9 tips for an Epic surprise proposal Photoshoot in New Zealand

If you're wanting to pull together an incredible surprise proposal photo shoot in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, you've come to the right page. We've been photographing proposals here for years and through planning each one, we've learned a few tips along the way. It's a special moment that is worth capturing, especially if you're planning it in the spectacular backdrop that we have here. Read on for a few pointers that might just help it all go to plan.

Roy’s Peak surprise proposal via helicopter, Wanaka.

Planning your surprise proposal

1. Keep it natural.

If you're wanting to keep everything a secret, you'll want to roll your surprise proposal naturally into your itinerary. If there's a day that feels like there's a lot of special things happening, or the one day that you have exclusively planned when your other half has planned everything else, it might be a give away. Plan your proposal along your already planned travel path, or make it a small detour if that is something you would naturally do together anyway.

2. Location is key.

There's no doubt you'll be overwhelmed with how many possible locations you could propose. There's two main ways we see proposals happen, on the ground, or part of a helicopter tour.

On the ground is where we set a location and time to be. It could be part of a walking trail, or a point of interest. We want to pick somewhere that having someone (me) hanging about taking landscape photos would be normal.

The second popular option here is via helicopter. We'll book a private helicopter flight, but will be sold as a 'scenic flight'. I'll be there, I can also bring a friend along for additional cover. The pilot and crew are also on board and won't give anything away.

Surprise proposal at Hooker Lake walking track, Mt Cook.

3. Throw a decoy in there.

If you think your partner might figure it out, throw a decoy activity in for a day or two before. This might be something special where they may expect a proposal may happen, wine tasting, a nice romantic walk somewhere, another heli flight. You'll know what this might be.

4. Keep it simple.

By keeping the whole plan simple, it means there's less things to go wrong. Check with your photographer on whether they think your idea will work, or will get in the way.

Details from a Tekapo surprise proposal.

5. What happens afterwards?

Once they have said 'yes', we'll often go into a short engagement shoot. Have a think about what your partner might like in preparation for this. Sometime it's just as you are, sometimes they might like a quick make up, hair tie, even an outfit change. What works well if it's suitable is suggesting you're going out for dinner shortly afterwards. Also, talk to us about a complimentary bottle of bubbles to celebrate!

Celebrating on the top of a mountain in Wanaka.

The proposal itself

6. Perfectly imperfect.

There's not really such thing as a perfect surprise proposal, and it will cause you a lot of stress to try and do this. Proposals are very changeable, be it weather conditions, people being in a spot you want to be, a track closure, anything really. We'll deal with it the best we can and make it an amazing plan B. So long as your partner says 'yes', that's what really matters at the end of the day.

7. Hair and sunglasses.

This can be a tricky one, but is worth having in mind. Sunglasses will hide a lot of emotion when you go down on one knee. If there's a way to have your partner remove sunnies, that's a win. Also hair, is there a side that is more open to see their reaction, this might help you choose which side to be on. Also, if there is any wind about, have them face into the wind so hair doesn't blow across their face. We'll move at the last minute to get the best angle possible but there two items always throw a challenge in there.

Perfect form for a heli proposal on the Remarkables, Queenstown.

8. Going down on one knee.

Side on. Side on is the way to do it, spot me, spot the view and put yourself right in between. Then go down on one knee side on to me. And stay there for a bit, enjoy the moment!

9. Don’t forget to take it all in.

This is your moment, and we'll capture it. But also take your time. We'll give you some time shortly afterwards to take it all in and just have some time together. We might be still clicking away quietly in the background, but that time is super important.

Heli proposal on Cecil Peak, Queenstown.

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We hope these tips help you out. If you would chat through having your surprise proposal captured, get in touch!