This Elegant Chicago Art Institute E-Session is Classically Modern: The Engagement of Marissa and Garrett

After a couple of almost-meetings in 2017, Marissa and Garrett met on Tinder in 2018 after both recently becoming single. "We haven’t been apart for more than five days after that date almost five years ago," Marissa explains. "God's timing was perfect, and he knew we needed each other." In August of 2022, Marissa went to Oregon to shoot a wedding and took Garrett as her second photographer. While there, they decided to have couple's shots taken since they didn't yet have any. That is when Garrett conspired with the photographer to create the perfect proposal!
 

Marissa couldn't believe her eyes when she turned around and saw the beautiful ring Garrett was holding. "I knew I wanted a gold ring with an oval shape, and he took it from there! It was absolutely everything I wanted!" Marissa gushes. We love how the ring is such an elegant yet simplistic look that goes well with everything from the classic black gown she is wearing to a casual T-shirt and jeans.
 

Since they are a Midwestern couple, Marissa knew that having an outdoor engagement session in February wasn't a good idea, so they looked for a classic indoor venue. And the Art Institute fit their classic vibe perfectly! Once they had the venue, Marissa and Garrett set their sights on outfits. Marissa shares, "Keeping with the elegant vibe, I wanted to have a few outfit changes. Our photographer sent us mood boards with outfit ideas and we went from there!" We love Marissa's transition from the classic black gown to the modern white dress!
 

From the beginning, Marissa and Garrett knew they wanted to elope somewhere that had beautiful views then come back home to have a large reception with all their friends and family. Since they had such a clear vision, all of their planning is already done! They are eloping at Mount Rainier this September then hosting a reception in Chicago in October.
 

What We Love

What better way to end the engagement shoot than getting tattoos together? Marissa and Garrett got matching '1995' tats to commemorate their birth year. "We are exactly two days apart and from the day we met, we always thought it was so cool and made us feel even more like soulmates," Marissa shares.
 

 

 

 

 

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