A romantic proposal 23rd December 2021 in London
A few days before Christmas I received an email from Joe in Chicago saying he was going to fly into London and was intending to propose to his girlfriend and was I available to photograph this once in a lifetime moment for him as he surprised her by popping the question!
We hatched a plan for him to propose to her at Covent Garden as he wanted a Christmas tree to feature in the photos as they love Christmas and this was the first time in London for both of them. On the day of the proposal he sent me a couple of photos of them that morning so I knew what they were wearing and could recognise them. Once they had arrived in Covent Garden he messaged to say they were there and after a few minutes of walking around myself and my assistant, Kristina spotted them. We held back and followed them at a distance as they perused the shops and Christmas market and then they settled down for a coffee in an open-air coffee shop.
They then watched one of the many street performers that are often in the square outside the church at Covent Garden. He then walked towards the tree and turned to her and started to hold her tight and talk to her before dropping to one knee and presenting her with the most beautiful engagement ring! As it was Christmas, Covent Garden was very busy and many people witnessed what was happening and when she said yes they were all clapping and shouting congratulations to London’s most newly engaged couple!
After a brief stop at a Champagne bar nearby where I got some beautiful photos from outside shooting through the window into the warm light of the gorgeous interior with them sharing a bottle of champagne and discussing who and how they were going to tell their family and friends back home in the USA first.
We then made our way to Oxford Street and took some photos of them with the Christmas Lights before they went to The Hotel Cafe Royal for afternoon tea and to facetime family back home and tell them that Joe had proposed!
I have photographed many weddings at the Hotel Cafe Royal over the years and the staff were very accommodating and let us use The Pompadour Ballroom. The Grade II listed room and its original, ornate detailing have been sensitively restored to create a grand space for celebrations. The Louis XVI style room is a dramatic location and ideal for a few photos by the Christmas tree.
We then ventured up the road to New Bond St which has the most amazing Christmas decorations on all of the designer shops and the most famous Christmas storefront is Cartier with the entire shopfront wrapped in a giant red bow!
We then walked to Claridge’s, where they were staying for the duration of their time in London and then we finished the proposal photoshoot with a visit to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
I wish them both all the best for the future and it was a pleasure to be their proposal photographer in London at Christmas.
Planning a Christmas proposal in London
Joe’s proposal worked because we planned the parts that could go wrong and left the rest to happen. If you’re thinking of doing the same this December, this is what I’d tell you.
Pick the tree, then the time
Covent Garden, the lights on Regent Street and Bond Street, and the hotel lobbies in Mayfair are at their best from mid-November to early January. They’re also busy. The crowd helps me stay out of sight, but you want some space in front of you for the moment itself, so go early in the day or later in the evening.
Tell me what you’re both wearing
Joe sent me a photo that morning. In a Christmas crowd it’s the only reliable way to find two people.
Have a plan for afterwards
A champagne bar, afternoon tea, a walk through the lights. Joe and his new fiancée went from Covent Garden to Hotel Café Royal and on to Claridge’s, and a lot of the best photographs came after the yes, not before it.
Book early
December fills up quickly, with Christmas parties and winter weddings as well as proposals. If you know the date, email me now.
Prices start at £350, and everything else, including how I stay hidden, is on my proposal photography in London page. Already engaged? Pre wedding photography in London works beautifully under the Christmas lights too.
