Milky Way Proposal
Interested in doing a Milky Way proposal? You’re in the right place! Thanks to the dark skies in the western United States, viewing the Milky Way at night is easy – so long as you know what you’re doing. Read on for everything you need to know about proposing to your significant other under the stars. Or schedule a call with us to talk logistics!
What is the Milky Way?
The Milky Way is the galaxy that we live in. To the naked eye, it appears as a hazy, or “milky” band that encircles our planet. This band is actually made up of hundreds of billions of stars, along with stellar remnants, interstellar gas and dust, and dark matter, as well.
What is the galactic core?
Without getting too technical, the galactic center (or galactic “core”) is the most detailed and visually interesting part of the Milky Way. It’s only visible during certain times of the year, and certain times of the night. Please note that we can’t technically see the core with our human eyes because there’s a bunch of galactic dust in the way. But with that said, it still looks really cool on camera.
When is the best time to see the galactic core?
In the northern hemisphere, the best time to see the galactic core is summer and early fall. This it because it rises above the southern horizon in the late evening during these months. You can still see it outside of this time frame, but you’ll either have to stay up very late, or wake up very early, which isn’t always ideal.
The night sky still looks super cool even if the galactic core isn’t out, though. Here are a few examples of photos we’ve taken when the galactic core wasn’t out, to give you a better idea.
How do I propose under the Milky Way?
Proposing under the Milky Way is a stellar idea (see what we did there?) However, there are a few logistical issues to keep in mind.
Long story short, it’s definitely possible to pull this off, but it’s logistically challenging and can be difficult to be discreet.
What’s the best way to do a milky way proposal?
The far better option, in our opinion, is to propose earlier in the day when we can be more natural and inconspicuous. We can then take a break and reconvene later to do a quick engagement session under Milky Way.
This option also gives you the chance to do a wardrobe change. One of the main complaints we hear from people is wondering why their partner is making them get dressed up just to go on a nature hike. If you split the proposal into two parts, you can wear whatever is most comfortable for the proposal itself (and keep it a surprise), and then also have photos with nicer attire later.
Where is the best place for Milky Way proposal photos?
The further away from cities and light pollution, the more stars you’ll be able to see. Dark Site Finder is a great resource to help you find the best locations.
A few of our favorite places for Milky Way photos in Colorado include Great Sand Dunes National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Loveland Pass, a few specific sections of the Million Dollar Highway, and certain areas of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Can I propose near a city and still see the stars?
Yes, so long as we’re not in the city.
To give you a better idea of what it looks like, this photo was taken about 30 miles from Colorado Springs. You can actually see the light pollution from the city on the horizon, but it doesn’t affect the clarity of the Milky Way, and it actually adds a complementary color to the image.
This photo was taken around five miles from Carrizozo, New Mexico. This is a much smaller population center than in the photo above, but since we were only a few miles away during this session, it appears brighter. Even so, we can still see the stars.
Final example. This photo was taken approximately 40 miles from Boulder and 60 miles from Denver. You can see the halo of light pollution around the trees at the bottom left of the image, but it doesn’t do anything to affect the stars and Milky Way and galactic core above.
Long story short, yes you can do a Milky Way proposal close to a city. But, it depends on how close you are and how big/bright the city is.
Can you see the stars if the moon is out?
It depends. Generally speaking, the brighter the moon, the fewer stars you’ll be able to see. This photo is a prime example of that.
On the flip side of that coin, if you’re in a really cool place, the light from the moon will actually allow us to capture the landscape in addition to the stars.
Here’s an example from a session we did at the Grand Canyon. We intentionally scheduled the session for a time when the moon would be bright so that we could see the canyon in the photos. Otherwise, there would have been no point in going to the Grand Canyon in the first place!
So yes, we can still capture the stars if the moon it out. But it’s a bit of a trade-off. You have to decide what’s more important to you: the landscape or the sky? And there are no wrong answers.
Can I still see the Milky Way if it’s cloudy?
Weather is the one thing we can’t predict, since we’ll likely be scheduling your Milky Way proposal weeks, or even months in advance.
That said, there is one thing we can do to improve our chances of clear skies, and that is to reserve two nights on our calendar. With this option, we’ll be on call for two back-to-back nights, in case of excessive cloud coverage on night one.
What does the night sky look like in photos if it’s partly cloudy?
What does the night sky look like in photos if it’s completely overcast?
What kinds of photos can we take if we can’t see the stars?
Keep in mind, there are also a ton of other cool photos we can do after dark even if there are no stars. Here are just a few examples.
How much does it cost to have you photograph my Milky Way proposal?
The price is $2,000 anywhere within the state of Colorado and most destinations in northern New Mexico. It’s $2,500 for bordering states (Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and anywhere in New Mexico south of Albuquerque. If you’re interested in doing your Milky Way proposal outside of those states, reach out to us and we’ll customize a package for you, based on time commitment and travel expenses.
The above prices include:
I need help planning my milky way proposal!
You’ve come to the right place! We will help you decide on the perfect location, plan the logistics of proposing at that location, research the phases of the moon, and determine what will be the best time and date to see the stars considering all of that information.
This planning service is included in your Milky Way proposal package at no additional charge.
In conclusion, yes it is possible to do a Milky Way proposal under the stars. It can be a challenge to pull off, but with proper planning, we’ll make it happen. Reach out to us any time with questions, concerns, or just to run a location idea past us.
We hope to see you soon under the stars!