“Mark + Victoria are engaged! Above are a few of our favorite pics from their engagement session. When we initially met to discuss their wedding plans, we talked about Mark’s proposal, their wedding venue selection, and soon found we all had an interest in hiking and spending time in the outdoors in common. It was no surprise that Mark + Victoria planned their upcoming wedding to take place at popular choice of many of our couples who are specifically looking for a woodsy and outdoor venue of Starved Rock State Park. M+V are planning to wed this Fall. Their October ceremony is set to take place outdoors ( and they hope it will continue on as an outside wedding, but only should the late in the Fall season’s weather permit they say : ). The reception will follow indoors in the park’s wooden lodge.

 

Both Mark + Victoria live in the Western suburb of Downers, but commute into bustling downtown for each of their jobs. Although they enjoy heading into the City, when discussing location ideas it was an easy choice of theirs preferring to narrow in on nature and the outdoors for their session. We quickly decided to keep the shoot in the suburbs choosing locations capturing them in nature, at the park where Mark proposed, and at one of our recently discovered locations which had antique barns, old buildings, and tracks which both Mark + Vicky also said they had interests in incorporating into their session. We asked M+V to tell us about the proposal and their unique engagement story which took place aside a waterfall. ( Admittedly we were a bit extra intrigued because did you know we were also engaged under a waterfall? : ) As mention, both Victoria + Mark love walks, parks, and simply spending time together. Several of their earliest dates were at local area parks. Mark goes on below to explain his “planning” and the details behind the big ♥ proposal day…

 

“I didn’t have a set plan on when or where I was going to propose, I just knew I would know and to be ready. I full well intended to have the ring on me for several weeks if need be, and promised myself I wouldn’t take a knee unless the moment was right. The first attempt was supposed to be Friday. We were going to go walk at Waterfall Glen and take time to check out the waterfall. Both of us had walked or ran at the park before, but neither of us had taken the time to stop and check out the waterfall. Well… work and weather were not cooperating, so I suggest we would go a day earlier on Thursday. It was a bit windy, but perfect once we stepped into the trees. When I saw the waterfall, I knew this was the moment. We took a couple of moments to soak it in. Then I surprised Victoria by taking a knee.”

 

Congrats to you two Mark + Vicky again on your engagement! We had a great time photographing the smiles and chemistry of the two of you together, learning about your interesting career paths, talking about marketing, your futures together, the wedding, and getting to know you two better. We appreciated the late night dinner stop after the session and also your treat in buying us a burger and margaritas. We are looking forward to the wedding and can’t wait to see all your planned Fall ideas come together for the wedding. Enjoy the next few months and the remaining time of your engagement.”

 

Chicago Wedding Photographers

 

 

 

♥ Vicky had both her hair and make-up artistry completed before the session at Zano’s Salon, in Downers Grove. Hair styling was by Lawrence and make-up by Kattegat. Vicky originally found our blog and we soon learned she was referring us to many other downtown office co-workers who were also engaged. We always love + appreciate hearing our couples referring us to their friends, thanks Vicky. You may remember Stephanie + Matt who were recently married, they were thankfully a referral and both co-workers of Vicky’s.