If you’re dreaming of proposing in Switzerland, you’ve probably seen Oeschinensee pop up more than once.
With its turquoise water, dramatic cliffs and mountain scenery, it’s easy to understand why. But what most people don’t see on Instagram is everything that happens behind the scenes: choosing the right season, avoiding crowds, planning the logistics, and finding a location that feels intimate rather than performative.
Recently, I helped a couple from Singapore plan a surprise proposal at Oeschinensee. Their story is the perfect example of what thoughtful proposal planning in Switzerland can look like.
It started with a discovery call
One of my favourite parts of this job is that every experience starts long before I ever pick up my camera.
When Shimin and Charles first reached out from Singapore, they weren’t simply looking for someone to take photos. They were planning a trip to Switzerland and wanted to create something meaningful while they were here. During our discovery call, we talked about the kind of experience they were hoping for, the landscapes they were drawn to, and what they wanted to remember years from now when they looked back at this trip.
At that point, I thought we were planning a bespoke mountain adventure around Oeschinensee.
What I didn’t know was that Charles had a second plan quietly unfolding behind the scenes.
A few days later, a message landed in my inbox.
He was planning to propose. And he wanted help making it happen.
Honestly, these are the messages I absolutely love receiving.
Because the best experiences are rarely about the photographs. They’re about creating space for moments that genuinely matter.
Switzerland had a surprise waiting for them
Late May is one of my favourite times of year in the Alps.
The meadows are waking up after winter, wildflowers begin to appear, and the mountains still hold onto enough snow to create that dramatic contrast Switzerland is famous for. It feels like the landscape can’t quite decide whether it’s spring or winter, so it gives you a little bit of both.
The morning we met in Kandersteg was one of those days.
The valley was still quiet as we made our way toward the gondola. As we climbed higher, the scenery slowly unfolded beneath us. Forests, cliffs, waterfalls and distant peaks appeared one after another, and I could already see the excitement building on Shimin and Charles’ faces.
One thing I always tell visitors is that Switzerland has a habit of making people stop mid-conversation because the view suddenly demands their full attention.
That happened more than once that day.
Instead of following the busiest route, we wandered along a quieter trail. The kind of path where you can hear birdsong, mountain streams and your own footsteps rather than a crowd of tourists.
Eventually we reached our first viewpoint overlooking Oeschinensee.
And honestly?
Even though I’ve been there before, it still gets me every time.
The moment everything changed
One of the things I find fascinating about surprise proposals is how ordinary everything feels right before they happen.
To everyone else around you, it’s simply another beautiful day in the mountains. People are hiking, taking photos, admiring the view and enjoying their time outdoors. Nobody has any idea that, for one couple, this is about to become a day they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.
As we continued exploring around the lake, Shimin changed into a flowing yellow dress that looked absolutely stunning against the turquoise water and dramatic mountain backdrop. We spent some time near a waterfall, taking photographs and enjoying the scenery, and there was no obvious sign that anything unusual was about to happen. At least not from Shimin’s perspective.
Charles, on the other hand, was carrying a secret.
Looking back, I still smile when I think about how hard he was working to act completely normal. If you’ve ever planned a surprise proposal, you’ll know exactly what I mean. You’re trying to enjoy the moment while simultaneously making sure everything goes according to plan, all while hoping your partner doesn’t notice that your heart is probably beating a little faster than usual.
Eventually, we made our way toward a beautiful stone platform overlooking the lake. It was one of those places where you naturally want to stop for a moment and take everything in. The kind of view that makes conversations pause and cameras come out almost automatically.
As planned, I quietly gave them a little space.
A few moments later, Charles dropped to one knee.
The expression on Shimin’s face changed almost instantly as she realised what was happening. First surprise, then emotion, then the kind of smile that spreads across your entire face without you even realising it. There were tears, laughter, hugs and a moment where the rest of the world seemed to disappear completely.
It’s one of the reasons I love photographing proposals.
Not because of the photographs themselves, but because I get to witness moments that are completely real. Nothing is staged. Nothing is rehearsed. It’s simply two people experiencing one of the most important moments of their lives together.
Afterwards, I stepped back and gave them the space they deserved. The photographs matter, of course, but some moments are bigger than the camera. They deserve to be felt before they’re documented.
By the time we started taking portraits again, they were both glowing. The nerves had disappeared, the secret was out, and what had started as a mountain adventure had suddenly become the beginning of a completely new chapter.
Thinking about proposing at Oeschinensee?
After helping Charles plan his proposal, I completely understand why so many couples dream of getting engaged at Oeschinensee.
On a clear day, it almost doesn’t feel real. The lake glows in shades of turquoise that look photoshopped, towering cliffs rise straight from the water, and wherever you turn, there’s another view that makes you stop for a second and simply take it all in.
But if you’re considering proposing here yourself, there are a few things worth knowing before you start booking flights and choosing ring boxes.
The first is that Oeschinensee has become incredibly popular in recent years. If you’ve seen photos of it online, chances are millions of other people have too. During the summer months especially, the area can get very busy, which means timing becomes one of the most important parts of planning a proposal. The difference between arriving early and arriving a few hours later can completely change the atmosphere of your experience.
It’s also worth knowing that access to the area is more regulated than it used to be. Gondola tickets often need to be reserved in advance, visitor numbers are monitored during busy periods, and regulations can evolve from season to season. If you’re travelling from abroad, it’s helpful to understand these logistics before arriving rather than discovering them at the last minute.
One of the reasons I spend so much time helping couples plan their experiences is because choosing a beautiful location is actually the easy part. The real magic often comes from choosing the right time of day, finding areas that feel more intimate, understanding how the light moves across the landscape, and having a backup plan in case mountain weather decides to do what mountain weather does best — completely ignore the forecast.
Something else that’s important to me personally is respecting the places we visit.
Oeschinensee is part of a UNESCO World Heritage region and, while it’s undeniably beautiful, it’s also a fragile alpine environment. Wildflower meadows recover slowly. Trails exist for a reason. And as visitor numbers continue to grow, protecting these landscapes becomes more important than ever.
Whenever I help plan a proposal or photography experience in the mountains, I always follow Leave No Trace principles and encourage my clients to do the same. That means staying on marked trails, respecting local regulations, avoiding sensitive areas, and leaving a place exactly as we found it.
Because the goal isn’t just to create a beautiful experience today.
It’s to help ensure these places remain beautiful for future visitors too.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from helping couples plan proposals in Switzerland, it’s that the most memorable experiences aren’t necessarily the most elaborate ones. They don’t need giant decorations, hidden speakers, flower arches or a crowd of spectators.
More often than not, all you really need is a meaningful location, thoughtful planning, and the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.
The mountains do the rest.
It's never really about the location
As beautiful as Oeschinensee is, and as much as I love helping couples discover incredible places in Switzerland, the truth is that the location is rarely the thing people remember most.
When I think back to that day with Shimin and Charles, I don’t immediately picture the turquoise water or the dramatic cliffs surrounding the lake.
I remember Charles trying very hard to act completely normal while secretly carrying an engagement ring.
I remember the look on Shimin’s face when she realised what was happening.
I remember the way they couldn’t stop smiling afterwards.
I remember how light everything felt on the walk back down.
That’s the thing about proposals.
The mountains create the setting. The lake creates the atmosphere. The landscape helps make the experience unforgettable.
But the reason the memory matters has nothing to do with the scenery.
It matters because of the people in it.
Because of the promise being made.
Because of the story that’s beginning.
Years from now, when they look back at these photographs, I don’t think their first thought will be, “What a beautiful lake.”
I think it will be, “Remember that day?”
And honestly, that’s what I hope for every couple I photograph.
Not just beautiful images.
Beautiful memories attached to them.
Dreaming of your own Switzerland proposal?
Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal at Oeschinensee, along Lake Geneva, or somewhere a little more off the beaten path, I’d love to help you create an experience that feels thoughtful, personal, and completely your own.
From choosing the right location and timing to navigating logistics, backup plans and all the little details in between, I’ll be there to help make the process feel simple and stress-free.
So you can focus on what really matters.
The moment itself.
Let's start planning your Switzerland Proposal:
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Your Photographer
I’m Maaike Jansen
Your outdoor photographer, mountain nerd, and calm-in-the-chaos guide for meaningful adventures in Switzerland.
I create relaxed photography experiences for couples, families, friends, and wild-hearted travellers exploring the Swiss Riviera and the Alps.
Whether you’re dreaming of a lakeside sunset near Château de Chillon, a stroll through the Lavaux vineyards, or a mountain adventure with breathtaking views, I’ll help you plan an experience that feels natural, easy, and genuinely fun.
No awkward posing.
No rushing from one viewpoint to the next.
Just beautiful places, meaningful moments, and photographs you’ll still treasure years from now.
Sustainable & Leave no trace certified
Proudly Practicing Leave No Trace Values – the earth is worth it
Elopement Education certified
Empowering intentional, meaningful elopements — because your love deserves more than a template.
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