Caitlin + Zach’s engagement session was just published on “How He Asked by the Knot” and wanted to give you a chance to check out more of their amazing images here on our own blog!
We were able to chat with our bride Caitlin and get the scoop on her and Zach and the wedding planning! Check out what she had to say!
Q: Let’s start at the beginning. How did you two first meet?
A: Zach and I met over two years ago at a random bar on Taylor Street in Chicago (thank you, Vintage Lounge). Something came over me – a magnetic field – and drew me towards Zach. Soon enough, we were dancing the night away and in the months to follow, we became inseparable. It wasn’t long before I knew we would be together forever.
Q: What makes your relationship special? Tell us some things that you both value in your time together. (example: pushing each other to new limits, love to travel, huge comic book fans, foodies, etc.) What makes your relationship unique?
A: Zach and I live a very happy life and always encourage each other to live each moment to the fullest.Zach is a phenomenal golfer and we enjoy spending time together on the course. I’m all about the cute outfits and tips from my even cuter fiancé. Being Chicagoans, we are of course foodies! There’s always a new restaurant opening or a new food craze that we have to check out. When we go out to eat together, we enjoy being present and don’t look at our phones.
Q: How did you know your partner was the one? When did you first know this in your relationship? (these may often be the same moment, but aren’t always)
A: It’s true what they say about finding your soulmate – “When you know, you know.” Within just a few months of dating, I realized that Zach was “the one”. It was the feeling when we were together. The ease of our love and the excitement of our friendship. I have never been so sure of something so quickly.
Q: Give us all the details about the proposal. How and where did it happen? Was it a surprise? What was the planning process?
A: Zach proposed at our summer home in Bay View, Michigan on the third of July. My family has a cottage there that has been around for over 100 years and this little piece of heaven is close to our hearts! Zach knows how important family is to me, and he picked this location because he knew my parents got engaged there over thirty years ago.. what he didn’t realize is that it was the very same weekend! Everyone always asks, did you know he was going to do it? When you’re in love and excited to spend the rest of your lives together, it’s something you discuss! I was not sure how or when Zach would propose, but I will say that there is absolutely nothing that prepares you for this moment. Zach took me for a walk before dinner on July 3rd and we watched the sunset from a rocking swing on the bluff. After a fatefully romantic conversation, he walked me a bit closer to the water and got down on one knee and spoke those four unforgettable words: “Will you marry me?” One of the things I love most about my fiancé is his charismatic nature. I wouldn’t use the word nervous to describe his demeanor in this moment – I suppose vulnerable is the closest fit.In this moment, I was so overwhelmed with joy and emotion that I immediately began crying. Truth be told, Zach asked me three times before I could proclaim the word: “YES!” It was a perfectly intimate and private moment followed by a burst of applause and screams.Onlookers watching the sunset had stayed to witness the proposal and were cheering from afar. Zach grabbed my hand, held it high and shouted back “She said Yes!” We held hands as we headed back to the cottage to pop pink champagne with family and enjoy the night. Celebrations continued the next day with the 4th of July parade and fireworks. Sparks were flying!
Q: We’re all about the bling… Tell us all about that ring!
A: The ring It is absolutely exquisite. The center stone is an elegant two carat pear diamond set in rose gold and surrounded by a halo of twenty princess pink diamonds. The band is classic platinum with eighteen french pave diamonds. Zach designed it with a jeweler who has worked with my family for generations, Cathy Wang. The ring is perfectly Caitlin!
Q: Are you excited to start planning your wedding day? Do you have any ideas in mind yet?
A: Wedding planning is underway! The ceremony will take place at Old St. Patrick’s in Chicago and the reception will be at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook.The hope is for the vibrancy of the day to reflect our relationship. Romantic, whimsical and opulent are the keywords and visions of pink and sparkles are constantly running through my mind!
We had such a blast working with these two and can’t wait to work with them again! If you’d like to see our publication on “How He Asked” you can
click here!
If you’re interested in having your very own love story captured by us, we would to chat with you and see what kind of magic we can make happen with you! Send us an e-mail by
contacting us here!
