The Surprise Proposal Prep Checklist

A few simple steps to help your proposal look as incredible as it feels.

You’ve already taken the biggest step by planning this moment intentionally. These quick tips will help ensure your proposal photos and film feel natural, polished, and unforgettable.

No stress — just a little preparation goes a long way.

1. Dress Like It Matters (Because It Does)

Choose an outfit that feels like a slightly elevated version of yourself.

Think:

• Clean, wrinkle-free clothing

• Neutral or classic colors

• Well-fitted pieces

• Clean shoes

A button-down, sweater, or jacket photographs especially well.

2. Plan a Reason for Her to Look Her Best

The ring and hands will be photographed up close, so this makes a big difference.

Try to create a natural reason for her to:

• Have lightly manicured nails (nothing elaborate needed)

• Do her hair or makeup

• Dress nicely

Simple ideas:

• Plan a date night

• Tell her you're taking photos somewhere

• Plan dinner right after

Most brides later say they were glad they looked nice.

3. Grooming Matters on Camera

Small details stand out in photos and video.

Before the proposal:

• Trim or shave facial hair

• Style your hair

• Clean your nails

• Use lip balm if needed

Think clean and intentional, not overdone.

4. Timing = Beautiful Light

The best proposals happen when the light is soft and flattering.

This usually means:

• 1–2 hours before sunset

• Or early morning

Arriving on time makes a huge difference.

We’ll guide this part.

5. Take Your Time When You Propose

Nerves make the moment go fast — but the best photos happen when you slow down.

When the moment comes:

• Take a breath

• Get fully down on one knee

• Look at her

• Stay there a few extra seconds

• Celebrate afterward

There’s no rush.

6. Keep the Moment Simple

You don’t need decorations or anything elaborate.

The most meaningful proposals are usually:

• Intentional

• Personal

• Focused on the two of you

The location and your connection will do the rest.

7. Trust the Process

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

We’ll help with:

• Timing

• Positioning

• Lighting

• The flow of the moment

Your job is simple:

Show up. Take a knee. Ask the question. We’ll handle the rest.

Planning a Surprise Proposal?

A proposal only happens once — and thoughtful planning makes all the difference.

We help you create a moment that feels genuine, well-timed, and beautifully documented, so you can focus on asking one simple question.

CLICK HERE Book a consultation to start planning your proposal

7 Prayers to Pray the Week Leading Up to Your Wedding

Photography by Draw Near Films

The week before your wedding will feel like a beautiful whirlwind—final details, family arriving, emotions running high, and excitement bubbling over. But in the midst of all the busy, there is nothing more steadying than prayer. At Draw Near Films, we don’t just capture your day—we carry you in prayer as you prepare to step into the covenant of marriage. And as you walk into these final days before your wedding, we encourage you to set aside intentional time to meet with the Lord, align your heart with His, and invite Him to saturate every detail of your wedding and your marriage to come.

Here are seven simple yet powerful prayers you can pray—one for each day leading up to your wedding.

---

Day 1: A Prayer of Gratitude

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

Lord, thank You for bringing us to this moment. Thank You for weaving our lives together, for the gift of family and friends who are surrounding us, and for the joy that overflows in our hearts. Keep us mindful this week that this celebration is not about perfection, but about Your faithfulness.

Day 2: A Prayer for Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” – Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Father, when anxiety tries to rise up, settle our hearts with Your peace. Guard us from stress and distraction. Help us breathe deeply and rest in the truth that You hold all things together—every detail, every moment, every word.

Day 3: A Prayer for Unity

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” – Colossians 3:14 (NLT)

God, knit us together in love this week. May nothing divide us—not stress, not opinions, not outside pressures. Give us grace for one another and help us walk into marriage with gentleness, patience, and unity that reflects Christ’s love for His Church.

Photography by Draw Near Films

Day 4: A Prayer for Your Families

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” – Romans 12:10 (NLT)

Lord, we ask for peace and joy to overflow in our families. Let these days be filled with laughter, kindness, and understanding. May every gathering reflect Your love, and may our families be strengthened by the covenant You’re bringing us into.

Day 5: A Prayer for Joy

“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” – Nehemiah 8:10b (NLT)

Jesus, let joy bubble up in our souls this week. Even when unexpected things happen, help us to choose joy. Let our hearts be marked by celebration, not stress. Fill us with a contagious joy that points every person around us back to You.

Day 6: A Prayer of Surrender

“Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.” – Luke 22:42 (NLT)

Father, this is Your wedding. This is Your marriage. We surrender every detail into Your hands. Help us release control where we’re clinging too tightly. May this union bring You glory from the first “I do” until the last breath we take.

Day 7: A Prayer of Blessing Over the Marriage

“Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” – Mark 10:9 (NLT)

Lord, bless our covenant. Surround our marriage with protection, with grace, and with Your unshakable love. May we never forget that this union is holy ground, designed by You, and sustained by Your Spirit. Let our love story always point others to Your goodness.

---

This is a sacred week:
As you walk into this sacred week, let prayer steady you. Each prayer is not just for the wedding—it’s for the lifetime you’re about to build together. We are praying alongside you, believing that God will cover your day with His peace, your marriage with His presence, and your future with His favor.

At Draw Near Films, we don’t just document moments—we prayerfully capture your story through both photography and videography, so you can relive the beauty of your covenant for years to come. If you’re looking for Christ-centered wedding media coverage that not only captures your day but also prays over your marriage, we’d be honored to serve you.

✨ Book a call with us to share your vision
✨ Download our Pricing Guide to explore our collections

Signed in Love: Contract or Covenant?

Photo by Draw Near Films

These days, relationships can feel like business deals—full of terms, conditions, and exit clauses. But God’s love flips the script. Instead of a contract, He invites us into a covenant—which is like a deep, unbreakable promise. A contract requires two parties agreeing on terms, but a covenant requires three—you, your spouse, and God. And long before contracts even existed, covenants were the foundation of God’s relationships with His people. It’s not based on performance or convenience but on unwavering love and commitment, no matter what.

Contract vs. Covenant

A contract is a transaction: “I’ll hold up my end if you hold up yours.” If one person fails, the deal’s off. A covenant, on the other hand, is a sacred promise—rooted in commitment, not convenience.

God’s love is a covenant. “I will be faithful to you and make you mine.” – Hosea 2:19-20

Marriage: More Than a Deal

Marriage isn’t about keeping score or negotiating terms—it’s a lifelong covenant. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” – Ephesians 5:25-26

Jesus didn’t love based on convenience. He gave everything. That’s the kind of love marriage thrives on—selfless, forgiving, and built to last.

How to Live Out Covenant Love

• Stick it out when it’s hard – Love isn’t about convenience. When stress, disagreements, or tough seasons come, remember that your commitment isn’t based on how you feel in the moment. For example, instead of shutting down after an argument, take time to listen, pray together, and work through it.

• Give grace freely – Patience, forgiveness, and selflessness go a long way. If your spouse forgets something important or makes a mistake, choose grace over resentment. Just as God forgives us, extend that same mercy to your partner.

• Honor your promises – Reflect God’s faithfulness in how you love. Whether it’s keeping date nights sacred, following through on your commitments, or supporting each other’s dreams, be intentional about showing up for your spouse every day.

Near to Forever: Love That Lasts

God’s love never quits. Let’s build relationships that do the same—not as contracts with loopholes, but as sacred promises that stand the test of time.

As a husband-and-wife team, we believe in covenant love—not just in our marriage, but in the way we serve couples like you. We're here to do more than capture your love on your wedding day or engagement—we’re here to support you before, during, and beyond, helping you build a love that lasts a lifetime.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23

5 Prayers to Pray Throughout Your Engagement Season

Photo by Draw Near Films

Your engagement season is an exciting time filled with joy, anticipation, and preparation for your future marriage. It’s also a time of spiritual growth, as you and your fiancé draw closer to God and each other. Amidst the planning and busyness, one of the most powerful things you can do is pray.

As Priscilla Shirer once said, “Marriage is not about happiness. Marriage is about holiness.” This season is not just about planning a wedding, but about preparing your hearts for a lifelong covenant. Here are five prayers to guide you through this season and lay a strong foundation for your marriage.

1. A Prayer for Unity and Growth

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3

Lord, thank You for bringing us together and for the love we share. As we prepare for marriage, help us grow in unity and understanding. Teach us to communicate with grace, listen with patience, and love each other selflessly. Let our engagement season be a time of strengthening our bond, learning from one another, and preparing our hearts for a lifetime of commitment. Keep us centered on You, knowing that our unity is strongest when built on Your love. Amen.

2. A Prayer for Wisdom in Planning

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3

Heavenly Father, as we navigate the details of wedding planning, help us to keep our focus on what truly matters—our covenant with You and each other. Grant us wisdom in our decisions and patience in the process. When stress and overwhelm creep in, remind us to rest in Your peace. Help us to honor You in every choice we make, from the small details to the big moments. May our wedding reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

3. A Prayer for Purity and Holiness

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10

Lord, as we prepare for marriage, we ask for strength to honor You in our relationship. Help us to walk in purity, guarding our hearts and minds. Protect us from temptation and guide us in setting boundaries that reflect Your will. Let our love for each other be marked by respect, self-control, and a desire to glorify You. Shape us into a couple that honors Your design for marriage and reflects Your holiness. Amen.

4. A Prayer for Patience and Grace

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2

Father, we know that this season will bring moments of tension and challenges. Teach us to extend grace to one another, to be quick to forgive, and to show love even in difficult moments. When we face disagreements, help us to approach each other with humility and understanding. May we learn to navigate challenges together with patience and a heart that seeks unity over being right. Fill our relationship with kindness and a love that mirrors Yours. Amen.

5. A Prayer for a Christ-Centered Marriage

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” – Psalm 127:1

Lord, we surrender our future marriage into Your hands. May our relationship always be built on the foundation of Your truth and love. Help us to seek You daily, placing You at the center of our home. Give us a vision for the life we will build together and guide us to reflect Your love to the world. May our marriage be a testimony of Your grace, faithfulness, and redemption. Strengthen us to walk in Your purpose and to love each other as You have loved us. Amen.

Your engagement season is a beautiful time to grow spiritually as a couple. Through prayer, you invite God to lead and shape your relationship, setting the stage for a marriage rooted in His love. Take time to pray these prayers together, trusting that He is preparing you both for a lifetime of love and faithfulness.

What prayers have been meaningful to you during your engagement? Share your thoughts in the comments below!