Your guide for proposing in the Boston Public Garden:
- Boston Public Gardens vs. Boston Common
- Best time of the year to propose
- Best time of the day to propose
- Crowds & privacy
- Why to NOT propose on the bridge!
- How much does a proposal photographer cost in Boston?
- Parking
- Permits
- Proposal location guide with photos!
- Extra things to keep in mind
Are you planning a proposal in one of the most iconic locations in Boston, the Boston Public Garden or the Boston Common, but don’t know where to begin? Then this guide is for you! – written by Boston-based wedding and proposal photographer, Lensy Michelle.
What’s the difference between the Boston Public Garden versus the Boston Common?
The Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common are adjacent parks that are separated by Charles Street. The side closer to Newbury Street and Commonwealth Avenue (“Comm Ave”) is the Boston Public Garden. The Public Garden is known for the iconic “Lagoon Bridge,” the Make Way for Ducklings statue, the George Washington statue, huge willow trees, the swan boats, and of course all the flower beds in the spring and summer. The side of the park closer to downtown Boston is the Boston Common. Well known locations in the Boston Common include the merry-go-round, the gazebo, the duck pond, and (in the winter) the ice skating rink!
Best Time of the Year to Propose
One of Boston’s charms is that we have such variety in seasons! But that also means that the look you want for your photos might only be possible during certain months. Here’s my general guide to deciding what season you might like best for proposal photography:
- Fall is the most popular time to propose for a good reason! The foliage is bright orange and yellow, and it’s cool enough to layer up but not so cold you need gloves. The only downside of fall is the crowds since everyone else also thinks this is the best time for photos…
- Spring is best if you want green trees and maximum flowers! The Boston Public Garden is a GARDEN after all, and all the most colorful blooms come out in the spring. Spring is also a little more cloudy than summer, which I prefer for lighting.
- Summer is best if you’re in the mood for an “after dinner” proposal, since sunset it so late! It can get pretty hot in New England, but the energy of the city during the summer is unmatched. Also, it’s a great time for a swan boat ride!
- Winter is MAGICAL but (obviously) cold and potentially very…brown. Once the leaves fall from the trees, Boston fades to sepia colors. However, winter in Boston also has its perks! Less crowds, sunset at 4pm (so you can hit dinner afterwards), potentially an open ice rink, and the possibility of snow!
The Best Time of Day to Propose:
The best time to propose is whenever it fits into you and your partner’s schedule! But if you’re asking in regard to photography: the best timing for ideal photography lighting would definitely be in the hour before sunset or the hour after sunrise. These are the times you’re most likely to get that *iconic golden hour glow!* (You can check google for the sunset time on the date you plan to propose.) However, if you can’t make the timing of your proposal work in the times surrounding sunrise or sunset, I simply suggest avoiding “high noon” (when the sun is straight overhead) as much as possible. If you get a cloudy day (LUCKY YOU!) then the lighting will be about the same all day, until it gets dark of course!
Is the Boston Public Garden crowded?
Usually, yes – unless it is before 8am OR you’re proposing in the coldest of the winter months there will be many many people in the Boston Public Garden. If you’re looking for somewhere truly private, I would not suggest proposing at the Boston Public Garden or Boston Common except at off-hours or in the winter months, when the Public Garden and Commons are much less trafficked. There are certainly spots to take photos without other people in the background (as you can see from all the photos in this post), but it is unlikely you’ll have any area all to yourself for more than a few minutes.
Avoid the Bridge for the actual proposal!
“But that’s the best spot!” I know. I know. But unless you plan to propose at sunrise or after dark (when you might be lucky enough to have it to yourself) I would avoid this spot for the actual proposal. If you want some photos on the bridge, I suggest heading there for couples portraits after the proposal so that you can navigate the crowds and wait for a moment when less people are around. I usually find it easier to take photos looking over the side of the bridge, like you see in the image above, as opposed to down the bridge, like you see in the image below (from which I photoshopped out about 12 people!).
How much does a proposal photographer cost in Boston?
Generally, I would expect to spend $600 to $2000 for a professional proposal photographer in Boston. If your budget is below $600, it will likely be difficult to find a professional, full-time photographer within your budget. However, if you are open to working with part-time professionals, photography students, or hobby photographers, you can likely find a photographer at any budget. (For lower budget options, I suggest searching on instagram for photos tagged with #bostonengagementphotographer or #bostonproposalphotographer rather than searching on Google.)
Most of my industry peers with 5+ years of professional, full-time experience have proposal packages that begin around $800 to $1500 for a proposal package. Our packages typically include coverage of the proposal in addition to 30-60 minutes of time for lightly directed portraits afterwards. Pricing is often seasonal and may depends on the day of the week. For example, a weekend in the fall (the busiest season in New England) will likely be the most expensive and photographers won’t be very flexible in their pricing. Alternatively, for a weekday in the winter (the least busy season in New England) you will likely find the best pricing or options for flexible pricing on non-peak dates.
Where to Park:
Street parking is available but hard to come by. I personally suggest parking at the aptly named “Boston Common Garage” which, as the name suggests, is located right under the Boston Common. If you type in “Boston Common Garage” into Google Maps, it will take you right to the entrance. Depending on the day and time, parking typically costs between $5 and $26 for 3-hours. You can reserve parking in advance or pay on the spot. (I always pay upon arrival and have never had an issue with there being space available in the garage.)
Do I need a photography permit to take photos in the Boston Public Garden or Boston Common?
In short, probably not! You don’t need a permit for a proposal, engagement, or smaller photo session. However, if you are planning on holding a wedding or smaller event (OR if you want to have any sort of “set up” for your proposal, like a picnic or floral arch), I would highly suggest getting a “Special Events Permit” through the department of Parks & Recreation. It costs $50 for Boston residents and $100 for non-Boston residents. While having a permit doesn’t guarantee private access to any area, it does give you the ability to (politely) ask people to leave a location if you have secured a permit for that spot. You may make a reservation as late as one week before or as early as one year in advance.
Proposal Location Guide:
Under the most famous Willow Tree (near the “Make Way for Ducklings” statue)
Location Coordinates: 42.3551165, -71.0702579
Under a different willow tree (with a closer view of the bridge!)
Location Coordinates: 42.3542607, -71.0701721
On a bench
Not every proposal involves someone going down on one knee. Some couples prefer just to sit next to each other. If that sounds like your style, choose any of the many benches around the park.
The field in the Boston Common
This location is great for all seasons, but I use this spot a lot in the winter since the background looks great even if there are no trees. The orange buildings are iconically Boston!
Location Coordinates: 42.3558791, -71.0678251
Green space along Beacon Street (in the Public Garden)
This area has lots of options for places to propose that all have generally the same background. This is great for a busier day of the year so you can easily pivot to the least busy spot for your own proposal.
Location Coordinates: 42.3554807, -71.0710720
The Parkman Bandstand, more commonly called “the Gazeebo” (on the Boston Common side)
This is also a great rain plan since it’s covered!
Location: Parkman Bandstand
“Squiggle Peninsula” (that’s just what I call it, not it’s actual name.)
I call this “Squiggle Peninsula” because of the shape of the barrier wall. Both of these photos are taken with the couple standing in the exact same place. I am just positioned closer or further away.
This is a great location if you want privacy while proposing (if you like the far away photo) because the photographer won’t be very close to take the photo.
Location Coordinates: 42.3547872, -71.0700142
Various locations alongside the lagoon (Boston Public Garden)
Especially in the warmer months, the view from just about anywhere around the lagoon is fantastic. If you’re not too particular, you can always find somewhere without a crowd.
More photo locations
The following locations are great for photos after the proposal but may not be ideal for the actual proposal because of foot traffic and crowds.
Extra things to keep in mind:
- Sometimes the lagoon is drained for cleaning or winter! Make sure your ideal proposal photo doesn’t rely on the lagoon being full of water!
- Sometimes there is *unofficial* ice skating on the lagoon in the Public Garden, if it has gotten cold enough that the lagoon naturally freezes over. This is in addition to the frog pond in the Commons that is *officially* an ice rink. If this is the case, make sure the skaters’ presence in the back of the photos won’t interfere with the photo in your head.
- The trees have no leaves after November. If you’re proposing after the leaves have fallen, I suggest choosing a location that doesn’t rely on foliage in the backdrop.
- The grass is usually green from late May through November. Outside of that time frame, check the areas you want to use for living grass if that’s something that matters for your photos.
- Construction is always ongoing. Always scout before to make sure the location you like is still available.