Gavin & Mia's Lincoln Park Proposal at Dee's

When an email from Gavin reached us in Chicago all the way from Los Angeles, I lit up from ear to ear! Proposals are one of the most fun types of shots we do and he clearly had spent a lot of time preparing for this big day. I had no idea who the special lady he’d be proposing to was. When Mia walked in the door, shock filled both of our faces as we realized we knew each other from a church retreat back in high school! Such a small world.

July 30 turned out to be the most special day for many reasons. Mia’s birthday, a golden birthday, and also her 30th. It also become the day Gavin & Mia’s lives would forever be intermingled in engagement!

Gavin and Mia live in California, but plan to move back to Chicago one day. Mia’s mom owns an incredible Chinese sushi restaurant called Dee’s Mandarin & Sushi Lounge that has served amazing food in Lincoln Park since 1983 (38 years)!! She used to live above the restaurant and diligently every day while raising her three kids. Such an inspiration, and the perfect place for such an important life milestone.

Steven and I hid in the private back room, which had been lovingly and secretly set up by Mia’s siblings. Beautiful portraits from their relationship, vibrant floral arrangements, sage green garlands, romantic candles and tunes of smooth jazz filled the room.

When the door opened, Mia’s gasps and audible surprise lit up the space. Gavin walked her to the fireplace where he asked Mia to marry him. Of course she said YES! Their families came in to celebrate with them, kicking off the most special night.

No engagement party is complete without food! Mia’s family has a tradition of celebrating all of life’s big moments with homemade dumplings. Her mom lovingly handmade three plates of them and prepared platters of incredible food ranging from fresh lobster tails to deluxe sashimi platters.

Mia’s brother-in-law gave a hilarious toast in rhyme, and the families celebrated Mia’s golden birthday with a delicious tiramisu cake (her favorite)! The celebrations kept rolling in and we could not have been more honored to be a part of commemorating this INCREDIBLE day!

May your engagement and marriage be filled with so much joy & laughter. We are so happy for you both!!