If you’ve been dreaming up the most romantic, lush, over the top way to pop the question, I have a story for you! Because this surprise proposal at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden had me hiding behind tropical plants with my camera, holding my breath, and trying not to cry all at the same time. As a Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden proposal photographer, Mark and Daniela’s proposal day inside the Orchid Conservatory was everything, and I am SO honored I got to be there for it!
The Secret Plan (That Went Perfectly!)
I am always coordinating with the proposer ahead of time to make sure we have a solid game plan. Mark had clearly put so much thought into every detail. He arranged for Daniel Stowe’s breathtaking “Will You Marry Me?” floral backdrop right in the water feature area of the Orchid Conservatory (yes, the venue provides this and it is absolutely stunning!) and secretly invited Daniela’s closest friends and family to be there when he got down on one knee!
Daniela had no idea any of it was coming!
The Williamson Conservatory at Daniel Stowe is genuinely one of the most magical spaces in the entire Charlotte area. It’s the Carolinas’ only 8,000 square foot, five story glass house dedicated to orchids and tropical plants. Think lush greenery draping in every direction, exotic blooms in every color, the sound of a waterfall nearby, and warm humid air that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world entirely! It is an absolutely dreamy backdrop for a surprise proposal, and Daniel Stowe’s engagement packages make the whole experience so seamless for couples who want to do something really special here.
Hiding Behind Orchids (No Really!)
Here is my favorite part to tell people about: Before Daniela arrived, I slipped into the conservatory and found my spot tucked behind the tropical plants with my camera, completely out of sight. My job was to capture that completely unguarded, unposed, real moment before Mark got down on one knee, and I was determined not to blow the surprise!
And oh my goodness, I am so glad I held my position because the shot I got before he even proposed is now Daniela’s favorite photo from the entire day! She and Mark were sitting together on a bench, just talking, just being in their own little world the way they always are. Neither of them had any idea I was there. Daniela says that photo perfectly captured how they are always “in their own little world together.” That is exactly why I love being a Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden proposal photographer – those quiet, in between moments before the big one? That is where the real magic lives!
She Said YES (Obviously!)
When Mark got down on one knee in front of that gorgeous leafy “Will You Marry Me?” backdrop with friends and family watching and probably crying (same!), Daniela said yes! And then friends and family who had been waiting came flooding in and there were hugs and happy tears everywhere.
There is a tiny sweet detail I absolutely have to share because it is the most precious thing. Daniela has always told Mark that she would marry him even if he proposed with a ring pop. So Mark, being the most thoughtful human on the planet, went and found her the Brilliant Earth x Ring Pop “Cherry Darling” ruby cocktail ring (yes, this is a real fine jewelry collaboration that exists and it is stunning!) to give her before the official proposal ring. It was not the engagement ring, but it is one of the most special and personal little tokens. The “Cherry Darling” features a lab ruby with a halo of lab diamonds in 14K gold and it is genuinely gorgeous.
Couples Photos in the Conservatory and Beyond
After the tears and the hugs, we did couples portraits together. Daniela was in a pale pink dress that was just stunning against all that greenery, and Mark wore a pink shirt to complement her perfectly. They clearly had great style chemistry before they were even engaged (a very good sign for wedding day photos!!)
We spent most of our time inside the Orchid Conservatory, which provided the most lush, layered, romantic backdrop in every direction we turned. The orchids and tropical plants at Daniel Stowe are truly unlike anything else in the Charlotte area, and the soft, diffused light inside the glass house is a photographer’s dream. We also wandered outside to capture a few portraits at the beautiful columns just outside the conservatory, which gave us a completely different feel, architectural and elegant and gorgeous!
It was a HOT spring day (like, genuinely unusually hot!) but these two were total troopers and were so happy and in love that I honestly think they barely noticed.
Coming Back for the Wedding!
Here is the best part of all: Mark and Daniela are getting married on August 1st and I get to be their Charlotte wedding photographer! As someone on the preferred vendor list at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, I have had the joy of capturing so many love stories here, and getting to watch this one grow from proposal to wedding day is the biggest honor!
If you are planning a surprise proposal at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and you are looking for a Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden proposal photographer who already knows the best hiding spots behind the orchids, the dreamiest portrait locations, and how to keep an absolute poker face when your couple walks in, I would love to be your person! This venue is so magical and I could honestly photograph here every single week!
Planning Your Daniel Stowe Proposal?
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, NC (just outside Charlotte!) offers dedicated engagement and proposal packages that include decor setups like the floral backdrop Mark used! The Orchid Conservatory, the White Garden, the Canal Gardens, and the columns outside the conservatory are all absolutely gorgeous options for photos. The venue is located about 30 minutes from Charlotte and is one of Vogue’s picks for best botanical gardens in the entire United States (it is THAT beautiful!). Here’s a link to their engagement and proposal page if you want to take a look at what this amazing venue offers.
As a Charlotte wedding and proposal photographer on the preferred vendor list at Daniel Stowe, I work with couples throughout the Carolinas and beyond. Whether you are planning a surprise proposal, an engagement session, or a full wedding day at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, I would love to chat!
Congratulations again to Mark and Daniela! August 1st cannot come soon enough!
Want to see more sessions in the gardens? Check out:
Maria and Eric’s session in the summer
Ethan and Rylee’s session in the fall
Merritt and Trip session in the winter
Searching for a Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden proposal photographer or a Charlotte wedding photographer? I would love to connect! Head to the contact page to start the conversation!
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