A Spontaneous Love Story:
Niek & Merel’s Surprise Proposal in Hoi An
If you’re dreaming of a romantic proposal in Vietnam, there’s no place quite like Hoi An. With its lantern-lit streets, charming canals, and historic architecture, this town feels like a blend of Venice and old-world Japan. It’s the kind of place where love stories come to life—and for Niek & Merel, it became the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable engagement.
We first met these two by pure chance at a Vietnamese cooking class—one of our favorite ways to connect with new people while traveling. We hit it off immediately and spent the next few days exploring Hoi An together. As fate would have it, they had been talking about getting engaged for a while, but neither had officially popped the question. That’s when Merel had a spontaneous idea: “Should I just do it? Right here, right now?”
Of course, we were all in! With cameras in hand, we helped Merel plan a surprise proposal at Yali Couture Tailor, a stunning flower-filled building tucked away from the busy streets. It was a moment filled with joy, laughter, and the magic of saying ‘yes’ in a place as beautiful as their love story.
Though we didn’t spend hours on a traditional engagement shoot, Hoi An is a dream destination for couples' photography. Between the golden glow of lanterns reflecting on the water, the charming gondolas drifting along the river, and the endless hidden alleyways bursting with color, this city is pure romance.
If you’re planning a destination proposal or engagement session in Vietnam, we can’t recommend Hoi An enough. Whether it’s a spontaneous moment like Niek & Merel’s or a carefully planned surprise, this city has a way of making love stories even more magical.
Congrats to these two lovebirds! We’re so happy we got to be part of this special moment. ❤️
And the best part? We’ll be capturing their wedding in the Netherlands in May 2025! We’re beyond excited to document the next chapter of their love story and can’t wait to reunite with these two incredible humans.
