Eric Proposes to Kristie: Phipp's Conservatory Surprise Proposal

Yes, it's another sweet Phipp's proposal! 🌸

This one took place a couple of weeks ago and included the bride-to-be's long time good friend as a part of the surprise!

I am amazed at how many people find me for proposals from my blog posts on my website. Blogging is sometimes considered an outdated method of marketing, but Google still seems to like it, and therefore so do I! 😉

Also how did these four friends unknowingly all wear coordinating outfits that not only went well with each other, but also with the flower display in the Broderie Room at Phipp's?! It was meant to be!

Alex Proposes to Sophia: Phipp's Conservatory Proposal Photos

Sophia & Alex grew up 10 minutes apart from each other AND went to the same high school and college, but never met until their senior year at Penn State. They dated for three years after they met

And this past weekend, Alex proposed, and Sophia said yes!

You know I love a good Phipp's proposal, and this one was so much FUN! Alex dropped off a bouquet of flowers earlier in the day and did a walk through of Phipp's (since he had never been before... such a good idea!). The day of the proposal, he led Sophia into the Broderie Room, got down on one knee, and cue the tears - she said yes!

I'm so thankful to have been a part of such a sweet moment on such a cold, rainy, dreary day.

Congratulations on your engagement, Sophia & Alex!

Pittsburgh Surprise Proposal Photographer

Hey there, lovebirds! Planning to pop the question in Pittsburgh? First of all, congrats! Proposing is one of the most nerve-wracking and exhilarating moments of your life. And as a photographer who’s captured countless proposals in the Steel City, I’m here to share some insider tips to make your special moment truly magical—and run as smoothly as possible.

1. PICK THE PERFECT SPOT

Pittsburgh is filled with dreamy backdrops for your proposal. Whether you’re drawn to the iconic cityscape view from Mount Washington, the romantic ambiance of Phipps Conservatory’s gardens, or the charming cobblestone streets of the Strip District, there’s a spot that’s just you. Think about places that hold sentimental value or align with your partner’s interests. Love sports? Heinz Field or PNC Park could be your go-to. Into nature? Mellon Park or Point State Park might be calling your name.

2. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) is the secret sauce for jaw-dropping photos. The soft, warm light is flattering and adds a magical glow to your moment. But don’t forget to check the weather! Rain can add a romantic touch, but if that’s not your vibe, have a backup plan ready.

3. GET CREATIVE

Make it personal! Incorporate inside jokes, shared hobbies, or cherished memories into your proposal. Maybe it’s a scavenger hunt through the city, leading to the spot where you first met. Or a casual walk in the park that turns into a flash mob (if your partner loves surprises). The more it reflects your unique story, the more unforgettable it will be. (Click here to see some prop ideas for something simple to incorporate!)

4. HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER (HI, THAT’S ME!)

Let’s face it: you’ll want to relive this moment over and over. That’s where I come in. A professional photographer will not only capture the big moment but also those raw, emotional reactions that make your proposal so special. Plus, I’ll help you scout the location, plan the best angles, and communicate with you all the way up until the big moment to make sure we are both on the same page!

5. PLAN YOUR WARDROBE

Coordinate your outfits subtly. You want to look your best while staying true to your style. A little tip: avoid busy patterns and opt for solid colors that complement each other. Bonus points if your outfit matches the vibe of your proposal location (think casual chic for a park proposal or a bit dressier for a city rooftop). Click here for a blog post with some additional tips!

6. KEEP IT A SURPRISE - BUT NOT TOO MUCH

Surprises are amazing, but they’re better when they don’t stress your partner out. If you’re planning an elaborate setup, make sure they’re dressed for the occasion (without giving away the whole plan). Maybe you enlist a friend to casually suggest a "nice dinner" or a "cute photo session."

7. CELEBRATE AFTERWARDS

You did it! After the big “Yes,” keep the celebration going. Plan a surprise dinner with close family and friends or a private picnic for two. And don’t forget to share the amazing photos with everyone—they’ll want to see the magic unfold too!

READY TO CAPTURE YOUR BIG MOMENT?

If you’re planning to propose in Pittsburgh, let’s chat! Together, we’ll make sure your proposal is as unique and special as your love story. Plus, you’ll have stunning photos to treasure forever. Can’t wait to help make this moment unforgettable!

Reach out to me at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com to get the conversation started!

Amelia & Paul: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Proposal Photos

One of the best proposals I've ever gotten to photograph My little brother proposing to his now fiancé!

Paul pulled off an epic surprise proposal back in September of 2024 in Charolette, NC! I am so honored to have been able to be the one to photograph such a sweet moment for these two!

I know I'm biased... but all of the thought that went into this proposal was so incredible! Paul had Amelia's friend from Pittsburgh come into town and bring her to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Unbeknownst to Amelia, Paul was waiting in one of the areas of the garden for her! After he proposed, Amelia's mom & my mom popped out to surprise her too!

THEN Paul went a step further and made sure to bring a dress for Amelia to change into after the proposal for photos, and planned a surprise engagement party later that day with her friends to celebrate!

And yes... my mom and I drove through the hurricane weather to get there. We had quite the eventful time... but it was all worth it I am so excited for these two!!! Congratulations Paul & Amelia - love you both!

Private Pittsburgh Proposal Photos at Phipps Conservatory

I will take allllll of the @phippsevents proposals. Please & thank you!!

This beautiful surprise proposal took place yesterday afternoon! Nick successfully surprised his then girlfriend, now fiance Emma with a sunlit proposal in the Broderie Room at @phippsconservatory ! Not to mention he even got Emma's best friend Becca to come in and surprise her for the weekend Cue the happy tears!

Also, Emma is a huge fan of the Phantom's Opera, and her ring was designed to replicate the design of the ring used in the movie

A HUGE congratulations to Nick & Emma on their engagement!

Surprise Pittsburgh Proposal at Phipp's Conservatory

I hope you get a feel for how fun these two are from this blog post… this surprise Pittsburgh proposal was an absolute BLAST to photograph!

Alec had been planning to surprise his girlfriend, Sri, with a marriage proposal during their trip to Pittsburgh (where they both went to college and both had met!). He chose Phipp’s Conservatory as his venue – specifically the Broderie Room (which you can rent out!). This is one of my all time favorite locations for proposals. It’s beautiful, there’s no need to worry about the weather (since it’s indoors and covered!), it has ample natural light, it’s private… there are so many reasons to love it! In fact, this was my fifth Phipp’s proposal this year. And I have loved every single one of them!

But back to Alec & Sri! The staff at Phipp’s was so good at keeping the proposal a surprise. Alec led Sri into the Broderie Room by the hand as I peeked around the corner, waiting for Sri’s back to be towards me so I could sneak into the room. I hid behind a large well and waited for the big moment… for Alec to get on one knee! Once Sri figured out what was going on, she had the biggest smile on her face, and it never left! She was completely taken off guard, which made the moment all the more special.

After the proposal itself, Alec & Sri took a few minutes by themselves to soak in the moment! Then, we took 15 minutes to get some portraits of the two of them to commemorate the occasion.

And even though it was absolutely sweltering in that humid room, they both handled it like absolute champs… and I’m so excited about the images we got for them to cherish from this special moment!

Congratulations on your engagement, Sri & Alec! It was such a pleasure to get to capture this moment for you!

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Looking for information about how to reserve the Broderie Room for a Phipp’s Conservatory proposal? Click here for more info for how to get in contact with them!

Spring Phipp's Conservatory Proposal

There's nothing quite like a Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Broderie Room proposal!

This one took place on a very special weekend for these two, who came into Pittsburgh from out of state for the Pittsburgh Marathon!

JD planned this beautiful proposal from afar on 1) the weekend his now-fiance was running the Pittsburgh marathon, and 2) on the weekend of her birthday! Talk about having a lot to celebrate!!

JD and Isabel have been dating for almost 6 years. And let me tell you, they are the sweetest! So easy to talk to, and so much fun. We had a blast on a beautiful, sunny Pittsburgh morning at Phipps! and oh my goodness, I still can't get over how beautiful the Broderie Room looked with the bright florals. And that Isabel wore a shirt that complimented it so well, without even knowing!

Congratulations on your engagement, you two!

Amber & Ryan: Surprise Zelienople Proposal

Boy do I have a good one to share with you today! ☺️

Ryan contacted me several weeks ago and shared with me that he would be proposing to his long time girlfriend in Zelienople. As a photographer who literally lives IN Zelienople… I was absolutely stoked to get to document this moment!

Ryan shared with me that he planned to propose at his girlfriend (Amber) after a meal at her favorite restaurant, Kaufman Tavern (if you’ve never been there… it’s a must try! So delicious. The charred cauliflower appetizer is my absolute favorite!)

Together, we chose a location in Zelienople that would be photo-worthy for such an occasion. The day was set, the location was set, and everything seemed to be falling into place… except for a few surprises!

The first surprise (which won’t really be a surprise if you’re familiar with the weather here in Pittsburgh) was the weather. All week leading up to the proposal, there was a strong chance of rain (and storms) for the majority of the day. The day of the proposal, however, it was only overcast, no rain. Woo hoo!

The second surprise came from me. After cleaning out our attic the day before the proposal, I slipped down our steps and rolled my foot. Nothing was broken, but I couldn’t walk on it and couldn’t put a shoe on it (definitely a problem if you’re photographing a proposal…) There was no WAY I was going to cancel, so I did a lot of praying, and the next day, I was able to at least put some weight on my foot. I still couldn’t fit a shoe on it, however… so yes - I photographed this entire proposal with only one shoe on, hobbling around. The ground was cold and wet, but that’s nothing that a pair of fuzzy socks and a heating pad couldn’t fix after the fact!

God bless my husband, Nick, who came with me and was my human crutch.

But back to Amber and Ryan! Ryan popped the question to Amber, she said yes, and then her best friend (who had been in hiding across the street in the Walgreen’s parking lot!) came over with some very on-theme “Bride-to-be” and “Maid-of-honor” bedazzled sunglasses! We took some photos at the gazebo, then headed back to Kaufman Tavern to take some photos out front… since it is a special part of their story now!

Amber & Ryan, thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a special moment for you two! Congratulations on your engagement!

Jay & Swetha: Phipp's Conservatory Surprise Proposal

It's hard to beat a Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens proposal... especially when it's at golden hour, the proposee drove in from DC to surprise his girlfriend, and their friends & family from out of town came in to be a part of the surprise, too!

If you couldn't tell already... this was an epic proposal!

Jay contacted me a few months ago to be a part of capturing this special moment for he and his now-fiancé, Swetha! Because he's currently residing in DC, he planned this entire surprise with the help of their friends & family from afar.

When I showed up to the Broderie Room this past Saturday, I had never seen it looking so good (and I've photographed quite a few Phipp's proposals)! Jay & his brother were scattering rose petals along the ground and placing framed photos and envelopes (each containing a poem, written by Jay), marking each year they had been together (four years this summer!).

Swetha's friends played the crucial role of guiding her to the room where Jay was waiting (and of bringing some press on nails for after the proposal to make sure her hands were ring ready). After she read each poem, Jay got down on one knee, and of course... the rest is history! She said yes, and after we took a few photos of the two of them together, their immediate families and friends surprised Swetha by walking through the door. It was such a sweet moment!

It was a joy to be a part of such a sweet moment for these two... congratulations to Jay & Swetha on your engagement!

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PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Interested in having me photograph your proposal? Feel free to reach out by clicking here, or email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com. I would love to work with you!

Jake Proposes to Dana at the Point!

Secret proposals are always my favorite… and Jake and Dana’s was no different!

Jake had contacted me a few months ago inquiring about having me take some photos at Point State Park for his proposal to his then-girlfriend, Dana. The plan included Jake taking Dana to dinner in the city. After, they would walk over and he would pop the question!

Leading up to the day of the proposal, there was a threat of rain, but it seemed to subside once the actual day came. However, when we were waiting (sneakily!) at the fountain for Jake to walk Dana to our agreed upon proposal spot, we noticed some dark storm clouds starting to roll in. The sky kept getting darker and darker, and we were a little nervous, wondering if the rain would hold off for the proposal, and if we would have enough light to actually capture it.

Well… the rain did hold off, and we had just enough natural light! Jake and Dana walked across the Point State Park lawn, and as Jake went down on one knee, I pulled up my camera - and Dana started walking towards me, away from Jake! Thinking I was just a casual photographer who hopped on the moment after seeing what was happening (I think!), she said “oh, he’s just kidding!” And I replied… “I don’t think so!!! Go back!” 😂 And well, she did. And to her surprise, Jake was quite serious. And yes… she said yes!

We had a few minutes after the proposal for a few more photos before the super dark clouds rolled in and we lost the majority of our light. The winds picked up so much that they were practically blowing us over as we rain back to the parking garage (lots of camera gear + no umbrella = not a great combination for getting stuck in a rain storm!). BUT we made it, and the most important thing was that we were able to capture that sweet moment, and Jake & Dana were able to take that moment in - sans rain!

Jake & Dana, a huge congratulations to you both on your engagement! Thank you so much for the honor of being a part of such a sweet moment!