The best places for a surprise proposal in the Dolomites
And what actually makes one unforgettable
— and what actually makes one unforgettable
There’s a moment, usually somewhere between the planning and the day itself, when the person organising a surprise proposal realises something: the location is only part of it.
I’ve photographed proposals across the Dolomites for nearly ten years. Hidden behind rocks at Lago di Braies at dawn, crouched in the grass at Alpe di Siusi while a storm rolled in, waiting on a ridge at Seceda for the light to do what I knew it would do — eventually. What I’ve learned is that the most memorable proposals aren’t the ones with the most dramatic backdrop. They’re the ones where everything was thought through, and then quietly let go.
Here are the places I return to most.
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Lago di Braies
The turquoise water, the vertical peaks, the wooden rowing boats along the shore — Braies is one of the most recognised landscapes in the Alps, and it earns every photograph taken here. For proposals, the early morning is everything. By 8am in high summer the lake is busy; before sunrise it feels entirely yours.
Practical note: parking requires a reservation during peak season. Plan ahead.
Secret Proposal at Lake Braies
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The three towers are among the most iconic silhouettes in the Dolomites — and one of the most physically demanding locations on this list. The approach is a proper mountain walk, and the altitude means weather shifts fast. That changeability is, paradoxically, what I love about it. A storm rolling in during a proposal creates photographs impossible to replicate on a clear day.
Practical note: access is via a private toll road.
Engagement Session Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Cadini di Misurina
Less visited than Tre Cime but photographically extraordinary — the Cadini group seen from the classic viewpoint above Misurina is one of the most dramatic compositions in the region. The walk to the belvedere takes around 30 to 40 minutes, a reward entirely disproportionate to the effort.
This is a location I recommend for couples who want something that feels genuinely discovered rather than expected. The crowd thins quickly once you leave the main path.
Practical note: same private toll road as Tre Cime applies.
Secret Proposal at Cadini di Misurina
Alpe di Siusi
The largest alpine meadow in Europe, with the Sassolungo massif rising almost vertically to the south. In summer, wildflowers. In winter, snow and silence. The plateau offers remarkable variety — open meadow, mountain backdrop, golden hour light that at dusk becomes genuinely exceptional.
A good option for couples who want the Dolomites experience without a demanding hike.
Practical note: access is primarily by gondola, which has a last descent around 5pm (varies by season). The road is also open to cars at certain hours — worth checking ahead.
Engagement Session Alpe di Siusi
Seceda
The Geisler ridgeline faces west. In the late afternoon, the rock face turns from grey to amber to a deep rose that lasts only minutes. I know exactly when that light arrives at each time of year, and I plan the moment around it.
The cable car from Ortisei reaches the summit in under fifteen minutes. Most day visitors have already descended by the time the best light appears — which is precisely why I love it.
Practical note: the last gondola down is around 5pm (varies by season). The proposal needs to be timed carefully to make the most of the light without missing the descent.
Secret Proposal Seceda
Passo Giau
At 2236 metres, this is the most remote location on the list — and the least known to anyone who hasn’t spent serious time in the Dolomites. Wide open sky, no tree line, a quality of silence that’s hard to find this close to civilisation. I recommend it for couples who want something that feels entirely off the usual path.
Practical note: accessible by car only. No public transport.
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What actually makes a proposal unforgettable
The location is the easiest part. Here’s what matters more.
Timing.
The difference between a proposal at 10am and one at 7pm in the same location can be the difference between a snapshot and a photograph. These places have their own relationship with light — work with someone who knows when to be there, not just where.
Weather.
Some of my best photographs were taken in rain, approaching storms, or flat grey light. The Dolomites in difficult conditions are still the Dolomites. What matters is a photographer who works with the weather, not against it.
Invisibility.
I arrive before you do and position myself a few metres away, camera in hand, looking every bit like an ordinary tourist passing through. By the time you reach the spot, I’m already part of the scene. Nobody notices. The moment happens exactly as you planned — and the photographs show it.
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If you’re planning a proposal in the Dolomites and want to talk through the details, I’m happy to help. Reach me by email or WhatsApp — no obligation, just a conversation.
photo@raulsantos.net · +39 349 621 9712
Secret Proposal in Venice
Proposing in Venice
Where to start.
Once you've decided that Venice will be the setting for your dream wedding proposal, you need to choose where you're going to propose. Venice offers a myriad of options, one more beautiful than the other to be the backdrop for the moment you get down on one knee and wait for the long-awaited yes, I do.
One of the first things to decide is whether the proposal can be public and in full view of passers-by, public but in a quieter place off the beaten track, or in a private, exclusive place out of the reach of onlookers.
Having the moment of the proposal recorded by a professional photographer means that you can concentrate on the proposal itself, and fully feel your loved one's reaction without worrying about how to get a photo of the moment. A proposal shoot will capture all the reactions right from the start, trying to frame the couple in the incredible settings that only Venice has.
Piazza San Marco
Venice's most iconic square is the stage for the city's main events and the basilica is the most visited monument. With around 1200 years of history, Byzantine architecture and decorated with lots of gold and works by Renaissance artists, it's undoubtedly a great choice to illustrate any photo shoot. Don't expect an empty square with the basilica all to yourself. Tourists start arriving in the early hours of the morning. Another factor that can get in the way is the constant restoration work that most monuments and historic buildings throughout Italy are undergoing.
Rialto Bridge
The beautiful Renaissance-style bridge, inaugurated in 1591, is another important and imposing monument with which to explore the creation in photographic terms. As it is also a place with a heavy flow of people, it is necessary to think about alternative times to avoid more people in the photos.
A bridge of any kind
Among the more than 400 bridges, these are popular photo spots and can illustrate a typical Venetian cityscape.
On a Venetian gondola ride
More than just being part of an unforgettable photo backdrop, gondolas are a Venetian institution. Taking a ride aboard a classic gondola is a unique and very romantic experience. Even at busy times, the gondola ride is always exclusive, as the gondolier will slowly make his way along the small canals and hopefully talk about some historic buildings.
Island of San Giorgio
From this small island you can have an incredible panoramic view of the Palazzo Ducale, the bell tower of the Basilica di San Marco and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. The great advantage of this location is the low demand from tourists, making it perfect for those who want privacy during their wedding proposal.
The islands of Murano and Burano
Although very different from each other, these two islands are often mentioned together because they use the same vapporetto line, the local public water transport, to get there. Murano is famous for its decorated glass factories and Burano for its houses painted in vibrant colors, different from the pastel shades of Venice. In terms of attendance, they can have an intense flow of tourists in the summer months.
In a restaurant
Proposing during dinner in a city like Venice is something magical. Even more so if the restaurant offers an outdoor terrace with a panoramic view. In this case, the proposal can be discreet, even if you're surrounded by other customers. For a photographic service, this is one of the most complex because of the setting with tables and chairs, the other customers who may not want to be photographed and the fact that the background can be obstructed by windows and parapets.
That's why we recommend placing the order at a point of interest such as those mentioned above, following up with a guided photo shoot, where the two of you can prepare and try out different poses, and then moving on to the celebration alone in one of the city's restaurants.