Propose to girlfriend Manhattan Archives

Autumn Gramercy Park Marriage Proposal

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

by Ash Fox

Governor’s Island Picnic Surprise Marriage Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

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

by Ash Fox

The Most Romantic Library Surprise Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

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.

by Ash Fox

Top of the Rock Marriage Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

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

by Ash Fox

Central Park Proposal With Skyline

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

David and Val are from Texas and visit NYC each year. David wanted the setting for his marriage proposal to feature the best of both worlds that NYC has to offer, combining the natural beauty of Central Park with the modern architecture and sleekness of the New York City scape. I recomended one of my favorite spots that looks out over the skating rink in Central Park on the Southside. The views are spectacular from this vantage point. The southsie of Central Park captures modern NYC while the north side has a more classic old world New York feel. It was much colder than these photos might coney but fortunately it wasn’t icy otherwise it would have been too slippery to pull off safely! Before he proposed David and Val had brunch at Sarahbeth’s nearby and then they strolled over to check out the views and snap some selfies. Before Val knew it David was on his knee popping the question! I love her reaction. So adorable. The taxi-cab photo at the end of the photo set is one of my favorites! Congrats to Dave & Val!

by Ash Fox

Private NYC Rooftop Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

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

by Ash Fox

Central Park Gapstow Bridge Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

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

by Ash Fox

East Village Hotel Rooftop Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Ravi chose the perfect spot for his proposal, a place that held sentimental value for him and his gorgeous fiance-to-be. This was not just any hotel rooftop, it overlooked the neighborhood where he and his gal had lived and shared many memories, like running together through the east village. Ravi proposed during golden hour, those sacred minutes of golden light, when the sun is low in the sky and gives everything the most lovely glow. This is really the ideal time to choose when planning your proposal if you’d like to have the most spectacular colors and flattering light in your photos. During the summer in NYC if you’re proposing I suggest around 7pm EST as the perfect time if you’re looking for golden halos and sunsets to set the mood :)

I love the SIXTY LES Hotel, located on the lower east side in Manhattan (just in case you weren’t sure what “LES” stood for…here in NYC we love acronyms). About three years, ago my friend hosted a party every Friday night on the rooftop at 60 LES hotel and my friends and I would dance to a mix of Elvis, The Clash, and Blondie. The hotel is elegant, but with a downtown edge. For this cool, young couple, the SIXTY LES here in New York was a perfect fit. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a beautiful, friendly, and accommodating location for a rooftop proposal. – Ash Fox Proposal Photographer

by Ash Fox

Castle Proposal

PROPOSAL TIPS & ADVICE

This proposal ranks as one of the most original and romantic proposals I’ve shot! Chris knew that his girlfriend loved castles and fairytales and created a real life fairytale for Nicole. He just blew her away with this epic proposal, complete with a violinist playing their song Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” softly in the background. I had an amazing time shooting this proposal for them. Here’s Chris’s testimonial : “I hired Ash to capture a very special moment – my proposal to my girlfriend (she said yes!). Ash was a total pro and extremely easy to work with – she helped me plan out the best way to get her involved unbeknownst to my girlfriend, and captured every moment of the proposal. Our friends and family are obsessed with the photos – thanks for everything”! – Chris M

by Ash Fox

DUMBO Waterfront Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

I love photographing couples in front of the incredible NYC skyline. When JD got in touch with me to photograph his proposal to his girlfriend Anna we combined forces and brainstormed an awesome proposal along the waterside in DUMBO including a ferry ride, in which I discreetly photographed them (sneaky sneaky)! I always love when guys add special personal touches to their proposal. JD created a beautiful photo book of his and Anna’s journey as a couple together. He also picked out such a beautiful and unique canary yellow ring! I’m a big fan of yellow if you couldn’t tell. Anna was completely shocked and so thrilled! This summertime proposal was so romantic, I was “kvelling” (as the say in Yiddish–to be so overwhelmed with emotion). She of course said yes!

Ash