Sunny Chicago lakefront and riverwalk fall engagement session

Due to Covid-19, Chelsea and Kate postponed their wedding from July 2020 to June 2021. This gorgeous October photo session around Chicago celebrates their love. The couple posed beside the sparkling Lake Michigan as well as on the city’s Riverwalk, where they got engaged. They ended the day at the Chicago Athletic Association, their favorite date night spot.

How did you meet?

While out with mutual friends for a night of darts at a charming Chicago bar, we found ourselves quickly drawn to each other and instantly became partners for every game. We laughed and talked for hours, excited by an unexpected encounter. When the night came to an end, we both knew that we had to meet again, so when we were told by our friends that we both had expressed interest, our first date was set the next day. We have been partners ever since.

What makes your relationship special?

We encourage each other’s growth (personally and professionally), make each other laugh, and always have fun, whether we’re out having a date night in the city or watching a true crime show at home!

How did you know your partner was the one?

We enjoy our own separate “things” – friends, hobbies, work – but always come back to each other. We know and trust that we will always love and be there for one another.

Give us all the details about the proposal.

We wanted our engagement to be a day that we both said yes. It was no surprise that we wanted to marry each other. The only surprise would be how we would celebrate the day we chose to make it real.

We started the day with our favorite breakfast and a fancy bottle of champagne, followed by a walk to the salon for manicures and pedicures. It was warm, sunny and perfect. It was also a day that broke free from what seemed to be a never ending week of storms, which made us even more excited and ready to start our Engagement Adventure.

Chelsea was only aware of the time the Uber would be picking her up at our apartment. She was soon dropped off in front of a loud dance club with a crowd of people dancing on the deck outside. She had a very confused look on her face when I walked up to meet her. Little did she know that below the loud club was a dock and a pontoon cruise on the river waiting for just the two of us.

Yes, Kate absolutely drove that pontoon. We listened to our favorite music, took in the sights of our beautiful city, laughed about everything leading up to this, and shared a moment with each other that will never be forgotten.

We said YES!

Chelsea’s last surprise was that both of our families were waiting on the dock when we returned. They were cheering when we came into sight waving. They were also holding signs and champagne bottles!

We took another cruise around the river with our family, laughing and capturing some of our favorite photos and memories. It was a day that will stay in our hearts, and the beginning of the lives we always hoped for.

Tell us all about that rings!

Chelsea has a beautiful oval solitaire diamond with a diamond pavé band. Kate has a pretty morganite surrounded by asymmetrical diamonds set in yellow gold. Both were designed and sourced by a family friend!

What are you most excited about when it comes to your wedding planning?

Getting to put our stamp on our big day! We’re so excited for our summer wedding, even if it was postponed due to COVID-19 the first time around. We will be surrounded by friends, family, and love in June 2021!