Right in the heart of Downtown Greenville, SC, a Falls Park surprise proposal just happened—and it was one for the books!

Maurice and Gicel had known each other through mutual friends growing up, but it wasn’t until recently that sparks really started flying. So when he reached out to plan a surprise proposal in a city they’d always wanted to visit, I knew we had something special on our hands.

Planning the Perfect Falls Park Surprise Proposal in Downtown Greenville, SC

During our inquiry call, Maurice shared that he wanted to bring Gicel to one of their bucket list spots—Downtown Greenville, SC—for a surprise proposal she wouldn’t see coming.

Since it would be their first time visiting, I asked what kind of vibe he was hoping for. Once I got a feel for his vision (classic, romantic, and mostly nature), I created a visual location board of my favorite photo spots downtown. Falls Park on the Reedy River was the winner—specifically a location near Passerelle Bistro with views of the water and greenery but still tucked away from the crowd.

He also wanted to celebrate afterward with an Italian dinner alongside close family and friends. The perfect fit? Limoncello! Coincidentally, my husband and I had just taken my parents there for Mother’s Day, so I knew it matched the vibe.

And because I work with a lot of grooms-to-be on surprise proposals and Maurice has a thing for shoes, we tried to come up with a discreet code name for all calendar invites and texts—“Green Shoe Launch”. Gotta love a little undercover mission!

Scouting the Best Downtown Greenville Proposal Spots and Downtown Greenville Parking

A week before the big day, Maurice drove two hours to meet me for an in-person walkthrough! We explored different areas around Falls Park in Downtown Greenville, including Liberty Bridge, a few tucked-away nature spots, and two solid rainy-day backups (one being Grace Church Downtown, less than a 10-minute walk from the park).

We ultimately chose a spot I’ve photographed before that has just enough tree and bush cover to give me a hiding place for the moment he knelt down.

After we met, I texted him some tips on Downtown Greenville parking, and recommended a spot just beside Mary’s Restaurant at Falls Cottage. It’s a quick walk to the proposal site and closer than the nearest garage—super helpful when the rain came pouring down later!

How We Adapted to the Forecast

Because summer weather in Downtown Greenville, SC can be so unpredictable, I’d been closely watching the radar all week. Originally, we planned to shoot around 6:00 PM for golden hour light, but the forecast started to shift. A day or two before the proposal, I texted Maurice and suggested we move it up to 5:00—and I’m so glad we did!

That change gave us the perfect window before the rain hit, and we still had dreamy light filtering through the trees.

The Big Day: A Beautiful Falls Park Surprise Proposal in Downtown Greenville, SC

I arrived 30–40 minutes early to re-scout and get into position. Maurice and I kept in contact via text, and once I got tucked behind the tree, I gave him the green light right as they parked.

He walked her through the park—and then, at just the right spot where we rehearsed, he dropped to one knee.

And Gicel said yes. 💍

Why Falls Park Surprise Proposals in Downtown Greenville Are So Special

Helping plan proposals like this means more than just snapping a few photos. It’s collaborating on the best locations, timing the lighting just right but also embracing the raw moment, troubleshooting rain, sharing outfit tips, and thinking through even the tiniest logistics (like where to park or where I can hide behind!).

I love helping my clients bring these moments to life—and seeing their partner’s reactions never gets old.

To top it off, Maurice and Gicel won’t just have a digital gallery floating in the cloud. They’ll also be receiving tangible heirloom prints of their day—perfect for sharing at wedding showers and displaying at their reception.

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Thinking of popping the question in Downtown Greenville, SC?
Share this blog with your future fiancé so they know what to plan for or send an inquiry if you’re ready! Need more tips? View the best photo spots in Downtown Greenville and prepare for your engagement session after your Falls Park surprise proposal.