Planning a marriage proposal in Amsterdam? One of the first questions is usually how much it will cost — not just the photography, but everything around it.

A bridge in the city centre, a walk through a park, a botanical garden, a castle or a private boat — each option has its own atmosphere, and some come with additional costs. Here’s what to expect, so you can choose what feels right for the two of you.

I've photographed more than 60 secret proposals in and around Amsterdam, so in this guide I'll break down the photography packages and the extra expenses worth considering before you make a plan.

Prices for third-party tickets, parking and boat rental are based on information available in autumn 2026. Please check the official websites before your visit, as prices may change.

Happy couple laughing and showing engagement ring in urban Amsterdam setting with spring flowers in background.

Waterfront restaurant in Vondelpark. Couple drinking coffee after secret proposal moment.

A couple shares a romantic moment together while laughing on a bridge in Amsterdam during autumn after secret proposal.

1. The photography itself

My secret proposal photography packages start at €220.

Secret Proposal — €220

Up to 30 minutes of photography and 15 high-resolution edited images. This covers the proposal itself and usually a short walk nearby afterwards, so you have a few photos together once the initial excitement settles.

Proposal + Love Story — €320

Up to 1.5 hours of photography and 20 high-resolution edited images. This gives us more time to explore Amsterdam, visit several spots and create a fuller set of photos together after the proposal.

You can find all the details on my secret proposal photography packages page.

Both packages include the photography, but some locations have their own entrance fees or booking requirements. If we're travelling outside Amsterdam, there may also be travel and parking costs.

You can purchase additional edited images for €7 each, or the full gallery for €99. The full gallery usually contains 50 or more photos.

Not sure whether you need 30 minutes or 1.5 hours? I've explained the difference in more detail here: 30 minutes or 1.5 hours.

2. Amsterdam’s bridges, Rijksmuseum Gardens and Vondelpark

You don't need to pay for a special venue to have a lovely proposal in Amsterdam. The city's bridges, the gardens around the Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark and other parks are all options worth considering.

With a simple outdoor location, you don't have to buy entrance tickets or pay a venue fee. If you're staying in central Amsterdam and can get to the location without a car, you may not have any additional expenses at all.

For this kind of proposal, the total can be as simple as the €220 photography package.

The best location depends on the atmosphere you're after. A bridge can feel very Amsterdam, while a park gives us more greenery and space to walk together afterwards.

For inspiration, take a look at my guides to Amsterdam’s parks and the best places to propose in Amsterdam.

Man in a blue jacket kneels on one knee proposing to a woman in a brown skirt outside a historic brick building of Rijksmuseum.

Smiling couple share an intimate moment outdoors as she cups his cheek, showing off a sparkling engagement ring.

Man kneeling on one knee proposing to a smiling woman on a brick bridge over a scenic Amsterdam canal lined with trees.

3. Hortus Botanicus

Hortus Botanicus is a beautiful option if you like botanical gardens and greenery. It feels different from proposing on a city bridge, and you can stay in the garden for photos together after the proposal.

For photoshoots, Hortus has its own photoshoot ticket, which also covers entrance. The booking costs €125 and includes entry for up to four people — enough for you, your partner and me as your photographer.

You need to book online in advance, and photoshoots take place during opening hours, from 10:00 to 17:00. The garden remains open to other visitors, so it's not a private venue.

For a 30-minute proposal session, the cost would be:

Secret Proposal photography — €220 Hortus photoshoot booking (entrance for up to four people) — €125 Total: €345

You can find the details and booking information on the official Hortus Botanicus photoshoot page.

4. Castles: De Haar and Kasteel Keukenhof

If you imagine a proposal surrounded by historic architecture and gardens, a castle might be worth the extra planning. There are a few options around Amsterdam, but their costs can be quite different.

Kasteel de Haar

At Kasteel de Haar, you can choose between visiting the gardens or buying a ticket that includes the castle and park. If you mainly want an outdoor proposal and photos in the gardens, you may not need the full castle ticket.

The garden ticket is around €12.50 per person from April to October and €8 from November to March. A castle-and-park ticket is around €21.50, and parking costs around €7.50.

Remember that entrance tickets may be needed for both of you and your photographer. Travel from Amsterdam is an additional cost.

You can check the latest details on the official Kasteel de Haar admission prices page.

Kasteel Keukenhof

Kasteel Keukenhof and the Keukenhof tulip park are two different places, even though they’re next to each other in Lisse.

Kasteel Keukenhof is a historic castle estate. Its gardens are open all year round, and both entrance and parking are free.
The Keukenhof tulip park is the famous flower show. It’s only open for a few weeks in spring, and tickets are always paid.

If you’d like a historic setting without paid tickets, Kasteel Keukenhof is a lovely option at any time of year. Travel from Amsterdam still needs to be taken into account.

For more ideas, see my article about castle proposals near Amsterdam.

5. Keukenhof in tulip season

If you’re visiting the Netherlands in spring and dream of proposing among the tulips, the famous Keukenhof flower park is another possibility.

Unlike Kasteel Keukenhof next door, this is a seasonal attraction with paid admission. Tickets are tied to a date and time, and it’s worth booking in advance. You’ll also need to account for the photographer’s ticket and parking if you’re arriving by car.

For the 2026 season, online admission was around €21.50 per person, with parking costing approximately €9–10. These figures are a reference for that season, not a promise of next year’s prices.

Check the official Keukenhof website for current opening dates, tickets and prices before making your plans.

A man kneels on one knee proposing to a woman on a lawn with flower beds in front of a historic brick castle de Haar.

Smiling woman in glasses and a gray cable-knit vest holds out her hand to show an engagement ring in a field of tulips in Netherlands

Couple sitting on the front steps of a historic red brick Koukenhof Kasteel mansion with pointed turrets and ivy, overlooking a green lawn.

6. Travel outside Amsterdam

If you'd like to propose outside Amsterdam, there are plenty of possibilities — Leiden, Utrecht, the coast or one of the castles and gardens nearby.

For locations outside the city, I usually calculate travel at €0.30 per kilometre for the round trip. For places like Leiden, Utrecht or the coast, the travel fee often works out at around €20–30, depending on the exact location. Parking may also need to be paid separately, so it's worth including that in your budget.

For example, if you choose the €220 Secret Proposal package and a location where travel costs €25, your total would be €245, plus any parking fees or entrance tickets.

If you're considering a location outside Amsterdam, tell me where you'd like to go when you get in touch. I'll confirm the travel cost and any other expected expenses before we finalise the plan.

7. A proposal on a boat

A private boat is a lovely option if you want to see Amsterdam from the canals.

You can arrange a private boat with a skipper. I’ve explained how I photograph proposals on the water in my guide to a proposal on a boat in Amsterdam.

Prices vary by company and boat, but as an example, private boat rental with LOVERS starts at around €250 per hour. Their private rentals have a one-hour minimum, so it's worth checking the details before booking.

For the photography, I'd recommend an open boat with an open rear area. It gives us more flexibility to photograph the proposal and your reactions without being restricted by enclosed windows.

A rough budget would look like this:

Secret Proposal photography — €220 Private boat rental for one hour — around €250 Total: around €470

This is before any additional costs. Boat availability, rental terms and prices can vary, so confirm the details directly with the company.

You can find an example of rental options on the LOVERS’ private boat rental page.

Couple embracing on a boat docked along a canal, with a flower bouquet nearby. Amsterdam secret proposal

Two women in floral dresses sit holding hands on a canal boat, with a stone bridge and flowers on the table behind them. Amsterdam

Couple embracing on a white canal boat with a red flag, cruising beneath a brick bridge in Amsterdam.

8. Who pays for what — and how to keep it secret

Usually, the person planning the proposal covers the photography and any additional expenses: entrance tickets, parking, travel or boat rental. It's helpful to think about these costs together rather than looking at the photography price alone.

One practical detail is that some venues require a ticket for the photographer as well as the couple. When we discuss your chosen location, I'll help you identify the extra costs that need to be included in the plan.

Flowers and champagne are optional. I can’t arrange flowers or champagne myself, but I’m happy to recommend a flower shop you can visit together after the proposal.

9. Example budgets at a glance

Here are five ways to plan a proposal, using the 30-minute Secret Proposal photography package as a starting point.

Bridge, Rijksmuseum Gardens or Vondelpark (30 min) — €220
Hortus Botanicus (30 min) — €345
Kasteel Keukenhof (30 min) — €220 + travel
Kasteel de Haar, gardens only, April–October (30 min) — around €265 + travel
Private boat, 1 hour (30 min photography) — around €470

The Kasteel de Haar estimate includes the photography package, garden tickets for three people and parking. The boat estimate includes the photography package and one hour of boat rental. The Hortus estimate includes the special photoshoot booking and entry for up to four people.

These are example budgets rather than fixed quotes. Travel, parking, entrance fees and boat rental can change, so check the relevant venue or provider before booking.

10. Planning your proposal?

If you're planning a secret proposal in Amsterdam and want to understand the full cost before making a decision, tell me what you have in mind.

We can discuss the location, how much photography time you'll need and whether there are any additional costs for tickets, parking or travel. You don't need to have every detail worked out before contacting me.

The easiest way to get in touch is through the contact form below. You can also message me directly on WhatsApp if you prefer.

You can find more information about my secret proposal photography in Amsterdam and see what other couples have said about working with me in my reviews: ★ 5.0 from 60+ Google reviews.

I look forward to hearing what you're planning!