surprise proposal new york city 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

Times Square Billboard Marriage Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Ryan contacted me nearly a year in advance to make sure he could lock in the date of Christmas Eve in order to propose to the love of his life during their trip to NYC. Ryan and Elisa are from Perth, Australia. Ryan told me he saw Elisa walking on a beach back home and said to his friend “That’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’m going to marry her”.

Ryan wanted to really WOW Elisa, so chose to propose to Elisa on a Times Square Billboard. The Times Square Billboard Proposal is one of the most amazing ways to proclaim your love and create a moment that feels straight out of a movie. There are 50,000 people who walk through Times Square each day, so proposing on a billboard in the center of Times Square really feels like your marriage proposal is for the whole world to see. Ryan took Elisa to the center of Times Square on one of the warmest Christmas Eve evening I can ever remember. I waited for them to approach and captured those moments before Elisa looked up and saw her name in lights on a billboard in the middle of times Square featuring a picture of her and the words “Will You Marry me Elisa”. She turned to Ryan and there he was on his knee proposing to her. She was WOW-ed. The Perth Times loved this proposal so much they covered it in a Newspaper article you can see here…

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/perth-romeo-ryan-veitch-puts-partners-name-up-in-lights-at-new-yorks-times-square-for-epic-proposal/news-story/877c5a996f371ba54e5cd853bf90e55e

If you would like to propose in the middle of Times Square on a Billboard like Ryan, feel free to get in touch so I can help you make it happen! :) I offer Billboard Marriage Proposal packages to rent a Billboard in the middle of Times Square with a message of your choice and capture your engagement with photography. – 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

Long Island City Surprise Proposal With Skyline Views

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Brendan’s proposal in Long Island City was a party! Brendan chose to propose to his girlfriend on the waterfront where they live. The Long Island City waterfronts is one of the best kept secret proposal locations in all of New York City. Long Island City (despite it’s confusing name) is located just a short five minute ferry ride across from midtown Manhattan in Queens. It features the most iconic skyline view you can get, because you can see both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. I highly recommend this location as an alternative to Dumbo because it’s much less crowded, closer to midtown Manhattan and the view is equally beautiful.

Brendan had his best friends waiting along the waterfront with their backs turned, holding signs spelling out “Will You Marry Me” When his girlfriend approached, they flipped the signs, and Brendan proposed!

by Ash Fox

Central Park Cherry Blossom Spring Surprise Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Cherry Blossom Season is approaching. We had such an unseasonably mild winter this year in NYC so the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom earlier than usual. I’m guessing they’ll be in full bloom by the first week of April. So if you’re thinking of proposing in a park and want to upping the ante on floral beauty, consider proposing during the cherry blossom peak!

Where are the best places to see the cherry blossoms in the NYC area? My 3 favorites are…

Central Park
The Brooklyn Botanical Garden http://www.bbg.org
Branch Brook Park Newark, NJ

Jeroen timed his proposal perfectly in sync with the cherry blossom bloom. Timing is as essential with cherry blossoms as with marriage proposals. Central Park is beautiful all year round, but peak Cherry Blossom bloom is majestic.

by Ash Fox

Central Park Autumn Bow Bridge Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Austin proposed to his now fiancé, Amber, on a warm autumn afternoon. If Autumn is your favorite time of year, Central Park really showcases the beauty of the season to it’s fullest. I suggested the Bow Bridge as one of my favorite classic spots in the park. Amber (no that isn’t Jessica Alba!) was so surprised and elated when Austin dropped to his knee in front of the amazing view of the bridge. They were visiting the city from Florida, so Austin wanted a spot that would capture the unique character of Central Park. I was thrilled to be there to witness and photograph this couple’s magic moment!

by Ash Fox

Hoboken NYC Skyline Waterfront Marriage Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

On an icy winter day Chris proposed to his long term girlfriend on the waterfront in Hoboken. Chris and his gorgeous fiancé live in Hoboken just over the river on the west side of Manhattan. I LOVE HOBOKEN! It is basically the Brooklyn Heights of New Jersey with it’s brownstones, gorgeous tree lined blocks and adorable cosy corner restaurants. I always have a great time visiting Hoboken and Chris’s proposal was no exception! It was one of the coldest days of the winter dipping to under 20 degrees, but Chris was a trooper and he and his girlfriend were armed with layers. The went for a stroll to take in the amazing view and then he dropped to his knee. I love Hoboken as unexpected proposal location. It’s just a short path train ride away from Herald Sq in the center of Manhattan. Hoboken is much quieter than Dumbo and you get an amazing skyline view featuring the Empire State Building which you can’t see from Dumbo. I love this location for couples wanting to have their proposal captured with the NYC skyline. After the proposal there are tons of cute restaurants and little shops to check out. I highly recommend it! :)

by Ash Fox

NYC Highline Surprise Proposal

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

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

by Ash Fox

Proposal on the New York High Line

PROPOSAL STORIES & IDEAS

Niraj and Jill live in DC, but they could have easily fooled me that they were local New Yorkers. They fit right in with the New York beat. I was struck by their matching big smiles and sleek monochromatic style. Niraj is an offbeat proposal rebel ready to avoid every proposal cliche and I love it. Niraj chose to propose to Jill on the snow covered Highline, when no one else was outside on February 15th (the day AFTER Valentine’s Day). He gave Jill the most unique pear shaped ring which just showed how well Niraj gets Jill. The ring fit perfectly with all of her other eclectic jewely. This year when I was interviewed on CBS Radio for my best proposal tips I mentioned that you don’t have to propose on a holiday. Why not give you and your gal another holiday to celebrate for the rest of your lives? I love the Niraj chose February 15th because it heightened the surprise factor. When I met Jill I instantly saw what a great match they make. It was freezing cold and snowing so we made the most of the beauty of the Meatpacking district and then we ducked in to the Gansevoort hotel for some celebratory champagne and snaps in the the heated upstairs bar. Afterwards we headed over to the Mondrian Soho Hotel to take some post proposal engagement photos of Niraj and Jill in the gorgeous hotel lobby, bar and outdoor park – Ash