Photo: Courtesy of Jacqui Cole Photography
You don’t have to wait until your wedding day to be surrounded by dreamy floral arrangements. Long before you breathe in your bridal bouquet and the colorful centerpieces dot your reception tables, you and your fiancé can incorporate flowers and the bright growth and nurturing they symbolize into another major aspect of your planning process: your engagement photos. Capturing your love in bloom against a backdrop of blossoming daffodils, roses, and lilies couldn’t be sweeter, and with the Chicago area‘s ample selection of lush greenery and romantic gardens, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few of our favorite picture-perfect garden settings for your engagement photos.
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Nestled between the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the kaleidoscope of colorful greenery outside the Lincoln Park Conservatory’s glass greenhouse makes for a frameable moment waiting to happen. The Conservatory grounds are also home to the idyllic Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, a hidden gem with Prairie Style details and a gently babbling waterfall you’ll want in every shot. Read real brides’ reviews here!
Chicago Botanic Garden
More than a million people visited Glencoe’s Chicago Botanic Garden in 2014 and it’s not hard to understand why. With 16 gardens and four natural areas spread over 385 acres and more than 2.6 million plants in its collection, this sprawling nature haven is bursting with life and ready for its close-up. Read real brides’ reviews here!
Lurie Garden at Millennium Park
The landscape architects behind Lurie Garden got it right when they dubbed their creation an “urban oasis.” The year-round space on the southeastern end of Millennium Park offers nods to native plants and wildlife, dramatic design, and charming details like a footbridge — a perfect place to pose with your love.
See More: Still Looking for that Perfect Venue? We’ve Got The Best Chicago Reception Halls for Your Big Day
Garfield Park Conservatory
With six greenhouses and two exhibition halls, this west side setting brimming with blooms is picturesque to say the least. Permits are required here for any professional photography, so check with the Conservatory before you make your trip. Read real brides’ reviews here!
Morton Arboretum
West Suburban Lisle boasts the impressive living collection of trees, shrubs, and other plants that make up the Morton Arboretum. Aside from being a distinctive wedding venue, the beautiful landscape promises memorable shots for you and your fiancé in one of several unique gardens including the cozy Herb Garden, the Four Season Garden, or the Fragrance Garden, and alongside more than 222,000 plants. Read real brides’ reviews here!
Jackson Park
While its show-stopping Osaka Garden and Wooded Island are currently closed for renovations, this historic Hyde Park green space still has a lot to offer photography buffs. Try a shot perched next to the lagoon, by the Perennial Garden south of the Museum of Science and Industry or among the reeds of the Jackson Dune at the 63rd Street Beach.
