You know the question. Now, let’s get the answer! After photographing dozens of (successful, I might add) proposals, we are here to share our proposal advice to get the YES! 

First, you need to know your partner. All of our advice below is dependent on your soon-to-be spouse. Here are some questions to consider when creating your marriage proposal checklist.

Permission

Does your partner want you to ask permission from their parent or other important person in their life? Do they think that’s antiquated? The answer to this is one of the most varied that we get. If it’s important to them, then asking permission is great proposal advice to get the yes! 

Ring

Do you have a ring? Do you know the how, who, what, when, and where of a ring? What does your partner like? Can you ask a trusted friend of theirs for feedback? It’s good to spend some time gathering ideas from your partner or someone else who may know the answer. Most people expect a ring when you propose. Getting the ring takes some time, and it deserves that. A ring is a symbol of your love and will be on the person’s finger forever, theoretically, so don’t rush this step. 

Tiffany’s put together a list of How to Choose an Engagement Ring that’s a great starting point. You should also consider whether there is a family heirloom ring or if you want to customize a ring. No one size fits all for a ring! There are so many options, knowing what expectations your partner has will help get the yes. 

Where are you proposing?

This is OUR favorite part!! Does your partner love mountain tops, sunsets, or beach picnics?!

What speaks to you? Maybe one location 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!

When to Propose

OOOOO, this one can vary greatly. Is there a milestone you want to wait for, IE, a partner finishing school or after a move? Perhaps there is a time of year, such as the holiday season, when you want to get swept up in the magic. Or you want to avoid the Holidays altogether! 

There’s also a wide range of timelines on when you propose and when you wed. For an elopement, it was once expected that a wedding would follow a proposal quickly. Now, that’s not as true. 

Proposal timeline – how far in advance should you plan

Great question—and here’s the lowdown, bestie:

If you’re planning a proposal that includes a stunning location, epic photos, or a little element of surprise magic (like a picnic, a hike, or a “casual” dinner where your partner just so happens to be dressed up 👀)… give yourself at least 2–5 months to plan. Longer if you’re going somewhere that requires permits, reservations, or travel.

5 things to plan before the proposal!

1. You get help choosing the perfect location

Montana has a lot of epic AF views—but not all of them are created equal when it comes to lighting, crowds, or accessibility. Giving me more time means I can help you scout the spot with the WOW factor that fits your vibe (sunset on a mountaintop? Waterfall with no tourists? Say less). Some of my favorites in Montana are:

1. Glacier National Park – Avalanche Lake, Lake McDonald, or Many Glacier
2. Summit hike near Bigfork
3. Missoula – Maclay Flats, Blue Mountain, Blodgett Canyon Overlook
4. Bozeman – Hyalite Canyon, M Trail, Sacagawea Peak
5. Yellowstone National Park
6. Honorable Mention – Grand Teton National Park

2. We can plan for the dreamiest timing

Certain spots look best at sunrise, sunset, or golden hour—and I know exactly when that is. Reaching out early lets us align your moment with that chef’s kiss lighting that makes the whole thing look straight out of a rom-com.

3. I’ll help you sneakily get them camera-ready

Surprise proposals are magical, but let’s avoid the “wait, I look like this in the photos?!” meltdown. With enough time, I’ll help you plan the perfect cover story—whether that’s dinner at a fancy restaurant or a casual hike with a secret makeup bag stashed in your backpack. I gotchu. For this hiking proposal with Ben and Sam, Ben sent me a change of clothes and shoes for Sam so she could change at the top and we got these Ah-MAZING photos!

4. We can level up your proposal with extra details

Want a cozy picnic, champagne toast, or a little “OMG WE’RE ENGAGED!” moment post-proposal? That stuff takes time to plan, and I’ve got allll the vendor recs and ideas to help make it happen without the stress.

5. Less stress, more HELL YES

Rushing = panic. Planning ahead = a chill, confident, “I nailed this” kind of day. We’ll have time to communicate, create a backup plan if needed, and make sure the experience is just as unforgettable as the yes.

What do I need to say when I’m down on one knee?

OMG I love this question so much—because listen, the moment you drop to one knee? That’s the main character moment. You don’t need a TED Talk, but you do need to speak from the heart (and not black out from adrenaline, lol). Here are some tips to help you land the “HELL YES” you’re going for:

1. Start with a memory or something meaningful

Open with a sweet callback—maybe the moment you knew they were “the one,” or something quirky that makes your love story unique.
Example:
“From the second we sat on the floor eating takeout that night, I knew life would be better with you in it.”

2. Talk about who they are and why you love them

Tell them what you love about them—whether it’s their laugh, their strength, or how they always share their fries even when they said they weren’t hungry.
Example:
“You make every day lighter, funnier, and fuller. I’ve never met anyone like you.”

3. Paint a little picture of your future

Even a one-liner about what you’re excited for next will have them sobbing.
Example:
“I can’t wait to build a life full of hikes, hot cocoa, and growing old on the porch with you.”

4. Keep it short, real, and YOU

This isn’t the Oscars—don’t overthink it. Speak from the gut. Stumble over your words if you must. That’s what makes it real and unforgettable.

5. End with the classic: “Will you marry me?”

Yes, actually say the words! Don’t trail off into a mumble. Plant those feet (or knee), hold eye contact, and pop the big one with confidence.
Example:
“So… will you marry me?”
(Or go full Notebook if that’s your vibe.)

How to get your yes!

Planning and effort are at the top of the list to get your yessss. Forethought is romantic! And foreplay! But that’s for another blog.

If you think it out and put in the effort to plan something special, you are more likely to get a yes than dropping to one knee in the middle of the living room after finishing takeout Chinese food, although I know that has worked before.

Planning an adventure is the best way to get a yes. It shows who you are today and how you, as a couple, will be for the rest of your lives together. If you’re on this page, I already know that a lifetime of endless adventures is what you and your honey want!

What should be said when proposing?

Okay, I’m getting on my photographer soapbox here. I HIGHLY recommend adding video for your proposal package. You’ll think of all the things you want to say. This usually included the laundry list of why your person is fucking epic, how much fun you have doing life together, and of course, ending with “Will you marry me?” Sounds GREAT! The problem is, if you don’t have a videographer, there’s a good chance you won’t even remember what you said, nor will they! This once-in-a-lifetime moment tends to get blacked out on both sides. You are both excited and nervous, and your brain goes blank! So, get a videographer so that when you say all the lovely words, you have spent time preparing, you can actually remember them.

Now if you are wondering, how do I agree to a proposal? It’s simple. Say yes. Which usually comes with a lot of enthusiastic nodding. Some people are cryers, while others aren’t. Your partner will know you well enough to know which way you’ll go, so don’t overthink it! Be yourself, that’s who they want to marry, after all!

Who and Why

The best proposal advice to get the yes is to make sure you are doing it for the right reasons, not to get all bachelor on you. If you have the person you love, can’t/don’t want to spend a day without them. Laugh together, cry together, adventure together, whatever is important to you! You’ll get the yes. This is your person, after all.

Once you narrow down some of these questions, we have a whole freaking guide about Hiking Surprise Proposal Guide – 6 Tips for a Hiking Surprise Proposal

If you’re ready to bend the knee on your own 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! Tell me all of your marriage proposal ideas, and 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 fiancé to be.