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A wide view of the proposal in Boston Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The man kneels on one knee on a tree-lined path, proposing to the woman. The couple is surrounded by tall trees and benches, with parked cars visible in the background.

Boston Engagements

Boston Public Garden Proposal | Matt & Kelsie’s Romantic Day

A collage of proposal moments in the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. It includes images of the couple during the proposal, kissing and smiling, and a close-up of the engagement ring in its box. The man is shown kneeling while the woman reacts with surprise, surrounded by trees.

The Boston Public Garden is one of my favorite places to photograph proposals—and once you see Matt & Kelsie’s story, you’ll understand why.

When Matthew reached out to me searching for a Boston proposal photographer, I knew an unforgettable moment was only days away.

The story of how he wanted to propose to Kelsie was heartfelt, thoughtful, and perfectly planned to reflect their journey as a couple. Proposals are about capturing a turning point in a relationship—where one chapter closes and a new, exciting one begins. And Matthew had everything mapped out to make his proposal truly special.

A Boston Proposal Set in Their History

Matthew and I first met about a week before the proposal.

We planned to meet at the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, where he wanted to walk me through his ideas. What I loved about Matthew’s plan was the deeply personal connection to the place he had chosen.

Commonwealth Avenue Mall is not only beautiful, but it was also near the apartment where he and Kelsie first moved in together. For Matthew, this location wasn’t just pretty—it held their shared memories of starting their life together in Boston.

We scouted the perfect spot, factoring in both meaning and lighting. The late afternoon light created the ideal setting, with soft, romantic tones filtering through the trees. We found the perfect spot—close to their old apartment and bathed in dreamy, flattering light.

Planning the Moment: The Secret Code

Proposals are tricky to photograph because they require timing, discretion, and emotional awareness. I’ve developed a bit of a “secret code” that helps me coordinate with the person popping the question without tipping off their partner.

Matthew and I discussed this code before we wrapped up our meeting. When it was time for him to propose, he would give Kelsie a hug. That hug would be my signal—the sign that the big question was about to happen!

The Big Question: Kelsie’s Yes!

The day of the proposal came, and my heart was racing in sync with Matthew’s. I arrived early at the location, blending into the background, making sure my camera was ready and my position perfect.

Matthew and Kelsie arrived shortly after, enjoying what seemed to Kelsie to be a casual walk through a meaningful part of their past. As they walked past the spot we had chosen, Matthew paused, turned to face Kelsie, and gave her a warm embrace. I knew—this was it.

Time seemed to stand still as Matthew dropped to one knee. Kelsie’s face lit up with surprise and joy, her hands immediately covering her mouth in disbelief.

The emotions between them were tangible, and I could see how deeply Matthew’s thoughtful planning touched her heart. When Kelsie said yes, their love was so pure and genuine. I captured every second of it—from the moment her eyes filled with happy tears to the stunned and joyful laughter that followed.

Family Celebration during the Boston Public Garden Proposal

After the proposal, the surprises weren’t over.

Matthew arranged for both his and Kelsie’s parents to wait for them in the Boston Public Garden, just a short walk away. As we made our way there, the excitement built. When Kelsie spotted their parents waiting, she was overcome with even more surprise and emotion. Hugs and tears followed as the families embraced and celebrated together.

We paused for family photos, capturing the beautiful union of two families. Then we finished the day with intimate couple portraits of just Matthew and Kelsie in the garden, with the late afternoon light streaming through the trees and creating a golden glow.

Ending the Day: Love in Every Frame

As Matthew and Kelsie walked hand-in-hand through the Boston Public Garden, their joy was radiant. We captured stunning couple’s portraits—images that will serve as a reminder of this incredible day for years to come.

Being part of their Boston Public Garden proposal was an honor. Knowing that they’ll have these images to look back on and share with their future family members is what makes being a Boston proposal photographer so meaningful to me.

Interested in planning your own Boston Public Garden proposal—or a proposal anywhere in this beautiful city?

I’d love to help you capture it. 👉 Fill out my inquiry form here. Let’s make your vision come to life!

And if you want all of my Boston proposal tips and tricks, please click here.

A man kneels on one knee in the middle of a tree-lined path at Commonwealth Avenue Mall in Boston, proposing to a woman wearing a floral lavender dress. The moment is captured in a serene park setting with benches and parked cars visible in the background.
A wider view of the proposal at Commonwealth Avenue Mall, showing the tree canopy above the couple. The man is on one knee, holding the woman’s hand as she looks down at him, with a pathway extending into the distance under the trees.
The man continues to propose on one knee, while the woman holds her hand to her face, reacting with surprise. The tree-lined path and park surroundings of Commonwealth Avenue Mall are visible, with some cars parked in the background.
The man places a ring on the woman’s finger as they stand together on the park path. The woman smiles and holds a small white bag, with green trees and benches surrounding them at Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
The couple laughs together after the proposal, standing face-to-face on the pathway at Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The woman is smiling, holding a small white bag, while the man holds the ring box.
The couple shares a kiss after the proposal, standing close on the park pathway. The man holds the woman gently, with the tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue Mall as the backdrop.
The couple stands smiling and talking after the proposal. The man holds the ring box, and the woman holds her small white bag, with the tree-filled park behind them on Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
A close-up image of a man and woman standing on a tree-lined path at Commonwealth Avenue Mall in Boston. The man, wearing a light blue shirt and khaki pants, holds the woman’s hand and smiles. The woman, dressed in a floral lavender dress, has her back to the camera. Green trees and parked cars are visible in the background.
The couple embraces and kisses on the pathway, with large trees surrounding them. The peaceful greenery of Commonwealth Avenue Mall adds to the romantic setting.
The couple walks away arm-in-arm down a city street near Commonwealth Avenue Mall, with the man wearing a light blue shirt and the woman in a floral dress. Brick buildings and parked cars are visible as they walk away from the proposal.
A couple stands together, smiling and embracing in front of a brick building on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. The man is wearing a light blue shirt and khaki pants, and the woman is in a floral lavender dress. Green trees and plants surround the entrance to the building.
A close-up of the couple smiling and holding each other in front of a brick building on Commonwealth Avenue. The man has his arm around the woman, and she rests her head on his chest, looking happy.
The couple walks on the sidewalk, and the woman shows off her engagement ring. The man, smiling, has his arm around her as they pass a tree in front of a historic brick building on Commonwealth Avenue.
The couple is seen from behind, holding hands and walking across a crosswalk on Commonwealth Avenue. The woman wears a floral lavender dress, and the man is in a light blue shirt and khaki pants. Brick buildings and parked cars are visible along the street.
A couple embraces their family after the proposal in Boston Public Garden.
A couple embraces their family after the proposal in Boston Public Garden. The woman hugs another woman.
A couple embraces their family after the proposal in Boston Public Garden. The woman hugs another woman, while the man hugs an older man wearing sunglasses. A man stands nearby, watching the happy moment.
The woman, wearing a floral lavender dress, shows off her engagement ring to two women who smile and lean in to get a closer look. They are standing in the Boston Public Garden, surrounded by trees and greenery.
he couple stands with their family in Boston Public Garden, posing for a group photo. The couple is in the center, smiling and holding each other, with their family members standing on either side.
The couple stands close together under a willow tree in Boston Public Garden, both smiling and looking off to the side. The greenery and pond in the background create a peaceful, romantic atmosphere.
The couple stands in front of a willow tree, smiling directly at the camera in Boston Public Garden. The woman wears a floral lavender dress, and the man wears a light blue shirt and khaki pants.
The couple walks hand-in-hand along a pathway in Boston Public Garden, smiling at each other. The lush green trees and grass surrounding them create a serene backdrop.
The man dips the woman and kisses her on a grassy area in Boston Public Garden. The woman holds onto his arm, smiling, as trees and lamp posts surround them.
The couple poses, standing close together on the lawn in Boston Public Garden, smiling at the camera. The woman rests her hand on the man’s chest, showing her engagement ring.
The couple holds hands and smiles at each other as they stand on the lawn in Boston Public Garden. The woman’s floral dress flows in the breeze as they enjoy a joyful moment outdoors.
The couple shares a kiss in Boston Public Garden, standing in a grassy area with trees in the background. They embrace each other, creating a tender moment in the park.
A couple hugs in Boston Public Garden. The man, in a light blue shirt, holds the woman, who is wearing a floral lavender dress. She looks at the camera, both holding each other closely, with a soft green park background.
A couple embraces in Boston Public Garden. The man, in a light blue shirt, looks down smiling at the woman, who is wearing a floral lavender dress. She gazes up at him, both holding each other closely, with a soft green park background.
A close-up of the woman’s hand holding her floral dress, showing her pear-shaped diamond engagement ring with a sparkling band.
A detailed close-up of the pear-shaped diamond engagement ring in an open box with a velvet lining.

See more of my recent work here:

Rachel and Joel’s Ritz-Carlton Boston Wedding Portraits

Jessica and Corey’s Boston Public Garden Engagement Session

Samantha’s Cohasset Senior Pictures

S & R’s New England Fall Wedding

Katie’s Newburyport Senior Pictures