You’re getting ready to propose! This is such a monumental and exciting moment for you and your partner. As an LGBTQ+ elopement photographer, I wanted to make this guide to help answer your questions and so that you can have the best proposal experience possible!
Let’s dive into how you can plan the perfect proposal, double proposals, and take a behind-the-lens look at Sadie and Eliza’s proposal story.
How to Plan and Execute the Perfect LGBTQ+ Proposal
Here are my top tips on how to plan your perfect proposal:
Discuss it first with your partner
First, always discuss your proposal with your partner to make sure that you are both on the same page in your relationship and that this is the next step you are both ready to take. You can have open conversations about what you both want and even maybe get some insights into how your partner would like to be proposed to.
As an LGBTQ+ couple, this conversation can also involve whether you both want to propose to the other. Double-proposals can be so much fun and it allows you to really celebrate each other individually.
While we all love the stories of two partners surprising each other and proposing at the same time, a double-proposal doesn’t always have to be at the same time. You can each plan a special day that is exactly what your partner wants and create memories that you will never forget!
Decide where to propose
Now that you’ve decided to propose, the next question you need to answer is where you want to get down on one knee. I know that it might feel like a difficult decision, which is why I wanted to give you some potential ideas you could use.
Here’s where you could propose:
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The place where you and your partner had your first date together. You could even recreate your entire first date!
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A significant location for both of you
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On a hike together
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After a home-cooked meal in your home
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Plan a scavenger hunt. I know your relationship has lots of inside jokes and little nuances that only the two of you will understand so you can make this part of a fun scavenger hunt for the two of you based on your relationship. Your scavenger hunt could be either at your home or you could end the scavenger hunt in a location that is meaningful for both of you.
Decide what to wear
Another thing you’ll need to figure out is what you’re both going to be wearing. My advice? Wear whatever feels most authentically you! You and your partner can decide to coordinate outfits or not—there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to what you can and can’t wear to your proposal.
If you are trying to plan a surprise proposal, be sure you don’t give too much away with your outfit requests. If you don’t normally dress up, having them dress up really nice might give things away.
Remember, you don’t need to be someone you’re not. This is your moment and your day so wear whatever you feel most confident in!
Decide if you’re going to include props
Props and decorations can be a meaningful part of your proposal. While props and decor aren’t a necessity, you can always bring sentimental items that are significant to your relationship as part of your proposal.
Practice what you want to say
Don’t skip this step! You will probably be more nervous than you might think right before you propose. If you don’t want to worry about what you’re going to say, or your mind going blank in the moment, spend some time practicing what you’ll say to your partner. Also, decide beforehand what knee you’re going to get down on. You can practice everything together so that you’ll still be ready to ask the question when the time comes, even if you’re nervous.
Hire a photographer
This is a HUGE occasion in you and your partner’s lives and you’ll love having these photos from this moment in your lives to look back on for years and years to come. If you are going to hire a photographer, I would suggest hiring one at least a few weeks before the proposal to discuss logistics and plan together.
Also, your photographer can help you figure out and finalize the details of your proposal since we have been involved with the ins and outs of plenty of them!
Decide if you’re going to include loved ones
Another question you’ll have to answer is if your loved ones will be a part of your proposal. If the answer is no, but you still want to include them, you can always celebrate after the proposal with them.
If you do want to include your loved ones, you’ll need to figure out what role they will play in the proposal. You also need to coordinate everything with them to make sure everyone knows when and where the proposal is happening.
What is a Double Proposal?
A double proposal is when you both decide to propose at the same time. This can happen on the same date at the same location or maybe one of you chooses to propose and then at a later date, the other proposes.
Some other options you can think about if you don’t want to do a double proposal is that you can both independently plan to surprise each other. You can also choose to propose to each other multiple times.
Or if only one of you wants to ask the question, then you can plan your proposal that way – there is no obligation to commit to doing a double proposal. Choose the option that feels the best for you and your relationship!
Sadie and Eliza’s Perfect Proposal and Inspiration Story in Nashville, Tennessee
Sadie and Eliza’s Love Story
Sadie and Eliza met on a dating app, and Sadie was struck by Eliza’s sense of humor and how they can create space for laughter in any situation. Eliza was drawn to Sadie’s aura, peaceful presence, and of course her southern charm.
The two of them are always finding ways to learn from each other, teach each other, and continue to grow together. They spent some time going back and forth on the app for a few weeks before Eliza mustered up the courage to ask Sadie for her number (okay, there may have been some wine and some nudging from a loving friend too).
For their first date, they got together for dinner and then walked around Belmont University to see the Christmas lights. Eliza had to fly home right after their date but did buy two flights back to Nashville, one before New Year’s and one after so she was covered no matter how the date went.
Well, the date went great and Eliza invited her to a New Year’s Eve party and the rest is history!
The Proposal
Sadie and Eliza each had held onto a grandparent’s ring for a few years and they were both waiting for the right season to propose. In the summer of 2024, they decided that it was time to get engaged.
The plan they had set in place was that one of them would organize the logistics of the proposal but they would both bring their rings to the proposal so they could do a double proposal.
Eliza surprised Sadie under the re-purposed scoreboard from the Nashville Sounds baseball team and even though Eliza was the one who planned and initiated the proposal, Sadie also got down on one knee with her for a double proposal, which was so cute!
Eliza chose the re-purposed scoreboard from the Nashville Sounds baseball team as the elopement spot because it perfectly symbolized the city where they had built their life and where they fell in love. After the proposal, they headed over to the brewery that Eliza works for and got to celebrate the night with dear friends! It was the perfect evening!
What comes next…
Now that Sadie and Eliza are engaged they’ve decided to elope. In their own words, here’s why they’ve made this decision:
“Eloping definitely has a different meaning today than it used to. To us, it is not running away to get married secretly in Vegas – but it is prioritizing intention and intimacy in our commitment to each other with our families as witnesses. It felt important to make our actual marriage ceremony focused on our love for those closest to us. Though, we look forward to celebrating with extended family and friends throughout the year! We got engaged in September and knew we didn’t want or need a long engagement after 7 years together. We landed in January to bring light into what can be a dark month and celebrate the winter season in which our relationship started.”
Now You’re Ready to Plan Your Proposal
I hope you found this guide on planning an LGBTQ+ proposal helpful and that it answered some, if not all, of your questions!
And..if you are still looking for a queer elopement photographer to capture your proposal, I’d love to chat! You can look at my services here or head over here to get in touch to discuss how we can get started planning your dream proposal!
