With the recent national legalization of gay marriage occurring last year, Paparazzi Proposals is honored to have been involved with so many LGBT engagements. This June will be a popular time for a lot of happy couples to get engaged, and to celebrate LGBT rights, our romance-obsessed staff put together some of our favorite ideas for surprise proposals during pride.

Of course, these are just to name a few. If you crave further inspiration, make sure to browse through some of our past LGBT surprise proposals.

1. Proposal for Two

Even though there is no wrong or right approach, for those seeking a more intimate proposal, doing it before or in between pride events might be the best idea. Booking a room at a hotel will provide the privacy and seclusion most public spaces (and for some, our own homes) don’t allow. Flare up the romance by decorating it beforehand, or even better, let us do the work for you. Outline the room in rose petals and candles and have a chilled bottle of champagne waiting, to toast the moment your partner says “yes!” Because this moment is meant to be shared between the two of you, and you shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting to keep it that way. Our photos will enable you to then share it with the world, another day.

2. The First

Take it back to where it all began and propose where you went on your first date (hopefully, you still remember it). Other options include your first kiss or if you really want to take it back, propose at the spot where you first met. That’s exactly what Amita did, when she proposed at the corner of Locust and 13th in Philadelphia, nearly eleven years later.

3. Picnic

Feel the warmth of the sun and the cool summer breeze, while indulging in your favorite snacks, with a romantic picnic proposal. June is the perfect time to plan your proposal outside, specially before the intense August heat comes knocking. This idea isn’t just limited to parks, but beaches, rooftops, and gardens. Our talented photographer will be sure to capture all the moments discreetly from a distance. The moments are what matter and the moments are what we’re expert of.

4. Favorite Place

Does your partner have a favorite place- somewhere you’ve never seen them frown or instantly cheers them up? It could be somewhere they appreciate or that is symbolic to them.  Take them to their happy place, but this time, add getting down on one knee to the memories. Julie chose the Lincoln Memorial in Washington to surprise Amy with a proposal. She said the area is very special to them both. And from Amy’s reaction, we think Julie was right. 

5. Stargazing

If you’re not in a big city (or need an excuse to get out of one), stargazing is a movie-like and romantic proposal idea. Find a rooftop or an open field, throw in some champagne and chocolates, and indulge in life’s simple pleasures and the company of your lover (soon-to-be-fiancée). As your partner stares at the sky filled with diamonds, give them one they can keep forever.

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He decided on Franklin Canyon Park as the perfect place to pop the question, and reached out to all of their closest friends and family, all while keeping it a complete surprise for Joe!

When Joe arrived, he walked through the park’s pew-like benches towards where Saxon waited encircled by colorful petals. When Joe reached Saxon, he dropped to one knee, presented him with a gorgeous brushed gold engagement ring and asked, “Will you marry me?”

Joe could barely contain his excitement as he joyfully accepted!

We were touched by this couple’s sweet, romantic proposal.  Paparazzi Proposals knows every great engagement photo has an incredible background story, so we invited the newly engaged pair to share with us how they met and fell in love!

How did you meet?

Saxon: In March 2014, Joe and I met online.  I had noticed a picture of him in front of Angkor Wat, a beautiful ancient stone temple in the heart of Cambodia. I had just returned from visiting Angkor Wat so I recognized it instantly. After the initial online meet up, we decided to meet for real the following day. We ended up getting coffee at Intelligentsia in Silver Lake. It was the first time I have ever met someone online.

What was the first thing that attracted you to one another?

Saxon: So I was absolutely captivated by his maturity and kindness. He just had a presence about him that was unlike anything I have ever previously encountered. Not to mention his dashingly good looks. It wasn’t love at first sight, but more complete and total intrigue. I wanted to learn all I could about this beautiful man.

Joe: Well I’m almost sure it was love at first sight for me. I was attracted to every part of him on that coffee date. He was a mystery and just like what he said, I wanted to learn everything about him.

When did you know that they were the one?

Saxon: Honestly it was pretty early on. We moved in together after only four months of dating. I believe after jumping in, and seeing how compatible we were on a multitude of levels, the logical next step was marriage.

Joe: I knew early on. But I think it was when we moved in together- every day we were together was a confirmation of those feelings.

Why did you choose to propose where you did?

Saxon: For me, Franklin Canyon Park embodies a spiritual connectedness that can only be found outside. I grew up in the outdoors, and the most impactful memories of my life, were surrounded by nature. I knew Joe’s childhood was very similar, with a strong appreciation for the open air. It removes you from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, and presents a moment of tranquility.

Did anyone help you plan the proposal?

Oh my goodness, did they. Without the help of my best friends, my proposal wouldn’t have been what it was. Nils and Erica were integral to the planning process. They graciously gave me the gift of Paparazzi Proposals for our wedding gift, and we are so very grateful for their support and generosity. The plan for me was to fly in Joe’s best friend (Clay) and brother (Scott) to the proposal. Now, organizing this without Joe finding out was an extremely difficult and nerve racking process. Fortunately he was completely surprised, and had no idea. It was the best day of my life.

Where did you purchase the rings?

We bought our rings from Liza Shtromberg. She is a phenomenal jeweler, with a truly open and loving heart. We wanted something unique and elegant. I strongly recommend her to anyone looking for that special token of appreciation. She is simply the best!

View the couple’s full proposal slideshow to see more heartwarming photos from their engagement!

Thinking about planning your own perfect Los Angeles marriage proposal? We’ve got you covered.  Paparazzi Proposals specializes in proposal planning and surprise engagement photography.  We take the stress out of your engagement, matching you with the perfect Los Angeles proposal photographer and working with you to create your picture-perfect proposal plan!

Not in L.A.? No problem. We are in every major city nationwide, so no matter where you are, we’ve got a proposal photographer and engagement plan for you! Contact us today for a free consultation!

The post Saxon and Joe’s Los Angeles Marriage Proposal appeared first on Paparazzi Proposals.

Amita opted for an intimate, personal proposal.  When selecting her proposal location, she decided to take it back to where it all began— the exact spot where the pair met nearly 10 years ago, on the corner of 13th and Locust in Philadelphia.

“I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be the one to propose, given my cultural heritage,” said Amita. “On top of that, as a lesbian, I never thought in our lifetime our union would be recognized legally in the U.S.,” she said.

A Ugandan refugee who fled to the U.S. with her parents over 40 years ago, Amita said she felt she was given a second chance at life and liberty in the U.S.

“To have our union recognized by the United States of America only solidifies the beliefs my parents had about life, liberty, education and religious freedoms when they fled here over 40 years ago,” she added. “So, I guess you could say it’s serendipitous that we met in Philadelphia on the exact corner of where the Supreme Court’s ruling of LGBT marriage equality is marked by rainbow colored crosswalks.”
While the rain drizzled around them, she dropped down to one knee and proposed to Kristen with a custom ring from Goldsmith’s in their hometown of Lambertville, New Jersey, and Kristen joyfully accepted.

How They Met

In October 2005, Amita and Kristen both attended Outfest, a pride event in Philadelphia.

The pair had mutual friends, but had never met before.
Glancing across the bar Amita , she noticed a pretty and unfamiliar blonde chatting with her friends. She was wearing a blue hoodie with her hair swept up into a ponytail.

She played it cool and swaggered up to where Kristen was standing.

“I was getting introductions, when suddenly this hot woman walked into the circle!” Kristen said.

Kristen gave Amita what she calls “my version of a feminine handshake,” to make sure she showcased her sweet and innocent side, but Amita was having none of it.

“‘Can I give you some feedback?’” She said.

Their friends rolled their eyes at the thought of her digressing with ‘corporate’ lingo, but she continued. “I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful you are, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted to meet me, or if I was supposed to bow down and kiss your hand,” she said.

Kristen welcomed Amita’s feedback with a spunky smile, saying that the she was thrilled to make her acquaintance.

Kristen was immediately attracted to her obvious confidence, and Amita was instantly drawn in by Kristen’s beautiful smile and her sense of optimism.

Later in the relationship, she revealed that she knew the instant Amita approached her that she was going to get a formal date out of her.

When They Knew They’d Found ‘The One:’

They fell fast and hard for each other.

Three weeks into the relationship, Kristen told Amita that she loved her.

“It may seem crazy to some people,” she said. “But I just knew.”

Everything about Amita, her passion for life, family and friends, her strong work ethic, her values, all pointed Kristen towards what her heart already knew: she had found The One.

For Amita, she knew for sure when they met again in Philly for a weekend getaway, five months after their initial meeting. She had an overwhelming feeling about Kristen, and their future together. She decided to surprise her with a knot ring from Tiffany’s. When she slipped it onto her finger, she just knew she was in love.

The Proposal

The happy couple solidified a lifelong commitment with their iconic marriage proposal.

Using surprise engagement photography, they were able to capture the sentiment of their engagement. Smiling and embracing, they walked across the rainbow crosswalk that was painted at the intersection where their paths first crossed.  Our photographer discreetly captured each magical moment.  View their photo slideshow, here.

Seeking help planning and capturing your own marriage proposal?  Check out other LGBT marriage proposals we have helped plan and photograph for inspiration.

Ready to commit?  Contact one of our proposal experts for a free proposal planning consultation.

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