Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell’s Whirlwind Romance: A Timeline of Their Relationship
Her perfect match! Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell tied the knot after two years of dating — but their relationship was love at first sight.
The duo were first linked in early 2019, with the Emily in Paris star making the romance Instagram official that August. Just over one year later, Mary Steenburgen’s son popped the question.
“It was kind of one of those situations where I knew the second that I met him that I wanted to be his wife one day and so it was just a matter of when, really,” Collins gushed during an appearance on Live With Kelly & Ryan in October 2020, one month after announcing her engagement.
McDowell got down on one knee during a road trip in New Mexico. “It was all very much pre-planned,” the Mank star told Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest. “He did a self-timer video, which we were then able to then later get screen grabs. But he set the whole thing up without me knowing, obviously. … I was very, very surprised by it, but it’s exactly what I would’ve wanted, and he knew me so well.
Two years before she began dating the director, the Mirror, Mirror actress opened up about how her parents — Phil Collins and Jill Tavelman — impacted her perspective on relationships.
“I find that I’m really attracted to mysterious creatives, and I love people that are able to put their emotions out there for not just the world to see, but just that are giving of their emotions, but a little bit mysterious and elusive as well,” she dished on The Talk in 2017. “And my mom is such a strong independent strong-willed woman and she always taught me to accept my worth for how I viewed myself and female empowerment, and it’s OK to be independent and also need someone at the same time. I kinda get to be both.”
The Okja star and McDowell tied the knot in September 2021 at Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado. “This moment will forever play inside my head,” the groom captioned an Instagram upload at the time, while Lily commented, “I’m so excited to be your WIFEY ❤️🔥.”
Before falling for the California native, Lily was linked to Taylor Lautner, Jamie Campbell Bower, Nick Jonas, Zac Efron and Chris Evans.
Scroll down for a look back at her whirlwind romance with McDowell:
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
August 2019
The pair made their romance Instagram official with a series of snaps taken in Paris, which Lily captioned, “Always got your back…”
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
January 2020
After several months together, the duo made their first public appearance at a Lakers game.
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
April 2020
“Our #firstpicturetogether. But thankfully not our last…” the actress wrote alongside a candid throwback couple’s photo.
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
September 2020
“I’ve been waiting my lifetime for you and I can’t wait to spend our lifetime together,” Lily wrote via Instagram while announcing her engagement to the filmmaker.
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
October 2020
After McDowell proposed, the To the Bone star confessed that she always knew he was The One. “I was very surprised as to when and where it would happen, but it was one of those situations where I knew the second that I met him that I wanted to be his wife one day,” she said on Live With Kelly & Ryan. “So, it was just a matter of when, really.”
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
November 2020
The Love, Rosie actress revealed that she never wore jewelry on her left ring finger before getting engaged, telling Extra that she wasn’t “superstitious,” but she wanted to “save” the hand for something special. “[I] finally found the right ring to put on,” she said at the time. “We’re just totally soaking in being engaged.”
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
December 2020
The couple rang in the holidays in matching PJs and Santa hats, with the Emmy nominee gushing via Instagram, “His and hers, Grinch edition. Happy Christmas everybody.”
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
February 2021
McDowell shared a special tribute to his future wife on Valentine’s Day, calling her his “dream person to do life with” alongside a PDA photo on Instagram.
Credit: Cedar & Pines Photography
September 2021
The duo “officially became each other’s forever” in Colorado, the Stuck in Love star announced via social media after the ceremony. McDowell, for his part, wrote at the time, “I married the most generous, thoughtful, and beautiful person I’ve ever known. I love you @lilyjcollins.”
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
October 2021
After exchanging vows, the pair spent their romantic honeymoon in Scandinavia. “I can’t imagine a more memorable, magical first trip as newlyweds and way to officially begin our lives together. There’s no one I’d rather airplane hop and road trip with,” Lily captioned a photo dump. “Here’s to the many more epic experiences to come…”
Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram
December 2021
The couple were joined by Emily in Paris star Ashley Park during a weekend getaway, with the Blind Side actress teasing via Instagram, “Which one of us is third wheeling?” Her husband replied in the comments, “At this point I have no idea.”
