A Chalmers Street Proposal in Charleston | Ella + Jake

It’s no secret that I love proposals, and this one on Chalmers Street in downtown Charleston was amazing! Jake had contacted me a few months before his proposal. He and Ella were coming to Charleston for a little weekend getaway, and he knew it was where he wanted to propose! Unlike a lot of my proposals, he didn’t want me to be a ninja, hiding away and capturing the moment from afar. Instead, he wanted me to be an actor!

His plan was that he and Ella would walk down the street on the way to their dinner reservations. I would approach them nervously, saying something like, “Hey y’all, I know this is SO weird, but I’m a photographer from out of town. I’m in Charleston to take an engagement session for a couple, but their flight got cancelled this morning. (Totally believable right now, amiright?!) Since I’m already here, I wanted to get some photos of Charleston for my portfolio, and now that I’m on this street, I reeeeeally want a cute couple to photograph! Is there ANY way I could take a few photos of you guys? Again, super weird, I know!!” Jake would kind of sigh and say, “Ok, well I need to call the restaurant…we’re supposed to be going to dinner…” and act a little put out, like most men would be :) While he was “on the phone,” I told Ella that they were the second couple I had asked to take photos, and the first couple was totally weirded out. I was hoping that would throw her off if she was suspicious!

Of course the restaurant could hold off on the imaginary reservations, and we started taking photos! I gave Jake the secret signal, which was a little game I made up. As Ella took steps away from Jake thinking she was playing a game, he got down on one knee. When she turned around, there he was! Her tears of happiness were the sweetest thing! After their proposal, she told multiple people that we passed that they had just gotten engaged :) 

A huge congrats to Jake and Ella for an amazing proposal story!! And as you can see, if you’re planning a proposal, I’m up for any idea! I love all the creative ways proposals happen these days, and I love to be part of them. Contact me on Instagram or at hello@taylorraephotography.com if you’re planning your own proposal!