Romantic Engagement Photos at Allerton Park | Abby + Al

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Taken from inside a green house, the portrait shows hedges in Allerton Park dusted by misty rain.

Sometimes mother nature just throws in the most magical conditions possible for a dreamy, romantic engagement session! Abby and Al’s engagement photos at Allerton Park are the epitome of this phenomenon. Their engagement session took place mid May, so we knew there was a chance for some wacky Midwest weather to be thrown our way. We had NO idea of the incredible experience that was in store for us though, and I can’t wait to share the experience with you all here!

Girl in blue floral dress stands next to her partner in a white shirt underneath a greenery arch at Allerton Park.

Engagement Photos at Allerton Park

Abby, Al, and I all met up at one of my favorite spots in Central Illinois for engagement photos, Allerton Park in Monticello. The stunning and historic park consists of 1,500 acres of natural beauty, with over 14 miles of hiking trails weaving their way through the land. The park provides an incredible mixture of natural spaces and formal gardens which are strikingly beautiful and perfectly maintained. Abby and Al’s session began at one such garden with a knee high hedge maze that was SO much fun to wander through! As we made our way through the gardens we stumbled upon some fresh blooming peonies who’s pink flowers were extra vibrant thanks to the gray skies and fresh rainfall. It was such a surreal setting for Abby and Al’s session, and the two fully committed to the intimate, romantic vibes we were going for!

Man in a white button up kisses a blonde woman as she looks into the camera smiling.
Couple leans up against stone arch as man kisses woman on the head during romantic engagement portraits.
Couple dances within green hedges gorgeously shaped into a maze as the Illinois Engagement photographer captures them through a greenhouse window.
Couple romantically dances within hedge mazes during engagement portrait session at Allerton Park.
Couple romantically dances within hedge mazes during engagement portrait session at Allerton Park.
Couple walks hand and hand through hedge maze with beautiful green trees in the background.
Illinois Engagement photographer captures the details of woman's princess cut engagement ring as she holds her fiance's hand with his arms wrapped around her.
Man holds woman hand and kisses it as they're surrounded by hedge maze.
Woman stands as her fiance holds her from behind with beautiful greenery in the background.
Woman stands as her fiance holds her from behind with beautiful greenery in the background.
Woman stands as her fiance holds her from behind with beautiful greenery in the background.
Photographer captures a tight shot of a beautiful pink flower amongst a bushel of unfocused pink flowers slightly wet with rain.
Man holds his fiancee's face as he looks into her eyes as they're surrounded by gorgeous pink flowers in Allerton Park Garden.
Man kisses woman on the cheek as they stand amongst a garden of pink flowers in Allerton Park.
Illinois Engagement photographer captures couple holding each other from below, pink flowers in the center of focus.
Couple dances within bushes of pink flowers in a garden in Allerton Park.
Man spins woman in beautiful garden full of pink flowers in Allerton Park.
Man spins woman in beautiful garden full of pink flowers in Allerton Park.
Man spins woman in beautiful garden full of pink flowers in Allerton Park.
Princess Cut engagement ring lays in the center of a pink peony.
Black and white portrait of couple walking through bushes of beautiful peonies in May during engagement portrait session.

A Magical End to Their Session

As we continued our adventure through Allerton Park, mother nature decided to throw a beautiful curveball into the mix for Abby and Al’s engagement photos. While wandering through one of the sprawling prairie areas the sun began to shine through the clouds, illuminating the mist that came up from the ground. It felt like we were in the midst of a fantasy world, and trust me we took advantage of these dreamy vibes while we had them!

Eventually the sun would tuck itself back behind the clouds, but the atmosphere of the fog would linger for the majority of the time we had left. Abby and Al were down to keep the party rolling, so after a quick outfit change we made our way back to some of the more formal gardens. As night fell on Allerton Park the string lights came to life, giving us the perfect finale for their engagement photos!

Couple runs through beautiful green field holding hands with golden hour sun shining between them.
Black and White portrait of couple running through beautiful green field holding hands with golden hour sun shining between them.
Couple looks at each other while holding hands and running through green field with golden hour sun behind them.
Candid portrait of woman laughing while looking down and holding her fiance's hand as he giggles and they stand in a field.
Couple walks with their backs to the camera while walking through grassy field towards golden hour sun setting in the background.
Man kisses woman's hand as she looks at him smiling.
Woman leans towards her fiance while they hold each other's hands in a field with golden hour sun in the background.
Man and woman stand towards each other in a grassy field staring at each other lovingly.
Couple leans towards each other while swaying in a green field outside Allerton Park during spring engagement session.
Couple kisses in beautiful green field with golden hour sun setting behind them.
Black and white portrait of man leaning into woman for a kiss during romantic garden engagement session.
Couple with their backs to the camera look out on balcony of two story gazebo towards large amounts of green trees being hugged by fog.
Couple walks up the stairs to large white ornate gazebo in Allerton Park during romantic engagement session in May.
Man kisses his fiance up against a white post romantically with golden hour sun lit behind them.
Man kisses his fiance up against a white post romantically with golden hour sun lit behind them.
Cinematic portrait of couple running through open grass surrounded on both sides by lines of trees with hazy fog surrounding them.
Cinematic portrait of couple running with their hands in the air through open grass surrounded on both sides by lines of trees with hazy fog surrounding them.
Cinematic portrait of couple running through open grass surrounded on both sides by lines of trees with hazy fog surrounding them.
Woman kisses her fiance's cheek from behind in front of white towering sculpture in Allerton Park.
Couple walks on sidewalk towards beautiful white towered sculpture in Allerton Park during engagement portraits.
Man dips his fiancee while holding her leg for a kiss in a grassy yard during engagement portraits in Allerton Park.
Man dips his fiancee and leans in for a kiss as she places her hand on his cheek in intimate engagement portrait.
Black and White photo of Couple standing on either side of statue and look opposite ways as they pose for engagement portraits in Allerton Park.
Couple stands on either side of statue and look opposite ways as they pose for engagement portraits in Allerton Park.
Illinois Engagement Photographer captures man spinning his fiancee in trending blurry aesthetic portrait in black and white.
Woman in blush dress turns back and holds onto her fiance's hand as they run through Allerton Park's hedge maze.
Illinois engagement photographer captures vintage blurry aesthetic portrait of couple running through Allerton Park's Hedge maze.
Couple walks through Allerton Park's hedge maze in romantic engagement portrait.
Couple walks through Allerton Park's hedge maze in romantic black and white engagement portrait.
Couple holds each other in Allerton Park's hedge maze surrounded by foggy mist in romantic engagement portraits.
Couple kisses in fuzzy portrait in Allerton Park's hedge maze during romantic engagement session.
Couple stands in front of iron gated entrance to Allerton Park surrounded by fog and green trees.
Woman stands while being hugged from behind by her fiance as they stand on the patio of Allerton Park's beautiful mansion lit by patio lights.
Woman in blush dress places her hand on fiance's neck as they stand in front of pool lit by patio lights.
Couple places their heads together as they sit in front of a window in a romantic engagement portrait.
Black and white portrait of woman leaning down behind a man and kissing him from behind in front of lit up windows.
Woman leans down behind a man and kisses him from behind in front of lit up windows.
Fuzzy vintage style portrait of couple looking at each other with misty patio lights around them.
Couple's silhouettes walking along pathway in front of gorgeous mansion building lit up by patio lights at Allerton Park.
Black and White portrait of couple's silhouettes walking along pathway in front of gorgeous mansion building lit up by patio lights at Allerton Park.
Couple's silhouettes are shown in front of gorgeous mansion building lit up by patio lights at Allerton Park.

As a photographer I am always looking to make the most of whatever mother nature throws into the mix for my couples sessions, and in the case of Abby and Al’s engagement photos at Allerton Park I couldn’t be happier with the results! I’m so glad to have had the chance to document these two on such a one of a kind day. If you haven’t gotten your fill of Allerton Park yet be sure to check out Madison and Austin’s engagement photos from 2023, and for anyone looking to book me to document your engagement be sure to reach out through my contact page!

Black and White portrait of couple's silhouettes are shown in front of gorgeous mansion building lit up by patio lights at Allerton Park.

Engagements

August 8, 2024

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