Hiking Surprise Proposal Guide

6 Tips for How to Have an Adventurous Hiking Surprise Proposal

When you’re gearing up to create that once in a lifetime moment, the one where you ask your favorite person to marry you, we know you have a LOT going through your mind. We are here to break down our six tips for how to have an adventurous hiking surprise proposal. 

1. Reach out 

Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me. Only if you want the most epic adventure hiking proposal of all time. We’ve been there a time or two before and are ready to answer questions you have such as “where’s a good place?”, “how do I make the pictures turn out great?”, “how do I make sure they don’t catch me in the act?”

We are here to be your bestie every step of the way. We understand that you want this to be perfect and the best adventure yet. So, we are here to learn your vision and make it a reality from beginning to end. Pssst – we have already scouted the best west coast elopement locations. We are also up for the challenge of scouting the best east coast elopements! 

2. Choosing your location

First, you need to decide what kind of backdrop you’re looking for- beach, mountains, rivers, desert, cliffs, or canyons. What speaks to you? Maybe one location already has a special chapter in your love story that you want to pay homage to. Maybe you are ready to create an entirely new adventure together and go somewhere you’ve never been. 

Want some inspiration? Check out our surprise proposal on a mountaintop at Mt. Aeneas. We also journeyed to one of the top mountain elopement locations, Avalanche Lake at Glacier National park. Consider us your location matchmakers. 

Second, when selecting your hiking surprise proposal you need to consider the difficulty of the hike. How far do you and your honey usually hike for? How do you do with elevation? It’s important that the hike is safe for both of your levels, and that you are also comfortable with it. The proposal hike typically will not be your Mount Everest hike. The proposal should be an enjoyable time together. While we want the hikers high of feeling good and unstoppable at the end, we don’t want you to reach the end gasping for breath. Makes it harder to pull out a ring and profess your love.

Third, the adventurous hiking surprise proposal should have a certain degree of seclusion. We recommend staying away from the overly popular hikes. The hikes where there is someone else on the trail with you puts a damper on the romantic proposal. The best spots are what we like to refer to as the hidden gems – kind of like that one in your pocket!

We are happy to help point you in the right direction for a location that fits your needs.With our location scouting sheet we have great hikes for surprise proposals. We also love a good adventure so bring your own ideas and we can make it happen! Your future fiance will thank you.

3. Choosing the time of day

Sunrise or sunset? Most of the adventurous hiking surprise proposals happen in the morning. This gives you the whole day together and beats the heat. The downfall is that earlier mornings  typically mean it’s rather brisk. Grab the bug spray and an extra coat! Those evening hikes are also a great option, but you’ll need to bring a headlamp for the way down. You don’t want to freeze or overly sweat, so the time of day helps determine your hiking outfit. We will get to adding in other outfits down the list! Just like needing the hike itself to be comfortable enough, you also need to be comfortable. 

You can also pair the hike with an activity. We are all about maximizing your best day ever! We recommend a two day elopement, and a full day proposal. Start the morning with a cup of coffee at a new to you bakery, end the day with chocolates at the bottom of the hill. A hiking proposal should also be a  romantic proposal.

4. Stealth Mode

The most important part of the surprise proposal is making sure it stays a surprise! We ask that you send us a selfie so that we know what we are looking for. We also appreciate a photo or description of your backpacks, coats, hats, basically any gear that you’re going to have to help identify you. It would be a little creepy if we were low key stalking the wrong couple!

Stealth mode isn’t just the proposal moment, it’s about what you do leading up to it. How do you plan a perfect hike with a type A partner that wants to take charge? How do you stop the ring from bulging in your hiking pants? We are here to help you answer all of those questions!

5. THE PROPOSAL

In addition to the hike, the location of the proposal spot matters. If you’re wondering “how do I propose?” check out our glacier proposal at mcdonald creek. This has the premier get-down-your-knee spot on rocks, with the roaring creek in the background. Let’s identify your unique proposal spot! This is usually on rocks, on top of a bridge, at the peak of a mountain, something big and outstanding – like your proposal!

While your job is to say those golden words, “will you marry me?” and anything else you’ve thought of, the photographer’s job is allllll about the angles. We will get a side view, essentially a profile view, of the two of you and then the reaction from the person being proposed to. Yes, that oh-my-gosh gasp! face will be captured to hang on your wall for years to come. We will be far enough away that you can really have your moment without even noticing us. This is all about you and your soon to be fiance! We are here to hide in the bushes for your adventurous hiking surprise proposal and possibly shed a tear as you ask your partner if they want to be yours forever.

6. Engagement Session

Along with the proposal photos, we offer an engagement session. Typically, this is three hours of you and your fiance exploring, having those euphoric moments together. We will pack up and bring a bottle of champagne on your behalf so you can pop that bubbly and enjoy!

Another feature of the engagement session is an outfit change. We will ask you, the proposer, if you want to send some of your partner’s clothes, shoes, hair brush, whatever you think they would want for this moment. If this seems daunting to you, don’t worry, we can help guide you through both the selection and keeping your stealth mode activated!

If you are feeling extra daring (and the location calls for it!), let’s make this a true adventure session. Bring clothes you are comfortable getting wet and dive into a lake! Frolick into waves! Chase those waterfalls! Let loose and soak in every ounce of your happiness. 

If you’re ready to create your own adventurous hiking surprise proposal, let’s get to it! We are here to help you plan the ultimate surprise for your nature loving, adventure seeking, totally rad partner! Let’s blow it out of the water! Or the mountain, cliff, beach, etc. Can’t wait to hear your vision and alllll about your fiance to be.