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Planning the Perfect Northern Lights Proposal

Asking someone to marry their true love while traveling is fast becoming one of the more creative ways to pledge a lifetime commitment with an “I will.” Destination proposals combine all the best elements of relationships that value exploring our big, wide world and its many opportunities. 

Here at Greatland Adventures, we’ve witnessed many marriage proposals; in front of a glacier, in a boat, and even on a mountaintop reached by helicopter. Yep, we’re sentimental folks around here, and our guides love it when two people commit to each other against the backdrop of Alaska’s wondrous settings. But nothing, nothing can cap the romantic atmosphere of popping the question under the universe’s most dreamy scene of all, the northern lights. 

If you are considering an aurora proposal during your Alaska vacation, let us help! Fortunately, our specialized northern lights tours have endless options for destination proposals under dark skies, winking stars, and swirling displays of color. Without a doubt, proposing marriage in Alaska combines the thrill of adventure with the intimacy of nature, making it an ideal choice for couples seeking a unique and memorable experience to share for years to come.

Proposing under the northern lights

There’s no question that adding the spectacle of an aurora display to a marriage proposal combines a unique layer of intimacy to this important moment. But you’ll need some assistance to pull it all off, including capturing it on camera. We asked our Greatland Adventures guide team for their pro tips, and below are some of their recommendations. 

How to plan a perfect aurora proposal

northern lights proposal in fairbanks, alaska

1. Choose private tours

Nearly all Greatland Adventures tours, including northern lights tours, can be private. Booking a private tour allows for greater flexibility in both time and location. Our guides are committed to placing you in the perfect situation for viewing the aurora and proposing to your loved one, and on a private tour, a guide can give 100% of their attention to you and your plans. Call our office at 1+ 907-980-8179 and let us know your plans so we can block a time and day that fits perfectly with your schedule. 

2. Let your guide know 

If you’ve pre-planned the special moment but are on a public tour, call the office ahead of your scheduled date so our team can put some guide notes on the guest roster. Also, pull the guide aside as soon as possible to let them know your intentions. It often takes a village to create the perfect proposal moment, and we’re ready to assist in any way we can! 

Want to be spontaneous? Go for it, just realize that your surprise proposal may not exactly go as planned due to our tour location, conditions, or other guests on the tour. 

3.  Pulling off the proposal

Our guides’ most important tip? Propose in private first, when the moment is right, then pose for photos afterward, recreating the moment if you wish. Remember that night photography requires a flash, and you don’t want your most notable life moment to be distracting. Plus, recreating the moment allows for some playfulness and spontaneous smiles because they said “YES!”

Do remember, however, that proposing in a natural environment means a backup plan is critical. As we’ve said over and over on our website, the aurora can be fickle and appear (or not), regardless of your most hopeful intentions. 

There are no accurate forecasting tools that predict aurora strength more than an hour in advance, so while we do have a 90% success rate viewing seeing the northern lights on our tours, occasionally the aurora displays are dim or don’t come out at all.  We can promise that Greatland Adventures guides will bring you to the best possible spot for viewing according to Earth’s weather conditions that night. 

We recommend having a backup plan in place, like proposing under a starlit sky, under a beautiful snow-covered tree, or making beautiful scenery using a light painting. 

Alaska is perfect for proposals!

Visiting during the brighter summer months? Greatland Adventures is happy to assist guests in planning an equally unforgettable proposal on one of our other tours. Is your prospective partner adventurous? Take our Matanuska Glacier tour and propose in front of the stunning blue ice or atop the craggy terrain of an Alaska icon, with the beautiful Chugach and Talkeetna mountain ranges in the background. Looking for a more casual but very Alaska experience? The Turnagain Arm Wildlife Tour fits perfectly into the frame of destination proposals, with a drive south of Anchorage down Turnagain Arm toward beautiful Portage Valley, a tram ride up Mount Alyeska, plus a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to view moose, bears, wolves, and other mammals calling Alaska home. The entire day is filled with scenic vistas, towering mountains, and memorable moments sure to be a highlight of your new life together. 

Contact the Greatland Adventures office any time to discuss a destination proposal, and let us be the first to congratulate you! 

Turnagain Arm Winter Scenic Tour

Duration
Full Day
Season
Winter, Spring, Fall
Departure Location
Anchorage

Travel the scenic Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm to Portage Valley. Take a scenic tram to the top of a mountain and view Alaska's iconic animals up close. The choice is yours!

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Duration
Half Day
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Departure Location
Anchorage

Get a perfect introduction to the greater Anchorage area on this 3-hour tour. Stops include Earthquake Park, Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Beluga Point, Potter's Marsh, and Flattop Mountain.

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Season
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Departure Location
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