River Walk Surprise Proposal

If you are looking to propose on the River Walk, but don’t want to be surrounded by tourists, then I have the perfect spot for you – the waterfalls at Weston Centre. A couple of weeks ago I posted an Instagram Reel of my favorite River Walk elopement locations. Well, it may not be a full trip to the altar, but this post inspired two of my clients to get down on one knee. So, in today’s blog post I’ll be sharing all their River Walk surprise proposal details. From where to stand at Weston Centre, to where to take photos in downtown afterwards, today’s blog post has all the behind-the-scenes information you need to know in order to get to ‘yes.’

River Walk Surprise Proposal – The Perfect Downtown Location

The River Walk tourist hot spots are generally found along Market Street, and then from Commerce Street up to Houston Street. In comparison, the Weston Centre is located a bit farther from the chaos, but still conveniently close between E. Travis and E. Pecan Streets. The closest access point here takes you straight to the heart of downtown San Antonio – the Majestic Theatre, the Alamo, and the St. Anthony Hotel – as opposed to the other end of the River Walk near La Villita, the shops of Rivercenter, etc.

By the way, at the top of the Weston Centre is the Centre Club. I had the pleasure of photographing Xylia and Jonathan’s Centre Club wedding, and you can check out all the details in this blog post. The venue’s main claim to fame is an expansive view of the north side of San Antonio which is truly beautiful at night.

River Walk Surprise Proposal – Weston Centre Proposal Locations

The waterfall is what draws you into the space, and this is where you should plan to propose. The only question is: where on the steps will you get down on one knee?

The staircase is quite lengthy. As such, you have two options. You can either propose midway up the staircase on the mezzanine level. This gives you the option for a dramatic pause as you lead your beloved up to the second level (and gives your photographer an elevated view). Your other option is to simply propose at the base of the stairs. The choice is yours.

River Walk Surprise Proposal – Weston Centre Rules

While the waterfall area is used as a public space, the Weston Centre is still private property. I spoke with the security guards inside the building, and photos are absolutely allowed on the waterfall steps. However, arches or rose petals or any other detritus (glitter, confetti, etc.) that would leave trash is not allowed since this space is shared with the public. Furthermore, no one wants any trash to get swept into the river. So, if you need to propose with rose petals and fanfare, then think about marriage island.

Finally, the building asked that you not photograph any signage that includes the bank’s name.

River Walk Surprise Proposal – River Walk Photo Locations

As I have preached in countless blog posts, downtown San Antonio is chock full of great photo location options. Trust me, you have plenty of places just steps away from your proposal.

However, after you have gotten down on one knee, make sure you take full advantage of your current location. The architecture at the Weston Centre is unique, and this will be your most crowd-free environment before you move downtown. So, take your time and make your first photo stop the Weston Centre.

After you’re done with the Weston Centre, walk down towards Houston Street. This pathway is quite well landscaped with banana trees and other tropical plants. Nearby is a little niche bench that makes for a perfect 2-into-1 photo. You also have benches along the walk if the stone bench doesn’t suit your liking.

Just past Travis Street on the River Walk is a stunning waterfall to rival anything you would see in Hawaii. This waterfall is quite popular with passing visitors, so you may have to wait your turn. Also, the water splashing from the waterfall tends to make the ground here quite slippery, so be careful. Pro tip: if you have time is to go across the River Walk, a wide shot of the waterfall with a reflection in the river is a beautiful image.

River Walk Surprise Proposal – Houston Street Photo Locations

At this point, you should pop up from the River Walk and take in all that downtown San Antonio has to offer, photographically speaking. There are some colorful lamp posts on Houston Street, which will be the first thing you see if you turn left towards St. Mary’s Street. You can also take photos along the railing here and look down on the River Walk below.

I love the IBC Bank building on Houston Street, which is a converted old Texas theater. There is an old ticket booth at the front of the building, which adds a bit of quaint charm – especially with Luke and Carlee’s retro outfits. Lastly, there is a cool window at Acenar Restaurant across the street from the IBC Bank which you may find interesting for reflections.

If you’re shooting close to golden hour, then you should be able to get some nice late day colors if you’re looking down St. Mary’s Street. I am a huge fan of taking photos in the crosswalk – with traffic stopped of course. Photos like these are a great way to show off the city. And yes, we have a bit of that here in San Antonio. My recommendation is that you take crosswalk photos here and at Houston and Navarro so you can have the retro Walgreens neon sign in the background.

River Walk Surprise Proposal – Majestic Theatre and Beyond

Speaking of retro neon, it wouldn’t be a downtown San Antonio photo shoot without a shot in front of the Majestic Theatre marquee. Provided there isn’t a show going on, you should be able to get some great shots with the iconic entrance that is so well known in the city.

If you have time, I always recommend walking down to Paris Hatters on Broadway for some more beautiful neon lighting and cool cowboy hats. I mean, if you’re going to take photos in Texas, you have to include the cowboy element.

And lastly, Peacock Alley is one of my all-time favorite locations in the city. It’s located just across from Paris Hatters. Personally, I don’t do enough photo shoots here.

Meet Carlee and Luke

Finally, I could not end this tale without giving you a few details about this week’s couple: please meet Carlee and Luke. These two kids meet online quite recently, but when you know…you know. And for Carlee, she knew from the first time she met Luke. They were in town for some family visits, and so Luke decided to turn the trip into a proposal getaway. These two traveled all the way from Waxahachie and I know there will be plenty of happy turns on the dance floor in their future.

Enjoy the images, and I’ll have more photo adventures for you next week!

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If you found this article on ‘River Walk Surprise Proposal useful, then check out these articles:

Are you interested in setting up a surprise proposal in San Antonio? Drop me a line and let’s chat about how I can help you photograph your moment. I have hourly rates, and all photo shoots include editing and high-resolution files.

To view more images from my wedding photography portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com