Happy couple posing outdoors showing off engagement ring, smiling in lush green garden setting.

When Jack first reached out to me at the beginning of June, I could tell how excited he was to plan this surprise for Alysia. The two met while studying to become physical therapists at Saint Louis University and have now been together for more than four years. Jack knew he wanted to propose privately at Cantigny Park before surprising Alysia with a celebration surrounded by their friends and family in the city!


He put so much thought into making it happen without giving anything away. He secretly scouted the gardens while Alysia thought he was golfing at Cantigny Golf, quietly worked with her boss when she unexpectedly agreed to work that day, and created the perfect reason to bring her to the park: drinks and live music with friends in the beer garden.


When the day arrived, I tucked myself behind one of the signs in the Octagon Garden and waited. As soon as I saw them walking toward me, I stepped around the sign with my camera ready—and captured the entire moment as Jack dropped to one knee!


Alysia was completely surprised, Jack looked SO happy, and the two of them could not stop smiling at each other. After giving them a moment to take it all in, I introduced myself and we wandered around Cantigny for a few just-engaged portraits before they headed into the city for the second surprise Jack had waiting!


Alysia and Jack, thank you so much for trusting me to capture such an exciting moment in your story. I am so happy everything came together so perfectly! Now grab a blanket, snuggle up, and enjoy reliving it all, your sneak peek is LIVE!!

Jack proposes to Alysia beneath the garden arch in Cantigny Park’s Octagon Garden.
Monarch butterfly resting on white flowers in the Octagon Garden at Cantigny Park.
Alysia reacts as Jack surprises her with a proposal in the Octagon Garden at Cantigny Park.
Jack gets down on one knee as a surprised Alysia walks into the garden.
Alysia covers her face in surprise as Jack holds out the engagement ring.
Jack proposes to Alysia along the brick pathway surrounded by lush gardens.
Alysia smiles at Jack as he kneels with the ring during their Cantigny Park proposal.
Newly engaged Alysia and Jack share a joyful hug in the Octagon Garden.
Alysia’s engagement ring displayed beside soft white flowers at Cantigny Park.
Alysia and Jack share their first kiss as an engaged couple in the garden.
Alysia admires her new engagement ring while standing with Jack at Cantigny Park.
Jack and Alysia look at her engagement ring following his surprise proposal.
Newly engaged Alysia and Jack smile together along the Octagon Garden pathway.
Alysia and Jack smile for their first portraits together as an engaged couple.
Alysia shows her engagement ring while posing with Jack after their Cantigny Park proposal.
Jack kisses Alysia during their just-engaged portraits at Cantigny Park.
Jack wraps his arms around Alysia as they smile together after their proposal.
Close-up of a couple nearly kissing, showcasing a beautiful engagement ring on the woman's finger.
Newly engaged Alysia and Jack walk hand in hand through the gardens at Cantigny Park.
Alysia and Jack stroll together along a flower-lined pathway after their proposal.
Jack gives Alysia a piggyback ride as they laugh during their Cantigny Park engagement portraits.
Alysia shows her new engagement ring while riding on Jack’s back and laughing.
Alysia’s engagement ring displayed with soft pink flowers at Cantigny Park.
Newly engaged Alysia and Jack kiss beneath the trees along a garden pathway.
Jack twirls Alysia beneath the trees during their just-engaged portraits.
Alysia and Jack walk hand in hand along a tree-lined path at Cantigny Park.
Jack dips Alysia for a kiss beneath the trees in the Cantigny Park gardens.
Alysia kicks up her heel as Jack dips and kisses her along the garden path.
Black-and-white portrait of Jack dipping Alysia for a kiss after their proposal.
Alysia and Jack embrace among the flowers during their Cantigny Park proposal portraits.
Newly engaged Alysia and Jack kiss in the colorful rose garden at Cantigny Park.
Alysia and Jack smile at each other while embracing in the rose garden.
Black-and-white portrait of Alysia wrapping her arms around Jack after their proposal.
Wide portrait of Alysia and Jack sitting together among the blooming gardens.
Alysia and Jack walk hand in hand past colorful flowers at Cantigny Park.
Newly engaged Alysia and Jack stand together beside the blooming rose garden.
Alysia’s diamond engagement ring nestled among soft pink roses.
Alysia and Jack share a kiss while sitting on a garden bench surrounded by roses.
A couple shares an intimate moment, touching foreheads, as the woman displays an engagement ring and elegant jewelry.
Newly engaged Alysia and Jack walk together through the colorful Cantigny Park gardens.
Jack carries Alysia through the gardens as sunlight glows through the trees at Cantigny Park.
Playful detail of Jack carrying Alysia along a garden path after their proposal.
Alysia laughs as Jack carries her during their just-engaged portraits at Cantigny Park.
Jack carries a smiling Alysia past the blooming gardens after their surprise proposal.
Black-and-white portrait of newly engaged Alysia and Jack sharing a quiet embrace.
Alysia and Jack walk arm in arm through the Cantigny Park gardens after their proposal.

Congratulations again, you two! I am so excited for you both and cannot wait to share your full proposal gallery with you soon!

Thanks for reading,

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