Love
You
Most
8.21.22
When Nicole’s friend, Emily, reached out to me to help plan a proposal, I was elated! I had photographed Emily’s home wedding during the pandemic and was so excited to help create a proposal that Nicole would remember forever. Nicole’s boyfriend (now fiancé!) Antonio had the most beautiful vision for the two of them at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. Picnics in the Chi created a stunning setup for the two of them that included champagne, macarons, and the sweetest looking cake!
At the Morton Arboretum
Photographing a proposal is such a thrill; I often have to hide or pretend not to notice the couple so as not to ruin the surprise. We’re talking butterflies in my stomach the entire time. Planning a Morton Arboretum proposal was no easy task. We had to make sure we found the perfect quiet spot that wouldn’t attract too much attention. Antonio did an amazing job with planning a picturesque location amongst the trees. Nicole and Antonio arrived to the arboretum looking stunning, although Nicole had no idea what was in store! Making their way through Morton Arboretum, Antonio stopped her and got down on one knee, and immediately the tears started. I could tell that Nicole was completely surprised and was overjoyed that this moment had finally come. After the tears and kisses, Nicole and Antonio settled into their picnic and popped a glass of champagne. I spent some time just photographing the two of them laughing and being in the moment. Nicole couldn’t stop starting at her ring (and with good reason! HELLO GORGEOUS) We took some posed photos near the picnic, but Antonio had a beautiful spot in mind deep in the arboretum for our remaining time together.
I felt like we were taking photos in the Pacific Northwest. You would never know that these photos were in the Chicago suburbs. We had this spruce trail to ourselves, which was extra amazing. I took inspiration from Taylor Swift’s album Evermore and tried to capture the folky, intimate mood that we were feeling. Being able to photograph this Morton Arboretum proposal really felt like a fairy tale, and I was elated to be a part of this beautiful day! Congratulations, Antonio and Nicole!
The details:
Venue // Morton Arboretum Catering // Picnics in the Chi
