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Cesar + Yesi’s proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens had me in tears, yes literally crying my eyes out. Cesar inquired with me in December of 2021 about wanting to propose to Yesi. He was so excited, and had so many ideas for this proposal. We worked together and planned this proposal for four months. We planned and kept this proposal a secret for SO long. It was honestly a bittersweet moment when the time came, I just love these two so much.
When Cesar inquired with me to plan his proposal to Yesi, he was already set on having it at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. This was the place that he and Yesenia had their first date, so it only made sense that they would start their married life here as well. Prior to their proposal I scouted out the gardens so that I could help Cesar choose the perfect location for their proposal. Yesenia actually started this process ironically! She has been following me for awhile and she actually told Cesar that if he ever proposed that he should hire me to document the whole thing. So since she knew me and would be able to recognize me, I wanted to make sure we had a location for their proposal that I could hide and be disguised so she wouldn’t be tipped off before it actually happened.
Cesar arrived at his proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens early with his family. Cesar found the location that we had previously scouted while his family hid in the gardens where Yesi wouldn’t be able to see them as she walked in. Meanwhile, Yesi arrived with her best friend and her family in the guise of showing her mom the gardens for the first time. Yesi’s best friend made sure to tell Yesi to wear a cute outfit for potential Instagram photo op’s so we knew she would be wearing something cute for their proposal.
Yesi DID NOT SEE THEIR PROPOSAL COMING. She knew that Cesar was going golfing that day, but when she saw him standing there, with a suit on, she started crying and walked towards him. Cesar gave a beautiful speech that made me tear up behind the lens. Yesi didn’t realize that her friends and a few more family members were present, nor did she notice me going in half-circles, taking photos of her proposal. She blacked out. When she finally came down from that proposal high, Cesar brought her attention to the other people around and she saw me in front of her and she FREAKED OUT. “OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD!!! IT’S YOU!!! I’M YOUR BIGGEST FAN” she told me. ??????
After their proposal we spent some time celebrating with their families taking some group photos before walking around the gardens taking some portraits of the two of them. Cesar and Yesi’s proposal at the Chicago Botanic Gardens was so beautiful and thoughtful. I loved being a part of their proposal and I will forever pinch myself that I get to be a part of so many amazing couples love stories. Head to my blog if you want to see more love stories like Cesar and Yesi’s.
Kriztelle Halili is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Chicago, IL. A solo female entrepreneur who is dedicated to capture the authentic essence of individuals and their unique stories.
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