Meeting up with Charlie and Bahar after Charlie's romantic surprise proposal, Austrian wedding photographer Claire Morgan had the pleasure of documenting this newly engaged couple having a celebratory night out on the town in Vienna. Charlie and Bahar have graciously shared their story with us below, so I won't spoil any more of the juicy details here but I must say, as a photographer, I can't think of many experiences that would be more fun to document than the bliss of a proposal!
Junebug: Well first, please tell us a little bit about the proposal!
Charlie: We were on our way to the Vienna State Opera, or Wiener Staatsoper, to see Tosca for the first time. I’m sure the opera enthusiast would criticize me for proposing prior to a play during which virtually everyone dies. Nevertheless, I had plans to propose prior to dinner, in the gardens of the Hofburg Palace, but rain showers forced me to rethink that idea. So we continued on to dinner at a restaurant called Korso bei der Oper across the street from the Staatsoper. Dinner was amazing and the mood was right so I just went for it. She said yes, but she doesn’t remember it. Claire met us after the Opera. In hindsight, I am thankful that it rained; it really helped make the photos remarkable.
Bahar: It was perfect! Charlie and I enjoy our dates to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. So we made it a priority to have an opera date in Vienna as well at the Wiener Staatsoper. He proposed before the show at a restaurant called Korso bei der Oper. Dinner was excellent and the last thing I remember was dessert being set on the table. Before I knew it, he was on one knee, at my side, and everyone was clapping as I unsuccessfully tried to fight the tears. After the Opera, Charlie suggested that I get my program signed by the performers. In the meantime, he was actually waiting to meet Claire - my second surprise of the night! Claire was just lovely! She was able to really capture the love, excitement, and fun in each moment despite the rain!
Junebug: Why Vienna?
Charlie: We were actually on our way to Cairo, and we decided to make this our first stop. It’s difficult to surpass the City of Music in almost every sense. The entire city has a look that is well beyond picturesque. It is a place where the lone table in front of the dimly-lit restaurant seems as significant as the palaces and statues that populate the city.
Bahar: Claire and Charlie planned this one again. The photos were taken around the Vienna State Opera House. We walked to the famous Hotel Sacher, across the street from the the Staatsoper,where we were able to escape the rain for a bit and talk over cappuccinos.Some of my favorite photos were taken when we walked from the hotel to the Albertina museum. We took an escalator to the top balcony where the view was just breathtaking!
Junebug: What specifically drew you to Claire Morgan and her imagery?
Charlie: I did a search online for wedding and engagement photographers in Vienna, Austria. After sifting through a multitude of typical wedding shots, I came across her website. The artistic quality and creativity of her work immediately captured my attention. It was clear that she had an eye for being able to turn a fairly ordinary view into a strikingly unique moment.
Bahar: I had no idea we would be meeting Claire that night in Vienna. This was one of Charlie's many wonderful surprises!
Junebug: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your love story or your lives?
Bahar and Charlie: Just that we’re happy and we’re having fun in life!
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful proposal story with us Bahar and Charlie, and thank you Claire for the gorgeous photos!
