How to Plan the Perfect Engagement: A Photographer's Guide

Congratulations!

Planning the perfect engagement is a magical experience filled with anticipation, excitement, and love. As a photographer who has had the privilege of being on the other side of the lens and watching these moments happen, I've seen what makes these moments truly special."

In this blog post, I'll share my top tips for planning an unforgettable engagement, from choosing the perfect location to capturing the best photos."

Choosing the Perfect Location

When choosing a location, there are a number of factors to consider. Couple's typically choose a location that holds a special meaning for them. Maybe it's where they first met, their favourite park, or a scenic viewpoint. Look for places with beautiful natural light, stunning backdrops, and minimal crowds to ensure the best photos and a sense of privacy - if that's what you're going for! But if you aren't one to shy away from a more public engagement, there are some amazing locations throughout the United Kingdom that have less privacy but a stunning backdrop.

Timing is Everything

The moment between the couple is the MOST important thing for the engagement, obviously! However, if you want to get those classic golden tones and sun rays in your photos the best times are at golden hour. That's just after sunrise or before sunset and offers the most flattering light for engagement photos. Think about the season and how it affects the location. Spring blooms, autumn leaves, or winter snow can add a different elements to your photographs, so if you're set on a specific type of photoshoot then take the season into account.

Personalising the Moment

Using props or themes can be a great way to not only reflect the couple's personality and story but also to get over the nerves! This could be anything from a picnic setup to a favourite book or other object. You could even plan a surprise element, whether it's friends and family hiding nearby or a special message written in the sand or laid out on the grass using nearby sticks.

The Proposal Itself

Coordinating with your photographer is essential to ensure they're in the right spot to capture the moment discreetly. A candid reaction is priceless and you only get one chance to get it. Consider having a rehearsal of sorts to plan where each person will stand and where the photographer will be positioned to minimise the chance of miscommunication. However this isn't strictly necessary and most couples prefer a more free flowing plan.

How to capture the moment

There are a couple of options when it comes to actually capturing the moment for you to cherish.

Fake photoshoot - You plan a "normal" couple's photoshoot and then instead of it being a normal photoshoot you get down on one knee part way through.

Hidden away - For a more intimate shoot without having a lens anywhere in view, your photographer can hide away and take the images from a distance away.

Surprise proposal - For this option, you set up in a separate location and get a friend or relative to bring your partner to the location at a set time.

Or you can come up with your own plan based on the intricacies of your relationship and the location.

Communication with your photographer on locations is essential to make everything go smoothly, so keep in mind when planning.

Post-Engagement Shoot

After the big moment, and some time to take it all in, take some more photos in a mini-session to capture the whole memory. This is when emotions are high and the couple's joy is most evident. As a photographer I go mainly by super natural poses and let the couple interact while I capture the scene unfolding. Just after an engagement is not the time for forced static posing. Candid shots capture the genuine emotion and excitement of the engagement."

What to Wear

Choose outfits that complement each other and the location. Avoid overly busy patterns, and opt for timeless styles. But don't worry too much, the most important thing is the moment rather than the colour or pattern of your shirt collar. Ensuring you both feel comfortable in what your wearing is the main thing, as this will show in the photos.

Final Tips for a Perfect Engagement

Always have a Plan B for bad weather or unexpected changes. And finally, always remember - Savour the experience. It's about the couple, not the photographer, so make the most out of it! The best photos come from genuine moments of love and joy where you forget there's anyone else there.

Planning the perfect engagement requires attention to detail and a touch of creativity. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating unforgettable memories and in the process have stunning photos to look back on for years to come.

Ready to plan your dream engagement? Contact us today to capture your perfect moment!

Browse our gallery of previous engagement shoots for more inspiration.