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
Tag Archive for: Photographer for Engagement Manhattan
NYC Central Park Conservatory Gardens Surprise Proposal with an extra surprise!
Florian selected the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park for his marriage proposal because it reminded him of the parks in Paris. The Conservatory Gardens is a little known spot in the park that is impeccably up-kept with perfectly manicured lawns, shrubs and flowers. During the spring, I love to visit the garden and photograph all the new blooms. It’s a wonderful, oasis away from the crowds and more touristy sites of Central Park.
Florian and I plotted out the perfect spot for him to stand while he waited for his girlfriend to meet him in the park. Little did she know, Florian had two big surprises for her. When she arrived he guided her over to the famous fountain in the center of the garden and dropped to his knee, holding up a classic robin’s egg blue, engagement ring box from Tiffany’s. His fiancé-to-be was so shocked and excited, but there was more in store! Florian told her to wait with her eyes closed while he jutted off to grab his next surprise. When he returned, his fiancé felt something furry tickling her nose. She opened her eyes to see a brand new apricot, poodle puppy that she’d always dreamed of owning. Florian did a great job making his marriage proposal unique, personal, and memorable. It was an honor to photograph this couple’s big day! – Ash Fox
Autumn Gramercy Park Surprise Engagement
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/
- Ash Fox
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
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
Peter came up with the perfect way to surprise his girlfriend Tina, on a (not so ordinary) walk to a work event earning in the morning. Sometimes you gotta catch a gal off guard by surprising them on a regular day! Tina was shocked. Peter and Tina’s proposal took place on a chilly winter day right at sunrise. What a way to start the day, right?! The light was gorgeous with the sun rising just moments before Peter dropped to his knee. He created a beautiful card for Tina which made the moment extra special No need for coffee for these two, nothing wakes you up like the endorphin rush of love! :) I’m so happy for Tina and Pete! Congrats!
Tina and Pete’s story and my photos were featured by How He Asked. Check out their post here… http://howheasked.com/highline-proposal-in-new-york-city
Where is the best view of the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center? Answer: The skating rink!
I’ve photographed more than 50 proposals at the Rockefeller Center Skating Rink. It is by far THE best place to get a gorgeous unobstructed view of the Christmas Tree when proposing. I love shooting at the rink. It’s so magical watching the ice rink clear and for the couple to be left alone in the center of the rink surrounded by the famous flags and the historic Rockefeller Christmas Tree. It’s always a fun challenge photographing on the ice without slipping.
Photographing Scott and Ali’s proposal at Rockefeller Center felt like I was watching the most romantic movie. I captured them discreetly as they skated around the rink to their favorite song. Then Scott got down on his knee and proposed to Ali. It was stunning!
If you’re thinking of proposing at the ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center I would love to photograph it for you and provide all my best tips and tricks for your proposal to go perfectly smooth. There can be many moving parts, but I want to make to make it a breeze for you. Feel free to email me and I will help you come up with an awesome plan for carrying out your surprise proposal on the skating rink and getting gorgeous pictures of the moment.
– Ash Fox
“I surprised my girlfriend with a trip to NYC for our engagement last December. Ali had never before been to New York and she fell in love with the vibrant feel of the City. After a few amazing days of romantic dinners, a Broadway Show, Christmas Spectacular, a walking tour of the city and endless shopping, the highlight was proposing to Ali on the ice at the Rockefellar Center beneath the recently lit Rockefellar Christmas Tree. I found Ash via her website a month or so prior to our trip and asked if she could help “capture the moment.” Ash was outstanding. Her pictures were stunning and her efforts to aid me in my planning of the weekend were beyond the call of duty. She is a true professional. She stayed out of view (so as not to ruin my surprise) and took really nice photos of Ali and I just skating around “having a good time” prior to the proposal, which captured the feel of the night. And then her photos as I knelt down to propose and thereafter were spectacular. I am so glad I contacted her. I would recommend her with the highest conviction. Thanks Ash. Phenomenal job. And as a quick update…Ali and I are now married…and hope to visit NYC again this December to recapture the moment. Cheers!.” -Scott M.
Guys and gals ask me all the time where they can propose with an amazing view of NYC, but without the crowds of tourists. There are so many great options I recommend depending on the couple, their personal style and interests, but one great idea for an intimate proposal is to do it atop a gorgeous, private New York City rooftop. The rooftop can be an event space, the rooftop of an office building, the balcony of a hotel suite, or even the private rooftop of a NYC resident. A rooftop is a fantastic place for a proposal because of the incredible scenic background.
I loved photographing this gorgeous proposal for Adrian and his stunning fiancé! Adrian booked the rooftop, decorated it with sentimental photographs that chronicled his relationship with his fiancé and had a violinist there playing their favorite song. He proposed with a breathtaking view of the Empire State Building in the background. This view is totally unique and special for them because it’s a private space, so the pictures they have are even more personalized.
A rooftop proposal is a great way to avoid crowds, and have a very private and unique experience. You can even set up a table in chairs and order delivery from your favorite restaurant to top off the night. :)
– Ash Fox
Feel free to email me about our new Full Service Rooftop Proposal Packages
Including…
- photography
- exclusive private and semi private location recommendations and booking
- live musicians
- decorations (rose petals, LED candle lights)
- video
- champagne
- roses
Peter’s proposal was a double surprise. First he surprised her with a ring…
… and then with all of Catherine’s BEST friends!!! A double surprise proposal can be tough to pull off because the more elements you add to a proposal the more you have to be aware of having everything perfectly timed. I love photographing proposals with a double surprise, because just when you think she’s as excited as she could possibly be, her reaction is magnified ten fold when she sees how her fiancé arranged for her friends to be there too. I just love Catherine’s reaction in all the photos. Also, this proposal took place in early fall, just when the leaves were starting to change color. We’re not quite there yet, but Central Park in the cal is absolutely beautiful. I love how the ivy on the Gapstow Bridge turns red. Every season has it’s own unique character and is equally romantic. – Ash Fox, Suprise Proposal Photographer