Downtown Chicago Engagement Session | Dovile + Johnny

Couple stands in front of Chicago Riverwalk smiling at the camera.

Doville and Johnny’s engagement session in downtown Chicago was SUCH a fun experience.  Your engagement session should be all about you and your story with your person.  I had SO much fun working with Dovile and Johnny to customize their engagement session so that it told their story and was full of the things they love most about Chicago!

Couple smiles at the camera during their engagement session wearing a red plaid button up and a navy blue dress.
Couple presses their foreheads together during their engagement session on the Riverwalk in Chicago.
Couple kisses overlooking the Chicago Riverwalk during their engagement session.

A bit About the Couple

Dovile found me on IG awhile back and she is SUCH a sweet human.  I knew we would have a blast at their engagement session in downtown Chicago!  Dovile and Johnny met in college, and one of their first dates actually was to a hot air balloon festival!  These two are ALL about the little things in life and loving and appreciating the experiences they have together. Together we decided that we wanted to include their FAVORITE things about the city they love so much in their engagement session, and let me tell you, their session turned out magical.  Dovile and Johnny decided they wanted to include a bit of the mag mile in their session, and then one of their all time favorite bars in the city. 

Couple walks while holding hands towards the camera in front of the Tribune Tower.
Couple presses their noses together while smiling while overlooking the Chicago River.

Their Engagement Session in Downtown Chicago

We met at Ghirardelli Square for the start of our session and had a total blast, these two are seriously a RIOT to work with! First we walked along the river dancing and taking in all the beautiful architecture of Chicago. This part of Downtown Chicago is incredible for an engagement session as everywhere you look there is just SO much to see and work into your photos. Dovile and Johnny even packed some champagne to pop in celebration of their engagement. While I may have gotten COVERED in it when they popped the bottle it was so worth it and such a fun moment of their session! After we were done by the river we made our way to their favorite bar in Boys town, Elixir!

Couple walks towards the camera laughing and looking at each other in the loop in Chicago.
Couple kisses with the Chicago River in the background.
Couple holding each other while standing on a bridge over the Chicago River during their engagement session.
Black and white photo of engaged couple kissing on a bridge of the Chicago River in Chicago
engaged couple smiling at the camera with their faces right next to each other in Chicago
groom kisses brides temple during sunset engagement session
couple kisses in the center of Michigan avenue in Chicago
Couple kissing while standing on median on Michigan Avenue in Chicago
Couple dances in front of Tribune Towers during their Chicago engagement session
Couple dips and kisses during their engagement session in front of the Tribune towers in Chicago
Couple dips and kisses during their engagement session in front of the Tribune towers in Chicago
Couple pops champagne outside of Ghirardelli shop in Tribune Tower
Couple kissing and walking towards the camera next to the Tribune tower in Chicago
Couple walking towards the camera next to the Tribune tower in Chicago
Groom kissing future bride during their Chicago engagement session
Couple sitting and drinking their favorite alcoholic drinks at their favorite bar Elixir

A Drink at Elixir

When we arrived at Elixir the bar hadn’t opened yet so we were able to get photos in the empty bar which was such a great experience for Dovile and Johnny! There are a lot of small business owners in Chicago that will do this kind of thing for their regulars which is SO cool and really adds to the feeling of community a lot of these places have. Dovile and Johnny’s favorite bartender was there and made them their favorite drinks which added to the occasion. We stuck around Elixir for the rest of their engagement session in downtown Chicago which was the perfect way to end the day for these two.

Couple cheers while sitting at the bar Elixir during their Chicago engagement session
Future bride sitting on her fiances' lap
Future bride sitting on her fiances' lap  with their favorite drinks in their hands.
engaged couple snuggling up close in Elixir, a bar in Andersonville Chicago
Fall engagement photos outside of Elixir in Chicago
Future groom kisses his bride outside of their favorite bar.
Future bride kisses her fiance while showing off her engagement ring.
Future bride kisses her fiance while showing off her engagement ring.
Future bride kisses her fiance while showing off her engagement ring.
Engaged couple toasting with their favorite drinks while sitting at Eliixir bar.
Fiance looks back at the camera while she sits with her soon to be husband at the bar Elixir Chicago

I loved getting to spend time with Dovile and Johnny during their engagement session in Downtown Chicago.  Further emphasizing their love for the simple things in life, these two are having their wedding surrounded by their closest friends and family this September at their intimate wedding venue.  If you’re planning your own epic engagement session and are looking for someone to document the small moments between you and your love, head to my contact page and let’s start planning!

couple sits at a bar facing each other sipping their favorite drink at Elixir Bar
  1. […] There are honestly SO many amazing restaurants and coffee shops in Chicago that are perfect for an engagement session. Having your session at your fav restaurant or coffee shop is such a fun option as it gives your photos such a personal and intimate feel. Having them at your favorite place means they really feel special to you as well!  Every location is going to have a different policy when it comes to photos in their building. Be sure to call ahead when planning to make sure all is in order for your session! One of my 2022 couples chose their favorite bar as a location for their Chicago engagement photos. You can see their session here. […]

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About Jayde 

Docu-torial Photographer

I'm a Chicago wedding photographer with a passion for people, candid moments, authenticity, and golden hour. I document weddings with a ferocity for the real moments that matter on a wedding day: the moments you lived with the people you love. With 200+ weddings under my belt, I use my expertise to guide my clients to feel comfortable and confident so their images feel like them. 

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