The Best Wedding Photo Locations in Chicago (From Our Own Experience)

The Best Wedding Photo Session Locations in Chicago

After filming hundreds of weddings across this city, we’ve learned that the best portrait locations aren’t always the most famous ones. They’re the ones that give you real light, real backdrop, and a few minutes of calm in the middle of a busy day. Here are our favorites, with real weddings we’ve filmed at each one.

The Art Institute of Chicago South Garden

The single most-used portrait stop in our portfolio, and for good reason: lush greenery, classic stone architecture, and a location every couple’s guests will recognize. We’ve shot here for Lauren & Andy, Gina & Benjamin, Chelsea & Kevin, Mandy & James, and Lauren & Ryan.

The Wrigley Building

One of the most recognizable frames in Chicago, and a near-automatic stop on any downtown portrait tour. Kelly Jo & Matt stopped here on their party bus tour after their Saint James Chapel ceremony, and Christina & Jack included it in their landmark tour before celebrating at Venue SIX10. It’s an easy pairing with the riverfront and DuSable Bridge just steps away.

Milton Lee Olive Park

Tucked behind the Jardine Water Filtration Plant near Oak Street Beach, this lakefront park hands couples a wide-open skyline view without the crowds of the more famous downtown spots. Both Kelly Jo & Matt and Christina & Jack used it as part of their city photo tours, and it remains one of our go-to recommendations for couples who want the skyline without fighting for space.

The Rookery Building Light Court

Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1905 remodel of the Light Court gives couples soft, even light through a glass ceiling onto white marble, which means gorgeous footage no matter the season or weather. Janel & Conor used it for a striking architectural sequence before their City Winery reception. Read more in our Rookery Building guide.

Oak Street Beach

Steps from The Drake Hotel, this stretch of lakefront gives couples skyline views over the water without leaving the Gold Coast. It’s a natural pairing for any Drake Hotel wedding, and we’ve used it for portraits between ceremony and reception more times than we can count.

North Avenue Beach and the Lincoln Park Honeycomb

Lincoln Park’s honeycomb structure is one of the most distinctive frames in the city, and North Avenue Beach gives skyline and lakefront views just north of downtown. We used both for Kimberly & Rich and Diana & Kyle, both celebrating nearby at the Chicago History Museum.

The DuSable Bridge and Michigan Avenue

For couples who want the river and the Magnificent Mile in one sequence, the DuSable Bridge delivers. Lauren & Shane took their portraits here after their Fourth Presbyterian ceremony, and Allie & Nick used the riverfront for theirs.

The Fourth Presbyterian Church Courtyard

Tucked just off Michigan Avenue, this Gothic courtyard is a favorite even for couples marrying elsewhere in the city. Both Lauren & Andy and Loriann & Ryan used it as a quiet first-look and portrait spot before their receptions elsewhere. More in our Fourth Presbyterian guide.

The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

A quiet, sunken garden in Lincoln Park that feels worlds away from downtown. Diana & Kyle stopped here on their landmark trolley tour, and it remains one of our favorite hidden-gem locations for couples who want something less crowded than the usual stops.

The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Japanese Garden

For couples celebrating in Glencoe, the Japanese Garden’s bridge and waterfall give portraits a completely different texture than anything downtown. We’ve used it for both Nikou & Anuj and Taylor & Elan. See our full Chicago Botanic Garden guide.

The Adler Planetarium Peninsula

Simply put, the best skyline shot in the city. The Museum Campus peninsula frames the entire Chicago skyline across the water, and we use it constantly for couples getting married nearby. Read more in our Adler Planetarium guide.

Getting the Most Out of Your Portrait Session

A few things we’ve learned after filming hundreds of these sessions: golden hour beats midday light every time, a location within a short drive of your ceremony and reception keeps your timeline sane, and the best photos usually come from spots with some texture, water, greenery, or architecture, rather than an empty parking lot with a skyline in the distance.

Planning your Chicago wedding day timeline? We can help you build a schedule that gets you to the right locations at the right light. Check your date →