Lily Collins marks 5th anniversary with Charlie McDowell: 'Forever to go'
Synopsis
Lily Collins’ anniversary post was more than a milestone caption — it was a rare, unguarded look at a life built quietly away from the spotlight. Five years after their intimate Colorado ceremony, Collins and McDowell are now parents to daughter Tove, and the actress’s tribute made clear that the personal chapter matters as much to her as the professional one.
Key Takeaways
Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell marked their 5th wedding anniversary on 4 September 2026 .
Collins shared throwback wedding photographs and a personal tribute on Instagram .
The couple married on 4 September 2021 at Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado ; Collins wore a Ralph Lauren lace gown.
Their daughter, Tove Jane McDowell , was born in January 2025 via surrogate.
Collins and McDowell began dating in 2019 and got engaged in 2020 after a proposal in New Mexico .
Hollywood actress Lily Collins, best known for her role in Emily in Paris, celebrated her fifth wedding anniversary with filmmaker husband Charlie McDowell on 4 September 2026, sharing a heartfelt tribute on Instagram alongside a series of throwback photographs from their 2021 wedding.
What She Shared
Collins posted a carousel of intimate images from her wedding day, capturing the couple in a warm embrace, candid moments of affection, and tender family scenes with their daughter. In an accompanying note, she reflected on five years of partnership: “Five years ago today, I married my favorite person and best friend. Charlie, half a decade of us supporting each other, making each other laugh, navigating whatever came our way, taking on new adventures, and building a life that feels so uniquely ours.”
She continued, “I’m so grateful for the way you’ve always believed in me, listened to me, and made me feel like I never had to take on anything alone.”
A Note on Family
Collins also paid tribute to the couple’s daughter, Tove Jane McDowell, born in January 2025 via surrogate. “And then there’s Tove, our greatest little blessing and the sweetest part of everything we’ve created together. Watching you become a dad and getting to experience this chapter as a family has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” she wrote.
Their Journey Together
Collins and McDowell began dating in 2019. McDowell proposed during a trip to New Mexico in 2020, and the couple wed on 4 September 2021 in an intimate ceremony at Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado, set against a scenic mountain backdrop. Collins wore a distinctive long-sleeved, hooded lace gown designed by Ralph Lauren for the occasion.
What’s Next
With Emily in Paris remaining one of Netflix’s most-watched non-English language series and Collins continuing to expand her producing credits, the anniversary post offered a rare personal window into a life she has largely kept private. As she put it, “Five years down, and forever to go, my one.”
Point of View
And this post underscores that balance. The anniversary tribute is notable for what it reveals about her priorities — the language of partnership and parenthood dominates, not the celebrity. In an era when celebrity relationships are routinely monetised through brand deals and reality formats, Collins and McDowell’s low-key approach stands as a quiet counter-narrative worth noting.
NationPress
5 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell get married?
Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell married on 4 September 2021 in an intimate ceremony at Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado. Collins wore a hooded lace gown designed by Ralph Lauren.
Who is Charlie McDowell?
Charlie McDowell is an American filmmaker and the husband of actress Lily Collins. The couple began dating in 2019 and got engaged in 2020 after McDowell proposed during a trip to New Mexico.
Do Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell have children?
Yes. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Tove Jane McDowell, in January 2025 via surrogate. Collins referenced Tove prominently in her anniversary post.
What did Lily Collins post for her anniversary?
Collins shared a series of throwback wedding photographs on Instagram along with a lengthy personal note reflecting on five years of marriage, expressing gratitude for McDowell’s support and celebrating their life as a family with daughter Tove.
What is Lily Collins known for?
Lily Collins is best known for playing the lead role in the Netflix series Emily in Paris. She has also appeared in films such as Mirror Mirror, Love, Rosie, and Tolkien.
