Thinking about popping the question over the holidays? Look no further than Worcester
WORCESTER ― This time of year is all about the first flakes to coat the ground and the twinkle of holiday lights. For many, it's also the perfect time to pop the question.
The proof is in the posting: Go ahead, open your social media platform of choice, and you'll see the trend of couples announcing they've got plans to tie the knot.
In the United States, almost 40% of engagements take place between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, according to the wedding planning site WeddingWire. It isn't surprising as getting engaged around the holidays helps couples get extra time to celebrate with family and friends, and maybe to begin the extensive planning that goes into many weddings.
"Starting around now, we tend to get a lot of inquiries about both weddings and engagement photography sessions for both this coming year and the next," said Audrey Cutler, owner of Audrey Cutler Photography.
Based in Greater Worcester, Cutler has been in business for 15 years, taking photographs of locals celebrating major life events.
"One of the most memorable proposals I've shot was at Wachusett Mountain," Cutler said. "It was completely private, just the couple and me. It was nerve-racking! I was literally hiding in the woods so I wouldn't ruin the surprise."
Cutler has shot proposals across the Worcester area at sites such as the Burnside Fountain, the Worcester Common, the Higgins House at WPI, Wachusett Mountain, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill and the "Marry Me" mural painted on the side of the DCU Center.
The murals in downtown Worcester have proved to be a popular choice for other local photographers as well.
Chris Graham is the lead photographer at The Grahams Photography and said aside from the murals, some of the most popular locations include Old Stone Church in West Boylston and Worcester City Hall.
He too sees business pick up starting in the fall.
"The busiest time for both wedding and engagements is in the fall, specifically October," he said.
Now in his mid-30s, Graham has been taking photos since elementary school, with his passion growing into a full-time career.
When it comes to shooting engagements, he says surprisingly that most couples he works with don't have a specific location with special meaning. Instead, he said, he often gives his suggestions.
"I like to ask couples what's a special location for them, like where they had their first date or kiss, or where they love hanging out and see if they'd like to go back to that spot for an engagement photo session," he said.
"One of my favorite moments during an engagement shoot with a couple where I had them sit on a log that was raised above the ground at the top of a hill. And as they were cozying up to each other, there was a loud crack and the log broke in half, and the groom went tumbling down the hill," Graham said. "The bride wanted to share in the experience, so she joined him and rolled down the hill with him and it made for some really funny photos."
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: The most popular and romantic places to pop the question in Worcester
