Why you should propose in Long Island City, not dumbo

Stacie Stine
4 days ago
5 min read

I know-- what a wild way to start a blog post. First of all, it's your New York City marriage proposal, you can propose anywhere you want!

But as someone who has been photographing NYC proposals all over the five boroughs for quite a few years now, I gotta tell you, don't sleep on Long Island City (the locals call it "LIC" for short).

To me, it's a fabulous alternative to Dumbo that most people just don't know exists.

>>> Why LIC works so well for proposals:

Mostly the same Manhattan skyline views as Dumbo
About 90% fewer tourists, especially on weeknights
A mix of waterfront, nature, and industrial charm that feels effortlessly romantic
Easy to get to by ferry or the 7 train
Tons of restaurants nearby to celebrate right after

I've photographed sooo many engagement sessions, weddings, and proposals in Dumbo, and while I love how iconic it is, I find it to not be the best choice for couples who want a private moment or quieter atmosphere.

If the first sentence I hear from Proposers is "My partner doesn't want it to be too crowded-- they will hate if there's a bunch of people watching" then I can immediately recommend LIC or some quieter parks in Manhattan. Especially if they still want iconic views of the skyline. LIC's got some great views, especially around sunset.

Whenever Proposers ask me if I know a quiet spot to propose, I immediately tell them they've booked the right photographer, because I've got private locations on lock down all across the city-- it's crazy that there's this draw to propose in New York, but also this very real need to have privacy all at the same time. But that's why romance is alive in New York, people still find a way to make love work even with chaos and people all around.

What if your heart is set on proposing in Dumbo?

And if you're absolutely DESPERATE to have your proposal in Dumbo, I do have a handful of locations that are EPIC, that most tourists don't typically know about, so don't worry-- I've got you. If you want my best advice for proposing in Dumbo, here are my top three: 1) Sunset is a great time, especially on a weeknight 2) Near Dumbo's Public Library is much quieter 3) Skip the busyness of Dumbo and take a quiet stroll through Brooklyn Heights afterward for some really cute Brownstone photos.

So, Why you should propose in Long Island City, not dumbo?

But if you want something that won't be super crowded on a Friday night, I would highly suggest LIC, specifically Gantry Plaza State Park. It still has some epic views of New York City and about 90% fewer tourists. It also has the famous "Pepsi Cola" neon sign and a really lovely waterfront with lots of romantic options for proposals. There's a sort of balance of nature and industrial vibes that really does make the waterfront so so romantic.

>>>The Best Time to Propose in Long Island City:

Sunset is hands-down my favorite — the light hits the skyline and the water in the most romantic way.
Even if it's cloudy out, the lighting is still quite romantic.
Why not the morning? If you are okay with your proposal being fully in the sun, then you could do your proposal in the morning-- the light might not be as golden. And the shadows might fall a bit more harshly. But if you (and your photographer) are okay with harsh sunlight, then you will probably be fine to do a morning proposal. Artistically, I think sunset has more romance and vibes.

Transportation-wise, you can make it even more romantic by riding an NYC ferry from Midtown or Wall Street over to LIC. Or, you can take the 7 train. The best part? There's plenty of restaurants to celebrate at afterward. Or, you can take the ferry down to Wall Street at eat at a fancy restaurant down there and stroll by Brooklyn Bridge afterward.

I definitely have a few spots I would recommend proposing that we can discuss during your consultation, but if you want to venture out to LIC and scope out a spot that feels "you-i-est" that you know your partner will love, you definitely should!

Need more pratical logistical information? Keep scrolling for Frequently Asked Questions about proposing in LIC.

Of course I wouldn't argue for a romantic LIC engagement without showing you a real life example. Meet Mike. He planned a sweet picnic proposal, and spoiler alert, she said Yes.

And then we got to take photos afterward! Here's a grid of photos from their cloudy sunset proposal:

What if you want a video of your proposal?

In 2026, I started offering video and photos for proposals. I've got a great creative team who makes your video come to life! If that's something you're interested in, we can chat about that in our proposal consultation-- and yes, of course, I always make sure we have a consultation ahead of time to make sure we are on the same page before you propose-- I want you to feel SUPER prepared ahead of time.

Something else I'm very excited to be offering now is film photography. While I absolutely LOVE that my own digital work has a film vibe, I also want couples to truly have an authentic/lived in film perspective if that's something they're interested in. With film, I always assure my Proposers, that we use digital for the proposal, just to make sure we've got it, but then we get to add in film after you've proposed and we do a little engagement session afterward that definitely has us using more film. These are a few of my favorites from Mike's proposal:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to propose in Gantry Plaza State Park? Gantry Plaza is technically a state park, but most of what their website alludes to when it comes to permits is weddings, picnics, and film shoots. It is not the kind of park you could set up a big flowery proposal at. You would need to secure a permit to set up big letters or a flower arch. If your photographer remains discreet and doesn't try to put on a full production, I don't think you'll need a permit.

What's the best subway stop for Gantry Plaza? The 7! You can always uber or lyft.

Is LIC a good backup if I originally wanted to propose in Dumbo? Absolutely. If Dumbo feels too crowded on the day, LIC gives you nearly the same skyline magic with way more breathing room.

How far in advance should I plan my proposal? With me as your photographer, you could plan it 24 hours in advance and it would look epic. I love booking last minute proposals!

But if you are planning on proposing soon, I recommend booking a photographer 2-4 weeks in advance. That way you have time for a consult and time to make any necessary sneaky plans with your partner (ie, they might need time to get their nails done, pick an outfit, etc.). I've had Proposers plan months in advance and 24 hours in advance. If you want to work with a specific photographer during busy tourism or spring/autumn seasons, I recommend booking them months in advance as they tend to have busier schedules.

Bottom line: Dumbo is iconic, but if you want a private, still-stunning skyline moment, Long Island City — especially Gantry Plaza State Park — is the move. Fewer crowds, same magic, and a killer view of the city.

If you want other ideas for locations to propose in New York City, I've come up with a few here.