A Secret Photographer's Guide to the Dallas Arboretum

Thinking about popping the question in Dallas? Congratulations! This is such an exciting time, and planning a surprise proposal is a huge part of the story you'll tell for years to come. If you're looking for a stunning location in the DFW area, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a classic and beautiful choice for a reason.

I often get asked if the Arboretum is too busy for a private moment. While this popular park can get pretty crowded, especially on weekends, there's a secret to it: there are little nooks and areas that are less crowded and absolutely perfect for you to pop the question.

The Dallas Arboretum does offer guests the option to rent out a private garden for an hourly rate, which guarantees you a secluded spot. If that option is outside of your budget, don't worry! As a Dallas photographer who knows this location well, I am able to help guide you on which specific areas of the park are typically less crowded and the right time of day to plan your surprise for a more intimate feel.

I recently had the pleasure of working with a wonderful client planning his proposal. He really loved the aesthetic of the Women's Garden and decided that was where he wanted to ask his big question. Together, we created a detailed game plan for how the proposal would go down. This included a subtle hint he would give me so I could be ready to start photographing the exact moment, completely unnoticed.

On the day of, I was waiting in our predetermined spot, pretending like I was just waiting for a client to arrive. When he and his partner walked up, everything went perfectly. He gave me the signal, and I was able to capture the raw, genuine emotion of the proposal from a short distance away. She had no idea I was there for them!

After the question was popped and she said yes (she did!), the celebration began. We spent the next hour running around the beautiful gardens and took some of the cutest engagement photos. It was such a joy to capture their first moments as an engaged couple in that incredible setting.

Your proposal story is unique, and having it documented allows you to relive that joy forever. If you’re looking to pop the question in the DFW area and want to preserve the moment, I would be honored to help you plan it.

You can inquire here about hiring me as your secret engagement photographer. Let's create a game plan to make your Dallas proposal absolutely perfect.