After a rainy forecast we bumped up Reilly and Kory’s engagement session to a day early. Then when we showed up at their original location we found it closed and had to last minute drive over to the Ohio Statehouse for their session. Despite the changes, it was the perfect evening! Reilly and Kory were such a joy to spend the evening with. I truly had so much fun chatting and laughing with these two their entire session!

Now for their proposal story: Reilly spent the summer of 2021 in Chicago doing a missions trip with Cru. Kory, still in Kentucky, was curating a plan to propose to her. Wanting to make it a complete surprise, Kory was working with Reilly’s family to make it all come together.

The day of the proposal Reilly thought she was having a “girls weekend” with her mom, sister Avery, Aunt Julie and cousin. The day started off with a trip to the spa to get their nails done, Then they went to downtown Chicago to do some shopping. Later in the afternoon they made their way back to Reilly’s place to get ready for dinner. Julie had been mentioning wanting to go to a rooftop restaurant called the London House. What Reilly didn’t know was that Kory had reserved the London House Cupola for the surprise proposal.

The plan was for Avery to get some senior pictures taken downtown before heading to dinner. Arriving early for the “dinner reservation” hoping to snap some rooftop photos Kim went up first to “test the lighting”. Reilly and Avery were escorted to the rooftop shortly after.

They stepped out of the elevator where Kory was waiting in the stone cupola where the floor was covered in rose petals. Kory took a moment to say how special their relationship is to him and then got down on one knee to propose. Reilly’s mom was there to capture everything. After the initial shock of not seeing each other after a long 6 weeks apart, Reilly composed herself and said YES! Kory then surprised her even more by popping bubbly and having the rest of their families on standby to celebrate. Isn’t that the sweetest proposal surprise?

Congratulations Reilly and Kory! I am so very happy for you both and excited for you as you approach entering the covenant of marriage. I can’t wait to capture your special day at Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center next June!