiramisu until I tried it there. https://www.johnsof12thstreet.com
3. The Mermaid Inn- This is a wonderful cozy spot if you love seafood! Everything is fresh and delicious http://themermaidnyc.com
4. Gaonurri – If you want to be surrounded by gorgeous views this is the place to go! The cuisine is high end Korean. https://www.gaonnurinyc.com
5. Minetta Tavern – One of the best burgers in NYC in an old school elegant setting. Get the Minetta burger and the Black Label and share! http://minettatavernny.com
The best bars to celebrate your proposal!
Angel Share- Angel Share is one of the best hidden speakeasy bars in NYC and is my absolute favorite. It is hidden inside a bustling Japanese casual restaurant. When you walk to the backroom there is an elegant bar dimly lit with velvet seats, jazz playing and angel mural on the top of the bar. The drinks are insane. The place is super sexy and romantic and a great place to relax and celebrate being engaged https://www.yelp.com/biz/angels-share-new-york
2. Rains Law Room at the William Hotel (reserve a private booth) – This place is super quiet and a romantic place to let loose and make-out after your proposal. There are private booths where you can drink and have privacy https://www.raineslawroom.com
3. The Polo Bar – This bar is owned and designed by fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Imagine mahogany wood, leather tufted seats and candles galore in an ultra luxury Americana setting. https://www.ralphlauren.com/global-polo-bar
3. Sarahbeth’s- a new york classic. There are multiple Sarabeth’s throughout the city and all of them are lovely for a celebratory family brunch https://sarabethsrestaurants.com
4. The Park Lane – Park Room Hotel Restaurant – this restaurant features floor to ceiling windows that overlook Central Park, the views are stunning! https://www.opentable.com/the-park-room
Romantic Day of Activities
Aire Ancient Baths – go in the morning or during the day to avoid crowds
The Brian Newman Quartet Jazz show at the Gramercy Park Hotel (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DSC_2213-1.jpg23363500Ash Foxhttps://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ash-Fox-Primary.black-3.pngAsh Fox2018-10-31 15:28:482022-05-17 18:04:28The Most Romantic Restaurants for Dinner after Your Proposal
I love Jana and Bernard’s story. It reads like a romantic comedy and culminates in the most perfect proposal inside St. Patricks Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in the world. Planning a great proposal is all about paying attention to details and remembering little hints your partner gives you about what they would like as well as overt ones. Jana told Bernard in passing that she loved St. Patricks and he didn’t forget!
In Jana’s words
“We met five years ago, I was coming out of yoga, and he was checking into a hotel for work where the studio was. I’m not sure what it was, but that spark was there, he made me laugh, and he was quite dashing. I remember telling him “we would never work” as he lived in Houston and me in Dallas. His comment to that “it’s just a bag of peanuts away,” i.e., Southwest Airlines. He would also say “I was a hard nut to crack.” Working his magic he slowly crept into my heart. On one of the many phone conversations throughout our courtship, I mentioned how I loved New York and had visited most of the cathedrals; specifically, St. Patricks. The one thing about my Ash is he listens. We made plans to be in New York for the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. He said, “let’s stop at St. Patricks and light a candle.” Upon entering the church, he stopped me, and on one knee he proposed. Later, I asked “why St. Patricks” and he said “I know what this church means to you and nobody gets engaged in a church, always married. Being the man that he is, he changed the rules.
The photographs speak for themselves, we’ve had so many compliments, we used the photos that year for our Christmas photo, our wedding announcement and have framed many of them. Christmas in New York is beautiful, getting engaged there was over the top. Ash Fox’s timing is impeccable, her editing stunning, and such a joy to work with, can we come back?”
I get calls and emails all the time that begin with “Where do I even start”. A lot of times it can be overwhelming coming up with an idea for your proposal. You may be overloaded with ideas and not know which one to choose or you may be have no clue where to begin. One great place to start is thinking about activities and interests you share with your partner. For example, Michael and his girlfriend, Emily met competing in Model United Nations together in college. Model UN was both their meeting place and an activity they both were passionate about so Michael took Emily for a tour of the United Nations. Just as they finished the tour, he grabbed Emily’s hand, completely catching her off guard and dropped to his knee in front of the flags and the iconic sparkling silver United Nations building. Emily was shocked and thrilled by Michael’s sentimentality because the UN met a lot to them. I sneakily photographed the entire moment from the street as if I was a tourist passing by. Afterwards I brought them over to Tudor City where we took some post engagement pictures with views of the Chrysler building and others featuring Emily’s pear cut diamond ring set in rose gold is also a dream! Well done Michael!
Harris’s marriage proposal took place as the site of his very first date with his girlfriend, Tara, Mini Golfing at Chelsea Piers. Tara, thought it was a regular date night and a fun idea to go mini golfing, but she had no idea that Harris planned to propose there. I pretended to be working at the Mini Golf center blending into the atmosphere as much as possible, but I was really there to secretly photograph Harris’s proposal. After a few holes, Harris dropped to his knee when Tara least expected it, right there on the mini golf green, with a gorgeous view of the Freedom Tower behind him. A mini golf marriage proposal is a great way to have fun and feel relaxed even though you’ll be proposing. Harris was a smooth operator and showed no sign of nervousness. I loved the way Harris combined an activity they loved as a couple with an homage to their first date together. Often proposals go in one of two directions, a totally new experience where you create a new memory in a new place, or the proposal revisits a sentimental location and the proposal marks an additional milestone in your relationship. – Ash Fox
https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DSC_7820.jpg18001201Ash Foxhttps://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ash-Fox-Primary.black-3.pngAsh Fox2017-05-03 19:14:382022-06-02 22:14:44NYC Mini Golf Marriage Proposal
Gramercy Park is by far one of the most romantic and exclusive parks in all of NYC. You can only get in with a special key that’s reserved for those who live on the periphery of the park and for the guests of the Gramercy Park hotel, who are able to rent the key. Daniel planned to propose to his beautiful longtime girlfriend, Shelby in Gramercy Park. He surprised her when after a long stroll throughout the city, he was able to slip her into the park a place neither of them had ever been in. I spied on the couple serenity photographing as they strolled through the park, capturing all the moments leading up to Daniel’s knee drop. Shelby was so surprised! After Daniel proposed he waved to me and we spent some time getting some artistic engagement portraits throughout the park. Finally, Daniel suggested they stop by the Gramercy park Hotel nearby, where he surprised her with an engagement party including both their families! Daniel and Shelby’s joy and love for each other is so beautiful to see. It was really magical to capture their intimate moment surrounded by the fall foliage on that cool November Day.
Gramercy Park is a gorgeous setting for getting engaged no matter the season. If you’re curious about what it looks like in the Spring, check out my post on Chris’s engagement here https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/gramercy-park-proposal/
https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/unnamed-8-2.jpg7261088Ash Foxhttps://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ash-Fox-Primary.black-3.pngAsh Fox2016-08-23 14:32:522022-04-21 03:34:10Autumn Gramercy Park Marriage Proposal
Nick proposed to his longtime girlfriend in one of my favorite hidden pocket parks in the city, the 91st street garden (aka the garden park from “You’ve Got Mail” ) The 91st garden is a great choice if you are looking for a park to propose in that’s not Central Park and away from the crowds. It’s a gorgeous alternate option for an engagement if you don’t have a key to the exclusive Gramercy Park or if you and your girlfriend LOVE the movie “You’ve Got Mail”. It’s such a beautiful place to create a movie moment for your loved one. Nick proposed to his stunning girlfriend on a warm fall day just as the colors of the leaves were beginning to change. I loved photographing his fiancé’s excitement as she leaped off her feet into Nick’s arms – Ash Fox
Scott and Danielle’s Central Park Zoo engagement was an epic proposal I’ll never forget. Scott and Danielle are members of the Zoo, so planned a nice day trip to explore the zoo with a few of their closest friends. In front of the seal exhibit, Scott dropped to his knee proposing to Danielle. She was blown away. A huge gaggle of friends and family rushed in cheering with signs and flowers. Scott and Danielle’s Proposal was a party proposal to the max. They are the epitome #relationshipgoals for all who know them. It was an honor to photograph the big surprise – Ash Fox
Kevin proposed over a casual Sunday picnic on Governors Island, an interesting little pocket of land just a short ferry ride from lower Manhattan. It was a warm August Sunday and the perfect day for a quiet picnic in the park. I spied on Kevin and his future fiancé in the moments before Kevin proposed, photographing them discreetly. When he dropped to his knee she was so shocked and excited and amazed he pulled off a picnic in the park and having a photographer there to capture it. Once I revealed myself, we spent some time strolling around the lush and green park getting some nice engagement photos. It was such a pleasure photographing this relaxed, late summer afternoon proposal for Kevin and his stunning fiancé! – Ash Fox
https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSC_0562-1.jpg18001201Ash Foxhttps://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ash-Fox-Primary.black-3.pngAsh Fox2016-08-03 16:42:422022-04-21 03:34:57Governor’s Island Picnic Surprise Marriage Proposal
Paras’s proposal is one of my all time favorite proposals, because Paras carefully considered what his girlfriend would like and tailored it to her interests. Paras told me his girlfriend loves books and said he’d like to propose in a library but he wasn’t sure about doing it in an actual Library because there are restrictions and you need certain permission. I found Paras the perfect location to achieve the library feel for his proposal without having to deal with permits or cranky librarians. We settled on a beautiful, sunny, Library Bar room where he could have a leisurely a late afternoon drink with his girlfriend and discreetly hide one of her favorite books in plain sight. Since Paras’s future fiancé’s favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre, Paras knew hshe saw Jane Eyre on the shelf she would without a doubt pull it down off the shelf. Paras was certain should would fall into his trap and she did! I watched from a nearby table with a large newspaper obscuring my face and camera (like the spy proposal photographer I am) and saw Paras’s future fiancé pull the book down from the shelf. She opened the book and out spilled paper hearts from a larger heart cut into the book with a photo of them and a written dedication from Paras. She looked up at Paras, in awe of the book and there he was down on his knee proposing to her. It was beautiful. You don’t need a circus to make a great proposal (unless your girlfriend LOVES the circus) just a lot of heart.
Steven and his girlfriend Estefany had just moved to NYC. and to top off the big move he chose to propose to her overlooking the city where they are beginning a new life together. I’ve seen hundreds of incredible proposals, but Estefany’s reaction really moved me. “You could have given me a piece of string and I would have been happy.” she’s that kind of girl. It was an honor to be there for this sweet and beautiful couple. – Ash
https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSC_9044.jpg12011800Ash Foxhttps://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ash-Fox-Primary.black-3.pngAsh Fox2016-05-19 18:11:022022-04-21 03:36:46Top of the Rock Marriage Proposal
