
As a Philadelphia-based proposal photographer, I recommend Morris Arboretum as an ideal location for a peaceful and nature-filled engagement session. In this blog post, you will learn:
Morris Arboretum of The University of Pennsylvania is located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. It is a public garden spanning 92 acres. It is full of wooded and manicured spaces, vibrant plantlife, and impressive trees. There are inviting paths that allow you to explore this beautiful respite in nature, and it also happens to be a wonderful location for a surprise proposal. With a mission to encourage the relationship between plants and people, this sanctuary offers many ways for people to connect with nature, including education, research, and enjoying nature through photography. It really is a lovely place to bask in the wonder of nature, and how lucky we are that they also allows photo sessions in this inspiring green space.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a proposal at Morris Arboretum. You will need a little bit of lead time to plan with them, so it’s a good idea to reach out and start the process and check their availability once you are considering it as a location to get engaged. They do allow surprise proposal photos and engagement sessions. They do not allow wedding photos unless you book your whole wedding at the Morris Arboretum. They do have a lovely wedding venue there so its something to consider once you entere the wedding planning stage of things.
Here is what this couple wrote in their Google review after I photographed their surprise proposal at Morris Arboretum:
“Heidi did an amazing job with our engagement photos. Leading up to the proposal, she was very thorough about asking where the spot would be and which way we would be coming. She was friendly during the photoshoot and had great ideas for us while incorporating our own. We got our photos back very quickly and I would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer for their special moment!”

This couple chose The Rose Garden as the location for their down-on-one-knee proposal moment. The Rose Garden is a popular location for engagement and proposal sessions at Morris Arboretum, and I can see why! It has a fountain right in the center where the paths converge, making it a natural place for a special moment. This proposal was in the spring, the greenery was lush, and the flowers were in full bloom. The Rose Garden was first created in 1888 and is one of the longest-standing features of the Arboretum.
Some other favorite places at Morris Arboretum for photos are:
Out on a Limb
For a playful couple, Out On A Limb is a very unique feature! It is a huge hammock-like net strung up in the trees where you can look down to the ground.
English Park
Created in 1912, this Garden features the Step Fountain, which makes a pretty backdrop.
Morris Pond
This water feature makes it a lovely location for engagement photos.
Tip for Engagement Sessions at Morris Arboretum
Doing an engagement session on a weekday can be a great way to get a quieter and more private experience.

If you are looking for other locations to have a nature-filled proposal in the Philadelphia area, here are a few ideas that you can think about! Luckily, Philadelphia has many natural spaces, from the wooded Wissahickon to the expansive Fairmount Park; there are many special places to propose surrounded by nature’s beauty. There are just 3 possible places you can find in Philadelphia. Feel free to reach out to talk about what locations you are thinking of for your proposal.
Wissahickon Valley Park
Wissahickon Valley Park is a massive wooded park in Philadelphia spanning 2,042 acres. There are many entrances and paths throughout the park. You can view an engagement session I photographed there by clicking on this link
www.heidirolandphotography.com/wissahickonPark
Awbury Arboretum
(215) 849-2855
1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Awbury Arboretum 55 acres arboretum that is free and open to the public.
Longwood Gardens
Although this Garden is about an hour drive from Philadelphia, it is quite popular for engagement and proposal photos. There is a fee to take photos here, and you do have to arrange it ahead of time.
(610) 388-1000
1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348
If you are planning a proposal in Philadelphia or the surrounding area, I would love to hop on a call with you. Hiring a photographer who specializes in proposal moments will not only allow you to have beautiful photographs from the moment, but I will also be able to offer tips and guidance in planning your local Philadelphia surprise proposal. Feel free to reach out to me by filling out the contact form for Heidi Roland Photography. I can’t wait to hear from you and talk through your proposal together!