The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the most scenic and beautiful locations – and picture perfect for a surprise spring proposal at Roozengaarde. Wandering the gardens during this Pacific Northwest tulip festival is nothing short of magical. Every year, acres of fields and gardens are covered in a kaleidoscope of the most colorful blooms in a rainbow of hues. I always love taking time to drive there and walk around. Any visit to Roozengaarde is be special and memorable. A surprise proposal here is truly unforgettable!

Selecting the Proposal Location:

I started talking to Walter way back in November as he was beginning to put his proposal plans into motion. He was designing and ordering the custom ring, considering locations, and looking for the perfect photographer for this incredible moment. Over the following months, we connected several times to consider different ideas. What we were looking for:

• A place that the couple could visit while dressed up
• Somewhere unique to Washington
• Mountain views
• Beautiful light
• Gorgeous scenery

Walter and Melissa had been wanting to plan a special visit to the PNW for a long time. So, as a holiday gift, he gave her a vacation to Washington. Melissa was told that they would be connecting with some friends at the tulip festival and spending the day with them.

Planning Surprise Proposal Details:

There are a lot of small details that go into planning a surprise proposal! And it’s important to think through them ahead of time so that the moment happens just the way you’ve dreamed.

• Plan a phone call or video call a day or two before the proposal to go over any last minute details.
• Decide on a signal – This will be something your photographer can see you do that shows you are ready to pop the question. That gives them time to get in position and get ready for showtime!
• Finalize the cover story – What will you tell your partner about where you are going, why, and when.
• Will your photographer be hidden or part of the cover story?
• How will you handle photographer bills and communication so your partner isn’t tipped off?
• Share your locations – Both you and your photographer should share your locations on the day of the proposal.
• Send a current photo to your photographer – If your photographer will be a surprise, they will need to know what you and your partner look like.
• Ask your photographer what their cover story will be – If your photographer will be a surprise, they will want to have a cover story themselves. The perfect cover will depend a lot on the location. Often, I will bring an assistant along to make myself less noticeable as a photographer. That way I can have my camera out taking photos of my assistant. This also allows me to check lighting at the same time.

The Proposal:

Walter did an amazing job of making sure every detail would be picture perfect for his proposal to Melissa. Tickets were purchased ahead of time and we planned to visit Roozengaarde in the morning to avoid crowds. I would have an assistant along with me to look like I was photographing high school senior portraits. We shared our locations so I knew exactly where they would be, and waited for the signal as I adjusted for lighting. And the moment was perfect! While I captured every second on my camera, my assistant took some short phone videos to send to the couple. It was wonderful to see all of the careful planning pay off in a beautiful and emotional event.

Engagement Photos After the Proposal:

Right after a proposal, I like to step aside to give the couple just a couple of private moments. Then we dive into some fun engagement photos! I love this part. The couple are happy, emotional, excited, and bubbling over with joy. Pictures from these sessions reflect it all. Posing is never stiff, and I guide the couple through more movement and candid photos for a relaxed and natural look. Walter and Melissa had a great time wandering through the gardens and fields while we captured some gorgeous images.

Investing in a Proposal Photographer:

Investing in a high quality proposal photographer is an amazing way to guarantee you will have beautiful pictures to treasure for a lifetime. Not only will you capture the exact moment and emotion of the proposal, but you will have a gallery full of engagement photos to enjoy as well. I love Walter and Melissa’s stunning gallery of proposal and engagement photos. I had such a fun time helping Walter pull off his plans and getting to know these two. They are such a special couple and I know they will have a happy future together.

Thanks for reading!

Warmly, Janelle