Secret & surprise proposal photography in Eryri (Snowdonia) - one of the UK's last remaining true wildernesses!
Plan the perfect outdoor wedding proposal in WalesProposal Photographer & Planner in North Wales
Hey there! I’m Babs – and I’m already super excited for you!
Planning a proposal is almost like going on a thrilling journey full of anticipation, love, creativity, and a touch of nervousness. It’s a unique time in your life when you think about putting together a memorable experience for your partner that sums up the depth of your feelings and also the dreams you share for the future. If you’re here because a dreamy location is key to your surprise proposal plans and you want to walk away with beautiful memories and precious photographs from a day you won’t ever forget…
I’m here to help.
Just imagine the epic photos & memories you’ll take home!
I’m based right in the heart of North Wales and know all the best places to turn your proposal into a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Wales is undoubtedly one of the most romantic places to propose in the world so whether you’ve always fancied proposing on top of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), prefer a beautiful beach proposal along the Llyn Peninsula at sunrise, or dream of a super exciting twilight proposal overlooking South Stack on Anglesey – having stunning photographs of your perfect wedding proposal in Snowdonia is the biggest gift you can give one another!
Snowdonia will be the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable proposal experience here.
“Could not recommend Babs enough! She helped me plan my proposal with a lot of care and attention to detail. I proposed to my girlfriend in North Wales and since I’m not a local, Babs suggested a great spot to me with the most amazing views and listened entirely to what I wanted to do. If anyone is looking for a photographer for a proposal, you really can’t go wrong with Babs!”
Why do you need a proposal planner or photographer?
I fully understand that deciding whether or not to document your proposal through photography is such a personal choice. Some prefer the intimacy of a moment shared without the eyes of the world, while others appreciate the ability to look back on and share this significant milestone for years to come. Imagine how precious these moments (and photos!) will one day become if you can share them with your children & grandchildren!
If you do decide to have this milestone moment captured, you’ll need to consider how to do so in a way that preserves the authenticity and emotion of the proposal. Planning a proposal can be pretty stressful, and worrying about capturing the moment perfectly while fiddling about with your phone or similar adds another layer of pressure. By hiring a secret proposal photographer, you can focus on the moment itself, knowing that the photography is in capable hands.
What to consider when planning an outdoor proposal
Consider these 5 key factors when planning an outdoor proposal:
1) Weather: Wales is known for its unpredictable weather, always expect rain, strong winds, or other adverse weather conditions.
2) Location: Popular tourist spots can be crowded, especially in peak season. If looking for intimacy, opt for lesser-known locations or plan for quieter times of the day.
3) Timing: Sunrise or sunset offers the prettiest light but consider the pressure you’re putting yourself in if the forecast is not as good as you’d hoped.
4) Personal touches: Incorporate elements that are meaningful to you both & your relationship, that can be a specific flower, a piece of music, or a memento from your time together.
5) What to do after the proposal: Think about how you’ll celebrate immediately after they say yes—whether it’s popping open a bottle of champagne, having a picnic, or having a dinner reservation nearby.
Did you know that the average time spent on planning a proposal is 4 months and involves finding the perfect location, asking for Dad’s permission, deciding which ring to go for and what to say? The stakes are high! On proposal day you’ll probably feel super excited and a tad nervous. That’s pretty normal!
How to plan an outdoor proposal in Wales
If you love Eryri (Snowdonia), are outdoorsy, finally found The One you just can’t think of spending the rest of your life with and are dreaming about a wildly romantic once-in-a-lifetime engagement experience – I’m here to tell you everything you need to know about how to plan an outdoor proposal here.
Being active and spending time outdoors has definitely become much trendier in recent years and an increasing number of couples are choosing picturesque locations for an epic outdoor proposal. Eryri (Snowdonia), with its rugged charm and breathtaking beauty, has an abundance of romantic spots that are perfect for epic outdoor proposal photographs if you want to propose somewhere wildly romantic and outdoors in Wales. No idea where to start? I’m a professional wedding & elopement photographer based in North Wales and have helped numerous couples just like you plan and photograph a once-in-a-lifetime proposal in Wales. Here are some outdoor proposal ideas that might inspire you.
Plan a picnic for an outdoor proposal
What could be better than a picnic in one of your absolute favourite spots? If you’re thinking of turning your proposal into a fun weekend, whisk your favourite human away for a romantic picnic on a beach or your favourite mountain on a Friday afternoon then spend the rest of the weekend making new memories. Take them on a super romantic retreat for two for a spot of relaxation and don’t forget to check what weather you can expect for an unforgettable romantic getaway. Your picnic proposal could be anything from simply bringing a blanket and nibbling on a few sandwiches to super adventurous by (safely!) cooking a proposal meal on a gas stove. Champagne or coffee – the choice is yours!
What to pack for a romantic picnic proposal
Pack a pretty basket, and a cozy blanket (preferably waterproof, the weather in Wales can be pretty temperamental…..). If you’re not sure what foods to pack, there is the option to buy a ready-made picnic hamper, have it delivered to a third person if you don’t want your surprise to be spoilt. Don’t forget that for maximum impact – location is key! I’m happy to suggest a spot that is secluded but has breathtaking views. As much as Snowdon was the perfect choice for Lou & Anna’s surprise proposal – things can get rather crowded on Britain’s busiest mountain on a sunny summer’s day.
Keep it light and fresh with fruit and cupcakes, personalised cakes could even help you pop the question if you ask a local baker to personalise them with a sweet Will you Marry Me message. Snowdonia has so many remote and breathtakingly romantic summits on offer which are perfect for a dreamy sunset proposal! If a secluded little lake takes your fancy – there are many that can be easily accessed and haven’t been discovered by the masses yet. It’s definitely worth doing some research if you want your proposal to go down as the most romantic proposal in history.
The way to your lover’s heart is through the stomach. I may be stating the obvious here but to make sure you get to hear a big fat YES – spoil your lover with their favourite foods! Add a few of your daily fives like grapes or strawberries to playfully feed each other with (cheesy but fun!) or share a Boil in the Bag camping meal. No longer just involving spooning cold beans out of a tin, camping food has come a long way and now even includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free ranges. Fancy! Impress your Other Half by cooking up a storm on one of these nifty lightweight stoves then reap the rewards! Need more inspo? Check out some of these creative proposals over on Pinterest.
Take your lover to your special place
Maybe you already have a special spot in mind, somewhere you’ve shared an adventure together or even had your first kiss. Turn it into an even more memorable place by bringing that famous little box, then pull out the ring and try to control your nerves while you bend down on one knee and propose. By the way – ever wondered where this tradition stems from? Research suggests that it dates back to medieval times, when there were plenty of knights around and couples engaged in proper courtships. As a mark of respect to their lord, knights would get down on one knee so when a gentleman wanted to show his undying love for his lady it just seemed natural to do the same.
“Dw i isho treulio gweddill fy mywyd efo chdi.”
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Sunrise or sunset proposal
Your proposal could bring you to Wales if you’re exploring our beautiful little country on a backpacking adventure or maybe you always watch the sunset from the deck of your cozy Snowdonia cabin or viewpoint. Sunrises & sunsets are romantic at any time of the year and always provide the perfect backdrop for a proposal. They do require a little bit of planning though as you don’t want to get to your perfect spot only to find there’s no sunset…. Get yourself a smart little App like Photopills and don’t forget to check the forecast regularly. Not entirely sure if you can see the sunset from your chosen spot? Check SunCurves – it lets you get actual times for sunrise and sunset for any day of the year for any location worldwide, how cool’s that?! And if you feel that sunset may be a no-show – carry on regardless or fall back on Plan B. One more for the outdoor proposal checklist: always have a Plan B…
If sunrise tickles your fancy – you may have to get a little creative with your reason for the super early wake-up call. But it sure is going to be epic & magical.
Adventure proposal in Wales
What are your favourite activities? Do you enjoy kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking or skiing/snowboarding together? Make it a day to remember – start out by watching the sunrise together and get a hearty breakfast. Spend the morning kayaking and plan a hike for the afternoon. Take a picnic with you and stay on the mountain until sunset to pop the question. Is there anything more romantic?
If you want to push the boat out on a super adventure – how about a private helicopter tour of Snowdonia? Or how do you fancy proposing on a private hot air balloon ride in Wales? If your other half is as adventurous as you can even propose on the world’s fastest zip line.
Real proposals in Wales
Snowdon mountain-top proposal
Proposal near the Mawddach Estuary
Romantic proposal in the Clwydian range
How does secret proposal photography work?
Step 1
Simply send me an enquiry with a basic outline of what you have in mind and a preferred location (if you already have one) to start off with. I fully appreciate that you must be super excited and so I will try my absolute best to get back to you within 24 hours. I will always wait for you to make the first move and will never use the words wedding or secret proposal photography in the subject line of an email. I’m happy to wait for you to contact me whenever it is convenient for you rather than me popping up unexpectedly. We definitely don’t want to spoil the surprise :)
Step 2
We will finalise all the details of your proposal via email, phone & WhatsApp. You may not be entirely sure that what you have in mind will actually work. I am happy to run a few ideas by you but ultimately the final decision is all yours. Proposing is a super exciting time in your life and I wish I could but unfortunately I can’t control the Welsh weather. That’s why I’m happy to keep a few possible dates aside for you and wait right up until the very last moment (ie. the evening before your proposal!) to confirm things if need be. Complete peace of mind!
Step 3
Once we have agreed on the date and time of your proposal, let’s keep an eye on the weather! On proposal day I do usually arrive early; if you prefer a paparazzi-style proposal we will work out a secret signal & I will engage in a bit of eye contact with you from a distance but you probably won’t see me at all after that. Alternatively, I can capture the actual proposal from a distance before approaching you both for a few natural shots & close-ups of the ring! It’s always an absolute privilege to capture those inital super raw & incredibly happy moments!
Step 4
Of course – you’ll want to shout your happy news from the rooftops and show off your incredible proposal photographs to friends & families as soon as you possibly can! I always aim to deliver your full gallery that same day; if, for whatever reason, I am unable to do so you will at least receive up to 3 images on proposal day. The rest will follow in an online gallery the following day. You can easily download & share all of your beautiful images directly from the secure gallery and you are not obligated to buy any prints off me. Although – you can if you want to :)
Book in below or shoot me a message via WhatsApp and ask me anything you need to know! I’m more than happy to help you plan a once in a lifetime experience!
start planning your surprise snowdonia proposal
INSTAGRAM @babsboardwellphotography