Claudia & Andres’s Micro Wedding at St. Mary of the Angels & Thompson Chicago
Claudia & Andres: A Timeless Chicago Romance
Captured against the iconic backdrop of the Windy City, Claudia and Andres’s wedding was a masterclass in urban elegance and heartfelt tradition, and proof that a micro wedding loses none of the cinema. Married during the COVID era with an intimate guest list, they chose grandeur where it mattered most: a cathedral, a golden hour, and the people they love best.
The Morning: Royal Sonesta Chicago River North
The day began at the Royal Sonesta Chicago River North, where the morning light perfectly illuminated the intricate details of Claudia’s dress, jewelry, and invitations. We captured the quiet, nervous energy of the final touches before the couple’s first look, an intimate moment set against the modern architecture of State Street that produced some of the most cinematic footage of the day.
The Ceremony: St. Mary of the Angels
The scene shifted to the breathtaking St. Mary of the Angels in Bucktown, the “Polish cathedral” whose dome rises over the neighborhood and one of our 12 most beautiful churches in Chicago. With an intimate guest list, the vast sanctuary made the ceremony feel both grand and profoundly personal, and the joy on the couple’s faces as they exited the church is a highlight of the film.
The Portraits: Urban Exploration
With a micro wedding’s gift of unhurried time, we spent over two golden-hour rich afternoon hours on location across Chicago, using the city’s unique textures, its bridges, skyline, and hidden corners, to create a visual narrative that feels both grand and personal.
The Celebration: Thompson Chicago
The evening concluded at the Thompson Chicago in the Gold Coast for an intimate dinner and reception. We arrived early to document the elegant decor before guests were welcomed with a toast and prayer, followed by a romantic first dance, emotional parent dances, and a sweet cake cutting to close our coverage.
The Details
- Videography: 312FILMS
- Getting ready: Royal Sonesta Chicago River North
- Ceremony: St. Mary of the Angels, Bucktown
- Reception: Thompson Chicago, Gold Coast
Love St. Mary of the Angels? See Denise & Michael’s wedding beneath the same dome. And for another intimate celebration, watch a Kimpton Gray micro wedding.
Planning a micro wedding in Chicago? Small guest lists deserve cinematic films, and they leave more time for the portraits that make them. Check your date →
