Dover Engagement Photography: Surprise Proposal on the White Cliffs of Dover

Written By Nastia Photography
A sunset photo of a man kissing a woman with the sun coming in between them. Her curly hair seems golden and is moving in the wind. You can see an engagement ring on her arm resting on his arm. There are buildings and fields in the background.

Here’s how Dover engagement photography experience might look like based on a real story of J&J, an American couple who had their proposal and engagement session on the White Cliffs with Nastia Photography.

We’re flying in from the States to the UK and will be in Dover for a day, could you help me plan my proposal and be our photographer? It’s a secret!

J wanted to surprise his girlfriend, J, by proposing on the White Cliffs of Dover, a breathtaking location that holds deep significance as the closest point to France in the UK. Both J and his girlfriend share British and French heritage, making this setting even more meaningful. Their journey from the United States to Europe was filled with excitement and anticipation. In preparation, I meticulously scouted various picturesque locations along the stunning Dover coast to select the perfect spot for a once-in-a-lifetime Dover proposal photography experience.

A phone photo of the White Cliffs of Dover with red writing and arrows indicating "you" and "her" to mark the spots where the secret proposal will be taking space.

Me sending a pre-proposal instruction photo to J

To elevate the proposal, I collaborated with a talented local musician, Tom Dawson, and videographer, Matt Ashbee, to make the moment truly unforgettable. Given the open landscape of the cliffs, I needed a clever approach to avoid raising suspicion. Though I planned to use a telephoto lens for discreet capturing, I soon discovered that the area is frequented by wildlife photographers keen on spotting the nesting falcons on the cliffs! Nonetheless, I was determined to execute the proposal flawlessly. We devised a ruse to film a music video near the spot chosen for the Dover proposal photography, which allowed us to blend in seamlessly.

As the couple stood on the edge of the majestic cliff, the moment arrived when J pointed out towards France. It was showtime! Following our plan, Tom began strumming the opening chords of ‘Wagon Wheel’ by Old Crow Medicine Show, creating a special atmosphere for J as he knelt down to propose. The surprise was palpable, and his partner’s reaction was everything they’d hoped for—a moment of pure joy and astonishment that would be forever etched in their memories!

A man in smart dark trousers and light shirt is on one knee proposing at the White Cliffs of Dover to a woman with blonde hair wearing a white tank top and black and white polka dot skirt. The sea is in the background.

Once the exuberant proposal concluded and we all gathered together, Tom treated the delighted couple to a private performance, serenading them with a selection of heartfelt songs. Meanwhile, Matt expertly captured stunning aerial footage using his drone, providing a unique perspective on their special moment and the breathtaking scenery surrounding us.

Drone photo of the couple after their secret proposal moment. You can see the white cliffs and sea.
Black and white photo of a man with dark short hair kissing a woman whose arms are around his neck. The woman's hair is curly. This is a proposal photoshoot on the White Cliffs of Dover.

After the intimate performance, we transitioned into a romantinc engagement photoshoot. The atmosphere was filled with love and excitement, and emotions were running high. As we explored different spots along the cliffs, I ensured to capture every candid moment, every smile, and every glance exchanged between the couple. The photographs turned out to be incredibly romantic, encapsulating the essence of their love story against the stunning backdrop of the White Cliffs. Congratulations to J & J on their engagement! May your journey together be filled with everlasting love and adventure!

A man and a woman are standing facing each other with the man's hands on the woman's hips and she is holding his face. You can see an engagement ring on her finger. There is a ferry far in the background as this is a proposal on the White Cliffs.
A woman with blond wavy hair, white tank top and black polka dot wrap around skirt is looking up as she is leading her now fiance by the hand along a path on the White Cliffs of Dover.
A photograph of hands held from the ground up. You can see a man's silhouette. The focus is on the two hands, one is wearing a gold engagement ring with diamonds and a dark stone in the middle. The background is the blue sky.

Check out my other blog posts for secret proposal and engagement inspiration! For example this Heartstopper Inspired Proposal at Herne Bay or this Romantic Secret Proposal at Port Lympne. If you’re looking to propose to your partner and are looking for an engagement photographer in Kent, get in touch and together we will plan a beautiful proposal that will be photographed so you can always have keepsakes of this special moment of your lives.

Nastia Photography https://www.nnastiaphotography.com
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