This is the moment the ring went from “new” to “part of their story.” After the surprise proposal on the grand staircase earlier that evening, the couple slipped into their engagement party at Bottleworks Hotel, surrounded by friends, cocktails, and the buzz of everyone who’d just seen the proposal video. The party was in full swing, laughter echoing, music playing low, cocktails flowing, when they found a quiet corner booth perfect for a photo. They slid in together, drinks in hand, and she lifted her left hand to “hide” the kiss while he leaned. The diamond caught the warm pendant lights just right, sparkling like it knew it was the star of the night.
As your Indianapolis proposal photographer, these post-proposal engagement party moments are some of my favorites to capture. The proposal is the peak, but the party is where the shock turns into celebration, where friends finally get to hug her, where the ring starts feeling like it’s always belonged there. I love watching couples steal these quiet pockets amid the chaos: a quick kiss in a booth, a forehead touch while they whisper “we’re really doing this,” a shared laugh over the same story they’ll tell for the rest of their lives.
Bottleworks Hotel is perfect for this kind of intimate aftermath. The historic distillery-turned-hotel has warm, moody lighting, rich textures (exposed brick, velvet booths, dark wood tables), and cozy corners that feel private even when the room is full. The pendant lights create beautiful bokeh, the deep navy booth cushions frame the couple like a portrait, and the cocktails, his beer, her martini, add that effortless “we’re already celebrating us” vibe. She lifted her hand to “cover” the kiss, but the ring only made it more romantic.
We don’t just capture the proposal. We capture the yes that turns into laughter, the yes that turns into champagne, the yes that turns into quiet corner kisses while your friends cheer in the background.
Your proposal deserves the party. And the party deserves to be remembered.
Let’s document yours, from the knee drop to the last stolen kiss.
This image was captured with the Nikon Z9 and a 35mm prime lens with on camera flas and edited to look like film.
Location: 850 Massachusetts Ave Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204.