Surprise Winter Proposal in Chicago’s Lincoln Park Conservatory | Maggie and Ryan

When Ryan initially reached out to me in early November with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend Maggie I was immediately over the moon with excitement! He and I worked through the planning process together, and eventually landed on a Sunday post-brunch surprise proposal at the gorgeous Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago. There’s nothing like a stroll through the warm oasis of the conservatory during a frigid Chicago winter, and a proposal just makes it that much more special!

Red holiday poinsettias, winter at Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago
Man proposes to his fiancée at one of the best indoor proposal locations in Chicago

Ryan’s Surprise Proposal at the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago

When the day finally arrived for Ryan’s proposal to Maggie I was giddy! As the time drew closer, and they wrapped up their brunch date, we all made our way to the conservatory for the big moment. They wandered through the beautiful greenhouse, and we eventually ended up in the same room, at the same time, ’cause I’m a mastermind (sorry not sorry for the T Swift reference!) Part of what makes the Lincoln Park Conservatory such a wonderful location in Chicago for a proposal is how easy it is to blend in as a photographer. There’s so much to see, so many plants to hide behind, and even if you are seen it’s completely believable that someone would be here to take photos of the breathtaking greenhouse.

Thanks to this, Maggie was completely unaware as Ryan made his move. He set up his phone to “take a quick selfie” and as they turned towards one another he dropped down to one knee to pop the question! The joy on Maggie’s face was so pure and immediate, and only continued to grow as Ryan slid the sparkling pave band with its pear-shaped diamond onto her finger. The two could NOT stop smiling and hugging one another, and we had the best time wandering the conservatory together documenting this incredible point of their beautiful relationship!

Woman kisses fiancé after proposing in a conservatory in Chicago
Chicago winter proposal in Lincoln Park Conservatory.
Fiancée's hug after winter proposal in Chicago.
A man and woman smile for a photo after their proposal at an indoor conservatory in Chicago
Fiancée's smile for a photo after their proposal at Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago
A close up black and white image of an oval cut diamond ring shortly after their proposal was documented by a Chicago wedding photographer
Fiancée's show off their ring after wedding proposal at Chicago indoor location, the Lincoln Park Conservatory
A close up photo of a woman with white painted finger nails holding hands with her husband shortly after proposing in Lincoln Park
a woman walks with her husband shortly after he proposed to her in an indoor location in Lincoln Park
A black and white image of a man and a woman holding hands and walking through a greenhouse in Chicago
A man kisses his fiancée on the cheek after proposing to her at the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago
A couple looks at one another while holding onto each other standing amongst a lot of greenery in a Conservatory in Chicago
A couple kisses one another while holding onto each other standing amongst a lot of greenery in a Conservatory in Chicago
A couple whispers something to one another while holding onto each other standing amongst a lot of greenery in a Conservatory in Chicago
A smiles at the camera while holding onto each other standing amongst a lot of greenery in a Conservatory in Chicago
A black and white photo of a man kissing his fiancée's forehead after proposing to her in Chicago.
A couple kisses, meanwhile in the background you can see the light coming into the roof of the Lincoln park conservatory.
A couple kisses one another in a Chicago greenhouse shortly after their winter proposal.
A bride and groom hold one another surrounded by tropical flowers in the Lincoln Park Conservatory.
A man and woman hold one another while smiling at the camera surrounded by trees.
A man and woman hold one another while smiling at the camera surrounded by trees in a conservatory in Chicago.

Proposal Photos at the Lincoln Park Boardwalk

Following our time inside of the Lincoln Park Conservatory, we decided to brave the cold of the Chicago winter for the remainder of their proposal photos. Just a short walk south of the conservatory is the Lincoln park Nature Boardwalk, which has some of my favorite views of the city’s skyline in all of Chicago. Atop the south pond bridge we took our final portraits of the day, and both Maggie and Ryan were just beaming with happiness! Even in the cold winter air these two were smiling non stop, and I’m just SO glad that I got to be a part of this incredible moment between them!

A couple stands and smiles for the camera on the Lincoln Park Boardwalks.
A couple stands and smiles for the camera on the Lincoln Park Boardwalks.
A couple stands and kisses for the camera on the Lincoln Park Boardwalks.
A couple stands and smiles for the camera on the Lincoln Park Boardwalks.
A couple stands and smiles for the camera on the Lincoln Park Boardwalks while the bride shows off her ring.
A couple stands and smiles for the camera on the Lincoln Park Boardwalks.

Ryan’s proposal to Maggie inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory of Chicago is an experience I’ll never forget. These two have such a sweet, pure, and joyous love, and documenting it in a moment as special as this is one of the many reasons why I adore what I do SO much! For more proposal inspiration check out this blog, and if you’d like some assistance with planning your own proposal in Chicago be sure to give this guide a read. Finally, if you’d like me to document your proposal, engagement, wedding, or all three, head to my contact page to send me an inquiry!

A couple stands and kisses for the camera on the Lincoln Park Boardwalks.
A couple stands and kisses with the view of the Chicago skyline in the background.

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About Jayde 

Docu-torial Photographer

I'm a Chicago wedding photographer with a passion for people, candid moments, authenticity, and golden hour. I document weddings with a ferocity for the real moments that matter on a wedding day: the moments you lived with the people you love. With 200+ weddings under my belt, I use my expertise to guide my clients to feel comfortable and confident so their images feel like them. 

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