Surprise Engagement

I have photographed a lot of surprise marriage proposals. I have a lot of experience. Every proposal is different. The weather can disrupt your plans. It’s best not to go into details because of the weather. Don’t rely on Google or Apple for the weather forecast. Here’s a link to the Swiss weather service:

https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/local-forecasts/lauterbrunnen/3822.html#forecast-tab=detail-view

I think it is important to keep it simple. I don’t arrange flowers or bottles of champagne. Or the ground to be sprinkled with rose petals!

A proposal can happen whilst sightseeing, hiking or on a return trip from the Jungfraujoch. We shall be in close contact on the day using WhatsApp.

I have written some ideas below.
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Meet at the location in or near Interlaken

We can meet at the location. Iseltwald for example. I normally get there 30 minutes earlier and set up and test my equipment. The first bus from Interlaken arrives at 7.25 am. Please check the time of sunrise.

You can also follow me to the location. For example we can meet at Interlaken Ost railway station. You can follow me on to the train. Off the train at the other end and up the street to the cable car. On the cable car up to the top where you follow me at a short distance to the location.

I am unknown to your girlfriend. I’m just another tourist taking pictures. I keep my distance until it is time for you to propose. Unfortunately, I have no control over the situation. You might be standing in the wrong place or the background is not spectacular. The sun might be casting shadows on to her face or people could be walking past.

Perhaps suggest to your girlfriend that you ask “that man over there” (me) to take a picture of you both with your camera. I can position you both better with the sun and mountains in the background.

Propose during a photo shoot / guided tour

Ask your girlfriend to marry you during a couple’s photo shoot / sightseeing tour. We can visit one or more locations depending on your budget. You can give me a signal when you are ready to propose marriage.

TIP: Ask your girlfriend to put on some makeup. She will hate sharing pictures with family and friends if she has no mascara on her face and wearing old clothes.

TIP 2: Avoid wearing white clothes if the photo shoot is in the snow. A little difficult if the engagement is a surprise.

I have met some nervous men during these “surprise engagement” photo shoots. Please check that I am ready!! So far, good – experience counts!
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Weather

Often the weather is not as bad as it is predicted. It might seem “last minute” but it is best to wait until the evening before the event. I can check the TV weather forecast at 8 p.m. Also the animation feature on my weather app.

Please remember that we have high mountains and lakes filled with ice cold water. It creates local regional weather. Clouds can be created at sunrise when the sun hits the cold water in the lakes.

The sun can be a problem. You will have to keep your girlfriend’s back to the sun (if possible).

Nobody wants a photo shoot on a rainy day. However, these days produce a lovely, soft light for the pictures.
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Good to know

Meeting Point: Interlaken Ost railway station
Or we can meet at the location if you have a rental car.

You might like to take the local bus to the location if it’s a surprise engagement. Your hotel should give you a “Guest Card”. This gives you free travel on the local bus (for example to Iseltwald). Plus discount in some shops. It is possible top get a “Day Ticket” or “Tageskarte” from the bus driver if you are unable to get an Interlaken Guest card. This will allow you to use the bus service all day.

Travelling around Interlaken. More information here

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