A Private Temple Proposal at Ta Nei
Angkor Wat is an incredible place for a proposal, but not everyone wants to propose with other visitors around them.
For this proposal, we planned it to be away from any crowds, at a personal favorite temple of mine.
When Joshua contacted me about photographing his proposal, he wanted somewhere quieter and more private. We decided on Ta Nei, a small temple hidden in the forest near Ta Prohm.
Ta Nei doesn’t have the scale or instantly recognisable backdrop of Angkor Wat, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s surrounded by trees, receives far fewer visitors, and can feel remarkably secluded at the right time of day.
For a proposal where privacy was more important than having Angkor Wat in the background, it was a great fit.
Planning a Surprise Proposal at Ta Nei
Ta Nei does require a little more coordination than meeting at one of the major temples.
It’s tucked away in the forest, and I didn’t want Joshua worrying about finding the correct location while also trying to keep a proposal secret. We arranged a trusted guide and private car, so everything could be coordinated beforehand and Joshua could concentrate on the proposal itself.
Before the day, we discussed where the proposal would happen, where I would be positioned and what Joshua should do if things didn’t go exactly according to plan.
That last part turned out to be important.
When Another Couple Arrived
Despite choosing a quiet temple, you can never guarantee that you’ll have an Angkor temple completely to yourself.
When Joshua arrived, another couple happened to be in the spot we’d planned to use. Fortunately, we’d already discussed exactly this possibility.
Instead of rushing the proposal or making the situation obvious, Joshua stalled and patiently waited for them to move on.
There was another complication. Ta Nei is surrounded by huge trees, ruins and vegetation, which is what makes it such a beautiful location, but it also means a small change in position can completely obstruct my view.
Joshua couldn’t exactly look over at me and ask whether he was standing in the right place without giving everything away.
The final position wasn’t quite the unobstructed view we’d originally planned, but it worked. The planning gave us enough flexibility to adapt, and we still captured the proposal and some beautiful photographs afterwards.
Adding Video Without Giving Away the Surprise
Joshua had also asked whether the proposal could be filmed.
Video isn’t something I normally include with my proposal photography, but for this shoot I arranged for an associate to film alongside me.
Adding video creates another layer of coordination, particularly because only one half of the couple knew any of this was happening.
We wanted to record their voices as well as the scene, so we came up with a slightly unconventional solution.
Our guide collected two small microphones before picking the couple up from their hotel. He discreetly gave one to Joshua, who put it in his pocket. The second microphone was slipped into his girlfriend’s bag without her knowing what it was really there for.
By the time they reached Ta Nei, the photographer, videographer, guide, transport and audio were all in place without spoiling the surprise.
It was considerably more complicated than turning up with a camera, but we pulled it off.
The Reality of Photographing a Surprise Proposal
There is always an element of unpredictability with a genuine surprise proposal.
We had carefully planned where Joshua would propose, but in the moment he stopped slightly differently from where we expected, leaving part of the proposal obscured by the trees from my shooting position.
I was still able to photograph the real proposal as it happened, but once the surprise was over, we briefly recreated the moment in a better position. This gave them the photographs you see above, with a clean view of both of them and the temple behind.
For me, that’s an important part of proposal photography. The real moment comes first, but once the secret is out, we can take a few minutes to make sure you also leave with the photographs you had imagined.
Why I Plan Proposals Differently
Proposals rarely go exactly according to plan.
Another visitor might appear. Someone might stand in a slightly different place. Timing can change. A partner who doesn’t know what’s happening might unexpectedly decide to walk in another direction.
That’s why I put a lot of emphasis on planning proposal shoots beforehand. This is a big moment, and I don’t expect the person proposing to work out all of the logistics themselves.
I’ll help with the location, timing, transport and practical details, and we’ll discuss what to do if something changes on the day.
Joshua’s proposal at Ta Nei is a good example. Not everything happened exactly as we’d imagined it, but because we’d planned for the things we could control, the things we couldn’t control weren’t a disaster.
Is Ta Nei a Good Place to Propose?
For someone looking for a quiet temple proposal near Siem Reap, absolutely.
It isn’t completely private, and I would never promise that an Angkor temple will be empty. But compared with Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and the other major temples, Ta Nei can offer a much quieter and more intimate setting.
It also looks fantastic in photographs. The trees, weathered stone and forest setting give it a completely different atmosphere from Angkor Wat.
For couples who want the grandeur and iconic towers, I’d still consider Angkor Wat. But if privacy and atmosphere matter more than having the most famous temple in Cambodia behind you, Ta Nei is one of the locations I’d consider.
Planning Your Own Proposal at Angkor?
If you’re thinking about proposing in Siem Reap, I’ve put together more information to help you plan the day.
→ Read my Angkor Wat Proposal Guide
Locations, timing and practical advice for planning a surprise proposal at the Angkor temples.
→ Angkor Proposal Photography
Find out more about my proposal photography service and how I can help plan and coordinate your proposal.
