Here at GWS, we’ve seen SO many epic proposals and beautiful love stories, and quite honestly, we can never get enough of them! From the sweetest birthday surprise to popping the question while in a rock climbing gym, we ADORE proposals that are unique, personal, and downright ro-man-tique.
You better grab a tissue or handkerchief…because these romantic proposals might just cause you to tear up!
Let’s begin with the AMAZING photo + story above from DK Photography:
Originally I was going to propose in Iceland last year but unfortunately, Karlie decided to discard my secretly stashed ring. (Yes, that actually happened!) Fortunately, my plan worked and the aurora was firing in one of the most incredible displays of colour we’d ever seen. I tricked Karlie into believing we were shooting a selfie and used a torch to light us up for the image. Much to her shock, it wasn’t any normal selfie and much to my shock, she said yes!
This One With the Lump of Coal
Since the very beginning of their relationship, whenever it was time for a present (Christmas, birthdays, and the like) George would always joke that Manon would get coal. However, as luck would have it, he would always have the most thoughtful gifts waiting for her. As such, coal became a lovely metaphor for his gifts over time. With that in mind, he thought that for this ultimate gift, a piece of coal would be the perfect way to present the ring to her. He had sculpted a ring box to look like a piece of coal and 3D printed it with the help of a prop maker in Sydney.
The Rosé Proposal
We were in Hawaii on a sunset booze cruise with one of our couple friends. I was sitting comfortably enjoying the Pacific Ocean when Steve suggested we head to the back of the boat for a picture (if I’m being honest, I did not want to get up). Once we got back there, Steve handed me a can of my favorite bubbly, Babe Rosé, and pointed out to me that the label looked a little different. I spun the can around and where it would typically say “Babe Rosé” it said, “Babe will you marry mé?” By the time I had a chance to process everything I looked up at him and he was down on one knee.
This Long-Distance-No-More Surprise Proposal at Taft Point
From Jessi, the bride-to-be: For the last year, Connor and I have been in a long distance relationship: him in Denver, me in LA. We are both photographers and constantly traveling back and forth between both cities. Connor coming to LA for a very busy work trip and kept reminding me to mark off the dates so I could help shoot. As the trip got closer, we about our shot list and all of the details. He told me that for one of the shoots we would be traveling up to Yosemite National Park. I hoped in my heart that maybeeeee he would propose in Yosemite but again, as the days grew closer I knew it was strictly a work trip due to the intense shot list and hours we put in planning.
Finally, the day came and we headed to Yosemite with our crew. We arrived super late (like, 1 am) and planned to wake up in time for sunrise at Taft Point. This meant we had to wake up by 3:30 am. Let me just tell you I am the furthest thing from a morning person so this was tough for me but SO worth it. We finally make it to Taft point after a 30-minute hike and I had no breath…both figuratively and literally, haha.
We stayed for about 2 hours and I noticed that Connor was keeping his distance from me. I just likened it to the fact that he was making sure to get the shots they needed. Once it looked like we were about to wrap up, I asked Connor to take a picture with me right at the edge. We took a few photos and then I was ready to get away. I was shaking in my boots because my adrenaline was running so high.
Before I could go, Connor asked me to wait a second. He kissed me on the forehead and pulled the ring box out of his pocket. I looked down and completely lost it…he said the sweetest things to me and then got down on one knee. Once I gathered myself, I realized that the entire trip to Yosemite—the shot list, everything—it was all for this moment. It was all for me. It is so crazy because for years I have thought of what this moment would be like, who it would be with, how old would I be—I mean, I thought about all of the things. And at that moment, I realized that this far exceeded everything I could have ever imagined. I, of course, said YES and I truly can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend in the entire world.
This One Where He Captured the Proposal Himself!
While we were adventuring our way through Iceland, I asked Brittany a question I’ve had to hold in for quite some time. I’ve known since day one that I want to spend the rest of my life with her and I knew this would be a trip we could never forget. The best part of all of that is… I’m pretty sure she said yes! I can’t even remember, I was so nervous. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. Also, the reason why she was wearing a dress was because we were going to do a set with this dress in beautiful landscapes in Iceland. So this time, I told her to go get on the dress, I set up my tripod and told her to stand up there while I set a timer on my camera. Then I walked up to her and proposed. Boom!
This Surprise Proposal at Horseshoe Bend
This stunning proposal was held at Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona. You can see more from this day on this She Said Yes! A Surprise Proposal at Horseshoe Bend
We began taking pictures on a cliff next to the bend and Olivia asked me to turn away from Michael — I think that’s when I knew…
This Sweetly Styled Proposal
This stunning scene is from this 50 Shades of Pink: The Sweetest (Monochromatic) Surprise Proposal Ever!
This Adventure Proposal by the Seaside
We set out in the afternoon to picnic at our special spot in Big Sur. I’d sent Lynn, the photographer, the coordinates to find us, not realizing we were approaching a dead zone. As Candice + I drove down the coast we thought we’d found the place, but it was just a similar turnout. We continued our search for about 30 minutes before we found it. However, when we approached the foot of the trail I noticed there were multiple trails I hadn’t recalled, nor told Lynn about! At this point I’m freaking out inside, trying my best to keep it together.
We finally found THE spot and set everything up. Of course, it was the least marked, most treacherous trail of them all. I took a big swig of champagne and wondered how, between no cell service and multiple trails, Lynn would ever find us. Luckily, I came up with a plan. Our chihuahua, Jellybean, was back in the car, so I insisted on checking on him. I power jogged back up the cliffside, just 30 minutes before the Lynns’ arrival. Back at the car I found a receipt and begin to write directions, in hopes that Lynn would find them. I also left arrows in the dirt, pointing to the correct trail and attempting to block off the more obvious ones with sticks and debris.
Lynn showed up right on queue and although my description of a “short hike” was off, she spotted us and climbed down the mountain. It was finally time to do what I’d been waiting for not only the last 6 months but the last 6 years. I looked at Candice and said, “I love you more than the universe,” got down on one knee, and asked her to marry me. Candice cried for about 2 minutes before she said yes.
This One Where She Thought It Was a Fashion Shoot + He Was Out of Town
I had a photo shoot scheduled with Jonnie and Garrett for what I thought was for a watch company. I have worked with Jonnie and Garrett multiple times in the wedding industry, so I knew what amazing photographers they are, so that made me even more excited about the photoshoot!
We started walking around the back to get into the building. While we were walking Jonnie asked me to give her my car keys and phone that was in my hand so that Garrett could take a picture of me walking into the church because it was so pretty inside. I thought that was a bit strange because I wasn’t wearing the watch that I thought I had to wear for the photoshoot, but I gave her my things and continued to walk in.
While we were getting closer to the entrance, I heard a song playing that sounded familiar to me. We walked in and it was pitch black and when Jonnie told me to turn the corner, I walked into the beautiful church and I saw a little table sitting in the opening with a pretty glass box on top. There was a note inside, and that’s when I knew. It was the moment.
I stood there and read all 3 pages of the sweetest note ever written to me. I was reading for what felt like forever and when I was finished I looked up and I saw Jayce. He was standing there, tearing up and looking at me. I almost couldn’t move because I couldn’t believe it was really happening. I walked to him and we gave each other the biggest hug, both shaking and tearful. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was even better than I could have ever dreamed. I said “YES” and he put the beautiful ring on my finger and that was by far the happiest moment of both of our lives.
This Rockclimbing One!
With the incredible photographer India Earl in on it – Luis planned the whole thing. The night of, he encouraged Maddy to try a specific climb (even though she was tired + her hands were sore from climbing already). However, she went up the route anyway… India tells us: When she got to the top, Luis held her there and we (all of their best friends) all shut off the lights, ran over a hundred feet of string lights in, throwing them up on holds and scattering them all over the ground with rose petals, then switched all the string lights on at once, lighting up the gym with a glow.
He belayed her down, while their song “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes played; he pulled her in, told her he loved her more than anything else in the world and asked if she wanted to be his wife (which is the same way he asked her to be his girlfriend). She said YES with lots of happy tears running down her cheeks!!
This One on the Black Sand Beach in Iceland
The original plan was for Chad to propose at the beginning of the day, in Jokulsarlon, atop an ice glacier, but they were forced into plan B due to unexpected weather restrictions (unbelievably strong winds and hail). It wasn’t until the final moment of daylight that Chad finally got on one knee atop of the infamous wrecked plane on the black sand beach of Sólheimasandur and proposed to the love of his life!!
This Birthday Surprise!
His proposal was a total surprise! Sure, I’d been dreaming up engagement scenarios in my mind for a while (I mean, who doesn’t??) and a birthday party proposal was definitely at the top of my list, but I honestly didn’t see this coming.
Our dear friends Christen and Brett offered to host my 30th birthday party in their backyard. My parents flew in from New Hampshire, and so many of my favorite people came to celebrate! I briefly got suspicious/hopeful when the amazing team at Shindig Chic showed up with a giant surprise balloon arch, and when my talented friend Jen of J Wiley Photography offered to take photos of Mike and me in front of it.
About an hour later Mike suggested that we should thank everyone for coming to the party. Without hesitation, I ran out to the lawn and made an impromptu speech. I was so blown away by all of the efforts people had gone to that I was already choked up when Mike started talking after I finished. I was also confused when he started nervously repeating what I had just said, but then quickly realized what was happening when he dashed behind me to grab a ring box from Brett. The entire crowd (myself included) burst out laughing when Mike got down on one knee and said, “I’ve never done this before, bear with me for a moment!” I was so overwhelmed that my immediate reaction was “There are so many people here! To which he responded, “I figured you like a spectacle.” TRUTH. Among other things, Mike asked if I would dance in the kitchen with him forever. “Always!”
How sweet were those?! We’d LOVE to hear your proposal story in the comments below!!
Alright I’ve seen my share of proposals but that rock climbing one is SO cool!