A Surprise Proposal in the Colorado Mountains
Not every love story needs a big stage, but every love story deserves to be remembered with the same kind of reverence. Like it was a once-in-a-lifetime scene in a film that makes you cry every time. Because it’s not about the perfect backdrop or even the perfect plan, it’s about the feeling you’ll never be able to explain, the way your stomach flipped out of nowhere, or how your person looked at you like the world had just cracked open and handed them forever. That’s what I want to preserve. That’s what this story is about. And this one? This one hit different. Because it wasn’t just any surprise proposal, it was my best friend’s. And I got to photograph the moment she didn’t see coming, but had been dreaming about for years.
Planning a Surprise Proposal in Colorado: Nadja + Garrison's Story
Nadja and Garrison were on a first anniversary trip to Colorado, just the two of them, no big plans, just time to be together. And somewhere in the middle of all that softness, a forever moment was waiting. They spent their time wandering without a real plan, just following whatever felt good that day. There was this calm in the air, something soft and sacred, and Nadja had no idea her life was about to change forever.
Garrison reached out to me in early April with a plan: he was going to propose, and he wanted it to be a surprise. I immediately said yes (duh), and then looped in our other best friend Erica for backup. Because if we were going to pull this off, we had to go full undercover mode.
Erica and I got there a day early, pretending it was just another girls’ trip, but really, we were on a mission. We wandered through Boulder, half-exploring, half-searching for the place that felt right. And then we found it. The Flatirons stopped us in our tracks. Something about the way the light hit those peaks, the quiet in the air, it just felt like it. This was where it had to happen. To stay incognito, Erica and I committed hard. Hiking gear, hats, a literal map as a prop, because if Nadja saw us from a distance and clocked us, the surprise would be blown. This wasn’t just any shoot. This was our girl’s forever moment.
Colorado Surprise Proposal at the Flatirons
Garrison framed it as a quick sightseeing stop before dinner, a chance to soak in the views and snap a few photos. But we knew. This was the moment. The second we saw him reach for her hands, Erica and I just lost it, full-body chills. Tears already spilling. Our best friend was getting engaged, and we were right there watching it unfold in real time.
Surprise Engagement Photos at Golden Hour
After the shock wore off (kind of), we ran around taking photos under the Colorado sunset, laughing, crying, and spilling every little detail of the chaos it took to pull this off. It was all out in the open now, and it just felt right.
The four of us wandered through the tall grass at the base of the Flatirons, still buzzing from what just happened. There was no pressure to pose, no need for direction—just Nadja and Garrison, fully in the moment. The way they looked at each other, held each other, couldn’t stop smiling… it was pure, unfiltered joy.
That’s what I love most about surprise engagement photos. They’re electric. Nothing is forced, nothing is rehearsed. It’s just love, completely raw and in real time.
How to Do a Surprise Proposal in the Colorado Mountains
Okay, so you’ve decided you want to go big, but quietly. You want that real, heart-racing, knees-shaking kind of moment… without tipping your partner off. Pulling off a surprise proposal (especially in a place as breathtaking as the Colorado mountains) is totally possible, and totally incredible, with the right planning.
Here’s how to make it happen:
1. Scout the Location (or have your photographer do it!)
Colorado is full of stunning spots, but you want something that feels just right, somewhere meaningful and a little bit private. If you're not local, this is where hiring a travel photographer (hi, it’s me!) makes all the difference. We can scout ahead, find that secret overlook or quiet trail, and make sure everything's set up perfectly.
2. Pick a Backstory That Makes Sense
Whether it’s a “hike before dinner” or a “quick sunset photo session,” come up with a low-key plan that doesn’t raise suspicion. Keep it chill and simple. The more natural it feels, the less likely your partner is to see it coming.
3. Loop in Your Photographer Early
If you're wondering how to do a surprise proposal and get it photographed without blowing the cover, your photographer is your secret weapon. I’ve literally pretended to be a tourist, a stranger, even a lost hiker with a map. We'll coordinate timing and cues, along with all the behind-the-scenes details, so you can focus on the moment, not logistics.
4. Timing is Everything
Golden hour (aka that dreamy light just before sunset) is your best friend. Not only is it flattering AF, but it adds this glowy, cinematic vibe to your surprise engagement photos. Trust me, it’s worth planning around.
5. Stay Present in the Moment
You’ve got the plan. You’ve got the ring. Now let it all go. The best part of a surprise proposal isn’t how “perfect” it looks; it’s how it feels. Take a deep breath, look into their eyes, and speak from the heart. Everything else will fall into place.
Why You Should Hire a Travel Photographer for Your Surprise Proposal
I’ve talked about this moment with Nadja for years. I always knew I’d be there when it happened, but to document it? To watch it unfold through my lens and through teary eyes at the same time? That was something else entirely. She means everything to me. And seeing her say yes to someone who loves her the way Garrison does, it was the easiest, most overwhelming kind of joy. They just fit.
If I’ve learned anything from this trip, it’s this: the quiet, in-between moments matter just as much as the big ones. Your love deserves to be photographed not just at its most polished, but in its most honest.
And whether it’s a surprise proposal in the mountains or a full weekend wedding abroad, if it’s meaningful to you, it’s worth documenting like the story it is. If you’re ready to document your love story, reach out, and let me be your travel photographer!
If you’re looking for more inspiration for your engagement photos or wedding, check out a few of my favorite blogs.
Why Your Destination Engagement Photos Should Feel Like a Memory, Not a Photoshoot
How to Make Your Backyard Wedding Feel Like Home