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Samuel and Chandler’s St Ermin’s Hotel Proposal
The Story
Samuel contacted me a few weeks before he was planning to propose to his girlfriend, Chandler, at the end of their Europe trip. He wanted to leave it until the end so that she wouldn’t suspect what was coming, and it worked.
The location was set - the Crystal Ballroom at St Ermin’s Hotel in London but Sam wanted to make the proposal a touch more special so he got a violinist (Teodora) to play the violin while he was proposing.
The staff at St Ermin’s Hotel were also brilliant. A few days before the proposal, I dropped by to check out the space and determine the angles and light. On the day they were really accommodating and make sure they did everything they could so that the proposal goes well, and it did!
Samuel got Chandler to put on a dress to wear to a fancy dinner, which he said he had booked for 8:30 pm, but little did she know what was actually coming. They walked into the Ballroom while Teodora was playing the violin, dropped on one knee, and she said…yes! I then spent an hour or so with them, taking photos while I got to chat to them and get to know them and their story.
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The Venue
St. Ermin's Hotel is a luxurious and historic hotel located in the heart of central London, Westminster. St. Ermin’s blends classic elegance with a contemporary twist. It has a distinctively grand Edwardian Baroque façade, but the interiors are warm, stylish, and inviting. Think sweeping staircases, chandeliers, and ornate plasterwork, all mixed with chic modern furnishings. Built in the late 19th century, the hotel has a rich and intriguing history. During WWII, it was used by British intelligence services, and legends say MI6 and SOE operatives used it as a meeting spot. There are even rumors that Winston Churchill held secret meetings there.
St. Ermin’s is licensed for civil ceremonies, and the ambiance is straight out of a storybook—romantic staircases, flower-filled balconies, and that signature Edwardian style. The Terrace or Courtyard Garden is ideal for drinks receptions or photos. They offer tailored wedding packages with dedicated planners who handle everything from catering to flowers.
Where to Next?
Kyoto Garden Proposal - Apoorva and Sunil - A Perfectly Executed Plan
Apoorva was oblivious to what was coming. I was on the other side of the waterfall, she saw me and handed me her phone to take a photo of them. I said I’d take a photo of them on my camera and send it to them later as well. Little did she know Sunil was about to propose. The plan was so perfectly executed it took Apoorva a while to realise what had just happened.
After the proposal
After Sunil proposed we then wandered through Kyoto Garden and Holland Park and then got on the streets. To finish, we all needed to get on the tube which was a perfect opportunity to get a photo of them with a blurred train in the background - I loved it!
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Where to next?
Check out Alexandra and Miguel’s Big Ben proposal here.
Big Ben Surprise Proposal - Alexandra and Miguel
Before the Proposal
Miguel - a devoted Manchester United fan and a great guy got in touch to see if I could photograph his surprise proposal in London at the beginning of June. He and his girlfriend at the time, now fiancee, Alexandra, were on their way to Italy for a wedding but decided to spend some time in London beforehand. Little did she know Miguel had big plans for their short stay in London.
Miguel knew Alexandra loved the architecture in London and decided that Big Ben would be a perfect background for their proposal. The original plan was to propose at a specific time (11:19, which is their date), but he ended up proposing earlier.
Photographing the Proposal
Miguel executed the plan perfectly and as you can probably guess, she said yes and we spent an hour or so wandering around Westminster after their proposal for some photos. What a pleasure it was to meet and spend some time with these two genuinely lovely people and capture some moments they will treasure forever.
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Where to next?
Check out Apoorva and Sunil’s Kyoto Garden proposal here.
Primrose Hill Surprise Proposal - She Said YES! (Katy and Dhanesh)
“If you are a looking for a photographer who will go above and beyond to capture your special moment, Stan is your man!
When you book someone 24 hours before your proposal on an Instagram strangers recommendation, you’re not sure what you’re going to get. But what was delivered were timeless memories that we, our friends and family will treasure for a lifetime. Such good photos that we booked him for our wedding, and once again Stan delivered!”
Long Shots Pay Off Sometimes
On Friday last week, I got a message from a nice chap called Dhanesh asking if I was free the next day for a surprise proposal in London. Long shot… but it paid off. I’m over the moon I took on the challenge.
There were so many variables and unknowns that could’ve gone wrong but despite everything Dhanesh executed the plan perfectly. And most important of all - Katy said YES!!!
We started at Primrose Hill where he proposed, and walked down to Camden Market where I photographed them being themselves and having some nice moments after the proposal.
About Me
Hi, I’m Stan and I’m a documentary wedding photographer based in Folkestone, Kent. I also enjoy working as a proposal photographer in London and the UK. My approach and style are all about beautifully capturing the candid moment - natural, authentic and unposed. Find out more about how I photograph proposals here.