An Unforgettable Washington Helicopter Proposal in the Heart of the Cascades

Some moments are worth waiting for, and Kristen and Marcel’s helicopter proposal was definitely one of those. Kristen, my best friend, and her boyfriend, Marcel (also known as BasicallyIDoWrk), often help me out by modeling when I want to try new things or set up styled shoots. We’ve been planning a helicopter session for two years, but something always seemed to get in the way—we were plagued with bad weather or clashing schedules. Finally, back in May, Marcel reached out and casually said, “So about that helicopter…”

This time, though, the session had a twist: Marcel wanted to propose!

Planning the Helicopter Proposal

This idea couldn’t have been more perfect because we disguised the whole thing as another styled shoot. Kristen was completely unsuspecting, and I had to pull off some of my best acting to keep it that way. We worked out all the details for months, and let me tell you—I am a terrible liar. Keeping this secret was nerve-wracking because I was sure I’d slip up, but somehow I managed to convince Kristen that Marcel hadn’t told me a thing about his plan.

Our original plan was to land at Roche Harbor, but knowing Kristen was a little uneasy about flying over water, I didn’t want to freak her out. So, the morning of the shoot, I called North Fork Farm to see if they might let us land there instead. It turns out they had a last-minute wedding cancellation and were thrilled to have us! It couldn’t have worked out better. The setting was perfect, and looking back at the photos, I’m so glad we made the switch. The images were more amazing than I could have ever imagined, and it was definitely the right call to change locations.

When the day arrived, we worked with Atomic Helicopters to make the helicopter shoot happen. They were incredible and super accommodating. In fact, we actually had to reschedule the first date because both Marcel and Kristen wound up with COVID! Atomic Helicopters helped us rebook the session as soon as everyone was feeling better. I can’t recommend them enough if you’re looking for helicopter tours in the Seattle area.

The Proposal

On the big day, I set up the tripod with my phone to record everything, telling Kristen that it was just for behind-the-scenes footage. I posed her standing in front of Marcel, with him a few feet behind her. Kristen later told me she was thinking, “This is such a weird pose, but Lindsey is the professional, so I trust her.” That trust paid off in the most incredible way, because moments later Marcel was down on one knee. I told Kristen, “Alright, let’s get you two back together,” and when she turned around, she saw him—on one knee, ring in hand.

Her reaction was priceless. Kristen pressed her hands to her face and collapsed to her knees, completely overwhelmed with emotion. She was crying, nodding her head, and didn’t even realize if she said yes—she was just so swept up in the moment. And there I was behind the camera, grinning like crazy and, of course, crying too.

As if the day couldn’t get any more magical, on the flight back, we got to do a quick tour around the city. Flying around the Space Needle and over the Puget Sound was absolutely breathtaking. It gave us a chance to soak in the excitement of the proposal and enjoy the stunning views of Seattle. It felt like the perfect way to end such an unforgettable experience—floating above the city, buzzing with emotion.

Proposal Post-Celebration

After the proposal, the surprises weren’t over. Our friend, Adam, and I wanted to make sure Kristen and Marcel had something special waiting for them when they got home. Adam snuck into their house while we were out on the helicopter and set up balloons and champagne. It was the perfect way to cap off the day, and their faces when they walked in were priceless! It was such a fun way to keep the celebration going after the big moment.

Months of planning, countless fibs, and it all came together perfectly. Once the moment was over, Kristen couldn’t believe how convincing my “performance” had been. Who knew I could keep such a big secret? If anyone out there needs help planning a surprise proposal, I’m your girl!

For anyone dreaming of a magical helicopter proposal, I couldn’t recommend it more. The experience was unforgettable, and if you’re in the Seattle area, Atomic Helicopters will take amazing care of you, just like they did with us. Here’s to many more adventures—and maybe even a few more surprise proposals!

Check out my Seattle Proposal Sessions page to learn more about booking your own proposal!

View their full gallery of photos here!