She shared the best time to propose if you want to get the best pictures
LOVE might not cost a thing — but showing that love through an expertly planned marriage proposal can cost a pretty penny.
Ash Fox, the founder of Ash Fox Proposals, helps everyone from royals to sports stars score a touchdown when it comes to getting down on one knee.
THE PRICE OF A PERFECT PROPOSAL
Known as “New York’s proposal specialist,” Fox discussed details of some of her priciest proposals with The U.S. Sun.
“I’ve worked with NFL players, royalty, and other high-profile people for who the sky is the limit,” she said.
“We organize helicopters, private chefs, private rooftops, and over-the-top decorations.”
She has also turned Times Square into a personal proposal playground.
One client made his girlfriend the most famous woman in the world — at least for the moment.
His beau was in for quite the surprise when she looked up and all of the billboards in front of the “Crosswords of the World” featured her past modeling pictures.
“My most extravagant proposals have been in the $20,000 range when it’s all said and done,” said the pro, who as helped plan over 3,000 proposals over the past 12 years..
SOCIAL MEDIA STUNTS
Fox, whose background is in photography, also explained how social media has changed people’s proposal perceptions.
“I started in the beginning days of Instagram, and now people want some of the same over-the-top proposals they see online,” she said.
“A lot of times people don’t think about the cost of something like this, so it’s about managing expectations and what’s realistic.”
Not even this lady of love can grant every “will you marry me” wish.
She once had to dash the dreams of a New York-based client who wanted his beloved to see fireworks — literally.
Turns out that fireworks are only legal in the state for the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display.
As long as your lovestruck ideas can’t get you into trouble, however, she can make most things happen.
MONEY-SAVING MAGIC MOMENTS
Fox also knows that spending more money doesn’t necessarily make a proposal any more special — or sentimental.
“I work with many people who might be doing a very barebones type of proposal inside their home or on a rooftop and we can bang it out,” she said.
“My number one tip for anyone who is proposing and needs a place to start is to know your partner,” she added.
“If you don’t know what their tastes are and what’s meaningful to them, then it’s probably not time to propose to them.
“But if you have a sense of who they are, you can start building out from there.”
She also has a tip if you’re looking to propose in a public park and the best part is, it’s a free venue.
Once again, make sure you know your partner.
“If they would prefer something more intimate, you probably don’t want to go when it’s packed at primetime,” she said.
A PICTURE-PERFECT MOMENT
Fox, who has clients all over the world, also helps people narrow down which spots offer the most photogenic backgrounds.
“It’s about choosing an area based on specific visuals and experiences, etc,” she said.
If you plan on taking pictures or video, she advised proposing 30 minutes before sundown to get just the right amount of light.
Nailing the lighting can require getting a bit creative, as it did for a client looking to get engaged to his “bookworm” girlfriend.
Wanting to incorporate her interest in reading into the proposal, Fox coordinated a low-key yet loving scenario.
She knew photographing an engagement in a public library wasn’t going to look great on camera, so she pulled another idea out of her proposal planning hat.
Instead, she suggested a library bar and placed the girlfriend’s favorite Jane Austen book on the shelf behind where she would be sitting.
Inside the book was a cutout with a ring.
And Fox, who was sitting just a couple of tables back hiding behind a newspaper, came out — in “sleuth style” of course — to snap pictures just as he got on one knee.
To Fox, the simplicity of it all was her idea of a “perfect” proposal.
“It wasn’t big and flashy and it did have some moving parts, but it was about knowing who your partner is and showing that love and expression,” she said.
Most of her clients fall in the $750 to $1,500 range, or within the $2,000 to $5,000 price point.
In order to organize the ideal proposal, she has some clients who book her services a year in advance.
PROPOSALS IN A PINCH
Still, others want her to plan their magic moment at the last minute.
“Sometimes it’s a time crunch, so it can be wild and stressful, but we make it happen,” she said.
“We’ve had people land in New York and they are so overtaken with everything they want to propose right away.”
She’s also never had anyone say “no” — at least to her proposal planning.
She attributes this to the fact that most American couples talk about getting engaged before the actual proposal.
LIFE AND LOVE COACH
Aside from curating a proposal, she also serves as a relationship counselor of sorts.
“No matter what stage a person is in there is help to be had — even if you’re still thinking about whether you should marry this person at all,” she said.
“You shouldn’t have to go at this alone. A lot of people haven’t proposed before and it can be a very vulnerable time,” she continued.
“It brings up a lot of emotions and they don’t know who to get help from.
“If they ask parents, friends, or siblings, then the surprise is gone.
“And sometimes you just need to get the help of a professional.”
“I really care about my clients and their emotions and I work with them closely and guide them through the process because most of them haven’t done this before.
“And if they have, that means it hadn’t gone so well the first time, which is why they want to do it again with someone else.”
She also explains how there is a delicate balance when coordinating the special moment.
“A lot of it is about creating a surprise and getting a reaction and also giving all of the necessary spaciousness to afford all of these emotions,” she said.
“You also don’t want them to be rushed or go too slow, so there’s a dance and art to it all.”
