Unexpected photographer of proposal at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
It was during the Daffodil Days event at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, where we thought we were just going to see beautiful flowers, when it turned into so much more! We never imagined that we would happen up on a wedding proposal and be the only photographer for the romantic event!
I had been wanting to see the tulips and daffodils in East Texas, so we decided to go to the Dallas Arboretum on Presidents’ Day weekend. I noticed online that they were having their Daffodil Days Event, so I would definitely get a chance to see lots of beautiful flowers that I had been hoping for. Also, they were featuring a live band, Rushmore Band, and had some specials on food items like root beer and cherry pie. Sounded perfect!
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden covers more than 60 acres and includes at least 20 unique signature gardens.
We drove over and parked, which was $15, although I believe it’s $10 if you purchase parking online in advance. Just walking up to the entrance of the arboretum the daffodils, pansies etc. were popping.
We meandered through the park for a bit admiring all of the beautiful blooms and art. It was a beautiful sunny day and even though a lot of the trees were still bare, the gardens were vibrant. There is an amazing walkway covered by a canopy of crepe myrtle trees. I can’t wait until those are in full bloom. The walkway takes you to Toad Corner where 4 large toad fountains continuously spray water from each corner.
About this time we decided to have lunch at one of the three dining options. There is Café on the Green, Restaurant DeGolyer, and Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace.
We chose the Restaurant DeGolyer and dined inside the tea room. The food and staff were wonderful as was the setting. We were having a late lunch and some people started arriving for Seated Tea that was being hosted there that afternoon. I would like to do that sometime. The DeGolyer House is next-door, open for tours, and the outside dining seating is behind the house overlooking White Rock Lake. Gorgeous!
The pathway behind the house takes you into A Woman’s Garden with an infinity pool (appearing to connect to the lake), arches. art and many plant varieties. We enjoyed some of the garden but decided to keep walking towards the grassy area with the stage and band. The Rushmore Band was playing and people were sitting on quilts relaxing and listening to the music. Kids were running around playing. Someone was even rolling down the hill. Ha ha
We continued on, over the bridge, taking in a little waterfall and passed some people having picnics at another smaller grassy clearing. This took us back to the part of A Woman’s Garden that we had not seen. It’s at the back of The DeGolyer House so I snapped a couple of pictures of this big beautiful Latin Colonial Revival style estate home and continued strolling along.
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But wait! Is that a red box I see out of the corner of my eye?! Oh my goodness I just happened up on a wedding proposal! I immediately just started taking lots of pictures as he was down on his knee. I was not close enough to hear what he was saying, but she was definitely listening. She must’ve said yes! She hugged and kissed him, he put the ring on her finger, they hugged and kissed some more and spotted me.
She was so excited seeing that I had captured their special moment. She hurried towards us asking for the pictures and of course I wanted them to have them! I Airdropped them to her, admired her beautiful ring, congratulated them and then left them to celebrate. So sweet!
As Bud and I were walking off we both agreed that we were supposed to be here today! We checked out the rest of the garden, including the Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace, more daffodils and then we hit the gift shop on our way out.
It was a fun and beautiful day and I can’t wait to go back to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden soon. We may not get to happen upon another wedding proposal and be the photographer, but I know the tulips will be out in full force in a couple of weeks and I really want to see them.
We highly recommend a visit here if you are in the Dallas area.
For other interests while in the Dallas area, check out these tours. We’ve learned through our travels that tours are the way to go to learn to many things that we wouldn’t uncover on our own. Also, we don’t have to be responsible for the coordination and accommodations. Win!
The flowers are so beautiful! Wow! And I’m not surprised if you’ll see people getting engaged there. It’s a fairy a tale place.
I agree!! That’s a good description.
What a beautiful place to visit and how awesome to see a proposal.
Would love to see what is blooming there right now! And who’s getting engaged! Lol Can’t wait for everyone to open back up when this is all over!
So many fun and beautiful things to see there!! I love flower festivals – grew up with a Daffodil festival in my hometown, as a matter of fact. What a special moment you witnessed, too…and I’m sure that couple was grateful to have had someone who captured their moment.
I was delighted to be in the right place at the right time. Actually when is being in the middle of so many daffodils not the right place! haha
What a beautiful place! So many wonderful colors.
I agree Lisa!
That looks like an amazing date day!!
It was! Love hanging and traveling with my hubby!
The botanical garden looks like a beautiful place to visit, and your pictures are gorgeous!
Thank you Brianna!
Such a sweet moment and story!!
Thanks Charlotte!
Aww, I love this. I went to my first botanical garden last summer and it was gorgeous.
I love them too!
I LOVE this! Thanks for following your instinct to take pictures for them!!!!
Awe thanks! I’m so glad I did. And so glad my husband encouraged me to “keep taking them”!
It really is something to see and smell so many beautiful flowers!
Yes, can’t wait to go back!
I love daffodils. They just elicit a feeling of happiness and your pictures have evoked that emotion. Thank you!
Also how cool witnessing that proposal!
Awe thank you Adrienne!!
Great photos……and what a great surprise with the proposal. So fun!
Thanks Vanessa!
How beautiful! I just love flowers, but we’ll have to wait a few months to see them here in Wisconsin. It was so nice that you were able to take pictures of that proposal for that couple!
I understand. But you have snow!! 🙂
Cool story about the proposal! I’ve been to that arboretum in Dallas. It’s beautiful! I took my oldest when we went to visit my mother-in-law once. I’ll never forget those frogs!
Haha love those!
Very sweet – and the flowers are beautiful.
Such a beautiful arboretum!
How cool to capture that proposal! I got pictures from my proposal, and I like them better than my engagement photos! They will treasure those!
Yes I was thinking about my kids’ proposals that were captured. 🙂
What a beautiful, romantic moment you caught! And that lunch looked good too 🙂
It was great!
Looks a lovely place to visit. Gorgeous close up of the daffodil. That was so cool that you captured and shared their special moment with them.
Thanks! They were pretty excited.
so cool that you were able to capture this for them!
Never know what you’ll happen upon in your travels!
What a beautiful place to visit – I love exploring arboretums!
Agreed!
Looks like a very nice place to visit, and it was such a gorgeous day!!!
Cute proposal idea
Yes for sure!
What a super fun way to spend the day and such an unexpected surprise too, thanks so much for sharing! I’d love to visit someday 🙂
Looks like an amazing place..the Jonquils are beautiful and I would love to visit the next time I am in Dallas! The proposal was so precious..Lifes little surprises!
Yes! Huge blooms, standing tall.
What a beautiful place for a proposal! Thanks for sharing such a sweet moment!
He did good!!
That’s so sweet, and now they have photos AND a blog post as a reminder of the day! What a beautiful place to get engaged!
Definitely memorable!
It makes me happy to see that guy on his knee so cute and romantic!
Yes!!
How special that you were able to capture that moment for the happy couple!
Yes 🙂
awww what a lovely story…
Sweet couple!
Looks like a great place to spend an afternoon outside. We have the Huntington Library and Gardens near us that we enjoyed visiting.
Oh I bet that’s wonderful!!
How wonderful! The flowers were beautiful for a wedding proposal.
I agree!!
I love botanical gardens and how lovely to catch this special moment.
We were in the right place at the right time!
Awww how sweet! I love botanical gardens!
Me too!! Flowers in general!