One for the Books: A Surprise Marriage Proposal in New Orleans

Prologue

When Jacob contacted me about proposing to Amanda inside a bookstore, I knew this was the perfect challenge for me. Bookstores offer a certain intimacy and charm that make them ideal settings for a romantic surprise proposal. The store he had in mind, though, presented some logistical hurdles. Its tight spaces and narrow aisles would make it difficult to set up a surprise without attracting attention, photography would be difficult, and its location just outside of Jackson Square was loud and busy. On our first consultation call, I assured him that I could find the perfect bookstore with the right balance of aesthetics, space, and privacy- as well as sprinkling in a little Lady zhuzh to make the moment unforgettable.

Beyond finding the right location, I suggested adding a personal touch to make the proposal even more memorable—a custom, hand-made book that would be part of the surprise. Jacob loved the idea, so we got to work right away. I started by compiling a list of bookstores known for their picturesque settings that also had ample space for surprise photography.

Chapter 1: Carefully Setting the Scene

During our planning call, we carefully reviewed each bookstore, considering factors like lighting, crowd levels, location, and privacy. When we settled on Octavia Books, it felt like a perfect match. This charming independent bookstore not only had the aesthetic Jacob was looking for but also welcomed the idea of hosting a surprise proposal. It was the ideal setting for what would become a truly magical moment.

With the location settled, we came up with a plan for the day that we could hide the surprise inside. They would explore the Lower Garden District and the Tree of Life before heading to dinner. However, he would realize that he "accidentally" get the dinner reservation time wrong while at the Tree, giving them a reason to visit the bookstore to kill time. There, they would wander around until they found the fake book, which would lead to the big moment.

Chapter 2: Location scouting the perfect proposal position

I hadn’t been to Octavia in years and the last time I was inside I wasn’t looking at it through the lens of staging a proposal. So I planned a visit to scout for the perfect proposal spot. The setting would need to accommodate the surprise without attracting too much attention while also providing the best possible backdrop for the photographs. The store had a variety of interesting nooks and display areas, each with its own character. I walked through the entire bookstore, taking note of the layout and lighting while firing off some photos of spots that met all of the criteria I was looking for.

After exploring the space, I narrowed my selection to three key spots, each with its own advantages. The first option was tucked away toward the back of the store, offering plenty of privacy but limited natural light. The second option was near the cashier, providing more space but also more potential for curious onlookers. The third option, near the front window, struck a balance between privacy and natural light, offering a bright and inviting atmosphere with a colorful backdrop of books. I sent Jacob the scouting photos and I detailed each location's unique attributes and potential challenges. Ultimately, I recommended the spot near the front window—it had the ideal lighting for photography, with enough seclusion to maintain the surprise. Jacob agreed that the third option was the best one and we were off to the presses!

Chapter 3: Designing an unforgettable element of surprise

Starting with the very first contact form, Jacob filled our interactions with details about Amanda’s personality. Jacob described Amanda in a way that made it clear she was someone vibrant and multifaceted. He said, "Amanda is very alternative and fashionable. She has tattoos and is also a book nerd, Disney nerd, and library clerk. She’s witty, funny, and can make friends with anyone she meets. I love her immensely." I wanted the book cover to reflect not only who Amanda was but how Jacob felt about her.

We discussed the visuals for the dust jacket during out planning call-a New Orleans scene, gothic and vintage romance novel vibes, deep green color tones, and ornate gold accents. The title would be "Love You More" with an inscription inside that read, "Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same." With these details settled on, Jacob gave me full artistic license to run wild.

And run wild I did!

I used an old, hardcover book, covered the spine with spackle to hide the previous title, sanded it smooth, then painted and added gold lettering. I designed a dust jacket with a scene reminiscent of the French Quarter at night featuring a couple in a loving embrace while dressed in elaborate, Victorian era attire. I made sure to include an orante gold border and just a touch of tropical plants to really encompass the Southern Louisiana vibe. I had it professionally printed on paper similar to what you’d find wrapped around a new book at the store. And I had an extra copy printed on matte paper so I could cut it down and glue it inside the front cover (a bit of that Lady zhuzh I mentioned!). The inscription was written in metallic gold on parchment-style paper and glued on top of the first page. I finished it off by gilding the edges of the pages with gold and gilding around the message on the parchment as well. It was a stunning piece that I knew Amanda was going to love and I hoped she’d hang onto for many years to come.

Chapter 4: the moment we’ve all been waiting for

On the day of the proposal, the weather posed a slight challenge. It was overcast when I scouted the location. But on the day of the proposal, the sun was shining brightly, casting shadows right where the couple would stand. Jacob had to stall for a bit while we waited for the clouds to return. Eventually, when it didn’t seem like we were going to be saved by a cloud, we had to go with what was there and I told him to head on over from the park with the hopes that they could kill enough time in the store to let the sun drop behind the buildings across the street. I hid behind a car outside the shop, cameras strapped to my harness, and waited for them to head over. It felt like an eternity but soon I saw the spectacularly dressed couple making their way into the shop. I waited a few beats before entering the store as well, giving them enough time to clear the entrance before I scuttled in with an arsenal of cameras.

Once inside, hiding was a bit tricky- I had to duck behind shelves and peek around corners to avoid being seen. All the while, Jacob was texting me and waiting for my signal that they should go over to the spot. The shop’s clerk became my co-conspirator, rearranging books nearby and casually glancing at the couple to let me know if it was safe for me to move. It really felt like something out of a movie with me waiting until the perfect moment to scurry from one spot to the next and stay out of sight, ultimately ending up where I could get to the right vantage point for the proposal without being discovered! My heart was pounding as I hid in an alcove where I hoped they wouldn’t spot me. I texted Jacob that it was time to move towards the book we created together but stressed he should absolutely not turn into the hallway where I was hidden! I crossed my fingers, held my breath, and hoped we didn’t have a tell-tale heart moment as Jacob led Amanda to the spot.

When the moment came, everything went as planned. Jacob led Amanda to the corner where the fake book was planted, and as she picked it up, I was in position, taking photos silently. I could hear Amanda say “hey! You tricked me!” just before Jacob smiled and dropped to one knee. While there had been talk of a proposal and she knew it was coming at some point, Amanda was genuinely surprised that it was going down right then and there in a bookstore! Jacob had thought that he wouldn’t be able to surprise her. But with me on his team, we delivered the surprise of her life!

Chapter 5: Basking in the Afterglow

After the proposal, we took a series of engagement photos around the bookstore. Amanda's flowy Selkie dress added a dreamy, romantic quality to the photos, giving them a fantasy-like feel. I had a few spots already picked out for portraits but Amanda and Jacob just looked so damn good together against the backdrop of colorful books that I kept seeing shots I wanted to take! At one point, Amanda retrieved a ring from her bag to give to Jacob. She didn’t take a knee but instead whispered a few words that only Jacob could hear before sliding the band on his finger, solidifying his newly minted fiance status as well. This was only the second time I’d seen a woman return the ring gesture to a man after his proposal- and just like the first time it was a complete surprise to me!

In typical Lady fashion, I had to force myself to stop taking photos and let them head to dinner (after sharing a few previews via the back of the camera, of course). The couple left the bookstore in high spirits, with Amanda even purchasing a book she’d picked out before she realized the bookstore was more than just a simple bookstore that day.

As they were about to leave, I realized I still had the protective bag for the custom book and sprinted out to their car to hand it to them. I fortunately caught them before they drove away. I wanted to make sure their beautiful piece of handmade artwork made it home with them safely.

From there I was tasked with packing up my gear and heading home to start their edit. I pushed and pulled the light and colors in post to take what could have been an unfortunate lighting scenario and turned it into images that feel like paintings- as if someone had illustrated a picture book of their proposal story. I do my best to get everything picture perfect in camera. But when that simply isn’t possible (a situation the unpredictable nature of proposals can often lead to) I use several decades of photo editing experience to make the images as dreamy as the moment itself.

Epilogue

This proposal at Octavia Books was truly unforgettable. Being part of Jacob and Amanda's surprise marriage proposal was a joy, and seeing their happiness as everything came together is a high you have to experience to real understand. It's proposals like these that really highlight why I do what I do. The blend of creativity, romance, and that bespoke surprise element elevated their experience and made it something they could not have gotten anywhere else.

Looking forward, I'm thrilled at the opportunity to craft more unique proposals. Every couple brings their own one-of-a-kind story, and I'm eager to create experiences that are tailored just for them, capturing the essence of their relationship in a way only they can appreciate. Jacob and Amanda's unforgettable day was just the beginning—there are so many more incredible chapters to write for couples who choose to get engaged in New Orleans.

Ready to turn the page and start the next chapter of your own love story?