Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell’s Whirlwind Romance: A Timeline of Their Relationship

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell's Whirlwind Romance: A Timeline of Their Relationship

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.” [jwplayer 7MZiVAst-zhNYySv2] 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

October 2021

The two-time Golden Globe nominee opened up about how marriage changed her life, joking during an interview with Nylon, “It's so nice to be able to finally say that I'm a wife, [but] sometimes it makes me feel very old.”

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.”

Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram

December 2021

"A very Merry first married Christmas from our lil fam,” Collins captioned a selfie with her husband and their dog.

Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram

March 2022

McDowell and Collins worked well together on the set of their film, Windfall — except for when it came to shooting the kissing scenes. "The only time it was a little distracting, is when Jesse Plemons, who's a very good friend of mine, is picking her up and kissing her," the director told Entertainment Tonight."I'm like, ‘Wait a minute. There's something off about this. My good friend is kissing my then-fiancée.'""

Collins, however, had an easier time with the romantic scenes. "There were moments that I was so in the world of the film, in terms of it being a set and this is my director, that I was able to completely forget the fact that it was my [then-fiancé] directing me," she said before gushing about McDowell's talent. "He's such a great actor's director that the way he communicates to all of us and what he wants and how collaborative he is."

Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram

July 2022

“When Denmark comes to Paris,” Collins captioned an Instagram selfie of the twosome during the Tour de France bike race.

Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram

September 2022

“A year ago today, I chose my forever tomorrow. Having you by my side to have and to hold is the greatest gift I could have ever hoped for,” Collins wrote via Instagram. “I’d walk with you anywhere, talk to you about anything and travel the world with you anytime. 365 days with you flew by so fast, thank goodness we have a lifetime together. Happy first anniversary my one. I adore you @charliemcdowell. And I love you with the deepest parts of my soul.”

Credit: Courtesy Lily Collins/Instagram

September 2022

Collins shared a sweet letter her husband previously wrote before she filmed season 3 of Emily in Paris as the crew prepared to wrap production. "Have a great first day, Emily. You show those high heels who's boss! [Love] C,” the message read.

"From the first day until the last day, thank you for supporting and encouraging me @CharlieMcDowell," the actress wrote via her Instagram Story alongside the handwritten note. "It's almost time to hang up the heels again."

She added: "Happy last day to our incredibly dedicated @EmilyinParis crew. Amazing family of a cast and my happy exhausted feet."

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October 2022

While reflecting on her first year of marriage, Collins told E! News she felt like she could "conquer anything" with her husband by her side. "We've been through so many changes globally, personally, and to be able to have a partner next to you that makes you laugh in times when you need it the most and helps you emotionally get through things, like moving to a foreign country for four months," she said. "I just feel so grateful that I have someone next to me to be able to accomplish that and your best friend with you all the time."

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

October 2022

The pair made a rare red carpet appearance at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles.

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

November 2022

“So grateful for my guys,” Collins gushed via Instagram, referring to McDowell and their pup, Redford.

Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram

December 2022

The couple shared a kiss in a sweet photo from their Christmas festivities.

Credit: Courtesy of Lily Collins/Instagram

March 2023

“Sakura season,” the To the Bone actress captioned an Instagram carousel from the couple’s vacation to Japan.

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

April 2023

"Last night for the @Breakthrough Prize Foundation Awards. So honored to be part of celebrating and supporting some of the most incredible minds who have changed the world through science," Collins captioned photos from the night via Instagram. "True heroes. Our minds were blown and our hearts deepened. Thank you for all you do for our present and our future …"

Credit: Pierre Suu/WireImage

September 2023

Lily shared several photos from her wedding to McDowell in honor of their second anniversary. “Two years today and a lifetime to come. I remember this moment, this day, this excitement as vividly as if it were yesterday,” she wrote via Instagram. “And I feel the love, the support, and the magic 100 times more. I adore you @charliemcdowell and I couldn’t be more grateful to be your other half in life and in love. You make me a stronger, bolder, and brighter human. Thank you for being the greatest partner I could ever imagine and for making me smile like no other. Here’s to another 365 days of memories ahead, wherever in the world we find ourselves. I’d walk into the unknown with you any day and every day. With you by my side, it’s always an epic adventure.”