This Chicago Botanic Gardens proposal for CJ and Diana is one for the books! The gardens are one of my favorite places in the Chicagoland area. AND it makes an absolutely stunning location for a proposal or any photoshoot! Really, it’s one of the most picturesque locations for photos! It’s especially magical when it’s in full bloom in Spring and Summer! While it does require you to obtain a photography permit, it’s still completely worth it to have the gardens as the backdrop of your proposal!
CJ wanted to plan a proposal for Diana that she would remember! He made sure to think of the details like hiring a photographer so they would have the memories to look back on :) He even came up with a logical reason to get dressed and head to the gardens so that she wouldn’t be suspicious of the big surprise to come. He let her believe they were attending a special work party held at the Chicago Botanic Gardens! I was overjoyed to be a part of the process and document the special moment for them.
CJ and I chatted on the phone about a month before the proposal to plan out where he would propose in the gardens. He ultimately chose a bridge with a beautiful weeping willow tree. On the day, he proposed I strategically hid on the garden path pretending to take photos of flowers.
The Botanic Gardens is one of the places that you can have a photographer hiding in plain sight because so many people take photos of all the beautiful florals. No one would ever suspect a photographer was trying to take proposal photos! Once he got down on one knee, I fought the crowds to capture the beautiful moment. Diana was obviously surprised and said yes! Once they were engaged, we were able to walk around the garden and take some beautiful photos of them.
I hope you love looking through some of my favorite moments of the day!
If you want to see if I’m actually available for your session reach out here!
If you want to see the engagement session gallery head here!