This has to be one of the most fun backstories to a proposal that I’ve seen yet!
Tim reached out a few months prior to the proposal date, and we talked through lots of ideas. He landed on proposing at the Art Institute of Chicago before it opened in the morning, which was the perfect location for a chilly winter day.
First of all, I need to tell you how we got Lauren there (before opening hours!!) without her suspecting anything…
A few weeks earlier, Lauren’s out of town friend mentioned that she would be in Chicago for a date. This “date” was someone who was able to get into the AIC early. After taking said friend to the AIC, Lauren and Tim grabbed coffee around the corner.
What was really happening? Myself and Lauren’s friends were all headed through the back to the main entrance where we would meet these two in just a few minutes. A few phone calls to Lauren later, she and Tim arrived to drop off a change of clothes for her friend who “had a spill” in the middle of her “date.” Good thing she just got into town that morning and her bags were still in their car…right?!
When Lauren got to the AIC, I fully expected a pretty quick realization that this was in fact not real date, but her own proposal–but that wasn’t the case! Lauren was on a mission to get this change of clothes to her friend. I suddenly had to play the part of AIC Staff/Museum Photographer as to not get figured out. Luckily she paid no attention to me, and after a few more calls to her friend who was trying to hide from her (but kept almost getting caught, oops), Tim made the move and proposed.
Of course Lauren said yes! We then found her friends who helped with the whole operation and they chatted about how the whole thing happened. This is always the most fun part for me to see the behind the scenes of it all lol! Turns out the actual change of clothes needed was the one already there for Tim and Lauren so we could take photos all around the AIC before it opened.
A quick outfit change later, we reenacted the proposal (because I love to keep it real, but also winter coats in the middle of the Art Institute of Chicago isn’t the cutest thing lol) and then picked out some favorite spots of my own and Tim’s ideas to take photos for these two. Keep scrolling to see these two’s gorgeous proposal photoshoot!
After hitting a few iconic pieces, including Monet, Seurat, and O’Keefe, we headed back to the main entrance for one last moment alone with the staircase before heading to another gorgeous spiral staircase that overlooks the gardens.
A few final photos outside with the Art Institute lions and their wreaths + Lauren’s friends, and we were done!
Looking for your own proposal photographer in Chicago? Reach out here for more info and availability. I’d love to hear from you!
– Alana
