Surprise Proposal at Denver Botanic Gardens

Apr 1

There’s nothing quite like the joy of capturing a surprise proposal—especially when it’s been months in the making! Last summer, I had the honor of photographing Ben & Sydney’s engagement at the Denver Botanic Gardens, a moment filled with love, anticipation, and the sweetest reactions. If you’re planning your own surprise proposal in Colorado, this story will give you insight into how it all came together and why a solid plan is key!

How It All Started

Ben and Sydney had been together for six years, and he knew he wanted to make the proposal extra special. Since Ben’s brother had already booked me for his Colorado engagement session and upcoming wedding photography, his soon-to-be sister-in-law recommended me to capture this big moment. Ben reached out while living in Kansas, planning to propose during a visit to see Sydney in Denver.

Everything was set—but then, a last-minute incident forced him to postpone the proposal. He messaged me to let me know the change of plans, and I told him to keep me updated whenever he was ready to reschedule. A couple of months later, he reached out again: The plan was back on!

Planning the Surprise Proposal at Denver Botanic Gardens

Ben wanted to propose at the Denver Botanic Gardens, making it seem like just a casual date for Sydney. We had multiple calls to discuss the logistics, making sure the moment would be as seamless as possible. Since the Gardens require a permit for professional photography, I guided him through the process. If you're planning your own proposal or engagement session at Denver Botanic Gardens, here’s the link to help you with permits: Photography Permit Info.

To ensure a smooth surprise, we mapped out Plan A and Plan B locations inside the gardens. I even sketched a quick (and honestly, not-so-great lol) drawing on my phone to show him exactly where he needed to kneel! Having a backup location was essential—especially because, on the day of, we needed it more than ever.

The Proposal Day

The day had finally arrived! I got to the Denver Botanic Gardens early to check on the locations. And guess what? Plan A was taken—there was a wedding happening right where we originally planned for Ben to propose! This is exactly why we had a backup location. I discreetly texted him about the change, and then I found my hiding spot, camera ready.

Ben and Sydney arrived, completely unaware of what was about to happen. As they walked through the gardens, he led her to our Plan B spot—a gorgeous, secluded area filled with lush greenery and blooming flowers. Then, the moment came: Ben got down on one knee and asked Sydney to marry him.

And she said YES!

Post-Proposal Engagement Session

After giving them a moment to soak it all in, I introduced myself to Sydney—who was completely surprised and over the moon with happiness! They were both beaming, and the joy was absolutely contagious. We spent the next 40 minutes strolling through the gardens, capturing their first moments as an engaged couple.

Proposal sessions are some of my favorites to photograph because the excitement is so genuine. The happiness, the emotion, the “we just got engaged!!” glow—it all makes for the most beautiful and meaningful photos. And for Ben & Sydney, this was a day they’ll never forget.

If you’re thinking of planning a surprise proposal in Colorado, I’d love to help make it stress-free and magical! I’ve written a full guide on how to pull off the perfect proposal without giving it away—check it out here: Proposal Planning Tips.

Ready to Document Your Colorado Proposal Next?

If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Amandha, and I believe every step in your journey should be celebrated with love and documented memories, so when you look back years from now, you’ll remember all of what was going on in your life and how amazing you were feeling when those photos were taken. Sound like we’d be the perfect fit? Head over to my packages page to learn more, or inquire here to start planning your dream session! Chat soon!