A Secret Flight and Surprise Proposal at Horstmarer See
Christina (she/her) had been quietly planning a roller coaster hotel proposal for years, but, as always, life had other ideas. When Karishma’s (she/her) ACL surgery threw off the original timeline, Christina pivoted, turning it all into a surprise international trip and a lakeside proposal at Horstmarer See in Lünen, Germany. Karishma thought they were headed out for a deep-sea fishing weekend. Instead, she ended up in front of a gorgeous floral arch by RUNO Blumen, with Janine & Danny secretly capturing every thoughtful, chaotic moment.
Who proposed, and how did the planning go down?
We always joked that Karishma would do it first – she’s the bold one. But secretly, I had been planning for years. I originally wanted to propose during Christmas at a hotel inside a roller coaster at Phantasialand in Germany. Total thrill-seeker vibes.
Then Karishma tore her ACL. She had surgery in December, and our plans had to pause. We still went on a wedding outfit trip, with kind strangers wheeling her through airports. But the proposal had to wait.
By March, I had a gut feeling it was time. Our original hotel was closed, so I pivoted and worked with our photographer Janine & Danny to find a new spot. We landed on Horstmarer See in Lünen. Boho, scenic, and perfect.
Tell us about the actual proposal moment!
Karishma thought I planned a surprise deep-sea fishing weekend. She packed her bags without question. It wasn’t until our driver took a weird turn into Boston Logan Airport that she asked, “Why are we here?” Then we drove past domestic terminals straight to international. That’s when she turned to me and said, “Do you even have my passport?” I did. Her dad and I had been planning that part for months.
I had also secretly connected with a florist I found online: Justyna from RUNO Blumen, and convinced her to do a last-minute floral install on the beach. Janine & Danny posed as landscape photographers.
Karishma paused to watch a tiny toy plane fly over the lake, which gave me just enough time to breathe. When we reached the floral arch, I started to speak and she blurted out, “Are we really doing this right now?” I didn’t kneel because that’s never been us. We meet each other eye-to-eye. But we took a knee photo after for fun.
Did you pick out a ring together?
We didn’t shop together, but the ring wasn’t a secret. Karishma had always dreamed of a ruby from her home country, so I worked with a jeweler to design something completely custom. It felt important to honor her heritage in that way. The sizing was easy; we were intentional with every step. The design was shared, but the proposal itself? Fully a surprise.
Why Horstmarer See? What drew you to that location?
Once Phantasialand was off the table, I wanted something nature-based but still full of character. Horstmarer See had that exact energy: earthy, low-key, but still stunning. The lake, the soft sand, and the quiet backdrop made it feel peaceful but still exciting. Janine & Danny found the perfect spot and Justyna’s florals added that extra layer of magic.
What made you want engagement photos?
We knew this would be a core memory, and we wanted to capture it for our future family and for ourselves. It was important that the photos felt natural and grounded in who we are. Janine & Danny totally got that. The floral design by RUNO Blumen gave it a grounded, beautiful finish without feeling overly styled. Just soft, intentional, and full of meaning.
What’s been the biggest surprise since getting engaged?
Honestly? How fast life kept moving. We bought a house, started planning the wedding, and just had to figure it out in real time. But it’s been so good. We’ve learned how to balance excitement with intentionality and how to work through stress together as a team.
What has engagement taught you about each other?
That communication and empathy are everything. We’ve grown in how we listen to each other and show up for each other. We’re a really solid duo. Also, movie nights with popcorn (extra butter for me) are sacred. That’s our reset button.
Any inspiration behind your future wedding plans?
We’re bringing in a blend of our Indian and Vietnamese roots, along with food truck vendors we grew up loving. It’s all about culture and family. We want to honor the traditions our parents care about while still making space for what matters most to us.
Photography by Janine & Danny
Florist RUNO Blumen
