Today’s article is a fun one as we’re going to be looking at 12 of my favorite pictures I’ve taken at some of my weddings in Chicago! Parents always say it’s impossible to choose your favorite child, and while picking out these photos I think I felt a similar sensation. There’s no way I can truly pick out my ‘favorite’ wedding photos, as every wedding day I’ve documented is special to me. Each has SO many memories attached to it, and I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve done for my couples throughout the years! Why does this article exist then? Because I couldn’t think of a better way to show off the sheer variety of settings, backdrops, and experiences there are to enjoy throughout Chicago on your wedding day! So let’s get into them!

12 of My Favorite Wedding Pictures I’ve Taken in Chicago

1. Arie and Brett’s Bubble Exit

The first picture I wanted to look at and talk about is Arie and Brett’s bubble exit from their wedding ceremony at St Ita’s church in Chicago! Arie and Brett’s wedding day was a phenomenal experience from start to finish, but this moment really showcases the joy and excitement that was ever present throughout the day. Arie and Brett’s wedding parties were the absolute BEST hype squad, screaming and cheering for these two as bubbles floated around them. I mean just look at the smiles on their faces, how can you not immediately fall in love and want a bubble exit of your own?

2 and 3. Annie and Chaz’s First Dance

The next two pictures are from Annie and Chaz’s wedding reception at Walden Chicago! Much Like Arie and Brett’s day (ok really every wedding day on here!), Annie and Chaz had a spectacular wedding day in Chicago. One of my favorite points of the day though had to be when these two took to the dance floor for their first dance together. The energy, the gorgeous setting of Walden Chicago, and that dip and kiss! Such a great start to a fantastically fun night of celebrating with their incredible group of friends and family.

4. Sarah and Jacob’s Sweet Kiss After Sharing Their Vows

Even though this article is about some of my favorite wedding pictures, I’d be remiss if I didn’t show some love to my Chicago elopements! Sarah and Jacob’s elopement was simple and beautiful, and started with a private moment between the two where they could share their private vows with one another. It was such an emotional way to start their day, and the two capped off the moment with THE sweetest kiss! Talk about seizing the moment and making the most of it. Combined with the iconic backdrop of the golden door outside of the Federal Reserve Building, and this photo perfectly captures the spirit of a Chicago elopement!

5. A Rooftop Portrait of Sam

One of the biggest draws of having your wedding in Chicago are the pictures with the iconic and unmistakable city skyline as your backdrop. There are plenty of spots where you can experience such a view on your wedding day, but few compare to a rooftop view on the edge of the city! During Natalia and Sam’s wedding day we were able to enjoy this experience firsthand, and this portrait of Sam really captures that magical feeling in its entirety. There’s this sense of awe that comes when you see Chicago from this point of view, and it really does make for one of THE best backdrops you can ask for when it comes to portrait photos! 

6. Maya’s Epic Dress Change

I love all aspects of my couples’ wedding days, but I’d be lying if I said my favorite part of the day was anything other than the reception! I love the energy and the pure joy of the celebration, and this picture of Maya dancing in her chic wedding dress during her Chicago wedding reception perfectly embodies those feelings. Another fun aspect I love about this photo, and a wedding trend that I’m obsessed with at the moment, is the awesome dress change Maya had for her reception. A dress or outfit change is such a great way to bring a bit of extra hype and energy to the party, and let me tell you Maya’s did just that!

7. Dovile and Johnny Crossing State Street

There are plenty of ways to authentically capture the spirit of Chicago in your wedding pictures. One such tactic for this is to head directly into downtown, documenting your love while exploring the streets that make up the city itself. Dovile and Johnny’s wedding was one of my earliest Chicago weddings, and a prime showcase of why I love this style of photo for my Windy City weddings. It was SO much fun venturing through downtown Chicago with these two, and I just adore this photo of them crossing state street together. You can see the pure and joyous love in their faces, and the backdrop of the city streets make it feel oh so Chicago!

8. Kaila and Her Wedding Party in Union Station

This next picture is a fav of mine since it was taken in one of my all time favorite locations for indoor wedding portraits in Chicago, Union Station! Union Station really is in a league of its own in terms of beauty thanks to its stunning marble pillars, massive skylight, and remarkable architecture. It really is the ideal backdrop for bridal portraits such as this. Kaila and her gals were simply radiant while taking these portrait photos, making this an easy highlight from their phenomenal wedding day for me!

9 and 10. Natalia and Sam’s Portraits on the Lake

Another one of the many aces up Chicago’s sleeves in terms of stunning backdrops for your wedding pictures is none other than Lake Michigan! As we jump back to Natalia and Sam’s wedding we’ll see the perfect example of this as well as a bit of luck when it comes to Chicago’s weather. Natalia, Sam, and I were treated to some truly ideal lighting for their wedding portraits. Their wedding colors perfectly matched the backdrop of the lake, making an already incredible setting even more breathtaking. You can always count on Lake Michigan to provide a picturesque and scenic backdrop for your wedding day in Chicago, one of the MANY reasons to love this fantastic city!

11. Annie and Chaz’s Wedding Party Portraits at Milton Lee Olive Park

This next photo also showcases a bit of that same luck with the weather that Chicago sometimes loves to show couples on their wedding day! Annie and Chaz’s blue wedding colors fit SO wonderfully with the crystal clear blue skies we were treated to on their wedding day. We got to fully enjoy this during their portrait photos at the beautiful Milton Lee Olive Park, one of my all time favorite outdoor locations in all of Chicago!

12. Maya and Grant’s Winter Wedding Portraits

Last but not least we have one for the winter lovers out there! This picture of Maya and Grant embracing as they explore Logan Square together on their wedding day is a favorite of mine for a lot of reasons. I love how pure and joyful the connection between Maya and Grant is, I love the coat of snow that has turned Chicago into a winter wonderland, and I LOVE how this photo captures the distinct feel of one of Chicago’s many neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are the heart and soul of the city, so I always adore when my couples want to incorporate them into their wedding day, just like Maya and Grant!

There we have it, 12 of my favorite pictures I’ve taken throughout some of my weddings in Chicago! I hope these photos helped to show you just how unique and varied a wedding day in Chicago can be, and how the setting of your photo can drastically affect how it feels and the emotions it conveys. If you’re looking to have me document your wedding day in Chicago you can send me an inquiry through my contact page so we can start planning your day together ASAP!