PYHÄ-LUOSTO
NATIONAL PARK PROPOSAL
Reed & Alison
Reed's inquiry
Reed first reached out with a dream of proposing beneath the auroras. He and his partner had booked a three-day stay in Luosto at the beginning of November and hoped to catch them at least once during their trip. If everything aligned, getting engaged beneath the dancing lights would be the perfect moment.
As magical as the idea sounded, I was immediately concerned about how realistic it was. With only a few days in Luosto, during one of the cloudiest months of the year, basing the proposal entirely on the appearance of the Lights felt incredibly risky. While I completely understood the appeal of such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I suggested a different approach, one that would still leave room for the possibility of witnessing and photographing the auroras if conditions allowed, without making the proposal itself depend on a phenomenon that is so beautifully unpredictable and entirely beyond our control.
After a video call, we agreed that the best plan would be to find a breathtaking, secluded location where they could enjoy the moment without the stress of depending on the Lights. Reed also dreamed of a snowy winter landscape, but once again, early November can be notoriously unpredictable. To maximise our chances of finding snow, I suggested heading to the top of a fell in Luosto, where winter tends to arrive a little earlier than in the valleys below.
We also decided to keep the rest of the evening flexible. If the skies cleared and the aurora forecast looked promising, we would head back out together after the proposal to celebrate their engagement beneath nature's most spectacular light show.
The day of the proposal
I met Alison and Reed at their hotel, introducing myself as their hiking guide before we set off towards the trailhead. As we drove through the forests of Luosto, there was very little snow on the ground, but I quickly reassured them that conditions would be quite different higher up the fell. With every metre of elevation, our chances of finding a true winter landscape increased.
At the trailhead, we fitted ice spikes to our boots. Although the temperatures were relatively mild for the season, patches of ice covered the path. We began our walk along a peaceful forest trail before gradually climbing higher into the fell. With every step, the scenery transformed. Frost-coated trees replaced the bare forest below, and it felt as though we were slowly crossing the threshold into winter.
A little while later, we reached the summit. The viewpoint was completely empty, giving us the rare feeling of having the entire landscape to ourselves. We first stopped at the cosy cabin to warm up, lit a fire, and enjoyed a short rest before stepping back outside to take in the breathtaking panorama.
Surrounded by snow-covered fells stretching to the horizon, Reed turned to Alison, dropped to one knee, and delivered the most heartfelt speech.
After the proposal, we returned to the warmth of the cabin, where we celebrated with a snack beside the crackling fire.
Reed & Alison's words
We couldn’t be more thrilled with our experience with Marion and the beautiful photos she captured!I first reached out to Marion over the summer to plan a fall proposal in Lapland. From the very beginning, she was incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and professional. Since I wasn’t familiar with the area, I had a lot of questions and hesitations about where and how to propose, but Marion was a true pro. She offered fantastic suggestions and put together a variety of plans based on our relationship and vision for the day.Once we were in Lapland, everything exceeded expectations. Marion guided us on a wonderful hike, complete with thoughtful touches like snacks and warm drinks to enjoy along the way. When the moment came to surprise my girlfriend with the proposal, the setting was the stunning winter wonderland we had hoped for.Marion made the whole experience feel natural, relaxed, and truly magical. Everything felt authentic to us as a couple, and we are grateful that we trusted her with this meaningful moment in our lives. The final photos are wonderful and perfectly capture the emotions of the day. We’ve had countless friends and family reach out to say how amazing the photos are.If you’re considering a photoshoot in Lapland, whether for a proposal, engagement shoot, wedding, or any special moment, we highly recommend Marion. She’s the best!
