Surprise Marriage Proposal | Nataly + Mike

Surprise Marriage Proposal | Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dumbo

I cannot express how surprised I am that Mike was able to pull off a surprise proposal in full view of family and with the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop. 

Mike and I met a couple days ahead of time to discuss location and how we were going to recognize each other. He explained that his family was going to be there, and he gave me a way to get in touch with them. I was reluctant to text him too much because I didn’t want to give Nataly a reason to be skeptical. 

About an hour before Nataly and Mike were supposed to arrive, I scouted out a location that I thought would be ideal. We agreed to meet at the Brooklyn Bridge Lookout - right by the Ample Hills Creamery. The family gathered on the opposite side of a slip for a floating restaurant. They were able to stay far enough away so that they couldn’t easily be seen, but the water gave them a completely unobstructed view. 

There were several locations that would’ve worked perfectly, but there was really only one that provided the family with the opportunity to see the proposal - and there was a wedding party in the spot taking formals. But we still had time. We had just had a substantial snowfall, and the family had been sitting in the cold for over an hour. I wanted to make sure the family could see the big event. 

Thankfully, with only about ten minutes before they were due to arrive, the bridal party packed up, and I quickly took over the spot. I made sure I could see the family and that I could get a good angle with the Brooklyn Bridge. Right after I took up my spot, Mike sent me a text that they had just parked and that they were headed to me.

A few minutes later, I saw them walking. I kept my back to them and pretended to take some landscape photos of the bridge. As soon as they passed me, Mike asked me if I could take a picture of the two of them and handed me his phone. Within seconds, he had dropped down onto one knee with the gorgeous ring he selected. 

The family started cheering from a distance, a friend came running in, and, for a couple of minutes, everyone in Brooklyn Bridge Park knew what was happening. 

Then, for the next forty-five minutes or so, there was a celebration. In the middle of Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, there were about 20 people who had their own private event with champagne flowing and an iconic background. 

The whole event was very emotional - from the anticipation, to Nataly’s genuine surprise, to the celebration. It was really wonderful to see two families celebrate the relationship between Nataly and Mike and the genuine happiness for their future life together.