Engagement Season: A Time for New Beginnings and Big Dreams


As the temperatures drop and holiday lights begin to twinkle, another special season warms hearts everywhere: Engagement Season. The period between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day is known as the peak time for proposals, with nearly 40% of couples getting engaged during these cozy, magical months. Maybe it’s the festivity in the air or the chance to celebrate with loved ones nearby, but for couples ready to take the next step, this time of year couldn’t feel more perfect.


The Timing and Trends of Proposals

According to a recent survey, 19% of engagements happen in December alone, with Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day topping the list of most popular proposal dates. Proposing during this season offers a sense of nostalgia and intimacy – it’s an extraordinary moment wrapped in the warm, familiar feeling of the holidays. And while public proposals are still popular, a growing number of couples are opting for quieter, more intimate settings – the kind that let you stay lost in each other’s gaze without the world watching.

A couple shares a romantic sunset moment on a tree-lined path.
Close-up shot of hands with engagement ring in soft focus.
Couple poses by a serene lake during autumn with Spanish moss hanging from trees.
A romantic engagement photo shows a couple sharing an intimate moment as sunlight glows behind them.

Tips for a Memorable Proposal


Planning a proposal isn’t just about choosing a ring or getting down on one knee. It's about creating a moment that feels true to your relationship. Here are a few thoughtful tips to consider:

  1. Choose a Personal Location: Think about places that hold significance in your relationship – the park where you had your first date, your favorite hiking trail, or even your living room, where you’ve shared countless quiet moments. The setting should feel authentic, a place where you both feel at ease. The locations featured in these images are Greenfield Lake, Fort Fisher, and Downtown Wilmington, NC.
  2. Make it About Your Story: Use meaningful details that capture your relationship. Maybe it's playing your favorite song in the background, giving a heartfelt speech that shares what you love most about your partner, or incorporating personal elements like favorite memories or promises for the future.
  3. Consider Having a Photographer: Capturing the raw, emotional moment of a proposal is something you'll cherish forever. A professional photographer can hide discreetly and capture those first, precious seconds when everything changes. It might feel like a small detail, but those photos can carry the feeling of that moment into the future, allowing you to relive it over and over.
  4. Stay Present: In the nerves and excitement, remember to pause, breathe, and fully take in the moment. No matter how you envision your proposal, the love and promise between you two is the heart of it all.


A romantic proposal scene unfolds on a sandy beach near the ocean during golden hour.
An intimate moment captured between a couple embracing on a beach during sunset.

You’re Engaged! Now What?


Once the euphoria settles, the reality of wedding planning often kicks in. There’s a long list ahead, but here are a few of the most important next steps to start your journey.

  1. Celebrate with Your Loved Ones: Before diving into planning, take time to bask in the moment with your friends and family. Whether it’s a small celebration at home or a virtual toast with loved ones far away, sharing the joy with those closest to you makes it even sweeter.
  2. Set a Timeline: Are you envisioning a summer wedding next year, or do you want to enjoy a long engagement? Having an idea of when you’d like to get married can guide your planning process and help narrow down the venue and vendor options.
  3. Choose the Right Wedding Photographer: Photographs will be one of the few lasting mementos of your wedding day. A photographer does more than just snap photos; they capture the feeling of the day, the stolen glances, the quiet moments, and the grand celebrations. Finding a photographer whose style resonates with you, who understands your vision, is one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll make. As you look back on your photos years from now, you’ll want to feel that same bittersweet ache of nostalgia, those memories preserved like a time capsule of love.
  4. Dream Together: Before diving into all the details, take time to talk about your vision for the wedding day together. What parts of the day feel most important to you both? Is it a big celebration with everyone you know or a quiet, intimate gathering? This will give you a shared sense of purpose and direction for every decision you make.


A couple shares a romantic embrace on a dock with a bridge in the background.
A tender moment between a couple hugging on a waterfront pier near a drawbridge.
A loving couple embraces on a dock with an industrial bridge backdrop.

Embrace the Journey


Engagement Season is more than just a proposal; it’s the beginning of a journey that’s all yours. It’s about creating a story that reflects your relationship – not just on the wedding day but in every little moment leading up to it. Each decision, from where you get married to who you trust to capture it, builds a piece of your story. So, embrace the excitement, take moments to let the reality sink in, and remember – this is just the beginning of your greatest adventure.