Jake and Addie: Propose in New Orleans
No Rain on Our Parade in Jackson Square
how we contended with rain and some unplanned surprises to pull off Jake’s surprise proposal to Addie
Picture this: Jackson Square, with the iconic St. Louis Cathedral standing tall in the background. Now, imagine orchestrating a surprise proposal for a deserving couple right there on center stage. Sounds epic, right? Trust me, this one was an adventure to remember.
The Plan
Jake and Addie hopped in from Mississippi for what Addie thought was a chill weekend to commemorate her college graduation. Little did she know, this weekend would mark the beginning of their forever journey. Jake and I had worked out every intricate detail of this plan, from a secret family reunion to friends posing for photographs.
The original game plan was for Addie’s mom to text her letting her know she’d gotten the couple a celebratory private carriage ride. This was the perfect alibi for the couple to separate from their pals and venture on a romantic trot around New Orleans. Meanwhile, I’d team up with their buddies, to rehearse our plan: I would pose as a local photographer offering to take people’s photo in front of the cathedral for tips.The friends would pose with the couple and on my cue they were to peel off, shower them with rose petals, and voilà, Jake would pop the question with the mesmerizing cathedral framing them. A friend, pretending to be off to the side on his phone, would then cue the hiding family to emerge and double the surprise!
Unplanned interference
But here’s where the plot thickens: Rain poured, washing away the carriage ride. That was okay. Plans change and we adapt. I told them to soak in the vibes of the French Quarter, shop a little, enjoy the rhythm of the city. But then, just as they were deep into the cobbled streets, who did they bump into? None other than Addie’s family! Including her grandma, who is not one to typically venture out into the city. Quick thinking saved the day, with Addie's mom conjuring up a tale of a surprise grad lunch. PHEW! They really almost revealed the whole surprise too soon!
When their friends met me at the location, anxious whispers filled the air. They told me about the accidental family run-in and were so worried Addie had caught on. There was nothing we could do about it at that point, though. We just had to stick to the plan and hope for the best!
We did a dry-run (ironic on such a rainy day!) before Jake and Addie arrived and we crossed our fingers the rain wouldn’t start up again until after the big moment.
The Big Moment
The couple arrived right on schedule and the friends asked them to take a photo with them. One friend called to her boyfriend (the plant set to signal the family) to join them for the photo. That was the cue for the action to kick off.
Rose petals flew, hearts raced, and Jake took a knee. Addie, was taken aback. The family hadn’t given away the surprise at all! A resounding 'yes' echoed, and then the family leapt from their hiding spots, showering the couple with cheers and love. The sight of Jake, fist raised triumphantly, will forever be etched in my memory.
Joy created. Job completed.
Capturing those smiles, the raw emotion, and the collective joy in my lens was nothing short of magical. We celebrated with group photos, laughter, and stories of the day's unexpected twists.
This is the real behind-the-scenes scoop: every proposal is unique, and while we meticulously plan every detail, sometimes life throws curveballs. And that's where the real magic happens. We adapt, we improvise, and we create memories that'll last a lifetime.
If you’re looking to craft your perfect moment, you got this – and I’m here to help. Dive into the magic of New Orleans with a surprise that’ll be talked about for generations. Whether it's rain or shine, you’ll have my expert coordination and local knowledge to lean on and make sure it’s everything you dreamed of. Get in touch, and let’s make some magic happen!
