Your Complete Guide to Planning the Perfect Proposal
YOUR DREAm proposal awaits
You are proposing!!! Based out of Murrells Inlet South Carolina, we’ve photographed countless Myrtle Beach engagement sessions. Ohio and Pennsylvania are our two most popular states we see couples from. Weston & Leigha took us from Myrtle Beach to Scio Ohio in April. We started our journey on Wednesday of April ran around downtown Canton and took photos of the city, Ryan, Roland, and myself (Justin)... and of course, I couldn’t resist a few shots of Sabrina (my car).
Anyways now that my tangent is over, back to your proposal. No matter where love takes you, my goal with this guide is simple: to walk you through the what, where, when, and how of planning a proposal that feels true to you.
THE WHAT
Each couple has unique interests that will bring their engagement ideas to life. Your proposal can unfold during a picnic, sunset on the beach, stroll at the park, inside a bar, restaurant, or even at a styled Airbnb.. The point is simple: your proposal can happen anywhere. Let your story and shared interests guide you toward the location that feels most like you. In this guide I will walk you through planning a proposal and what Myrtle Beach has to offer.
Where To Get Engaged
BROOK GREEN GARDENS
In Murrells Inlet, South Carolina lies Brook green gardens. Let me describe Brookgreen Gardens in three words for you: art, immersive, curated. Brookgreen Gardens comes alive with sunlit greens endless roses, flowing fountains.. spots that feel like they were made for moments worth remembering. They offer special events such as the nights of 1000 candles which can be excellent for not only a proposal but also date night. Founded in 1931, Brookgreen gardens is an excellent park to share some of your most cherished memories with.
CONWAY RIVERWALK
Completed in 1993 the Riverwalk has a modern charm to it. Close your eyes and picture the river blues against the wooden boardwalks absolutely glowing at sunset. Toward the end of the walk, a marina, open grass field, and low-hanging trees add variety in the perfect ways. With many different scenes and backdrops, the Riverwalk offers to capture your proposal in a setting that is not only relaxed but timeless.
HIBBEN MEMORIAL PARK
This one is for my beach fans. Hibben Memorial Park in North Myrtle Beach is a hidden gem along the waterfront, where winding paths open to views of the Intracoastal Waterway. At the top of the beach, tall sea oats rise from the dunes. The leaves sway with the breeze given the same golden glow as the sunsets. The park’s palette can be described by soft coastal blues, sandy neutrals, with a pier in the distance offering just the right amount of charm. Hibben packs a wide variety of perspectives into such a small space.
How to Get Engaged
The ring and the location is secured. Now it is time to think about how you will propose.
Do you want your videographer or photographer to be hidden?
Do you want to pop the question in the middle of a shoot?
Do you want a natural setup or flowers, candles, and decor?
Do you want the photos at sunrise, golden hour, or under the night sky?
The Game Plan:
THE SNEAKY PHOTOGRAPHER.
With this method, we’ll plan exactly where you’ll get down on one knee and from which angle I’ll capture the moment. Using my super high-tech map-drawing software, I’ll create a quick illustration showing where I’ll be in relation to you. This approach gives you full flexibility to set the scene beforehand maybe you’re simply watching the sunset at the beach, both relaxed, with no hint of what’s about to happen. Then, in an instant, you turn toward her and drop to one knee. I promise you, the emotions will go from 0 to 100 in seconds.
IN THE MIDDLE OF A SHOOT
You can also propose midway through a shoot. Imagine this.. We are 15 minutes into our photoshoot. The laughs, smiles, and energy are all there. A few poses in, I prompt you to walk away from me and you turn towards her mid walk and get on a knee. Her face lights up, her hands fly to her mouth in surprise, and the emotion is written across every frame.
THE DETAILS:
Is your significant other a flowers person? Do they love the glow of candles, the romance of rose petals, or the sound of live music drifting through the air? Thoughtful touches like these can add another layer of intimacy to your proposal. The emotions will begin the moment your partner notices the setting a trail of petals, flickering candles, or the first notes of a violin; yet nothing will compare to the surprise that follows when you drop to one knee. Think about if this may be something you are interested in and discuss it with your friends, family, and video people if you need advice or opinions!!
THE WHEN:
A sunrise beach engagement is one of the most breathtaking ways to begin your forever. As the sun breaks the horizon, it casts a surreal golden glow across the water that feels like stepping into a dream. The beach is nearly empty; just you, your partner, and the rhythm of the waves. Sunrise proposals take a bit more planning to pull off, but the magical results are always worth it.
Sunset is also one of the best times to propose. The golden hour glow in the hour leading up to sunset is soft and romantic, wrapping everything in warm light. Whether at the beach, in a park or the city, sunset photos have a timeless quality that feels both intimate and inviting. In the peak, the sun sets late so trying to propose in the spring or fall leaves time to go out to dinner and have a wonderful day (and also not sweat like crazy)
Afternoon proposals can still look beautiful, but the lighting is often harsher than sunrise or sunset. Couples sometimes choose this time when there are big plans for the rest of the day and the proposal needs to happen earlier. In that case doing it at a park and not the beach can help greatly in your favor. Places with shade can be your best friend for nice even lighting. With thoughtful planning an afternoon proposal can be just as beautiful.. and give you the whole day to celebrate afterward.
After The Proposal
Once the question has been asked and the “yes” is spoken, we’ll give you a moment to breathe it all in together. This is when we quietly step back, capturing wide shots that let the scene and emotion unfold naturally. Let the moment live — that’s always our approach. From there, we’ll guide you into movement-based shots and lighthearted prompts that bring out genuine joy and laughter. With a sneak peek delivered in 3–4 days and your full gallery in 10–14, you’ll be reliving one of the most cherished moments of your life before you know it.
