Is there anything more romantic than a rainy-day proposal? Now that I’ve experienced one first-hand, I would have to say no. Of course, when Brad reached out to me to discuss documenting his surprise proposal to his girlfriend Kieragh, we had no way of knowing that one of the rainiest days of the season would be heading our way. But sometimes, things work out just the way they are supposed to. 

Brad knew he wanted to create an unforgettable proposal for Kieragh in a place that held deep meaning for them. Having settled down together in beautiful Doylestown, Pa, he decided to pop the question in the most romantic and cinematic way possible—under the dramatic marquee of the iconic County Theater.

To pull off the perfect surprise, Brad arranged for the marquee to display the words, “Kieragh, will you marry me?” He even coordinated a secret meeting with me the day before to go over every detail. From my hiding spot to the exact location where he should kneel, we had it all planned. His excitement was contagious. And though he admitted to feeling nervous, he was confident Kieragh had no idea what was coming.

A Rainy Forecast Couldn’t Stop the Romance

The day of the proposal arrived with torrential rain in the forecast. While some might have been tempted to postpone, Brad was unwavering in his plan. Since he had arranged a surprise engagement party afterward with family and friends traveling from out of town, there was no going back. When I contacted him the day before the proposal to see if he wanted to change the date, he was adamant the show would go on. 

I arrived early in rain gear with both cameras carefully covered in plastic. A local record store, Siren Records, across the street from the theater was kind enough to let me keep all my extra gear in their store. They also allowed Kieragh and Brad’s parents to hide inside to secretly witness the magical moment.

A minor hiccup arose when the theater initially misspelled Kieragh’s name on the marquee. After some quick back-and-forth, it was corrected just in time. I took my spot up the street under the entrance of Nina’s Waffles and Ice Cream, a local ice cream shop. I was just out of sight, camera ready, while the patrons inside anxiously waited for the rainy-day proposal to unfold.

A Cinematic Moment: A Romantic Rainy Day Proposal

As I received Brad’s text that they were on their way, I nervously made sure all my camera settings were in place. Brad had convinced Kieragh that wanted to stop to try a cheesesteak at a local spot by the theater before meeting friends. Somehow, she believed him. Either he’s a fantastic liar, or she just really wanted to try that cheesesteak.

With a large purple umbrella shielding them from the rain, they were easy to spot as they strolled toward the theater. Luckily, a normally bustling Main Street was very quiet due to the weather. I had no problems finding them in my viewfinder as they made their way towards me. I photographed them discreetly, worried Kieragh might notice my lens peeking from behind the corner, or hear the click of the camera shutter. But later she revealed she was too caught up in walking in the rain to notice anything else. Another extra point for the rain!

As they walked past the theater, Brad gently turned Kieragh to face the marquee. The realization hit instantly—her reaction was pure emotion, a perfect mix of laughter and tears. Brad got down on one knee in the pouring rain, and asked her to love him forever.

A Surprise Within a Surprise

After giving them a moment to soak in their new engagement, I ran up to introduce myself. After we caught our breath, we captured a quick engagement session around the theater. We swapped out the purple umbrella for a clear one I had brought with me to help diffuse some beautiful light. We then spent the next 20 minutes laughing, posing and soaking up all the amazing, loving energy. 

Kieragh made a comment at one point that she felt like she was being watched by her family as we were taking photos. Brad and I just looked at each other and reassured her that maybe it was just because other people were watching them. Then, just when Kieragh thought the surprises were over, their four parents rushed out from the record store. What an amazing moment to capture! The love and joy from the entire family was contagious. One of my absolute favorite shots from the day is Kieragh running into her father’s arms, overwhelmed with joy.

The celebration continued with some quick family portraits around the theater. Then, we headed to Hop Scotch, a local bar, for a celebratory toast. There we all shared laughs, happy tears, and, of course, a drink to commemorate the unforgettable day.

Why a Rainy-Day Proposal is Pure Magic

While rain may not seem like ideal proposal weather, it adds a layer of romance that’s hard to replicate. The soft, diffused light, the moody atmosphere, and the reflection of the water—all came together beautifully. It set the perfect scene for Brad and Kieragh’s one-of-a-kind engagement story.

This proposal was a testament to love, planning, and the magic of capturing real, raw emotions no matter the circumstances. I feel honored to have documented this beautiful and wonderfully romantic chapter of their journey. Congratulations, Brad and Kieragh!

While you don’t need a rainy day to have a romantic proposal, it goes to show that you don’t need perfect weather to create the moment of a lifetime. Are you ready to pop the question to someone you love but need a little help documenting it? That’s what I’m here for! Shoot me a message and I’ll help you plan the proposal of your dreams, rain or shine.