When Adil got in touch about planning a surprise proposal at Curbar Edge, he already had a really lovely plan.
They were going to view Kelham Hall together before heading into the Peak District afterwards for a walk at Curbar Edge.
As far as Alina knew, that was all it was.
A venue viewing, a drive into the Peaks and a walk together.
Adil, meanwhile, had an engagement ring hidden away and was trying very hard not to give anything away.
What I loved was how much thought he’d put into making the proposal feel like them.
He told me Alina loved cinematic, film-like photography. Big landscapes, natural moments, moodier tones and photographs where the surroundings were just as important as the couple themselves.
Almost like stills from a movie.
That made Curbar Edge feel like the perfect choice.
As the day got closer though, the Peak District weather started doing what Peak District weather does.
Adil messaged because rain was creeping into the forecast. He wondered whether we needed to worry about it, or what we’d do if the conditions weren’t what we’d planned for.
Rain doesn’t automatically mean bad photographs. A bit of cloud, wind or rain can completely change the atmosphere of somewhere like Curbar Edge and sometimes makes it even better.
So instead of trying to plan every last detail, we decided we’d see what happened on the day.
Life happens. The weather happens.
We’d work with it.
The Day of the Proposal
I headed to Curbar Edge ahead of Adil and Alina so I could walk around, see what the conditions were doing and find the spot that felt right.
Meanwhile, Adil was getting increasingly nervous.
He sent me a couple of selfies so I’d recognise him when they arrived.
His message underneath:
“You can see the nerves in the pics.”
You could.
I found a spot overlooking the valley, sent Adil where he needed to head and then waited.
A little while later the two of them appeared walking up onto Curbar Edge.
Alina still didn’t know what was happening.
Adil led her out onto the rocks, supposedly to take a photograph together.
Then he got down on one knee.
And Alina said yes.
Adil & Alina’s Curbar Edge Proposal
Afterwards we spent a little while wandering around Curbar Edge together making some relaxed photographs and letting them enjoy what had just happened.
Nothing overly posed. Nothing complicated.
Just the two of them, an enormous Peak District landscape and the slightly surreal feeling of suddenly being engaged.
When I sent their gallery over, Adil’s message afterwards was lovely:
“These look amazing. She’s very happy and so are family.”
Perfect.
Why Curbar Edge Is Such a Good Place to Propose
Curbar Edge is brilliant if you want the Peak District itself to be a big part of your photographs.
You get huge views across the Derwent Valley, open moorland and all of that gritstone, making it especially good for wider, cinematic photographs like the ones Alina loved.
You also don’t need to know the exact spot where you’re going to propose.
Adil didn’t.
He knew he wanted Curbar Edge and trusted me to arrive beforehand, look at the light, weather and how busy it was, and choose somewhere that worked on the evening.
That’s often the best way of doing it.
If you’re looking at this part of the Peaks, my Derwent Valley & Ladybower guide is also worth a look for more ideas around the area.
Other Peak District Proposal Locations
Curbar Edge isn’t the only place around here that works brilliantly for a surprise proposal.
I’ve photographed a surprise proposal at Surprise View, where the huge views and easy approach made keeping the whole thing discreet incredibly straightforward.
I’ve also photographed an Owler Tor Peak District proposal, which has a completely different feel with its gritstone formations and open landscape.
There isn’t really one “best” place to propose in the Peak District.
It’s about finding somewhere that suits the two of you and the way you want the moment to feel.
Planning Your Own Peak District Proposal?
If you’re thinking about proposing at Curbar Edge or somewhere else in the Peaks, you don’t need to have every little detail planned before getting in touch.
Tell me roughly what you’re thinking and, more importantly, tell me a little about the person you’re proposing to.
We can work the rest out from there.
You can find out more about how I plan and photograph surprise proposals on my Peak District Proposal Photography page, or get in touch and tell me what you’re planning.
