Zeus and Megan - Surprise Wedding Proposal

Hotel Baker - St. Charles, IL

Proposal sessions are near and dear to my heart because my first session after becoming Sierra Marie Photography was a proposal. In 2020, I captured a proposal for a friend of a friend, and I was SO nervous. I spent hours trying to nail the location and making sure that everything was perfect. Once that proposal was over, I was HOOKED. I loved being able to capture the genuine excitement and look of happiness on the couples' face as they got engaged, and began planning their Happily Ever After.

Fast forward four years, and I'm being contacted by Zeus. It's the beginning of April, and he wants to find a photographer to capture the moment he decides to propose to his girlfriend of 7 years - Megan. He had everything planned on how he wanted to do it, he just needed someone there to document it. The nerves from four years previously came back - While I've done countless engagement sessions and weddings, I had only done 2 proposals in the four years of being apart of SMP. However, after hearing Zeus's plan to propose at the iconic Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles, I knew I wanted to be involved.

His plan involved Megan's best friend Claudia, and a few other friends and family members assembling in secret to set up the gazebo - while Zeus spent the morning with her, making sure the secret stayed safe. When the time came for the proposal, Megan and Zeus walked onto the patio, and you could immediately tell that she was surprised. While I wasn't able to hear what was said between the two of them, I could tell she was excited because of the countless times she would look at him and giggle, or the different angles of ring shots she took.

But the surprises didn't stop there.

I pretended I had to go - that I had another photo session to get to. In reality, I was hustling over to the restaurant across the street where her friends and family were waiting to surprise her. When she walked in, it was like the proposal all over again! She smiled, laughed, and showed off her ring to all of their people, making sure to spend a little bit of time with everyone there.

Zeus and Megan, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your day! I am so blessed for our paths to have crossed, and I can't wait to watch the two of you spend the rest of your life as happy as ever!

Proposal Venue: Hotel Baker

Engagement Dinner Restaurant: La Zaza Trattoria