A joyful reaction captured during a proposal on the grand staircase of the historic Rookery in Chicago by Chicago proposal photographer Rya Photographie

A Winter Rookery Chicago Surprise Engagement Proposal

A unique cover story for the perfect surprise proposal plan

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

Happy couple celebrates their engagement in front of a Christmas in the lobby of the historic Rookery Building in Chicago. Chicago-Proposal-Photographer-Rya-Photographie

Josh wanted to propose to his girlfriend Nichole at the historic Rookery in Chicago. Like many of my clients, he needed a sounding board and some brainstorming to make his plan work. That’s where experience and expertise with surprise engagement proposals come into play!

His cover story? A birthday gift portrait session. But it was all a ruse for the surprise engagement proposal! The photoshoot was real, and I met Josh and Nicole at the Rookery on a chilly Thursday in January.

Elegantly dressed couple poses for a photograph by Chicago proposal photographer Rya Photographie on the grand staircase of the historic Rookery Building in Chicago.

We started with a few basic posed portraits and worked our way around the Rookery’s ornate lobby. I began adding Nichole into more of the poses with Josh. Little did she know that it was to get them into position at the top of the grand staircase. All so he could ask the magical question.

A couple poses on grand staircase in historic building with Christmas tree and ornate ceiling details. Photograph by Chicago-Proposal-Photographer-Rya-Photographie

Finally, the moment had arrived. I placed my couple at the top of the grand staircase facing each other, adjusted my lighting, and gave Josh his cue. He turned to Nichole, took her by the hand, and bent down on one knee. He reached into the pocket of his burgundy velvet blazer for the ring. And asked those four magic words: Will you marry me?

A joyful reaction captured during a proposal on grand stairs with holiday decorations and architecture. Photograph by Chicago engagement proposal photographer Ryan Patrick Clarke.

After tears, hugs, and an emphatic yes, another surprise engagement proposal plan was a success!

Chicago Proposal Photographer – Rya Photographie

If you know they are the one, I would love to connect and help put your proposal plans into action! Whether you are planning an elaborate surprise engagement proposal or a simple, intimate moment shared in a quiet place, I would love to lend my experience and expertise to the planning process.

Let’s connect and plan the perfect, once-in-a-lifetime surprise engagement proposal!

Chicago Proposal Photographer: Rya Photographie – Hire The Best, and I’ll Take Care of the Rest!

Chicago Proposal Photography is an art. Why leave the planning and capturing of these irreplaceable moments to chance?

If you found the ring and know they’re the one, but not sure how to pop the question?  We should chat!

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This may sound silly and corny, but I love love. I am a hopeless romantic; I cherish shared connections and shared experience.
I still cry over heartfelt vows or a perfectly choreographed first dance. I never grow tired of the sheer joy couples feel at seeing each other in their wedding attire for the first time. I am honored and privileged to experience and document these wonderful moments. 

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chicago intimate Wedding photographer: Rya Photographie

chicago intimate Wedding photographer:
Rya Photographie

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