Couple embracing on steps of elegant brick colonial wedding venue with white columns and lush greenery.

I had the best time with Bethany and William at their Cantigny Park engagement session!! It was definitely a warm evening, but these two came prepared and were so much fun to photograph!


Bethany and William met online last summer. When Bethany first read William’s profile, she had such terrible reception that his photo wouldn’t load. She could only see what he had written, and she remembers thinking, “This is the kind of man I have prayed for.” So she sent him a smile, and William responded later that evening with a simple, “Good evening.”


Once they started talking, they immediately connected. The only little hiccup was that they lived hours apart! They decided to meet halfway for their first date, and William still remembers Bethany stepping out of her car in a cream-colored dress. He said there was a beam of light shining down on her and she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. How could you not love that?! They have made the trip to see each other every single weekend since that first date!


William proposed on Mother’s Day while they were spending time with his family. Bethany knew he had purchased the ring, but she had no idea when he planned to ask—and neither did anyone else! He got down on one knee after dinner and surprised the entire room. Of course, Bethany said YES!!


They planned their wedding food tasting for the same evening as their engagement session, so we spent our time together walking through the gardens, talking about their plans and getting even more excited for October!


Bethany and William, thank you for such a fun evening!! I loved finally getting to spend time with you both in person, and I cannot wait to be back at Cantigny when you get married in the Red Oak Room. Now snuggle up because your sneak peek is LIVE!!

Older couple embracing and laughing together on outdoor stone steps with black iron railing and green foliage.
Elegant marquise diamond engagement ring in yellow gold setting displayed on rustic wood surrounded by white hydrangea flowers.
Smiling couple in formal attire poses on outdoor steps, man in gray suit embraces woman in light blue beaded gown.
Close-up of a woman's hand with a diamond engagement ring resting on another person's shoulder in a blue beaded dress.
Smiling couple in formal attire poses on brick steps with ornate iron railing and lush greenery backdrop.
Couple in formal attire posing on outdoor stone steps with iron railing, lush greenery and decorative urn in background.
Black and white photo of a father kissing bride's hand on staircase at wedding.
A man in a navy suit kisses a woman's hand on elegant outdoor stone steps at a wedding venue.
Gold engagement ring with marquise diamond displayed on white flower petals surrounded by green leaves.
Man in suit smiles at woman on ornate black iron staircase surrounded by lush green garden trees.
Couple in formal attire descending ornate iron staircase surrounded by lush greenery and decorative lamp post.
Bride and groom descend elegant iron staircase surrounded by lush greenery at an outdoor wedding venue.
Couple embracing on grand brick wedding venue steps with white columns and warm sunlight glowing behind.
A joyful older couple shares a romantic dip and laugh together on a brick patio near elegant iron stairs.
Couple embracing and smiling on a colonial-style porch with patriotic bunting decorations.
An older couple embraces and smiles at each other outdoors near a brick building with tropical floral arrangement.
Couple holding hands smiling in front of brick building with patriotic bunting decorations.
Couple smiling together on a brick building porch with patriotic bunting decorations and white columns.
Couple posing outdoors, man in white shirt holding jacket over shoulder, woman in blue dress embracing him.
Couple sharing a romantic moment, woman kissing mans cheek outdoors near brick building with white columns.
Couple in formal attire walking together on an elegant brick porch with white columns and tropical floral arrangements.
Mature couple sharing a tender moment, man gently holding womans chin, both smiling warmly at each other.
Large marquise diamond engagement ring in gold setting displayed against green leaves.
Black and white photo of a couple sharing a tender romantic moment, touching foreheads and smiling outdoors.
Romantic couple embracing outdoors by historic brick building adorned with patriotic bunting and lush garden planters.
Couple stands before a brick colonial mansion adorned with patriotic red, white, and blue bunting decorations.
Happy couple embracing outdoors near brick wall with colorful garden flowers blooming in background.
Smiling middle-aged couple posing together against a brick wall, woman in blue lace dress and man in glasses.
A smiling couple sits together on a bench outside a charming brick building adorned with colorful flowers.
Diamond engagement ring resting on a pink hydrangea bloom surrounded by green leaves.
A smiling couple poses on a brick garden path lined with blooming flowers and lush green trees.
Couple embracing on a garden path surrounded by blooming lavender flowers and lush green trees at dusk.
A couple dances joyfully on a garden path, man in teal shirt spinning woman in floral maxi dress outdoors.
Couple walking hand in hand along a flower-lined garden path surrounded by lush green trees.
Happy couple holding hands and walking along a brick garden path surrounded by white flowers.
Couple dancing joyfully on a brick garden path, man in teal shirt, woman in floral dress, hands outstretched.
Joyful couple dancing on a brick garden path surrounded by lush greenery and wildflowers.
A romantic couple shares a kiss under a metal garden arbor surrounded by lush green hedges and climbing vines.
Couple embracing under a garden arbor surrounded by lush green hedges and roses during an outdoor engagement session.
Couple walking hand in hand through a lush garden with colorful roses in bloom.
Happy middle-aged couple embracing and laughing together in a blooming rose garden.
Happy couple embracing and laughing in a lush garden surrounded by colorful blooming roses.
Couple sharing a romantic lift and embrace among blooming roses in a lush garden at golden hour.
Couple sharing romantic dip pose in lush rose garden with green arbor backdrop at dusk.
Close-up of couple holding hands showing engagement ring and gold bracelets in rose garden.
Smiling couple holding hands in rose garden, woman in floral dress, man in teal shirt at sunset.
Couple holding hands and dancing on a wide green lawn with elegant garden greenhouse in the background.
Happy couple holding hands and walking through a lush green garden on a sunny day.

Thank you again, you two!! I hope you love this little look at your session. I cannot wait to share your full gallery soon—and celebrate with you all over again in October!!

Thanks for reading,

Handwritten cursive signature reading xoxo Cassie in elegant beige script on white background.