A Romantic Banff Cascade of Time Garden Proposal | Chase & Lilly


Chase and Lily’s Banff Cascade of Time Garden proposal was one of those beautiful moments that we started planning long before their vacation to the Canadian Rockies.

Chase and Lilly travelled all the way from South Carolina to Banff, Alberta, for a vacation surrounded by the incredible scenery of the Canadian Rockies. What Lilly didn’t know was that Chase had something much bigger planned for their time in Banff. And hidden in his Boot. :) Stories where they hid the rings impress me every time!

Man kneeling on one knee proposing to his partner in a mountain garden with colorful flowers and evergreen trees.
Newly engaged couple kissing in a flower garden with misty mountains and tall pine trees stretching behind them.

Planning a Surprise Proposal at the Cascade of Time Garden in Banff


Chase contacted me well in advance of their trip, which gave us plenty of time to plan every detail of his surprise proposal.

He had already chosen the Cascade of Time Garden in Banff as the place where he wanted to propose to Lilly. It is such a beautiful choice for couples looking for something a little different from the classic Banff lake and mountain locations.


Even when my clients already know exactly where they would like to propose, I always want to make sure we have a solid plan.

Before Chase and Lilly arrived in Banff, I personally visited the Cascade of Time Garden to double check the location. I wanted to see how everything looked at that time of year, determine the best place for Chase to propose, check the surroundings and backgrounds, and make sure I knew exactly where I could position myself without Lilly noticing me.


When it comes to surprise proposal photography in Banff, preparation makes such a difference. There are already enough nerves involved in asking one of the biggest questions of your life, you shouldn't also have to worry about where to stand or whether your photographer will be able to capture the moment.

Smiling couple stands arm in arm on a wooden walkway under a rustic log arbor with sunlight streaming through in the background.
Man kisses his fiancée as she shows off her new engagement ring beneath a handcrafted log structure surrounded by evergreen trees.
Engaged couple cuddles on a bench inside a rustic log pavilion with pink and red snapdragon flowers blooming in the foreground.
Close-up of a couple's clasped hands showing an engagement ring and gold bracelets as they sit together on a wooden bench.
Black and white close-up of a couple's intertwined hands with an engagement ring resting on a man's knee while seated together.
Couple shares a tender moment by a stone waterfall and pond surrounded by tall pine trees during their engagement photo shoot.
Back view of a curly-haired man embraced by his fiancée, her engagement ring and gold bracelets visible against a blurred forest.
Smiling couple poses together behind a garden of red, pink and white snapdragons with tall evergreen trees in the background.
Couple kisses while embracing in a flower garden of red and pink snapdragons beneath towering pine trees for an engagement portrait.
Couple holding hands and smiling back at the camera in a flower garden surrounded by evergreen trees and a stone-lined pond.
Smiling woman hugging her partner from behind beside a stone-edged pond with tall pine trees in a mountain garden.
Close-up of a couple embracing and smiling beside a rocky pond with pine trees and a wooden bench in the background.
Couple strolling hand in hand along a garden path beside a pond, with a small cabin and mountains in the background.

The Moment Chase Asked Lilly to Marry Him


When their proposal day finally arrived, everything we had been planning came together.

Chase brought Lilly through the beautiful gardens while I was already in position, waiting for them. Lilly had absolutely no idea that their vacation in Banff was about to become one they would remember for the rest of their lives.

And then Chase got down on one knee.


She said YES!


Those first few seconds after a proposal are always some of my favourite photographs to capture, the surprise, the emotion, the hugs, the laughter and that moment when you realize you are officially engaged.

After giving Chase and Lilly some time to enjoy what had just happened, we continued with their Banff engagement photos around the Cascade of Time Garden.

Couple embracing beside a stone-lined pond with a cabin and evergreen trees in the background during an engagement photo session.

Why Choose the Cascade of Time Garden for a Banff Proposal?


The Cascade of Time Garden is one of the many romantic proposal locations in the town of Banff. Located in downtown Banff, the gardens offer beautifully landscaped pathways, flowers and greenery with the dramatic Canadian Rockies creating an incredible backdrop.

For couples who love the mountains but want something different from a lakeside proposal, the Cascade of Time Garden can be a wonderful option.

It is especially beautiful for:

  • Surprise proposals in Banff
  • Engagement photography
  • Couple photography
  • Intimate weddings and elopement portraits
  • Anniversary sessions
  • Romantic vacation photography

Another advantage is that after your proposal, we can easily continue your engagement session in the garden or incorporate another beautiful Banff location into your photography experience.

Smiling woman holds out her hand to show a diamond engagement ring in front of white flowering shrubs.

Planning a Proposal in Banff From Another Country or Province


Many of the proposals I photograph are planned by couples travelling to Banff from across Canada, the United States and around the world. You don't need to know Banff perfectly before contacting me.

That is part of what I help you with.

As your Banff proposal photographer, I can help you plan the photography side of your proposal before you ever arrive in Alberta. We can discuss locations, lighting, timing, where you should stand, where I will be waiting and how we can make everything feel completely natural so your partner doesn't become suspicious.

If you already have a location in mind - just like Chase did - I can also help determine the best exact spot for photographs.


I photograph proposals throughout Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies, including the Cascade of Time Garden, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Vermilion Lakes, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Canmore and Kananaskis.

Scenic view of a stone castle-style hotel with gardens and a mountain backdrop, with a couple standing on the garden path.

Celebrating Their Engagement at Fairmont Banff Springs


Of course, the celebration didn’t end at the Cascade of Time Garden!


After Chase and Lily’s proposal and engagement photos in the gardens, we made our way to the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel to continue celebrating their newly engaged status over cocktails.


We also took some beautiful engagement portraits inside the historic Mt. Stephen Ballroom at Fairmont Banff Springs.


I absolutely love incorporating the architecture and timeless interiors of the Banff Springs Hotel into engagement sessions. It gives couples such a different look from the mountain scenery outside while still feeling unmistakably Banff.


Going from the romantic gardens and mountain views of the Cascade of Time Garden to cocktails and elegant portraits at the Fairmont Banff Springs was the perfect way to finish Chase and Lily’s Banff proposal experience.


For couples travelling to the Canadian Rockies, your proposal photography doesn't have to end immediately after you hear that very important “YES!” We can turn it into a complete engagement experience, starting with the surprise proposal and continuing with portraits at another beautiful Banff location, a champagne celebration, or even cocktails at the Fairmont Banff Springs.

Couple holds hands and walks through a stone archway of a historic castle-style hotel in Banff during an engagement photo session.
Couple poses in front of a grand stone hotel with a Canadian flag and purple flower planters in Banff.
Couple embraces on a hotel terrace with purple flower baskets and a sweeping mountain valley view in the Canadian Rockies.
Smiling newly engaged couple shows off an engagement ring while posing with purple flowers and mountains in the background.
Engaged couple shares a kiss on a mountain-view terrace framed by black lampposts and purple flower baskets in Banff.
Couple stands together in a grand stone hall with a chandelier, wood beam ceiling and arched doorways at the Fairmont Banff Springs.
Man and woman reach out toward each other in an elegant stone ballroom with a chandelier and wood-beamed ceiling.
Smiling couple holds hands and walks through a historic stone hall with a chandelier and arched wooden doors.
Couple embraces in a romantic moment beneath a glowing chandelier in a grand historic stone hall.
Smiling couple poses in front of the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel entrance with its stone walls and glass canopy.
Engaged couple embraces in a stone archway behind a bed of yellow and white daisies at the Fairmont Banff Springs.
Happy couple hugs in a stone archway framed by yellow and white daisies in the foreground.
Close-up of a couple touching foreheads and holding hands, showing a sparkling engagement ring, with yellow flowers behind.

Planning Your Own Banff Proposal?


If you are dreaming of proposing at the Cascade of Time Garden in Banff, Fairmont Banff Springs, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Vermilion Lakes, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake or another beautiful location in the Canadian Rockies, I would love to help you plan it.


Whether you already know exactly where you want to propose, like Chase did, or need help choosing the perfect location, I can help you plan the photography side of your proposal—from scouting the location and choosing the exact spot to creating a hiding plan and capturing the moment without giving away the surprise.


Looking for a Banff Cascade of Time Garden proposal photographer or Fairmont Banff Springs engagement photographer?

Contact Maia Sokolic Photography and let’s start planning an unforgettable proposal in Banff and the Canadian Rockies.