Proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens – Cesar and Yesi

January 5, 2023

Future fiancé walks to propose to his bride at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

Cesar + Yesi’s proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens had me in tears, yes literally crying my eyes out.  Cesar inquired with me in December of 2021 about wanting to propose to Yesi.  He was so excited, and had so many ideas for this proposal.  We worked together and planned this proposal for four months.  We planned and kept this proposal a secret for SO long. It was honestly a bittersweet moment when the time came, I just love these two so much.

The main pond at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Planning their Chicagoland Proposal

When Cesar inquired with me to plan his proposal to Yesi, he was already set on having it at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  This was the place that he and Yesenia had their first date, so it only made sense that they would start their married life here as well.  Prior to their proposal I scouted out the gardens so that I could help Cesar choose the perfect location for their proposal. Yesenia actually started this process ironically!  She has been following me for awhile and she actually told Cesar that if he ever proposed that he should hire me to document the whole thing.  So since she knew me and would be able to recognize me, I wanted to make sure we had a location for their proposal that I could hide and be disguised so she wouldn’t be tipped off before it actually happened.

A fiancé stands waiting for his future bride near the pond at the Chicago Botanic Gardens before he proposes

The Day Of

Cesar arrived at his proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens early with his family.  Cesar found the location that we had previously scouted while his family hid in the gardens where Yesi wouldn’t be able to see them as she walked in.  Meanwhile, Yesi arrived with her best friend and her family in the guise of showing her mom the gardens for the first time.  Yesi’s best friend made sure to tell Yesi to wear a cute outfit for potential Instagram photo op’s so we knew she would be wearing something cute for their proposal.

His bride Yesi sees him in the distance as he waits to propose to her on a stone path at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
His bride Yesi walks towards him in the distance as he waits to propose to her on a stone path at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
A couple holds hands overlooking a pond on a beautiful clear sky day in the Chicago Botanic Gardens
A couple holds hands facing one another overlooking a pond on a beautiful clear sky day in the Chicago Botanic Gardens
A couple holds hands facing one another overlooking a pond on a beautiful clear sky day in the Chicago Botanic Gardens
A couple holds hands facing one another overlooking a pond on a beautiful clear sky day in the Chicago Botanic Gardens
A fiancé proposes to his fiancée on a beautiful summer day at the Chicago Botanic Gardens

The Proposal at The Chicago Botanic Gardens

Yesi DID NOT SEE THEIR PROPOSAL COMING. She knew that Cesar was going golfing that day, but when she saw him standing there, with a suit on, she started crying and walked towards him. Cesar gave a beautiful speech that made me tear up behind the lens. Yesi didn’t realize that her friends and a few more family members were present, nor did she notice me going in half-circles, taking photos of her proposal. She blacked out. When she finally came down from that proposal high, Cesar brought her attention to the other people around and she saw me in front of her and she FREAKED OUT. “OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD!!! IT’S YOU!!! I’M YOUR BIGGEST FAN” she told me. ??????

A fiancé proposes to his fiancée on a beautiful summer day at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
Fiancés kiss while holding one another at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
Fiancés hug while holding one another at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
Fiancés kiss while holding one another at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
Fiancés kiss while holding one another at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
A bride and groom look at the camera  laughing at the photographer
A bride and groom hold each other at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
Fiancé's feel their emotions while standing at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
New fiancé holds her family after her partner proposed to her.
New fiancé holds her family after her partner proposed to her.
The fiancé smiles and laughs after proposing to his future wife at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
Fiancé's stand with their family members celebrating their engagement at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
Fiancé's hold hands walking over a bridge at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
Fiancé's hold hands walking over a bridge at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

After their proposal we spent some time celebrating with their families taking some group photos before walking around the gardens taking some portraits of the two of them.  Cesar and Yesi’s proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens was so beautiful and thoughtful.  I loved being a part of their proposal and I will forever pinch myself that I get to be a part of so many amazing couples love stories. Head to my blog if you want to see more love stories like Cesar and Yesi’s.

A fiancée shows off her brand new ring after their proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A fiancée shows off her brand new ring after their proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couple walks towards the camera surrounded by prairie and flowers at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couple walks and kisses towards the camera surrounded by prairie and flowers at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couples hands holding one another while walking at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
A couple holds one another after their proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couple holds one another while kissing on a bridge at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couple holds one another while kissing on a bridge at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couple holds one another while walking towards the camera and laughing on a bridge at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couple holds one another while kissing on a bridge at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couple holds one another while kissing on a bridge at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
An engaged couple sits on a bench at the Chicago Botanic Gardens enjoying each others company
A bride holds the hand of her future groom while sitting on a bench.  You can see her engagement ring.
A bride rests her hand on the neck of her fiancé during their engagement session.  You can see her ornate engagement ring.
A bride rests her hand on the neck of her fiancé during their engagement session.  You can see her ornate engagement ring.
Fiancé's sit together on a grass covered hill overlooking a lake at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couple holds hands while walking with one another on a bridge at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A couple holds one another sitting on a bench at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
A fiancée holds wooden scrabble letters that say I Said Yes with her ring on backwards facing the camera.
Fiancés hold a wooden scrabble holder with the word Forever in scrabble pieces across it and her engagement ring taking the place of the o.
A fiancée sits on her fiances lap during their engagement session at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
Kriztelle Halili stands with her engagement clients at the Chicago Botanic Gardens