Loading...

5 Steps To Pull Off The Ultimate Surprise Proposal

August 18, 2022 | kailey
surprise proposal

Image by Lauren Casino.

Deciding to ask the love of your life to marry you is the easy part. Planning an epic surprise proposal worthy of your love? A little more challenging. From hiring a photographer to deciding on a location, there are so many moving parts to consider. 

If you’ve been searching the internet for tips on how to pull off the ultimate surprise proposal, you’re in luck, because we’ve rounded up five ways to pull off an unexpected proposal that your significant other won’t see coming. 

Tips For Planning A Surprise Proposal 

Before kick-starting your proposal planning, here are some Junebug-approved tips you should keep in mind. 

  • Determine if you want a public or private proposal 
  • Always have a backup plan 
  • Be selective of who you share the plans with before the proposal—this is key to keeping it a secret 
  • Do a practice walk-through with your photographer ahead of time to ensure everyone is on the same page 
  • Bring a touch-up kit for your significant other to freshen up before your after-proposal-portraits 

1. Go Ring Shopping

Proposing with an engagement ring isn’t necessary and definitely isn’t for everyone. But if you want to incorporate this traditional element into your proposal, you’ll want to start by hunting down the perfect ring. Maybe you’re using a meaningful family heirloom. Maybe your significant other has been hinting at their dream ring, so you know exactly what to scoop up—ideal for a surprise proposal. 

If you have no idea what style to get, don’t fret. Going ring shopping with your significant other won’t ruin your chances of a surprise proposal. In fact, doing so gives you a good sense of what they like and their sizing.

2. Hire A Trusted Photographer 

Before sorting out any concrete details, hire a trusted photographer. These industry pros know what they’re talking about and are a must-have tool for pulling off a smooth surprise proposal. They’ll be a helpful resource for all moving parts–especially when it comes to picking out a location. 

Plus, hiring a professional photographer will help put your mind at ease. You don’t have to worry about sorting logistics, capturing the special moment, and proposing. All you have to worry about is location and popping the question. Your photographer will take care of the rest.  

3. Secure A Location And Backup Plan 

Every detail of your proposal should be tailored to your love story. This includes your location. Brainstorm location ideas that are sentimental and meaningful to you and your significant other. Was your first date at the beach? Pop the question where your sandy love story kicked off. Do you spend every weekend walking your dog at the local park? That’s the perfect spot for a surprise proposal. 

Spending time really thinking about your engagement spot will make your proposal that much more special. If you’re stumped, talk to your photographer for inspiration. They know exactly where you should be to get the perfect shot. 

Junebug Tip:

Always have a backup plan. Sure, you’re hoping that your proposal runs smoothly, but make sure your plans are flexible enough to continue even if you hit a little speed bump. 

Image by The Ferros.

4. Pick The Day And Time 

You have your photographer and your location. Now it’s time to work out the day and time. This may just be the most difficult detail to sort out. You have to consider your photographer’s availability, transportation to your location, and your significant other’s schedule. To say there’s a lot to think about would be an understatement. This is a good place to start recruiting the help of family and friends—but only the ones that can keep a secret, of course. 

5. Get Creative With Your Proposal 

Now that the behind-the-scenes logistics are all taken care of, it’s time to get to the fun part. You finally get to tap into your creativity and plan all the little details that’ll make your proposal one for the books. You could plan a picnic,  scavenger hunt, or party with all of your favorite people—the possibilities are endless. 

If you’re in need of more unique ideas to help kickstart your planning, check out these proposal ideas that are as sweet as they are creative

You’ve officially pulled off the ultimate surprise proposal, congrats! Now it’s time to celebrate with an epic engagement party. If you’re ready for champagne and a whole lot of congratulating, here’s everything you need to know about pulling off an engagement party worthy of celebrating your love.

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

A Paphos Elopement Complete With A Beach Picnic

August 18, 2022 | justine

Endless ocean views, a mysterious rocky landscape, and a beautiful golden sunset—Georgia and Collin’s Paphos elopement setting was truly magical. With the help of their planner Elizabeth Anne, the couple let their hearts run free with a dreamy, intimate celebration captured by The Duo Photography

Set amongst ancient church ruins under a stone arch, the pair exchanged handwritten vows. After tying the knot, the gorgeous couple took to the cliffs. At the edge of the sea caves overlooking the rolling ocean waves, their picnic-for-two featured sunset-hued florals and rustic boho accents. Unafraid to have a bit of fun, they ended the day with a champagne shower and a cake smash.

If you and your partner are dreaming of jet setting to a stunning location for a once-in-a-lifetime elopement adventure, take a scroll through these breathtaking photos. You’ll surely be inspired by this two-person affair full of love, laughter, and epic views.

The Couple:

Georgia and Collin

The Wedding:

Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church, Paphos

Their Paphos Elopement Was All About The Two Of Them

We had so many personal moments throughout this with our vows we wrote to each other and moments getting ready together. It’s a day I’ll truly cherish. Our advice, your day is all about you, so do what your heart tells you and have fun with it. The planning can be stressful, but it’s all worth it in the end.

An Unforgettable Paphos Elopement Beach Picnic

It was all very memorable, but the beach picnic by the sea caves at sunset was a dream. Having a moment out there to dance with each other, drink champagne, and share cake, was exactly what we had hoped for.

Fun Moments Included A Cake Smash

We loved the cake fight and getting it all caught on camera. I’ve always known my husband wanted to shove cake in my face on the wedding day, so I ran with it. We made sure the cake was the last thing we did, so we both got what we wanted.

They Wanted The Fun Vibe Captured On Camera

We wanted to have fun and capture it in beautiful photos. So it was important to get a planner and photographer that vibed well with us and what we were going for. The Duo Photography was amazing, and they exceeded our expectations. They made us feel super comfortable, and we had so much fun with them. They knew some amazing poses for when we didn’t quite know what to do, and they were able to capture some really fun, natural moments. They also took some amazing drone shots, which was perfect considering our breathtaking location.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – The Duo Photography
Event Planning – Weddings by Elizabeth Anne
Ceremony Venue – Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church
Floral Design – Island Rose Cyprus
Cake – Love Island Cakes
Hair + Makeup Artist – Cyprus Brides to Be
Wedding Dress – GALA Montenapoleone
Rings – You & Me Wedding Ring Shop

 

Congratulations to Georgia and Collin on their incredible Paphos elopement. And big thanks to The Duo Photography for capturing all the moments that made their big day unforgettable, special, and shows couples that there is no one-size-fits-all wedding. 

With  no one formula for planning an elopement, it’s the perfect opportunity to make your own traditions. The beauty of eloping is that every moment is about you and your partner. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to creating an elopement worthy of your love

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

Rustic Chic Wyresdale Park Wedding

August 17, 2022 | justine

Robyn and Jodie wanted to host a memorable big day that’s true to them–boasting all the fun and beautiful details without the constraints of a traditional wedding. With a charming barn venue, wild floral arrangements in a neutral color palette, and complementing chic bridal attire, their Wyresdale Park wedding had an ethereal yet modern vibe. And since the couple wanted to fill their big day with lots of thoughtful and personal touches, they decided to forego hiring a planner and took on the wedding planning themselves.

Their special day took place across different barns of the historic estate. The pair exchanged emotional vows at the Ceremony Barn, featuring hanging greenery and a candle-lined aisle. After the two tied the knot, they headed to the White Barn for their reception. Foraged greenery, feathery accents, and fairy lights transformed the space, giving it a romantic and whimsical feel. And as a perfect way to end the day, they danced the night away at the Party Barn.

From the adorable way they included their flower grannies in the ceremony to the drag queen performance at their reception, their big day was all about everything and everyone they loved. If you’re looking for unconventional wedding inspo or you love the idea of incorporating subtle rustic elements, you’re going to want to see these stunning images captured by Emily Robinson Photography.

The Couple:

Jodie and Robyn

The Wedding:

Wyresdale Park, Lancashire, United Kingdom

Personalizing Their Wyresdale Park Wedding Ceremony Through Decor, Writing Their Vows, And Including Their Loved Ones

The ceremony was certainly the most memorable and special part of the day. We both didn’t expect much from the ceremony and were looking forward to everything after that. However, it was magical. The room was perfectly stunning–decorated with dried flowers and greenery–and full of love from our family and friends. We also wrote our own vows and found this much more meaningful. We had two of our bridesmaids write a personalized reading in the form of a sentimental poem. We even danced back up the aisle with our friends and family following.

Giving Their Grandmothers Special Roles As Flower Grannies

Instead of having flower girls, we had our beautiful grandmas. Flower grannies were something we had come across on social media and thought it was a really special touch. They all loved it and have recently found fame on TikTok with over two million views! 

Personalized Wedding Favors For Both Their Adult And Young Guests

We gave our guests personalized shots of Limoncello along with s’mores for the fire in the evening. Both of these we made ourselves with a bit of help from the bridesmaids. For the children that came to the wedding, we ordered activity boxes off Etsy, which kept them occupied throughout the wedding breakfast.

DIY Confetti Packs And Wine Bottle Seating Chart

We DIY’d a lot ourselves. Not only did it save money, but it meant we put our own touch on the day. We made the confetti packs ourselves, putting dried flowers into biodegradable packs and personalized stickers. For our seating plan, we collected empty wine bottles, stuck labels on the front, and put dried flowers in them to fit the theme.

Their Photographer Was Their Cheerleader And Support System

We didn’t realize how important it would be to make sure you pick the right photographer to capture the day. Emily was fantastic from the minute we started speaking to her. She made it very easy on the day with her creative and fun direction. Emily didn’t miss one memorable moment. This was probably harder for her, given we are two brides! She also helped make the day run as smoothly as possible while always reassuring us that this was our day, so don’t worry about timings.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Emily Robinson Photography
Ceremony Venue – Wyresdale Park
Floral Design – Bluebells & Daisies
Catering – Striped Kitchen
Drag Queen – Marie La Rae
DJ – Ryan Smith
Videography – Everwood Films
Makeup Artist – Tia Barrea
Hair Styling – Heir Salon

 

Congratulations to Robyn and Jodie on their rustic chic Wyresdale Park wedding. And big thanks to Emily Robinson Photography for capturing every detail and moment that made their celebration one for the books!

There are so many ways to make your wedding even more meaningful. If you’re searching for inspiration, check out our guide to planning a unique wedding or our list of unique ideas. Don’t be afraid to add creative and personal touches to your wedding. It is your and your partner’s big day, after all.

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings