Fall Engagement Inspiration - 2025 Update
If you missed our 2024 post all about fall engagement ideas, we highly recommend checking it out. The recommendations still stand if you’re looking to enjoy a quiet getaway, but the itineraries have been so popular that we decided to run a updated post with new suggestions that take advantage of more local offerings…
For the sports fan:
For us (ahem: Tim) at Alx&Co., Fall means the start of hockey season! Yeah, we know, most people are into football but our hearts remain with the downtown favorite over driving all the way out to FedEx Field. Since the arena is right downtown, you can start your night with a fabulous meal at one of DC’s fantastic offerings. Tim and I had one of our first dates at a Caps game and let me tell you now: I don’t care about hockey, but I still had a great time. We went to Zaytinya first, then walked down to the game, and then finished the night at a local dive bar in Old Town. Personally, I think that proposing on the way to the game - maybe the old, “wait, I need to tie my shoe” line - would be perfect, because then you can scream your joy for the next few hours along with thousands of other Caps fans. If you’re aiming for a low-key proposal that feels like a slightly-more-special night out, this is the plan for you.
For the history nerd:
To be clear: I am a history nerd, so I can used this term without prejudice. If your partner appreciates fresh air with a dose of historical significance, consider doing your proposal at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. Honestly, every time I visit this beautiful place, I wonder to myself why I don’t come here more often. October and November are beautiful months to visit the Estate, with its rolling acerage, old-growth trees, and strollable pathways. You could pack a picnic on a warmer day and between touring the main house (note: much of the main house is under construction, but a few rooms are open for touring) and the farm, stop along the way for a picnic lunch, and propose in the fall-colored sunshine. Or, schedule an in-depth tour of the property and see if you can coordinate something fun with your tour guide. The in-depth tours give you access to spaces that aren’t generally open to the public, so you could do a more private proposal.
For the social couple:
The obvious option for the couple who likes to involve friends and family in milestone events is to do a surprise engagement at a restaurant or bar and have your loved ones there to witness. We love this! But, what if you took it up a knotch by doing it on a river cruise? The Potomac River offers beautiful views of the DC area from Old Town all the way up the waterfront, and what better way to enjoy the crisp fall air and romantic-evening vibes then by enjoying a river cruise with your friends and family to celebrate your engagement. You could take this one of two ways: book one of the public cruises and get your friends and family to reserve tickets on the same boat, but keep their attendance as a surprise (this will take some coordination so that your partner doesn’t see them arrive to the boat - maybe blindfold them so that the cruise is a surprise, too??) Then, propose as soon as the boat takes off so that your loved ones can make their presence known (there are so many fun ways you could do this… disguises and elaborate reveals are coming to mind…) and you can collectively enjoy the celebratory river vibes. Or, if you’re really feeling fancy, rent a private cruise for the night and throw a surprise engagement party on the boat. You could make it seem like you are going to have a romantic, private, lux river cruise to celebrate your engagement… and then have your loved ones there waiting to party together. Of course, this idea takes the most coordination, but it would be an unforgettable night for everyone involved - which is what this is all about, right?
