The plan was simple enough on paper: meet Fernando and Sanjana outside for their Adler Planetarium proposal around 2:00, just after the 1:30 show they were watching together. Simple in theory. But as anyone who’s planned a surprise proposal in Chicago can tell you, the execution is almost never as simple as the plan. As a Chicago proposal photographer, part of my job is to be ready for every variable that might pop up, and on this particular Saturday, there were plenty of them.
The Plan
Fernando had done his homework. He knew exactly where he wanted to propose, and we’d walked through it carefully in advance. An Adler Planetarium proposal showcases one of the best skyline views in the entire city. Which is exactly why it’s also one of the most popular places to be on a Saturday afternoon. Tourists, runners, walkers, wedding parties, quinceañera shoots, museum-goers heading to the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum, families out for a stroll along the lake…they all share that stretch of Museum Campus.
So we built in backups. I knew his ideal spot, but he also knew which alternate locations we’d pivot to if it was crowded or unavailable. I also gave him a heads up that the timing might shift…maybe Sanjana would need a bathroom break, maybe she’d want to grab a snack after the show. With any Adler Planetarium proposal, the plan is just the starting point.
The Curveballs Started Early
I arrived at the Adler well ahead of time. You never know with Chicago traffic on a beautiful Saturday. What I hadn’t fully accounted for was the Ed Sheeran concert at Soldier Field that night. They started locking down the street parking at 8am, and Northerly Island was a no-go. I ended up parking in the Soldier Field lot and walking the 15minutes back to the Adler.
Once I got there, I had time to settle in and that’s when the text from Fernando came through. Sanjana wanted to grab something to eat. If you’ve ever ordered food inside a Chicago museum on a weekend, you already know that’s not a quick stop. This is one of the reasons I never make plans for anything right after a proposal: you have to leave room for the unexpected.
The Most Stressful 10 Minutes of My Year
Eventually, they made their way out. I recognized Fernando’s white linen shirt right away from a photo he’d sent me. Somehow, despite the enormous crowds, they walked straight to a spot where the people around them had just cleared out. In the photos, it looks like they have the whole skyline to themselves. In reality, it was packed day on the lakefront. A little Chicago luck for a special engagement at Adler Planetarium.
Then they sat down. And sat there. And kept sitting there.
I was about 20–30 feet behind them, waiting for Fernando to make his move. After a few minutes, my heart started racing…was this even the right couple? I stood up casually and started scanning around for another guy in a white linen shirt. Was the real Fernando wandering somewhere else looking for me, while I’d been photographing a complete stranger this whole time?
For a full 10 minutes, I hovered behind them, trying to look natural: pretending to be on my phone, pretending to admire the skyline, trying not to make Sanjana suspicious if she happened to glance back. Finally, Fernando made his move.
The Moment
Sanjana was shocked. She wears her emotions in her whole body, and her reaction was incredible to photograph! Every feeling played out across her face, her hands, her shoulders. I’ve honestly never been so relieved for a proposal to happen in my life. The release of emotion was real for Sanjana, real for Fernando, and (I’ll admit it) real for me too! I was photographing the correct couple!
The most perfect sunny Chicago skyline proposal photo!
If you want to see this one unfold on video, the reel is up on my Instagram. It’s pretty fun to watch the whole thing play out in real time.
A Family Surprise
One last surprise was waiting for Sanjana: their parents and grandmother were there too, ready to share the moment with her. I love it when families are in on the secret. Watching their reaction, I could see exactly where Sanjana’s expressive nature comes from. They were visibly joyful and emotional themselves. Lots of hugs, lots of storytelling, lots of laughter. There’s really no better way to soak in the moment right after a surprise proposal than with the people who’ve been with you the whole journey.
Why an Adler Planetarium Proposal Is Worth the Logistics
An Adler Planetarium proposal genuinely offers one of the best skyline views in Chicago, which is exactly what makes it such a beloved spot for a couples. But it’s also why you have to plan carefully. The crowds, the weather, the surprise concerts at Soldier Field, the long museum food lines…any of them can throw off the timing of the moment.
That’s where working with an experienced Chicago proposal photographer really matters. I always have a backup spot, a backup plan, and time built into my schedule for whatever the day decides to throw at us. We went into overtime a bit for Fernando and Sanjana, and it was no problem…because that’s exactly how I structure my proposal days.
It ended up being a perfect afternoon. The light was beautiful, the skyline was clear, and Fernando and Sanjana got the moment they’d been dreaming about, even if it took a few extra minutes (and a few extra heart palpitations on my end) to get there.
One last skyline picture to finish off their museum campus proposal
Congratulations, Fernando and Sanjana! Thank you for trusting me with this story and thank you, Fernando, for eventually getting down on one knee. =)
More Chicago Proposal Stories
If you loved Fernando and Sanjana’s story, here are a few more Chicago proposals worth a look:
- A Suprise Chicago Riverwalk Proposal — a downtown surprise in the evening along the water with the city as the backdrop.
- A North Avenue Beach Proposal — Lake Michigan, soft sand, and a perfect Chicago sunset.
- A Chicago Lakefront Proposal at Olive Park — a surprise pulled off with help from a cousin playing the guitar and a perfectly timed sunset.
Planning your own proposal at the Adler or somewhere else in the city? Learn more about working with a Chicago wedding photographer for your proposal, engagement, or wedding day.
