There are some days where everything goes exactly according to plan. This was absolutely not one of those days, and honestly, I’m kind of glad. These surprise proposal photos at St. Anthony Main almost looked completely different thanks to one very muddy riverbank. But sometimes Plan B ends up being the one you’re supposed to have all along.

Ben found me through Google because he knew one thing for sure: there was no way he wanted to ask Monica to marry him without someone there to document it. (Solid choice if you ask me.) The plan was simple, the location was picked, and all we had to do was hope Minnesota weather would cooperate.

Spoiler alert: it did not.

When a Week of Storms Forces a Last-Minute Change

Minnesota had been getting absolutely hammered with rain all week, and the morning of the proposal was no exception. It poured.

I got to our original location early to make sure everything looked good before Ben and Monica arrived…and immediately realized we had a problem. The path was muddy enough that there was no way I was about to send them walking through it dressed nicely for what Monica thought was just another day together.

So, we pivoted.

I found another spot nearby overlooking the Mississippi River with the Minneapolis skyline in the background. I dropped Ben a location pin and hoped he saw it before they got there. Those few minutes honestly felt way longer than they probably were. Thankfully, he got the message.

I tucked myself away to stay hidden while they walked down toward the overlook. There’s always this funny mix of excitement and nerves before a proposal. I know what’s about to happen. One person knows what’s about to happen. Everyone else has absolutely no clue. It’s one of my favorite feelings.

Surprise Proposal Photos with the Minneapolis Skyline Behind Them

As soon as Monica and Ben stepped onto the rock overlooking the river, I knew we’d made the right call. The skyline stretched across the water behind them, the clouds softened the light perfectly, and somehow all of that stormy weather gave us one of those calm, quiet afternoons.

Then Ben dropped to one knee. The reaction was immediate. Hands over her face, happy tears, and a giant smile she couldn’t hide if she tried. Those are always my favorite moments because no way is any of it posed. After she said yes, we spent the next little while wandering around St. Anthony Main taking engagement portraits while they soaked everything in.

Before the proposal, Ben had shared a little about their story with me, and reading it honestly made the whole afternoon even sweeter. He told me they both love traveling, spending time on the lake, being outdoors, and that Monica is currently crushing an accelerated nursing program. He couldn’t have sounded more proud of her.

Ben also shared:

“Monica is truly what makes me, me. She has a way of lighting up any room with her smile…Her kindness, support, and positivity make every day better, and I feel incredibly lucky to have her by my side.”

By the time I watched her reaction in real life, those words made complete sense.

Why St. Anthony Main Is One of My Favorite Proposal Locations in Minneapolis

I’ve photographed proposals all over Minneapolis and St.Paul, but St. Anthony Main continues to be one of my favorite locations.

You get the river, skyline, Stone Arch Bridge, tree-lined walking paths, and plenty of places where I can stay completely out of sight until it’s go time. It gives you multiple looks without having to drive all over the city, which is perfect when emotions are running high and you’re ready to celebrate rather than spending an hour in the car.

This session was also a pretty good reminder that flexibility matters. Sometimes weather throws your plans out the window. Sometimes construction pops up. And sometimes a location just isn’t going to work anymore. Having a photographer who can think on their feet and not panic makes a huge difference. We adjusted in a matter of minutes, and honestly, I don’t think either of us would change a thing about how it turned out.

If you’re thinking about your own surprise proposal photos and have no idea where to start, I’ve already rounded up some of my favorite locations in my Best Places to Propose in Minneapolis-St. Paul guide. It covers scenic overlooks, hidden gems, city views, and spots that work really well for keeping everything a surprise.

And if you’ve already picked out the ring? Let’s make a game plan. I’ll help you choose a location, figure out timing, coordinate all the little logistics, keep the secret safe, and then disappear into the background until it’s time to capture one of the biggest moments of your lives. I promise it’ll feel a lot less stressful knowing someone else is keeping track of the details while you focus on one question.