Written By: Muse and Memory Atelier
| Venue = | Die Bosveld Outdoor Lifestyle Venue |
There is something magical about being entrusted with a secret. Recently, I had the privilege of assisting with a surprise proposal—one of those rare moments where months of planning culminate in a single life-changing question.
Maruné and Nico have known each other for practically their whole lives. They attended the same primary school and high school, but their love story only truly began five years ago when Nico decided to make his move at an event they both attended.
Looking back now, Maruné says, “It feels like God was quietly writing our story long before either of us realised it.”
She was drawn to Nico’s confidence and his ability to make those around him feel at ease, while Nico couldn’t help but notice Marúne’s beauty and kind heart that seemed to make everyone around her feel special.
Both of them knew from the very beginning that there was something different about their relationship.
“There was never a question in my mind,” says Maruné. “Neither Nico nor I were out searching for the perfect partner, yet somehow, we found exactly what we had always hoped for in a person. From the very beginning, it felt like God had already planned our path and simply brought us together at exactly the right time. I believe we both knew almost immediately that this relationship was different.”
While I was second shooter on the day, tasked with capturing the video of the proposal itself along with other stunning shots, witnessing the care, preparation and emotion behind such an important moment reminded me of something:
The most memorable proposals don’t begin with a ring. They begin with a story.
- The Best Proposals Start Long Before the Ring Appears
I have always said that the ultimate love language is to be considered.
To be loved is to be known.
And that means creating a proposal that reflects your relationship.
Consider the location. Perhaps your first date was at a small coffee shop, an ice cream parlour, or a favourite hiking trail. Returning to a place that already holds meaning can make the moment feel even more personal.
Consider your personalities too. If your partner is shy or introverted, a flash mob in the middle of a shopping centre may feel overwhelming. A quiet sunset walk, however, might create the perfect atmosphere for an intimate and meaningful proposal.
And then there is timing.
Think about the feeling you want to create and build your plans around it. Do you imagine a golden sunset? A cosy evening by the fireplace? A meaningful family gathering? The most memorable proposals are not necessarily the most extravagant—they are the ones that feel intentional.
The main thing to remember is this:
Your proposal should feel like the two of you.
For Maruné and Nico, that meant incorporating something that had become part of their relationship over the years: photoshoots.
Maruné loves being in front of the camera, and throughout their relationship the couple had documented different seasons of their journey together. So while she thought she was planning another couple’s shoot, Nico was quietly planning their forever.
“Nico knows me better than anyone,” says Maruné. “He knows I am someone who treasures memories and believes in capturing life’s most meaningful moments. He knew that having the proposal photographed would allow us to relive every emotion years from now, and one day we’ll look back at those photos and feel exactly what we felt in that moment.”
- Keep the Secret, But Don’t Go It Alone
We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village.”
When it comes to planning a proposal, that couldn’t be more true.
Friends, family and trusted vendors can help with everything from logistics and distractions to moral support and contingency plans. They can help keep your partner occupied, coordinate timing, and make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Nico certainly didn’t plan this moment alone. He enlisted the help of both his and Maruné’s friends and family, all of whom managed to keep the secret remarkably well.
His biggest supporters were his mom, his sister, and Lurika—Maruné’s close friend and the lead photographer for the proposal.
“They helped him bring everything together, but the vision and heart behind it all were completely his own,” says Maruné.
And perhaps that is one of the biggest advantages of involving people you trust—they help carry the pressure. They can step in when plans shift unexpectedly, solve small problems before they become big ones, and allow you to focus on what truly matters: asking the question.
Of course, even the best-kept secrets sometimes create suspicion.
When I asked Maruné whether she suspected anything beforehand, she laughed.
“I would be lying if I said I didn’t suspect something. There were moments when I wondered if this could be it. But even with that suspicion, nothing could have prepared me for the reality of the moment. It’s difficult to imagine yourself becoming engaged to the man of your dreams, and when it finally happened, it felt completely surreal. Even if Nico had told me beforehand, I think I would have been just as shocked.”
And honestly? That’s okay.
A proposal isn’t memorable because it is perfectly hidden. It’s memorable because of the thought, love and intention behind it.
- Think About How You’ll Remember the Moment
There are many ways to preserve a proposal.
You could hire a photographer or videographer to document it discreetly, or include them openly as part of the experience. (Although, as a photographer, I am still waiting for someone to ask me to hide behind a bush or disguise myself as a tourist to capture the perfect surprise.)
Capturing the emotion on both faces—the anticipation, the shock, the joy—is something incredibly special. But it is important to remember that the photographs are not what make the proposal meaningful. The moment itself does. The images simply allow you to revisit it.
My parents never had a photographer waiting nearby when my dad proposed. Yet more than forty years later, they can still tell the story with remarkable clarity. My father proposed in a way that was completely true to who he was—a wonderfully clumsy romantic—and perhaps that is exactly why the memory has endured.
The most meaningful moments are often the ones that feel authentic.
When I asked Maruné what stood out most from the day, her answer had very little to do with the setting or the photographs.
“Without a doubt, seeing Nico’s emotions. Knowing how much planning, effort, and detail had gone into the proposal made the moment even more special. He wasn’t feeling well that day, yet he still stood outside in the cold winter afternoon and got down on one knee to ask me to spend forever with him. Seeing his love, vulnerability, and excitement all at once is something I’ll never forget.”
Her favourite detail? The ring.
Not simply because it is beautiful, but because Nico personally designed it.
“To me, it’s more than a ring; it’s the seal of our promise of forever. Every detail reflected how deeply loved I am.”
- Expect the Unexpected
You can plan every detail. You can watch the weather forecast obsessively. You can rehearse your speech a hundred times.
And somehow, the real thing will still surprise you.
Maybe it rains. Maybe someone arrives early. Maybe you forget exactly what you wanted to say. Or perhaps—worst-case scenario—you temporarily misplace the ring.
The truth is that perfection is not what makes a proposal memorable.
The unexpected moments often become the most treasured parts of the story. The nervous laugh before the question. The forgotten speech. The sudden change of plans. These little imperfections remind us that proposals aren’t performances—they are real moments shared between two people who love each other.
And years later, those are often the details that make you smile.
- It’s Not About the Proposal—It’s About the Story
The flowers fade. The venue gets packed away. The surprise eventually becomes a cherished memory.
But the feeling remains.
And that is what matters.
A proposal is not simply about a question being asked. It is about the beginning of a new chapter with the person you have chosen to walk through life with.
When I asked Maruné and Nico what they are most excited about as they begin this next season together, their answer was simple and beautiful:
“Building a lifetime of memories together, embracing new opportunities, growing stronger as a couple, and walking into every season of life with complete confidence that we’re facing it side by side. Most importantly, we’re excited to establish our forever covenant with God and build a marriage centred on faith, love, and commitment.”
Watching Nico and Maruné begin this chapter reminded me that the most meaningful proposals are rarely the most elaborate. They are the ones filled with intention. The ones that make you feel seen. The ones that reflect who you are as a couple. The ones that become part of your story long before the wedding day arrives.
My final question to the happy couple was this:
“What advice would you give to someone planning a surprise proposal?”
Their answer could not have summed it up better:
“Focus on what makes your relationship unique. The most memorable proposals aren’t necessarily the most extravagant. They’re the ones that reflect your story and show genuine thought and love. Pay attention to the little details, stay true to who you are as a couple, and remember that the most important thing is the meaning behind the moment. Those are the memories that last forever.”
Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal, an engagement session, or your wedding day itself, the moments that matter most deserve to be remembered with intention. If you’re looking for someone to help preserve those memories, I’d love to hear your story.
