Couples
Planning the Perfect Surprise Proposal
Congratulations! You’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. They’re amazing; you’ve got the ring, and now it’s time to plan your surprise proposal.
But you don’t want it to be just any old proposal – you want it to be epic, unforgettable, and something you’ll look back on fondly for years to come. So how do you make sure your surprise proposal photoshoot is everything you’ve ever dreamed of?
First things first – choose an amazing location.
Queenstown New Zealand ticks all the boxes for romance, activities and incredible landscapes.
Now it’s time to start thinking about how you’re actually going to pull off the proposal itself. This is where things can start to get a little tricky – after all, you want it to be a complete surprise!
One way to make sure your partner doesn’t catch on is by enlisting our help to plan and document the whole thing without being too obvious about it. We will ensure you feel comfortable and will capture the moment perfectly. This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments, so you want to make sure it’s captured just right!
Below are a few tips to help you make sure your proposal photos are absolutely perfect.
How does a surprise proposal work?
First, secure your chosen date by booking a surprise proposal package with us.
Then, decide whether you want to add a helicopter flight or drive to an epic ground location.
Lastly, decide whether you want to keep it a complete surprise or you could tell your partner you’ve booked a “couples photo session”, but keep the proposal part a secret (this is our recommended option if your location is a ground one).
Frequently Asked Questions
What should we wear?
- Smart but casual
- No overly bright colours, keep to neutrals.
- Bring layers as it can be chilly in the mountains here, even in summer.
- Flat shoes for walking on rocks/snow
Pro tip:
If you’re keeping the event a surprise and you haven’t told your loved one you’ve booked a photoshoot at all, it’s a good idea to pretend you’re taking them out to a nice lunch rather than a Heli flight, then they’ll wear something they like. But don’t forget to bring a jacket!
What's the best ground location to propose in Queenstown?
Locations that can be reached via car are another great option for surprise proposals. We have a selection of ideal surprise proposal locations to choose from.
We recommend that you have a rental car whilst visiting Queenstown, that way you can meet your photographer at a specific location (decided between you and the photographer in advance). They will pretend to be a landscape photographer when you arrive before turning the camera on you as you start to propose.
Check out our favourite ground locations here
What’s the best helicopter location to propose in Queenstown?
In our opinion, helicopter proposals are the best way to propose in New Zealand. as they offer privacy and minimal distractions with no risk of someone wandering past while you pop the question. The views will be epic and you’ll have the time of your life while feeling like a rock star during your private helicopter ride. It’s a grand gesture that will remain in your partner’s memory forever!
Heli flights start from $1400
What can we bring on the helicopter?
You can absolutely bring phones and your own camera if you want to snap a couple of selfies as well as a small bag on the helicopter with water, phones, jackets etc
How does a helicopter surprise proposal work?
- You check in for a safety briefing 30 minutes before your flight.
- Your photographer is introduced to you as “marketing” and is to join you on your flight to take promotional shots.
- Your helicopter lands for 45 minutes at your chosen location, the pilot will lead you out to the best spot for photos and leave you to propose.
- Your photographer will be keeping a close eye on the action and will pull out his camera just as you begin your proposal.
Pro tip-
Don’t wait too long, you only have 45 minutes on the mountain so make every moment count! We recommend you begin proposing within 5 minutes of the pilot showing you the “best spot for photos”. Your photographer will be ready
You can absolutely bring phones and your own camera if you want to snap a couple of selfies as well as a small bag on the helicopter with water, phones, jackets etc
What if it’s raining?
Your photographer will message you the night before your proposal and if it looks as though there is a high chance of rain we’ll reschedule your booking for a different time or the day after/before.
We recommend having some flexibility on the day of your booking as well as some time available the day before/after.
We don’t make decisions on the weather any earlier than 24 hours in advance as the forecast is extremely unreliable here in Queenstown and in general, we get very little rain.
How do we pay for our flight?
You can pay via credit card, EFTPOS or cash on the day at the helicopter office. Please note AMAX is not accepted.
Can we add a video?
Yes. We offer video packages for surprise proposals. This is a great way to capture every second of that one-in-a-lifetime experience on video. See our pricing for more details.
Overall, planning a surprise proposal with a New Zealand photographer is a great idea. It can be stressful to plan for such an important moment in your life, but it’s also so much fun.
If you need some help in planning out your proposal or want more tips on how best to execute it, contact us today!