Cole found me on Google (shoutout to the blogs working overtime), and he told me right away that I was his top choice. I felt genuinely honored, and ready to show up and make this fall proposal everything he imagined.

For Shelly and Cole, Minneapolis has always been their go-to escape from Des Moines whenever they’re craving a little more city energy. It’s their getaway spot, the place that feels exciting but still familiar. So choosing it for such a huge moment already made perfect sense. Shelly also has a connection to the Hewing through her work with a sister hotel, which made this location even more fun. The rooftop bar has always been a favorite for them. It’s one of those places that naturally becomes part of a couple’s story without them even realizing it.

So when Cole started planning the proposal, he didn’t have to think too hard about where it should happen. He always pictured it right here, surrounded by the skyline, on a rooftop that already held so many memories for them. It was intentional, personal, and exactly where their next chapter needed to begin.

An After-Dark Fall Proposal on the Rooftop in Downtown Minneapolis

These two originally had plans to hit the Vikings game, which meant we had to shift the proposal to later in the evening. Honestly, it worked out in the best possible way. The rooftop at night has this whole different energy. The city lights were glowing, the air felt crisp without being brutally cold, and everything just fell into place.

Cole was fully prepared, and Shelly had no idea what was coming, which made her reaction even sweeter. Even though it was mid-November, the weather showed up for us. It was the perfect night for a proposal that deserved to feel easy and warm. Everything about the rooftop, from the lights to the quiet pockets of the space, made the whole moment feel elevated.

Christmas Magic in the Alley & Celebrating the “YES!”

After the rooftop moment, we wandered just down the street from the Hewing into this little alley that was fully decked out in Christmas lights. Total surprise to them, but the perfect setup. Shelly and Cole told me they’re huge Christmas people, so stepping into that space was such a treat. And yes, they definitely scored a Christmas card photo out of it, which honestly feels like a rite of passage for Christmas lovers who just got engaged.

The Hewing is a popular spot for proposals in the Twin Cities, and nights like this make it obvious why. The rooftop, the lights, the little corners of the neighborhood that surprise you are all part of what makes Minneapolis such a special place for moments like these. And for Shelly and Cole, it was exactly where their story needed to grow next.

For more proposal content, check out this wedding proposal photography at St. Anthony Main!