Chicago Wedding Photos Archives | Michael & Kristin Photo + Video

Your Guide: Chicago Engagement Session Locations!

Chicago Engagement Session Locations

You've got the love of your life. You've got the ring. And now it's time to do engagement photos and announce to the world that you're getting married! But sometimes picking Chicago engagement session locations can be hard to think through. So I'm here make this decision an effortless one!

For us, we don't just want your engagement session to be "just another pretty photo". We want these photos to reflect who you are as a couple, celebrate the journey that lead you to getting engaged and of course, take some amazing photos that you will cherish for a lifetime! Think of it as date night with us there as the fun third wheel capturing what matters most to you!

For some of our couples that has meant making breakfast tacos on a Saturday morning at their first apartment together, for some it's strolling through their first Chicago neighborhood that they called home, and for some it has meant mountain biking their favorite trail together before taking mountain top photos. It can be whatever you want and our process of getting to know you and understanding who you are allows us to help you figure out what would be the perfect fit for you! Here are some ideas that we love!

The City Skyline

The skyline peeps through at North Avenue Beach!

Montrose Harbor highlights how vast the Chicago skyline is!

The Riverwalk has an up close view of this great city!

Exploring the Neighborhoods

Wicker Park has a beautiful park, fun restaurants and cozy neighborhood streets that make it a perfect place for photos!

West Loop provides and industrial vibe with plenty of gorgeous murals to make any session unique!

This iconic Chicago neighborhood, Lincoln Park, provides all of the charm and quaintness of a classic Chicago neighborhood.

Come to our very own North Center/Ravenswood neighborhood where our studio is for a quiet neighborhood full of little nooks that are unlike anywhere else in the city!

An Iconic Spot For Your Relationship

These two chose to take photos in front of the bar, The Owl, where they first met back in 2015!

One of our favorites! These two chose to cozy up at home in their first apartment together for their Chicago engagement session location!

There is nothing better than commemorating your dating relationship than doing what you love to do together! These two headed to a brewery - their go to date night - for their engagement session!

The Waterfront

Lake Michigan provides a beautiful backdrop with hues of blue that make for an amazing spot like this photo at North Avenue Beach!

A super fun location with lots of greenery at Lincoln Park's South Pond!

The Chicago Riverwalk gives a totally different perspective of Chicago and features the amazing river that runs through the city.

Sunsets overlooking the many boat docks provide a romantic backdrop like this photo at the docks by Montrose Harbor!

Off The Beaten Path

Wild flowers grow beautifully at the Bird Sanctuary at Montrose Harbor. An amazing hidden gem in the concrete jungle of Chicago!

Ping Tom Memorial Park has unique structures, a gorgeous floral mural and amazing views of the skyline nearby - such a hidden gem!

The Chicago Botanic Gardens makes for an amazing backdrop for people who love florals. It's sometimes a forgotten location because it is technically outside the city but definitely worth the drive!

Sometimes a simple studio session makes the perfect backdrop to purely showcase your love! These were done at our personal studio, Creative Club Chicago!

An Entirely New Adventure!

Of course sometimes a Chicago engagement session location isn’t what will ring true for you as a couple - that’s when we’ve had couples bring us along for their adventures - anything from mountain biking to exploring a new town. For Cheryl and Jim, the moment I talked with them in our initial phone call, I knew that flying out to California for their session where they currently live (even though their wedding is in Chicago) was going to be the perfect way to celebrate their love! We chose Lake Tahoe - a place so close to their hearts - as the spot. But don't take my word for it! See what Cheryl had to say below!

"First of all, we are just obsessed with Lake Tahoe. Ever since moving away from Chicago, we made it our little oasis or home away from home. Just a few hours drive gives you breathtaking views, and gives Jim and I time to reconnect with each other, doing some of our favorite things, depending on the time of year. We love hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter there. We’ve even snowshoed! Also love bringing our pups up.

We love going there for the beauty, but it always brings us closer together. Mountains and lakes are good for the soul, and even better when shared with your person. I’m so glad we started going there. When life gets too hectic, we can always count on a little trip to Tahoe to get us re-centered." -Cheryl

You can just tell that this is a place that these two LOVE! They felt so comfortable here and Mike had a blast hiking with them and adventuring to some of their favorite spots!

Here's The Bottom Line

Picking an engagement session location doesn't have to be intimidating. Let it be a way to celebrate you. Think of places or things that are meaningful to you - your favorite date ever, your go to date night spot, the first place you said I love you, meaningful vacations, your default on a Saturday morning or something you two love to do together! With a little thought and planning you can have photos that really lean in to who you are and have Chicago engagement session locations that mean more than just a spot to have a beautiful photo.

Did this help you pick some Chicago engagement session locations? Head to our article about 7 Engagement Photos Outfit Ideas From A Stylist to keep being inspired about your session!

Ready to see if we might be a good fit? Contact us HERE

Chicago City Hall Wedding: A How To Guide

If you're wanting to see what eloping at Chicago City Hall might look like you're in the right place!

Planning a Chicago City Hall wedding is simple once you know the who, what, where and when of the process! I'm here to walk you through exactly what to do so that you can elope in Chicago!

Chicago Backyard Intimate Wedding – Gianna & Joey

Gianna and Joey got engaged during quarantine - arguably one of the most difficult times to plan a wedding! But nothing was going to stop them from having the wedding day that they envisioned! Gianna knew that a Chicago backyard intimate wedding would be perfect for the type of celebration that she knew she wanted. The vendor team made her vision come to life with amazing details that transformed Joey's childhood backyard into a stunning wedding setting inspired by a resort in Tulum. Click the video below to watch a slideshow of the photos and scroll through the images after to hear more of the story of their day!

See more of our intimate weddings here!

Gianna had just her siblings, mother and mother-in-law with her during getting ready which made this part of the day such special moments and memories for them to share.

This stunning photo outside the church was one of Gianna's must haves! We always chat with our couples to get to know them and see what photos are most important to them on their wedding day. so we can be sure to grab those shots! A private residence in Highland Park was the perfect spot to capture some stunning portraits and family photos after the ceremony. If you're looking to do something different with your wedding photos this is an amazing option to consider.

The wedding decor details were coordinated by Tionna with Wed-icity Events and brought to life by Kehoe Designs. Together they transformed Joey's backyard into a stunning Chicago backyard intimate wedding inspired by Tulum!

Much of the day was spent mingling with family and friends which is exactly what Gianna and Joey wanted to do. Their goal was to have an amazing experience for their guests but also get to spend time with each and every one of them. That is the beauty of intimate weddings.

Every person invited was carefully chosen. These three gentlemen have known one another since grade school and remained friends. It was no wonder that her father and his two best friends have played a significant role in her life.

What an amazing day. And a special thanks to all of the vendors who made this beautiful day possible!

Planner: Tionna with Wed-icity

Design and Florals: Kehoe Designs

Hair: Salon Duo Chicago

Makeup: Stellair Beauty

Bridal Gown: Ines Di Santo purchased at Ultimate Bride Chicago

Bridal Earrings: Dannijo

Groom's Suit: Stitch and Heart

Bridesmaid Dresses: Faithfull the Brand

Invitations: Steracle Press

Ceremony Venue: Old St. Pat's Catholic Church

Catering: Limelight Catering

Bakery & Sweets: Sweet Mandy B's and Zarlengo's Ice Cream

Band: Zach Goforth

Getting Ready Hotel: Ritz Carlton Chicago

Transportation: The 312 Limo

Backyard Intimate Wedding in Chicago | Kate + Reese

This backyard intimate wedding was the backyard wedding of Kate and Reese's dreams even though a global pandemic turned their wedding plans upside down.

Bridgeport Art Center Wedding | Mia + Blake

Mia and Blake met on campus at Indiana University. Blake was a bartender and Mia spotted him one night while out on the town. Although they hit it off, Blake graduated and the two didn't reignite the spark between them till a year later. And in Mia's words, they knew that they were with "the one" from the moment they started dating. While Blake spends his days at his dream job in healthcare technology, Mia spends her days as the fantastic Chicago food blogger, Gathered Nutrition (aka Mia Zarlengo). When they started making decisions about their wedding, Mia and Blake knew one thing for certain, they needed a space big enough to fit all of their family and friends. That is where this Bridgeport Art Center wedding came to be! It was the perfect mix of an industrial vibe with plenty of room to party all night long.

Cozy matching pjs and loving family moments made getting ready such a treat. It was so clear how much love that Mia and Blake's family had for them.

One of the highlights of the day was getting to capture a first look with dad. Mia's dad, was so incredibly proud and was speechless seeing his little girl for the first time on her wedding day.

One of Mia's biggest concerns for her wedding day was the unpredictable weather. You never know what you're going to get in Chicago! So we planned to take wedding party photos and Mia & Blake's portraits at Garfield Park Conservatory. That way we still got the beautiful greenery that Mia was incorporating into her wedding decor but we also had no issues if the weather decided not to cooperate.

Every detail in Bridgeport Art Center was carefully planned and placed. The simple green and white florals perfectly complimented the industrial wood and brick of the venue. It was the perfect background to lots of happy tears, roaring laughter and smiles that wouldn't stop.

By the end of the night, there was not one person who hadn't been on the dance floor. This Bridgeport Art Center wedding was one for the books! We couldn't be happier for Mia and Blake!

Saddle and Cycle Club Wedding

Hanna + Travis had the wedding day of their dreams at Chicago’s Saddle & Cycle Club! But all of the stunning details paled in comparison to their absolute adoration of one another…

Lincoln Park Chicago Wedding | Olivia + Dave

It took Olivia and Dave heading across the ocean to meet one another. They met while they were in France and Dave decided to extend his vacation in order to travel with Olivia to Spain and Greece. These two fell in love hard and fast but they knew their love was real! Olivia and Dave did long distance dating for 9 months before settling into a life together in Chicago. Pretty soon they were exploring the city together with their new fur babies! They decided to make use of the beautiful neighborhood of Lincoln Park for their perfect Lincoln Park Chicago Wedding.

See another wedding with outdoor vibes

One of the highlights of their wedding was getting ready! The historic Lincoln Hotel was the perfect spot for these moments. Olivia spent the morning with her best girl friends, her sister and adorable niece! Her pups, Chip and Louie, even made an appearance! The morning was made perfect with a first look with Olivia's dad that was just more precious than words.

Olivia and Dave wanted some classic Chicago locations for their portraits and so we headed to the Wrigley Building and took some photos by the river to capture that truly Chicago feel. We headed straight back to the Lincoln Park Conservatory to get those beautiful green vibes (even though it was the middle of fall) that Olivia and Dave planned for their wedding!

The celebration ended at the beautiful garden greenhouse, A New Leaf, where the greatest stories were shared and the dance floor stayed packed until the very end! Everyone celebrated and enjoyed a delicious meal and cocktails carefully curated by Olivia and Dave (who are passionate about great food and cocktails). This Lincoln Park Chicago wedding was the perfect combination of garden party mixed with an industrial feel. Congrats to Olivia and Dave!

Vendors

~ Planner: Storybook Weddings and Events ~ Venue: A New Leaf ~ Makeup & Hair: Blush & Burgundy ~ Dress Store: Lovely Bride Chicago ~ Groom Stylist: Wedding Gentlemen's Personal Stylist ~ Catering: J&L Catering ~ Bakery: Toni Patisserie ~ DJ: Toast & Jam ~ Lighting: MDM Entertainment

Tags: Couples

Kimpton Gray Chicago Wedding | Alyssa + Tim

Alyssa + Tim's Kimpton Gray Chicago wedding was one of our most favorite weddings of the year. These two are so in love with one another and their families. It was clear this day was going to be a highlight of our wedding season. Tim and Alyssa are a laid back couple who loves to enjoy the company of their family and friends. Their wedding day felt like a big dinner party that they invited all of their favorite people to.

Alyssa got dressed in the Kimpton Gray's beautiful suite that allowed tons of natural light to pour in! Because family is so important, she did a first look with her mom, sister and dad that left us in tears. We even caught a little kiss snuck between her parents. It was clear that Alyssa's parents were just overjoyed that their little girl was getting married.

The Kimpton Gray has so many beautiful spaces and we made use of them all! For the first look, Alyssa and Tim chose the bar on the second floor. It was the perfect setting to capture all of the excitement and smiles!

Now we told you that Alyssa & Tim wanted their wedding day to feel laid back, right? After the first look, we had a little down time before heading out for portraits! All the ladies joined the guys for some beers and to catch the football game. It's moments like these on a wedding day, whether planned or spontaneous, that really allow you to take a step back and enjoy a day that just goes by so fast.

After a beautiful ceremony, we headed to the Boleo Ballroom to finish out this Kimpton Gray Chicago Wedding. It was a night that was full of celebration and a whole lot of dancing! We couldn't be more excited for these two! Congrats!

~ Videographer: Hyperion Entertainment ~ Wedding Planner: The Simply Elegant Group ~ Florist: Flowers for Dreams ~ Stylist: Pin Me Up Chicago ~ Make-up Artist: Pin Me Up Chicago ~ Wedding Dress: Winnie Couture ~ Tuxedo: Black Tux ~ Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale & Bella Bridesmaids ~ Stationery: Shine Wedding Stationery ~ Bakery: West Town Bakery ~ DJ: Okyne Media ~ Rentals: BBJ Linen

See another classic Chicago wedding!

Tags: Couples

City View Loft Wedding | Maria + Peter

Maria and Peter met when they were students at DePaul University. After dating for 8 years they got engaged and were officially ready to tie the knot! These two are such a fun and goofy couple. They wanted a simple wedding (they were all good with getting married at City Hall but their families wanted something a little more traditional). So their City View Loft wedding was the perfect fit for that relaxed feeling while still being a more intimate wedding.

Maria started off the day getting ready at a gorgeous apartment in the city. But it wasn't the decor that blew us away. It was all the personal touches that were incorporated into her wedding attire. From the custom-made wedding dress from one of her best friends to her hair inspired by a copy of a Picasso her mom gave her for a gift, there was so many things on their wedding day that made Maria and Peter's wedding truly special.

With an early springtime wedding, Maria and Peter knew that rain and/or cold weather was a maybe so we came up with a plan to still have an outdoor feel for their photos while planning for the potential spring showers. Enter Garfield Park Conservatory! It was a wonderful spot and really matched the happy and joyful dispositions of Maria and Peter.

This City View Loft wedding ended with some of the greatest speeches we've ever heard and some very precious moments, including a mother-daughter dance that then opened up the dance floor to the rest of the guests. It was a night that was full of love, extra giggles and of course a view of the Chicago city skyline that just could not be beat. So three cheers to this wonderful couple as they start their life together!

~ Florist: Thistle & Plume ~ Tuxedo: Nordstrom ~ Jewelry: Stanley Brown ~ Stationery: Minted ~ Bakery: Vanille Patisseries ~ DJ: Toast & Jam

Tags: Couples

Metropolis Ballroom Wedding | Jaclyn + Paul

Jaclyn and Paul met when she was a sorority girl and he was the "house boy" in college! Although they knew of each other, they didn't actually start dating till they reconnected after college. After their reconnection, the two felt like old friends and their romance quickly bloomed. They spent their days enjoying breweries around Chicago and spending time with their puppy, Kobe. These two incorporated this as a unique wedding experience into their big day!

Be sure to watch in 1080p (click the gear on the bottom right of the video).

As soon as we starting chatting with them, we knew that Jaclyn and Paul were some of the most joy-filled people we had met. Paul was a self described "cry-er" and we knew that there wedding day would be a day filled with happy tears and the biggest smiles!

The day started with Paul's emotional reading of Jaclyn's letter to him while Jaclyn shared intimate moments of joy with her mom during getting ready. And when Jaclyn's dad walked into the room for his first look with his daughter there was not a dry eye to be found. Of course, during portraits Kobe made an appearance!

One of our favorite moments of the day was the time that Jaclyn and Paul built into their timeline to grab a beer from the tavern down the street. Sharing beers together has been such a big part of their relationship so they took some time to connect and do something that they loved when they were dating! Carving out some "you" time during your wedding day is something that I recommend to all of our couples. Your wedding day goes so fast and so even taking 15 minutes together to just be excited and do something that is meaningful to you can bring into focus your whole day.

Laughter, love and SO much joy permeated the reception. They ended the night dancing with all of their favorite people and celebrating. It was a day to remember for a lifetime. What a fun day and we loved getting to see their unique wedding experience at the brewery unfold!

~ Florist: Artistic Floral Design ~ Stylist: Tamara Hair & Make-Up Artistry ~ Wedding Dress: Volle's Bridal ~ Tuxedo: The Black Tux ~ Bridesmaids Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu & Adrianna Papell ~ Stationery: Pretty Polite Print Boutique ~ Catering: Elegante Cuisine ~ DJ: KC Entertainment ~ Photo Booth: Zippybooth

Tags: Couples