Propose to girlfriend NYC Archives

Conservatory Gardens Surprise Proposal with an extra surprise!

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

by Ash Fox

91st “You’ve Got Mail” Garden Park Surprise Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

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

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

Autumn in NYC : Best location ideas & tips for Proposing this Fall

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Fall is really one of the best seasons in NYC. It’s finally the perfect temperature to do anything without complaining that it’s too hot or too cold. Everything everywhere from coffee to pizza is pumpkin and cinnamon flavored. Everyone’s smiling. That drink isn’t spiked is spiced! Black is back, and it’s leather weather! There are other reasons to smile now that it’s fall. NYC is very romantic in the fall… remember that Wynonna Ryder movie “Autumn in New York?” Fall in New York is the perfect season to propose and the colors, cozy clothing, and ideal temperature make it the perfect engagement portrait season.

NYC Autumn Proposal Tips

embrace the peak foliage which generally happens mid-late October through early November!
take advangtage of light layers, a blazer or bulky sweater with large pockets is the perfect place to stash a ring…summer makes for trickier ring hiding issues
enjoy a day trips outside the city, some of the best fall foliage can be seen in upstate NY and central NJ

Get inspired by these gorgeous Fall proposals

Autumn Proposal Location Ideas & fun Fall Activities

Dia Beacon – the incredible sculpture center in Beacon NY featuring the work of Robert Smithson, Louise Bourgeois and Richard Serra among others
Apple Picking!
The Jack o Lantern Maze in Upstate NY
Cold Springs
Duke Farms NJ – Doris Dukes stunning property is now a park open to the public
The Dog Halloween Parade in Tompkins Square Park one of my favorite fun fall activities
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens – an extremely romantic fall venue for your proposal, right next to the Brooklyn Museum

by Ash Fox

West Village Secret Park Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

I absolutely loved shooting Andrew’s proposal in the West Village on a cool crisp November morning. He and his stunning fiancé live in the West Village so he surprised her before Sunday brunch after grabbing coffee and strolling through one of their favorite local parks in the West Village. With their perfectly coordinated outfits, good looks, and the ambiance of the fall foliage I felt like I was shooting Ralph Lauren’s Fall fashion campaign! NYC ladies are so fashionable that even just caught off guard on a regular Sunday morning they look picture perfect!

When New York City locals propose a lot of times we talk about integrating the proposal into a regular day so that she doesn’t see it coming. NYC ladies have seen it all and since so many tourists propose in most of the classic postcard New York locations, most guys and gals like to choose more sentimental spots from their daily lives with their partners such as their favorite restaurants or the park where they sip their Sunday morning coffee :) I have a lot of secret spots up my sleeve from 10 years living in NYC and I’m learning new ones everyday. I hadn’t been to this little park before Andrew told me about it. People ask me all the time where’s the best place to propose or what’s my favorite kind of proposal to shoot? In my opinion a laid back stroll with the person you love the most is classic romance at it’s finest. Keeping it simple (my number one proposal tip !) is often times more intimate and cuts down on stress levels for the person proposing.

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by Ash Fox

Summer NYC Rooftop Proposal & Broadway Engagement Shoot

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Jonathan and Jessyln are a fairytale couple to the max! They live in Orlando home of Disneyworld and Jesslyn is Cinderella at Disneyworld. Jonathan may as well be Prince Charming considering how he pulled off this gorgeous summer rooftop proposal in the center of Manhattan. I had such a great time scheming with Jonathan to make sure everything went according to plan and it did! Jesslyn and Jonathan are blessed to be effortless friends of the camera and their chemistry really comes through in all the photos. We had so much fun coming up with different poses and photo ideas during the engagement part of the photo session. I’m so excited for these two! Congrats!

…notice the Cinderella sign behind them ;)

by Ash Fox

Grand Central Station Marriage Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Joseph and Daina are from Maryland and come to NYC for one full day each winter. It’s a tradition they’ve had for years, so Joseph thought it would be the perfect time to surprise Daina with a marriage proposal! They are young, but they been together for 11 years since middle school longer than many couples at their time of engagement. I was so moved listening to their story. They work together and are so supportive of each other’s dreams. Although Joseph and I had planned on an outdoor location, the weather was not our friend that day so we decided on Grand Central Station as a backup spot. Grand Central can be the definition of “hectic” but I loved watching time stand still while Joseph proposed in front of the famous clock in Grand Central Station. A stunning pause of romance in the middle of all the hustle bustle. I was so honored to photograph their proposal. Congrats to Daina & Joe!

by Ash Fox

Daytime Rockefeller Center Proposal & Engagement

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Shelby and Will are young and madly in love. When you’ve met the love of your life you just know (to paraphrase Will). Will is a Memphis musician and Shelby is a fashion blogger with mega style. Will actually takes many of the pictures for Shelby’s lovely blog The Memphis Jewel. Shelby is Willl’s biggest fan. It’s so sweet to see the way they love and support each other’s creative endeavors. You can really seee how excited they are for each other.

Will proposed to Shelby on the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center during Christmas season. I shoot lots of proposals there and I’ve featured a bunch here and here on the blog but I wanted to share how gorgeous Rockefeller Cneter looks even during the daytime. A lot to guys have asked me if Rockefeller Center is better at night or during the day. Both times have their own magic. One of the benefits of daytime is the light is so flattering! Will and Shelby are naturally gorgeous and the winter day light really makes them glow. Another benefit of the rink during the daytime is it is a bit less crowded than at ngiht.

Can we talk about Will and Shelby’s outfits for a minute. Just killer! They have such a quirky, elegant and edgy throwback style. <3 <3 <3

by Ash Fox

Saks Fifth Avenue Window Display Marriage Proposal

PROPOSAL TIPS & ADVICE

Spencer’s marriage proposal to Samantha was a fairytale brought to life. He brilliantly came up with the perfect proposal ideas for his gorgeous fiancé-to-be Samantha. Samantha loves fairytales and this year Saks Fifth Avenue’s incredible window display was a fairytale theme with each window representing a different story like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Little Red Raiding Hood to name a few. I’ve seen so many displays but these were truly outstanding. Spencer took Samantha to check out the window displays. It was exciting enough to just be in NYC seeing the amazing windows, but Spencer had a surprise up his sleeve. They stood online and strolled together ooo-ing and ah–ing over the amazing windows. When they reached the last window it displayed the greatest fairytale of all! A large customized sign asking Samantha to marry him. As soon as she saw the window he dropped to his knee and popped the question. Spencer is a real life Prince Charming! I’m so thrilled for this sweet couple! Wishing them happily ever after!

The awesome proposal website How He Asked also did a cool feature on this proposal. You can check it out here: http://howheasked.com/saks-fifth-avenue-window-proposal

by Ash Fox

Long Island City Waterfront Party Proposal

PROPOSAL TIPS & ADVICE

I will never forget Lily’s first call. She was so overjoyed to be planning her proposal to Francesca. Lily planned everything out about 2 months in advance (which is a great amount of time to get everything settled) and chose a gorgeous restaurant on the Long Island City waterfront where she could propose to Franchesca in front of all their best friends. This was a party proposal at it’s finest, a proposal part and an engagement party all wrapped up in one. I think it’s pretty clear from the photo that everyone l had an amazing time. Franchesca was so surprised when she walked into the restaurant thinking she and Lily were just going for dinner and their were all of her friends standing around a circle made of rose petals. Then Lily led Franchesca over to the circle and dropped to her knee! So excited for these two beauties!