Surprise Picnic Proposal In A New York City Park

Picnics and proposals have a good ring, don’t they? For Shannon and Kay, this was the very scene for their engagement!

Kay had proposed to Shannon weeks prior, but Shannon wanted to return the experience and surprise her love with a proposal in Astoria Park

“It was so important to me that she got to have the experience of seeing me get down on one knee and ask her to spend her life with me,” says Shannon. “Knowing I had the vision for a picnic proposal but not much time or ability to do it under Kay’s radar to keep it all a surprise, I connected with High End Picnics and they helped bring my vision to life and made sure everything was set up and ready before Kay and I arrived at the park.”

A lace adorned tent complete with pink flowers, cozy pillows, a romantic tablescape, and a neon “Will you marry me” sign set the scene that was as dreamy as could be. Nearby JJ Ignotz Photography was hiding; just waiting for the big moment to happen.

“I got Kay to Astoria Park under the guise of a summer kick off picnic with colleagues, and made sure Kay and I entered the park from behind the tent so she wouldn’t see the full setup until we turned the corner. I was so excited to see her excitement that I almost forgot the whole ‘now you propose' part, but was on one knee in no time and asked her to marry me and to nobody’s surprise, SHE SAID YES!” exclaims Shannon.

Shannon then placed Kay’s grandfather’s ring on Kay’s finger, a sweet notion that replicated Kay giving her grandmother’s ring to Shannon.

“Knowing these rings witnessed so much love, joy and life through her grandparents' marriage makes us both feel so connected and special to be wearing these same rings as we experience love, joy and life together,” states the pair.

They both then indulged in the memorable moment by sipping champagne, smoking cigars, and cuddling up for some photos.

What made the occasion even more special was the celebratory exchange with strangers nearby as they applauded and cheered for Shannon and Kay with excitement!

“It was a really beautiful ‘I don’t know you, you don’t know me, but we all agree this is amazing’ moment with a park full of strangers. After the proposal, more than one group came up to us to congratulate us and to tell us that they had planned to leave the park hours ago, but when they saw the set up and realized a proposal was about to happen, they knew they had to stay to watch.”