Surprise Proposals
Looking for the best places to propose in San Antonio? Have you considered having a professional capture the moment? You’ve found the right resource for information and what to consider. San Antonio is incredibly beautiful and offers endless possibilities and photography spots when it comes to proposing to your love. This is also a great resource for engagement photo ideas and locations.
Table of contents
Why hire a photographer for your proposal?
How to plan a proposal with a photographer
San Antonio proposal locations
What to wear for your proposal
Pricing
Why hire a photographer for your proposal?
This is one of the biggest decisions of your life!! And one of the most exciting. Having the moment captured by a professional photographer ensures all the smiles, hugs, kisses, tears of joy, and details will be remembered. We always capture the entire story, and all the moments around your proposal, in addition to details that bring the story to life.
Having professional photos is key. Your photos will be perfect for posting to social media, as well as using them for invites, and save-the-date cards. We will also get that gorgeous ring shot. You know everyone will want to see that ring, and you are going to want to show it off once you’re engaged.
Being able to share your proposal photos allows everyone to share in the moment and feel the emotion. There will certainly be family and friends who can't wait to celebrate with you and sharing the photos is a great option especially for those that are out of town. Since we are a prompt driven photography team there will not be any awkward posing allowing the entire session to be candid and real. You definitely want the atmosphere of the moment to show through in the photos.
Planning your proposal with us.
We know you want your proposal to go perfect and we can certainly help you accomplish that. There area a lot of things to consider and we can help you organize and plan so that it goes smoothly and the photos are fantastic. There are two ways to approach the proposal.
1. Candid
During your booking or immediately afterward, we’ll set up a strategy call to discuss all the details, decide on a location, and make a plan. On the day of your proposal, we will be completely available for a phone call or text, and will arrive early to set up, do light tests and capture your proposal from a reasonable distance. We most often take on the appearance of shooting landscapes or architecture in the area, then focus our attention on the both of you as you begin to propose. This plan works best in locations with a known meeting point, such as the LOVE sculpture on the McNay Museum grounds, where photography is common and there is a known spot for the proposal.
2. A photoshoot that turns into a proposal
Let your partner know that you’ve booked a photographer for the date (see reasons listed below*). The session will be presented as a casual shoot just to have fun and document your relationship. After shooting for 5-10 minutes you can put your pre-planned proposal into play, and get down on one knee! This way works really well in lower traffic areas where you may be wanting a more private location. The photos from this plan will be more intimate and with a candid and up close feel.
*Here are some reasons for photoshoots.
Find blank wall space in your house and say you want a photo of you to hang there.
Tell them you want to make a relationship photo yearbook and this shoot will be a good start.
Holiday cards are a great reason for a shoot.
You can gift them (or yourself) a shoot as a birthday present, or any type of present.
If it’s your dating anniversary, a photo shoot is ideal. It’s also very romantic to propose on that day.
Include your family or families, and disguise it as a family photo shoot. Say your parents are organizing it.
Here are a few more tips for a great proposal.
Try to book a manicure for your fiancé the day before, and have friends or family be in on it to make it less suspicious. All to make sure everything is sparkling and spotless in the ring shots.
Keep your pockets empty during the photo shoot and proposal. We will help you out with this if you opt for Plan 2. Our first prompt is for everyone to empty their pockets and put everything in a bag so there are no outlines on pants and clothing.
Prepare and practice what you are going to say. Even if you don’t plan on giving a long speech. Knowing what you are going to say will allow you to feel better, less stressed, and more confident.
Stay on your knee a little bit longer than you feel is normal. This allows us to capture additional angles and move to get both of your reactions.
Generally speaking, the best place to keep the ring is the pocket of your jacket. If you’re not wearing a jacket, look into the Box Sock with a hidden ring pocket. These are dress socks designed for the perfect proposal.
Want to know the best places around San Antonio to propose?
A spot that is special to the two of you
We always like to start off with a spot that is special to you both. We know you might have the ideal location in mind and we are totally game for that. We love the challenge of scouting the location and developing a photography plan that will capture the moment. If you have a location in mind let us know and we will make it happen. If you don’t have a specific location then read on for some great ideas.
McNay Art Museum grounds
Grounds are open for photo shoots for $30 (we cover the fee). No appointment is needed, but we are limited to hours the grounds are open. Hours do vary based on the time of year. There are no facilities for changing, but this usually isn’t a concern for a proposal shoot. The “LOVE” sculpture near the main entrance is an ideal spot to pop the question.
San Antonio Riverwalk
No not the main section with the throngs of tourists, that is definitely not an ideal location. We are talking about the outlying areas with much lower traffic and activity. There are so many options for location that we definitely need to put a complete plan in place, and will likely scout the spot with you before hand.
Confluence Park
This is one of San Antonio’s newest parks and sits along the Mission Reach Rivewalk section. With a unique look and striking architectural design this park draws a lot of attention. If you feel that this park would be a good fit we will need to check for current activities and any events that might be scheduled for the date you have planned.
Sunset Proposal
If sunsets are your thing, and they certainly are ours!! Then a sunset proposal can be the ideal choice. We suggest going with Plan 2 for this option. We will work with you to determine the ideal location, time, and plan so that we capture the most stunning and gorgeous photos of your proposal. Overlook Park at Canyon Lake is an ideal spot for a sunset proposal.
Hot Wells of Bexar County
Hot Wells is an unknown jewel to many in San Antonio. This is a location that is rich with history and offers one of the most unique looks in the San Antonio area. Along the Mission Reach of the Riverwalk, Hot Wells sits waiting to be the backdrop of your proposal. The old structure sits in ruins but it has been recently renovated to an urban look that makes a fantastic atmosphere. The way the evening sun falls across the park is gorgeous and it makes for a photo shoot you will never forget.
Japanese Tea Garden
One of San Antonio's hottest photo spots for couples and families, the Japanese Tea Garden is a favorite for proposals. If you are looking at the Tea Gardens an option then let’s do some planning. This spot, while popular, has a hit-and-miss past due to varying rules regarding photography, and ronnovations that sometimes close the park.
What should I wear for the proposal?
You certainly want to look sharp and dress for the occasion. You and your fiancé will want to be in the same general style and matching in terms of formality of your attire. The time of year can play a role as well, but we always suggest to be comfortable but go a little dressier and more formal than what you might normally.
Formal attire
For men, a well-fitted dark suit with tie and dress shoes presents a very sophisticated and debonaire look. For women, an evening dress and heels definitely fit well. Formal attire is appropriate for many of the locations we have listed, but remember you need to keep your story fitting with the attire otherwise your surprise could be compromised.
Semi-formal attire
For men, this might be a jacket, shirt, dress pants, and stylish shoes. For women, cocktail dresses, or flowy skirts are perfect. Semi-formal attire is great for summer proposals.
Casual
For men, this could be dark jeans and a nicely fitted shirt, and for women, a summer dress or a stylish jumpsuit.
Proposal Package Pricing
Our package goes beyond just capturing your proposal, we help with planning and coordinating to ensure you have a fantastic experience.
The Proposal package is $600 and includes:
1-2 hour photo session on your day. We capture your proposal, couples photos, detail images, ring shots, and any other photos you envision.
One or two strategy calls to plan your proposal perfectly, plus an on-location visit if needed.
Input and tips on locations, date, and time to ensure the lighting is ideal and photos are gorgeous.
We can refer some exceptional coordinators, decorators, or florists for additional help in planning and decor.
Sneak previews are delivered as soon as possible, often same day, for those who want to announce their engagement on social media.
Full online gallery is delivered within 5-7 days, prints and USB is delivered within 10-14 days.