In short
- The plan stays small: who knows, where the crew stands and what the cover story is.
- We plan the filming, not the reaction. The footage stays private until both of you decide what to share.
- Sound is often the hardest part, so we plan how the words will be recorded.
- Public places and resorts may need permission first. We confirm this with you and the venue.
A proposal happens once and cannot be redone, so we plan it carefully and keep the plan small. We help you decide where the camera stands, who knows, how the words will be recorded and what happens to the footage afterwards.
Plan the moment, not the answer
Our plan covers the filming, not the reaction. It also covers what we do if the answer is not the one you hoped for, or if your partner would rather not be filmed at that moment. We agree beforehand when to stop recording, and we follow your lead on the day.
The five things to decide
- Who knows: you, us, and perhaps one friend or relative. Each extra person is another chance the surprise slips.
- The place: a beach, a restaurant, a home, a park or a resort. Public places and resorts can have rules on filming and where a camera may stand, so check with the venue.
- The cover story: a believable reason for a camera. For example, a photographer for a trip or a friend filming a view. We agree this with you, and we dress to match it.
- The camera position: far enough to stay unnoticed, close enough to see faces. A longer lens lets the camera stay further away, but then the microphone is far from the words.
- The signal: a simple sign, such as a message or a gesture, so we know when it begins.
If you want both of you to appear in the frame and want the surroundings visible, tell us the time of day. Light in the evening is softer, but it may run out sooner, so plan a back-up time.
Sound is the hard part
Distance helps the surprise but hurts the sound. If the words matter to you, we can discuss a small wireless microphone on the person proposing, hidden under clothing or placed near the spot. It must be set up without your partner noticing, and wind or crowds can limit how clean the recording is. Our guide to event sound explains the trade-offs.
What we can deliver
| Output | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Private full recording | The proposal from just before to just after, unedited | Keeping the words and reactions as they happened |
| Short film | A short edited film of the moment and its setting | Showing to close family when you choose |
| Short clips | Vertical or square cuts for social media | Only if you both agree to post |
| Photographs | Stills from the moment | On request, if you add a photographer |
We deliver a private copy first. Nothing is published, posted or shown to others without your permission. Our guide to permissions and responsible publication explains the questions to settle, and the private and public video version planner helps you decide who sees which version.
If the surprise is seen early
Sometimes a partner spots the camera. We plan for it. You can choose to carry on, to pause, or to make a joke of the camera. We agree this before the day, so no one has to decide under pressure.
Weather and back-up spots
Outdoor proposals can be changed by rain, crowds or closed paths. Pick a second spot, even a simple one, and tell us. The weather and venue-change filming plan is a short sheet you can use.
Before you message us
Use the event video brief builder to write down the place, date window and your concerns. Useful to include: how long you expect between arriving and the moment, and a back-up contact who knows about the surprise. A brief is an enquiry, not a booking: your date is reserved only after we agree the scope and terms with you. The price depends on the place, time on site, crew and travel; see how pricing works.
Tell us the place, the rough time window and who knows about the surprise, without revealing it to anyone else. We will check what is practical and whether we can be there.
Request a videography quote