If you want to get out in nature and be surrounded by gorgeous grounds, colorful botanicals, and peaceful water features for your engagement photos, then you’ve come to the right place. Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL, is the perfect spot for your engagement photos. 

As a wedding photographer, I know you want to love your engagement photos and look at them with fond memories for years and years to come. That’s why one of the most important decisions is choosing the right location with a backdrop where you and your partner feel like you can be yourselves, have fun, and capture your love story. 

At Cantigny Park, you and your partner can be present with each other, share intimate moments, snuggle up, and relax, all while being surrounded by serene and beautiful nature and architecture. 

Let’s dive into more about Cantigny Park and decide if it’s the perfect place for your own engagement photos. 

A man and a woman are sitting on a bench the man is tucking the woman's hair behind her ear and smiling and the woman is touching his thigh the woman is wearing a floral dress and a jean jacket and the man is wearing a tan button up, a blue t-shirt, and blue jeans and they are surroudned by potted plants and flowers

Brittney and Mark Engagement Photos in Cantigny Park, Wheaton, IL 

I had the chance to capture engagement photos for Brittney and Mark and their dog Zuko in Cantigny Park, and I absolutely loved this location. 

The great thing about Cantigny Park is that on Mondays, you can bring your dog, which was ideal for Brittney and Mark, who knew that they wanted Zuko in their photos. 

Cantigny Park features beautifully manicured gardens, vibrant colors, charming architecture, floral arches, art, a decorative fountain, and lots of green space, which made it a magical spot Brittney and Mark’s for engagement photos. 

Some of my favorite spots in the park for taking engagement photos are next to the fountain, in the display garden, and on the paved paths next to the fountain. You also can’t go wrong with a sunset engagement photo session here, as this location creates such a dreamy and romantic atmosphere for your photos — especially during golden hour. 

This is a great location for your engagement photos if you want a forest and lush, vibrant gardens as your backdrop. Another plus? It’s a beautiful spot year-round. 

Fall offers stunning foliage and warm autumn tones as the backdrop for your images. In spring, you’ll find tulips blooming, flowering trees, and fields of flowers that you can pose with. 

Summer means everything will be in full bloom, and there will be lots of lush greenery everywhere you look. A winter engagement session could feature snow and offer dramatic, moody colors. 

You’ll always have a picturesque location here, no matter what time of year you choose. 

Something to note—if you want to have an engagement session at Cantigny Park, you must purchase a photo permit, which costs $35. This permit covers the park’s entrance fees. For more information on this park permit, go here. 

Brittney and Mark’s session with Zuko was so much fun, and I adored working with them. I’m looking forward to their intimate wedding in May when they will enjoy the beautiful scenery at Anderson Japanese Gardens with their closest friends. 

A man has his arms wrapped around a woman's shoulders and they are both looking at each other and smiling the woman has on a blue jean jacket and a white dress with a floral pattern and the man has on a blue t-shirt and a tan button-up
A man and woman are walking along a paved path with their dog and holding hands and looking at each other behind them is fountain and trees and shrubs
A man and woman are sitting on a wooden bench and have their heads touching each other and they are both smiling and holding hands the woman has on a white dress with a floral pattern and a jean jacket and the man is wearing a tan button up and jeans

Tips for Bringing Your Dog To Your Engagement Session 

One of the special features of Brittney and Mark’s session was that they brought their dog, Zuko. 

I’m all for bringing your dog to your engagement session — after all, your dog is your best friend and family member. 

If you want to bring your dog to your engagement session but are wondering how to prepare, I’ve got you covered. Here are my best tips for bringing your dog to your session so that they can be a part of this special moment: 

Bring a friend/family member to look after them

Always bring a trusted friend, family member, or dog sitter to your session to hold your dog’s leash and help keep your dog entertained when they aren’t in the shot. Also, when your dog is in the shot, having someone else is great to help draw your dog’s attention to the camera. 

Your friend/ family member/dog sitter can call your dog’s name and wave a treat or toy next to the camera instead of your dog putting all their attention just on you. 

Don’t expect the world of your dog

Have low/reasonable expectations for your dog’s behavior. This is a strange day for your dog, especially if it’s your dog’s first time participating in a professional photo session. Your dog might not be perfectly behaved, and that’s okay. Try not to stress too much about their antics—remember to just let them be a dog. 

Don’t be afraid to bribe them

Bring treats or a favorite toy with you. This will help your dog pose for the camera, and you can reward them for good behavior. 

A man and a woman are sitting on the edge of a fountain with their dog the man and woman are both smiling and the woman is wearing a white dress with a floral pattern and a jean jacket and the man is wearing a blue shirt and a tan button up and blue jeans

Get the zoomies out beforehand

Try tiring your dog out before your session. If your dog has lots of energy, consider going for a long walk or letting them run around for a bit before your session. That way, they will be calmer when it’s time for them to be in front of the camera.

Allow them to get familiar with the area

If you can, bring your dog to your engagement session location beforehand. This way, your dog will be more familiar with its surroundings and will not be as distracted by all the new smells, sounds, and sights during your session. 

Match the leash to your outfits

Don’t bring a distracting leash or collar. It’s best to bring a neutral-colored leash and a collar that coordinates with your outfits (or matches your wedding colors!). We don’t want leashes or collars that are too brightly colored or have a clashing pattern, as this will be distracting in your photos.  It’s also a great idea to remove any attached poop bag holders ahead of the session – those clips can be tricky! 

For my own dogs, I got them specific photo shoot leashes that I would highly recommend! These photoshoot leashes are super customizable and have an option for a really secure carabiner clip! You can take a look at them here. Also, Cookies & Co. has a really beautiful selection of collars, harnesses, and bandanas.

A man wearing a tan button up, blue jeans, and a blue shirt is leaning over and looking at his dog who is running towards him with his partner who is wearing a white dress with a floral pattern and a jean jacket and smiling as the dog comes running towards them
A man wearing a tan button up, a blue shirt, and jeans is holding the red leash of his dog and his partner is giving him a side hug and both are smiling and she is wearing a blue jean jacket and a white dress with a floral pattern

Ready for your own Cantigny Park Engagement Photos

Cantigny Park is an enchanting place for engagement photos, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants engagement photos that look like they came straight out of a fairytale. 

And if you’re in the Chicago suburbs and want to plan your own engagement photos at Cantigny Park (or have another spot in mind for your session), I’d love to chat. You can click here to learn more about my photography services, or you can head over here to get in touch and start planning your own session!

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