Modern Garden Engagement at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens

There’s something extra special about photographing an engagement session in the exact place you’ll say your vows. For Andi and Zach, that meant heading to the lush and ever-inspiring San Antonio Botanical Gardens—the same space where they’ll be getting married. We love a good full-circle moment!

These two found me on Instagram (shoutout to the algorithm for actually doing its thing), and from the start, I knew their day would be something special. They’re both so stinkin’ sweet—equal parts silly and gorgeous. The kind of people who make everything feel easy, joyful, and real—whether that’s kissing under a canopy of wisteria or twirling past a wall of technicolor glass. 

Why the San Antonio Botanical Gardens?

Andi and Zach are getting married at the gardens, so it only made sense to shoot their engagement session there, too. The beauty of the Botanical Gardens is in its variety—there’s not just one kind of backdrop, there are many with 39 acres to explore. We wandered through the lush pathways, paused under the wisteria tunnel (yes, we’re absolutely recreating that moment on their wedding day), and spent time near the vibrant flowerbeds with the conservatory glass dome rising behind them.

From garden paths to desert rock walls to rainbow-tinted windows, every corner felt like a brand new scene—and it made the whole session feel like a sweet little adventure from one garden to the next.

If you’re looking for a location that’s relaxed, modern, and wildly photogenic, this spot checks all the boxes.

Let’s Talk About That Light & Their 35mm Film

We were blessed with that buttery-soft, glowing Texas light. There was just enough warmth to make everything pop without the sweat-soaked chaos that summer sessions sometimes bring. The greens felt extra green. The blooms were out to impress. And the film we took? Chef’s kiss. 

There’s something about film tones in a garden setting that just hits different—soft grain, romantic contrast, and the vivid pops of color… It’s a kind of timelessness that feels like it belongs in a keepsake box.

(I mean, c’mon, y’all—what cuties!)

One Place, Infinite Garden Aesthetics

One of the things I love most about engagement sessions at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens is how it never feels like we’re stuck in one setting. You get lush vines and tunnel arches, sculptural desert rockscapes, hidden benches surrounded by tropical plants, and bold conservatory architecture all in one go.

For couples like Andi and Zach who want variety without bouncing all over the city, it’s a dream location. And because they’re getting married here too, their photos already feel connected to the story they’re telling—before the wedding day even arrives.

Final Notes on the San Antonio Botanical Gardens for Engagement Sessions

Andi and Zach’s San Antonio Botanical Gardens engagement session felt like stepping into a preview of a day that’s going to be so full of heart. I’m already dreaming of recreating those wisteria shots in their wedding clothes, seeing them walk the same paths again—only this time, as newlyweds.

Ready to plan your own garden-inspired session?