How to Pop the Question:
Top Tips from your Cancún Engagement Photographer
When you know, you know.
The time has finally come to get down on one knee and pop the big question… But if you’ve only got one shot, then the even bigger question you should be asking yourself is this: ‘How on earth do I make this THE perfect proposal?’
First of all, kudos to all readers for a great start! Where better to tell someone just how much you love them than in magical Cancún? This is certainly one of the most romantic corners of vacation paradise, home to the best of both worlds: Mexican landscape and Caribbean seascape. However, since Cancún is such a world-renowned luxury resort destination, vacationers may find themselves spoilt for choice when it comes to planning a special occasion… Are we thinking beach or rainforest? Golden hour or starry night? Roses or Champagne… or both?! If you’re at a loss as to how to make your proposal THE proposal, we hear you. That’s why your Cancún engagement photographer is here to give you a nudge in the right direction with inspiration from some of our most beautiful engagement photoshoots along Mexico’s eastern coastline…
Choose your Backdrop
When it comes to choosing the right spot for an engagement, ultimately, the goal is to propose in a setting that reflects just how much you understand and appreciate your partner.
The Beach
The beach is timeless. Over the years, DreamArt has lovingly witnessed hundreds of couples making their way down to the sea as pair of people in love, but hiking back up the sand as soon-to-be-weds. And the magic never dies! If you’re hesitant about proposing on the beach out of fear of being cliché, let us reassure you that after over 15 years of engagement photoshoots, each new proposal is as special as the last. There’s a reason why the beach is so popular… And if you’re travelling all the way to the Riviera Maya, it only makes sense to take advantage of the gorgeous white sands on your doorstep. If your instinct is telling you to get down on one knee in the sand, listen to it!
Tropical Jungle
You know your partner better than anyone. Do they appreciate privacy? Would they feel more comfortable in a setting that’s secluded, and perhaps more low-key? Then a rainforest proposal is definitely one to consider. Picture yourself wandering down a meandering path with your loved one, tucked away behind a wall of greenery. No fluff, no sparkles. Just you and your significant other, cut off from all that background noise. It really doesn’t get more intimate than that.
Private Dinner
A dinner date is basically the queen of all dates. There’s something fundamentally social and intimate about sharing a meal with someone; humans have connected with each other over a love for food for thousands of years. I’d also feel pretty confident guessing that your first ever date with your loved one was out to a restaurant… and if that’s the case, what better way to represent the roots of your relationship than to go down the nostalgia route? You’ll find that all of our hotel partners are more than happy to lend a hand behind the scenes to make your engagement as special as possible. I mean, simply look at the photos… if a private beach dinner set-up doesn’t scream ‘above and beyond’, I don’t know what does!
Luxury Hotel Partnership Perk: if you’re looking for a Cancún engagement photographer, we’ve at shot numerous private dinner proposals at Secrets Playa Blanca, Vidanta Riviera Maya and Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún, to name but a few…. However, if you’re looking for a hotel that will grant you the utmost privacy, then we’ve got to mention the Viceroy Riviera Maya. This 5-star resort offers Romance à la Carte: a 3-course meal from their top-rated restaurant, La Marea, along with a Yucatecan Serenade, all within the privacy of your own villa… you’ll struggle to find a hotel that provides such a unique marriage of wow-factor and intimacy to compare.
Ready, Set... is the Setting Ready?
Now that you’ve decided on your proposal setting, let’s think about setting the mood. There are numerous ways to do this, from emphatic 3D messages to subtle rose petal trails. It all depends on what best suits your communication style.
Letters in the Sand
‘MARRY ME?’, ‘I LOVE YOU’, ‘I DO'...
This is such a fun way to shout your feelings out to your partner (minus the noise). If you want the serenity of a beach setting but are looking to add a bit of ‘pizzazz’ to the tranquil shoreline, then bold lettering is the perfect cherry on top. Simply ask your hotel staff to help organize your desired set-up, and they’ll gladly be your partner in plotting romance.
And a bold statement doesn’t necessarily mean an obvious proposal. It is indeed possible to be subtle about your engagement prospects by opting for a sign that creates a romantic vibe, rather than one that immediately gives away the surprise. Just steer away from ‘Marry Me’, if that’s the goal…
Golden Hour
Lighting is key. Of course, it’s only natural for a team of photographers to say so—after all, light is a paid actor when it comes successful photoshoots—however, you mustn’t let our potential bias undermine the importance of natural lighting. Your Cancún engagement photographers will most likely recommend a shoot in the evening, and for obvious reasons…. not only does the air start to cool, but the intensity of those bright Mexican rays also starts to soften. Here on the eastern coast, the sun sets in the west, so while we don’t see the sun hover over the ocean, our photoshoot lighting is arguably even better: those golden beams land on you (the glowing star of the show)with the sea as a backdrop! The beauty of golden hour is that it only lasts a few minutes - making the most of this narrow window of time is an exceptional way to reflect the rarity of your relationship. Plus, it goes without saying that golden hour takes your photo results to the next level… I mean, it’s hard not to romanticize the thought of slipping a ring onto your loved one’s finger, bathed in honey lighting.
Accessorize
We’re getting down to the final touches, the ‘crème de la crème’ of proposal planning. Ever heard of that saying… ‘less is more’? Well, I hate to break it to you, but sometimes more is more. If your partner appreciates acts of service as one of their love languages, then they’re sure to melt at the sight of flowers, fairy lights, or sparkling wine. These kinds of accessories go hand in hand with a private dinner, but equally, know that you can count on your luxury hotel staff to subtly incorporate deliver roses or a bottle of bubbly to wherever you desire.
Insider tip: we all know that traditional roses claim their space as the original romantic flower, and while that remains true, Laelia Orchids are a stunning, statement-piece alternative. These flowers are grown in Mexico and are said to symbolize love, luxury and beauty (pretty fitting for an engagement here in Cancún, if you ask me!).
Lights, Camera... Propose!
With plenty of inspiration in mind, you’re ready to start thinking about the details of your proposal here in Cancún. But all that being said, we understand that a perfect setting with a perfect ambiance and perfect lighting doesn’t take all the pressure off you when it comes down to kneeling down…
This is where photography—specifically professional photography—enters the picture (pun intended). In today’s digital day and age, it’s so easy to get swept away by the thought of what’s happening on screen, wondering whether or not your phone camera is doing justice to the view in real life. That’s why it’s crucial to opt for a professional photography service during the big moments like these; not only do the results create a true-to-life recreate of the moment itself, but more importantly, you can trust us to take matters into our own hands while you stay fully present in the here and now of your proposal. And if you’re worried that words won’t express just how much your loved one means to you, again, this is where quality photography saves the day. While a speech gives you the chance to be honest and straightforward with your significant other, a single photograph speaks volumes, hinting at feelings that words seldom express.
Here at DreamArt, we pride ourselves on the ability to capture emotion in its truest form. No fluff, no fiction (except for a bit of expert editing!), and we certainly make sure to steer away from anything too cliché. All that’s required for the perfect engagement photoshoot results is you, your loved one and a gorgeous backdrop… leave the rest up to your Cancun engagement photographers.
Ready to plan the surprise of a lifetime? Book now or chat with us.
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