Surprise Proposal at The Hermitage Hotel | Nashville Wedding and Proposal Photographer Kalilah and Trey

Surprise Wedding Proposal at The Hermitage Hotel’s Sippin’ Tea in Nashville

As a Nashville wedding photographer, I’m always honored to capture life’s biggest moments — but proposals are a whole different kind of magic (and stress!). You only get one chance to photograph a “yes,” and there’s no re-do.

Troy planned a surprise wedding proposal to Kalilah during Sippin’ Tea at The Hermitage Hotelrnoon-tea/, Nashville’s elegant afternoon tea experience in their gorgeous blue Veranda. The challenge? There was nowhere to hide with my camera gear without giving myself away.

While Kalilah enjoyed her tea service, Troy slipped away to meet me in the hallway so we could finalize our game plan. I would wait outside the Veranda and quietly step in moments before he asked the big question. While I waited, the incredibly kind Hermitage staff brought me my own tea service — a sweet (and very welcome) surprise that helped me blend in until it was time.

When the moment came, Troy got down on one knee beside their table, tea cakes and fine china just inches away. Kalilah’s face lit up in the biggest smile — pure joy. She kissed him as soon as she said yes, her eyes full of love and excitement.

After the proposal, we wandered through the historic Hermitage Hotel for posed portraits — from the quiet elegance of the now-empty Veranda, to the grand lobby, to charming nooks outside. Every photograph captured their adoration and the magic of their engagement day.

Tavern Nashville Proposal - Jamie and Stephen

Stephen contacted me to photograph him proposing to Jamie at the place that he saw her for the first time. They were meeting for a blind date at Tavern and he spotted her walking towards the restaurant and he wanted to propose in that spot. Tavern was closed the night he planned to ask Jamie to marry him so he made a reservation for them to have dinner around the corner and they walked back towards Tavern where I was hiding (behind a dumpster) to photograph the proposal. Jamie was surprised not once but twice that night when Stephen arranged for their family and friends to be waiting for them at Hop Smith to celebrate the big occasion. Well done Stephen.

Winter Nashville Proposal - Katie & Eric

Last year I photographed Eric proposing to Katie on the walking bridge in downtown, Nashville, TN. Because of what was supposed to be pretty awful storms, we almost had to bring the proposal indoors. Luckily they passed and all we had was wind to deal with. Katie was completely surprised and I was so happy to be able to capture their special moment.

CMA Marriage Proposal - Jessica & Scott

This might be my favorite marriage proposal story yet. Scott and Jessica were flying into Nashville to attend the CMA Awards and unbeknownst to Jessica, Scott was going to propose while they were there. Scott and I set  a location and a time and I waited for them to arrive at Cumberland Park. Scott told Jessica that they were going to meet a tour guide to take them on a tour of The Opry. So they grabbed an Uber and headed my direction. Jessica was confused as to why they are headed away from The Opry and on the whole ride their Uber driver is telling them all kinds of stories about crime and wanting to fight people. They showed up at Cumberland Park which other than me is deserted. I'm trying to hide my cameras and not look suspicious but also be seen by Scott so that he knows that everything is ready to go. So basically.... I looked sketchy and I hear Jessica say "This is weird. Why are we meeting a tour guide here." She was completely weirded out by this out of the way location and the strange women that keeps stealing glances at them. Next thing she knows Scott drops to one knee. I'm pretty sure her first words were "No. Stop. What are you doing?" And then "Yes. Of course yes." She was so shocked and still did not know what was going on (see the image directly below). She gradually grasped that she was now engaged but Scott definitely surprised her.

Congratulations, Jessica & Scott! I'm so glad I could provide a situation where Jessica questioned her safety, but ended up getting something really sparkly. I hope you enjoyed the CMA Awards. Please enjoy their chilly CMA Marriage Proposal!

Sunset Nashville Skyline Proposal - Bill & Becky

Bill contacted me a month ago and said that he and his girlfriend Becky were going to be visiting Nashville and he was going to surprise her by proposing! Would I be interested in photographing it? Of course! Last Friday I found my spot on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and fended off millennials with selfie sticks. When Bill walked, up two bicyclists had taken over my location and I had to motion to Bill to propose in a different spot. There is always something, but it all worked out! Becky was excited and shocked. You'll see the shot where Bill pointed me out. Congratulations Bill & Becky! Thanks for choosing me to photograph your Sunset Nashville Skyline Wedding Proposal!

Easter Wedding Proposal - Shelby & Jackson

I honestly think proposals are one of the most complicated things that I photograph. You can't be seen and you pray and pray that the proposee (is that a word) doesn't walk into bad light or turn away from the camera. Mainly you hope that you don't wreck the surprise!

Jackson, with the help of his family, planned out a very sweet proposal on Easter Sunday at Cheekwood in Nashville, Tennessee. An egg trinket box with the ring in it was placed in a planter with the intention of having Shelby find it. I arrived early and kept an eye out for the couple and watched over the ring. Everything was quiet (other than the woman singing the full soundtrack to Beauty and the Beast) up until the moment I see Shelby and Jackson walk up. At that point a family decides to stand by the bench so I quickly shoo them off. Jackson sees it happen and does a loop past the proposal spot. When they are about ready to walk up again, a woman spots the egg and picks it up. So I run over and ask her to put it back. My heart is racing probably as much as Jackson's at this point and I'm really worried than Shelby has seen all this commotion. But she hasn't. She has NO IDEA. She doesn't even see the egg box. You can see what unfolded below. Once Jackson pointed me out, we did a couple of posed photos, but mainly I stayed back and photographed them basking in their happiness. I would like to call this collection of photos - "The Many Flabbergasted Moments of Shelby". Thanks to Angela Proffitt for sending this adorable couple my way!

Nashville Skyline Proposal - Kameron & Natalie

While on vacation in Nashville this past weekend, Kameron proposed to Natalie on the walking bridge in front of the skyline. Kameron called me that morning and somehow we planned most of it via text message without Natalie catching on. Below are a few of my favorites that I think perfectly captures the many different emotions you feel during your proposal. 

An Arrington Vineyard Proposal - Katie & Jose

Early one morning last year I got a call from Angela Proffitt asking if I was available to photograph a proposal at Arrington Vineyards that evening. Jose was going to propose to Katie and he wanted someone to capture it. Proposals are tricky because you can’t be seen and it’s really hard to disguise yourself when you have a huge lens and all of your gear hanging off of you. Well Katie had no clue. In fact, she was somewhat disappointed because she thought that this beautiful picnic would have been the perfect moment for Jose to pop the question and she didn’t think he was going to. Little did she know that he was going to do exactly that. Jose acted like they were packing up and then dropped to one knee and asked Katie to be his wife. Katie and Jose, I cannot believe that you guys are getting married in a little over a week! It's almost here!!