Planning a Proposal While You’re on Holiday in North Wales

A holiday is a lovely time to propose. You're away from your normal routine, you've got time to spare and you're already somewhere that feels a bit special. If that somewhere is North Wales, you've got mountains, castles, beaches and coastline all within reach.

The only catch is that you're a visitor. You don't know the area, you can't pop back to check a location and you don't want to spend your holiday worrying about the plan. Here's how I'd go about it.

Start With Your Dates and Where You're Staying

The first thing I'd ask is when you arrive, how long you're here and roughly where you're staying. That tells us what's within easy reach and which days leave room for a plan B.

If you're thinking about a guided proposal, you can get in touch through my contact form, by email or on Instagram. I'll get to know you and your relationship, and we'll talk about what you'd like to share. If your dates are close, say so straight away. I'll tell you honestly what's possible.

Choose a Place That Suits the Trip

Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You don't have to pick somewhere famous, but a famous place is easier to describe and find. Think about the walk. If your partner would hate a mountain scramble, don't ask them to do one on the big day. It's also worth telling me anything that affects them on the day, such as footwear, mobility or a dislike of crowds, so that we can choose somewhere that feels comfortable for them.

A town with a castle or a pier is easy for visitors, and the coast is easy to reach whether you're staying near Llandudno or on Anglesey. Conwy Castle is looked after by Cadw, so check their pages for opening details if you're thinking of a visit. If the mountains are calling, my guide to where to propose in Snowdonia is a good place to start, and my post on proposal ideas in North Wales has more.

Think About the Light and the Weather

Photo: Julian Herzog (Website), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Welsh weather can change quickly, so I'd keep your holiday plans flexible. A proposal on your first day leaves the rest of the trip as a safety net if the forecast turns. Morning light can be just as beautiful, and it leaves your evening free for a celebratory dinner. Evening is a lovely time too, but sunset times change through the year, so look up the time for your date and plan backwards from it.

If you're heading into the hills, check the Met Office mountain forecast for Snowdonia the day before. On the coast, it's worth looking up the tide times too. And whatever the plan, there should always be a sheltered back-up.

Keeping It a Secret on Holiday

Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When you're travelling together, hiding a plan can be tricky. You're sharing a room, a car and a phone screen, so it helps to keep messages somewhere your partner won't see them. I've written more on this in my guide to keeping a proposal a secret, and it all applies on holiday too.

A guided proposal helps because I arrive as if I'm part of the day. I introduce myself to your partner and let them know we've secretly been working together on your love letter. That surprise is part of the moment.

What the Day Looks Like

I show up in the morning, afternoon or evening, at the place and time you've chosen. I'll have your love letter in hand and my camera resting at my waist. I read it aloud, put it away, and then lift my camera for the "down on one knee" moment and everything that follows. You can see it step by step in what happens on the day of a guided proposal.

If you're curious how a proposal comes together in a hurry, I once photographed a short-notice sunset proposal on Anglesey, where the couple got in touch with very little warning.

What It Includes

A guided proposal ceremony is £695, and it includes personal guidance and support, your bespoke love letter, photography, Polaroid keepsakes, your Love Story Album and one year's complimentary membership of the Love Story Registry. You also receive 10% off an Elope with Leon experience when you're ready to continue your story. You can read the full list on the services page.

Photos When You Get Home

Photo: Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It's easy to forget that a holiday ends. Your photographs are ready within 4 weeks, and they're uploaded to your Love Story Album as its first chapter, so the pictures will be waiting for you after you've unpacked. If you'd like more of the trip captured, an engagement shoot in North Wales is a lovely follow-up, and my post on writing a proposal love letter will help you think about the words.

Where to Begin

Send me your dates, the area you're staying in and a few words about the two of you through the contact page. If you'd like to know more about me first, my about page is the place to look.

Pack the ring first, and the rest of the plan can fit neatly around it.