A Chicago Winter Rookery Surprise Proposal

Written and Photography by Rya Photographie

A unique cover story for the perfect surprise proposal plan

It isn’t often that I’m asked to do a portrait session as the cover story to set up a surprise marriage proposal. But I love when an elaborate proposal plan comes together for that perfect, magical moment!

Josh wanted to propose to his girlfriend Nichole at the top of the grand staircase in the lobby of the historic Rookery building in downtown chicago. Like many of my clients, he needed a sounding board and a brainstorming session to help put his plan into action. That’s where planning and executing over one hundred marriage proposals comes in handy.

His cover story for getting dressed to the nines and visiting the landmark Rookery building on a Thursday afternoon in early January was that he was gifted a portrait session for his birthday. Except it was all a surprise proposal ruse! The photoshoot was real, and we started with some very formal posed portraits, but it was all cover to get them into position at the top of the grand staircase so that he could ask those four magic words: “Will You Marry Me?”

After slowly working our way around the Rookery’s ornate lobby and working Nicole into more of the poses with Josh, we were in the perfect position for proposal go time! I placed Nicole and Josh into position facing each, adjusted my lighting accordingly, subtly gave Josh his cue. He turned to Nichole, reached into the pocket of his velvet blazer to retrieve the ring, dropped to one knee, took Nichole by the hand, and asked the magical question. After tears, and hugs, and an emphatic YES, another proposal proposal plan was a complete success!

Whether you are planning an elaborate surprise proposal, or a simple, intimate affair, I would love to lend my experience and expertise to the planning process.

Let’s collaborate on the perfect, once in a lifetime surprise proposal plan!