Matt + Laura = Engaged!
“We had a fantastic time with Matt + Laura out and about on their engagement photo session downtown. With the weather taking a while to warm up for us all in the midwest this Spring, Matt and Laura had a challenge of not letting the cold breezes and lack of sun interrupt their photo plans. Months before the session, Matt + Laura had already arranged for one of the location stops to be indoors, so regardless of the chilly temps we knew that would help to keep them warm and cuddly. While inside their favorite Marriott hotel in the City on Michigan Ave., where both M+L have frequented both on business and on weekend getaway trips, we found some unique and color-amazing tucked away parts of the hotel to capture photos of these two in. Thanks for the suggestion Matt… we had a great time in the hotel! We often find while we are out shooting with our couples, that after a few minutes go by, we end up feeling like we are hanging out with a couple of old friends. That quickly happened whiled we were out with Matt + Laura. We found we all had a similar sense of humor, a ton in common, and we were laughing often.
After the shoot, we stopped for some food ( at one of our favorite Sushi places, thank you M+L in treating us to the dinner ) where we learned more about Matt + Laura’s first meeting, their past downtown visits, and memories of the night Matt proposed. Laura was telling me of their engagement story and she said “Matt’s proposal completely caught me off guard and I loved it!”. Here’s a few more details Laura writes about the engagement:
“We had just returned from a trip to my parent’s house in Maine where he asked my parents for my hand in marriage; so of course everything he did from that point on made me incredibly suspicious! I had to go out of town on business the next week, so he suggested that we take a weekend trip to the city when I returned home; which of course made me immediately think he was going to propose! Matt spent the entire week convincing me over the phone that I was being ridiculous; so much so that I put the idea of even getting married completely out of my mind! In the meantime he was secretly spending the entire week at the jewelers trying to find the perfect ring for me. We headed downtown for what I expected to be a normal weekend away. We arrived at “our Marriott”, the Marriott we always stay at, where he immediately dropped off our bags, and we walked over to the Hancock Center. He claimed we were just going to have dinner at the Cheesecake Factory ( coincidentally, we had our first date at the Cheesecake Factory in Tampa, but I honestly wasn’t even thinking about that. ) I was convinced there wasn’t going to be a proposal this weekend or any time soon. We decided to go up to the sky deck before dinner. It was a gorgeous snowy night and there weren’t many people around. He told me he wanted a picture of me looking out towards Navy Pier, because the first time I came to Chicago to visit him we took a similar picture, which he loved. When I turned around after the picture, he was on one knee holding a ring! All I could say was: Are you kidding me?!?! He wasn’t kidding!”
After the proposal, Laura + Matt searched venues, discussed their families coming to Chicago from the states of Maine and Florida, and are now putting together the final touches of the planning of the big day. We are excited about their preferred modern taste in hotels and their chosen venue of Hotel Arista. Congrats Laura + Matt!! Hope you enjoy the engagement photos.”
♥ The bride Laura scheduled trial appointments with her wedding day hair and make-up artists. Hair styling was provided by Niki Moon Niki Moon at Salon Gisele and make up by mua Wendy Woodside Wendy City Faces. Matt + Laura’s October ceremony and reception will both take place in Naperville at Hotel Arista a modern + chic boutique hotel.
Laura you are just beautiful! Matt looks so proud in the pictures to have you. Everything I here from my brother John is that you make each other so very happy and you are perfect for each other…I wish you a lifetime of happiness and joy together. All my love, Aunt Joanie
These are absolutely AWESOME!!! the color is great, the couple are so in love (as you can obviously tell) and their special story is amazing!! thanks so much for sharing these with your friends …Congrats and much happiness forever!!
Dear Matt and Laura,
You don’t know me, but I am your dad’s (john) cousin.Your dad shared your photos with me and they are just awsome. You kids just look so happy and the backgrounds of Chicago, make me miss it even more.
I am sure your wedding will be everthing wonderful and can’t wait to see the pics from your dad.
If you get to Colorado, give me a call I would love to meet you.
Congrats,
Donna Frank
Broomfield, Co
Awesome pics- love them all!! you two are the cutest… :) can’t wait to see you both in October.
I LOVE all of them!!! They are fantastic! You look both look gorgeous! Thank you for sharing.
Awesome pictures! You both look fantastic! Can’t wait for the Wedding in October!
Wow!!! I absolutely Love the photo shoot… Everything was done first class, but then with the both of you as a couple, how can you miss!!!
Looking so forward to your “Wedding Day” and cannot wait to spend time with you in Chi-town.
LOVE
Great photos guys! Very impressed. Can’t wait for the wedding!
AMAZING!! We had a great time with Sarah and Ryan downtown, and hell yeah we can duct tape a car window, like a BOSS!! HA! Definitely, quite the experience :)
We can’t wait for the wedding!!!!
Matt and Laura
Duct tape’n windows like a BOSS!!! ;)