I am so excited to share with you one of the most beautiful engagement parties I got to photograph, on one of the last days of 2012! I was especially thrilled to shoot this engagement party because I knew there would be some kind of multicultural flare! You see, Lena and Tamer are both Egyptian…. so naturally, I was incredibly excited to see what this party would be like!
Lena and Tamer had their “first look” in the lobby of the Park Hyatt in downtown Chicago. I absolutely love first looks because it gives couples the opportunity to see each other with out the pressure of having everyone staring at them! They also get these beautiful images of their reaction!
After their first look, we quickly ran outside in the freezing cold weather to take some pictures around Michigan Avenue and to capture the last few moments of the sun. Lena was such a trooper and she rocked out that strapless dress in the cold!!
This first location was in the courtyard of the Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue. This was extra special for me because it is the exact place where my husband, Dave, proposed to me….and to top it off, he was right next to me assisting me on this very shoot! Here are some of my favorite images!!
I think this next image is just absolutely stunning in black and white….what do you think?!
We then headed back towards the hotel, which just happens to be perfectly located next to the Water Tower!!
Lena and Tamer’s engagement party took place a few hours later in the Nomi Restaurant of the Park Hyatt. They had a special room for their ring ceremony and a gorgeous private dining area for their dinner.
I just love all of the elegant details in the dining area!
The evening began with a short cocktail hour followed by the ring ceremony in which both moms presented the couple with their engagement and wedding bands. The bride-to-be gets to wear both rings on the right hand and then switch them to the left hand during their wedding ceremony.
A celebratory drink and then the cutting of the cake to end this special ceremony!
Dave and I were so honored to have been asked to capture this event. I LOVE shooting anything and everything in Chicago! Dave enjoyed listening to all the Arabic being spoken, I know it made him think fondly of his times and adventures in North Africa!
Lena and Tamer, thank you so much for sharing your special day with us! Dave taught me this saying when he came back from Sudan and I think it’s appropriate for now……”Mashallah!” 🙂
~K
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