Chicago Wedding Photography: Great Sites in the City

As one of the oldest cities in the Midwest, Chicago boasts many familiar historical landmarks — as well as some of the most stunning modern architecture in the region. Many of these sites provide ideal backdrops for stunning and unique Chicago wedding photography. In this article we’ll look at several great sites for photography in the city.

Before we do, however, let us offer a quick word of advice: Some historical sites may require permits and/or fees for portrait photography, while others permit photography only at certain times. At some sites, tripods and flash may also be banned. Call to inquire about fees and restrictions before you go to any site — and, as a courtesy, check in with the site manager when you arrive.

Let’s get started with some famous historical sites. Most of the sites listed below are suitable for informal Chicago wedding photography, but a few are elegant enough to serve as a backdrop for a formal “wedding gown” shot.

South Pond Refectory and Men’s and Ladies Comfort Station: Located in Lincoln Park on Chicago's north lakefront, these buildings are reminiscent of a simpler time. The South Pond Refectory (now known as Café Brauer) is a beautiful example of prairie style architecture, while the Men's and Ladies Comfort Station (now known as the Carlson Cottage) has the picturesque architecture of the Victorian era. Both buildings offer large interiors that provide interesting backdrops for group photos, while the park-like setting outside the buildings is perfect for posed and candid shots of the couple.

The Fine Arts Building: Found at 410 S. Michigan Avenue, the Fine Arts Building was built in 1885 for the assembly and display of Studebaker carriages and wagons. In 1898, the building was renovated and converted into crafstmen’s studios. The interior public spaces, including the spectacular murals on the 10th floor, have been preserved in almost their original condition. Although the interior of this building may be a challenge to light, it can provide a regal and opulent backdrop for a formal wedding portrait. This is Chicago wedding photography at its best.
That’s it for now. Check back soon for our second installment, in which we’ll look at more classic sites for Chicago wedding photography.

The Michigan Avenue Bridge and Esplanade: Located on the Chicago River between Michigan and Wabash Avenues, this site offers impressive staircases, imposing sculptures, and a great view of the river and the city. Although it may be challenging to work in this busy outdoor site, the bridge and esplanade offer a great setting for unique, artistic candid outdoor shots. For the truly adventurous couple (and the patient photographer), the esplanade may even be suitable for a handful of formal shots.

The Museum of Science and Industry: Located at 57th St. and Lake Shore Drive, this beautiful Beaux-Arts building was originally built for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, and was later repurposed as the Field Museum of Natural History. Today, the Art Moderne interior provides a beautiful setting for elegant formal shots, while the steps on the exterior of the building provide a natural backdrop for group photos.

The Union Station at 210 S. Canal Street harkens back to Chicago’s days as the nation’s rail center. Although the station is still in use today, its ornate Beaux-Arts main waiting room — with its vaulted skylight, staircases and balconies — could make an impressive setting for semi-posed portraits.

The Humboldt House Park and Pavilion: This Prairie School building has an elegant simplicity that blends beautifully with its natural surroundings. Located at 1301 N. Humboldt Blvd., the building's wide arches frame dramatic vistas of Humboldt Park — and provide a beautiful backdrop for Chicago wedding photography. The park itself also offers many lovely landscaped gardens and ponds.

We hope these suggestions have given you a few ideas of unique and creative sites for your wedding photographs. But if historical architecture isn’t quite your style, check back soon for out third installment. There are many other quintessential Chicago wedding photography spots that offer a more modern twist.

As you’ll see, all of the recommended sites that follow are also popular with tourists. Don’t let this fact dissuade you from considering these sites for posed wedding shots.

In some cases, you may be surprised to find how cooperative those around you are about staying out of the shot. In other cases, being in the midst of all the everyday activity may add an interesting visual irony to your contemporary wedding photographs.

Start with some photos in front of the esteemed bronze lions in front of the Art Institute of Chicago (111 South Michigan Avenue). Never mind that every tourist in Chicago takes a photograph of these lions — they’ll give your wedding photos an immediate sense of place. Challenge your photographer to find fun angles and different ways of approaching the shot.

The Buckingham Fountains (at Columbus Park and Congress Parkway in Grant Park) are another favorite tourist spot that just happens to be an excellent backdrop for Chicago wedding photography. Although the fountains are lovely during the day, they are absolutely spectacular at night, when they are illuminated with colored lights. It may take some creative lighting to get a good night portrait, but the results could be stunning.

Millennium Park (which is located on the east side of downtown) provides a wealth of whimsical Chicago wedding photography opportunities amid the city’s most iconic outdoor monuments. In just one park, you’ll find:
• The BP Bridge, a 925-foot-long stainless steel structure that provides great views of the park and the skyline
• The unexpectedly tranquil J. Lurie Garden
• Cloud Gate — a sculpture known to locals as “The Bean” — which roughly resembles a giant blob of liquid mercury, and offers an amazing reflection of the city skyline
• Crown Fountain, whose 1,000 giant faces smile down at visitors for a few minutes and then appear to spew water onto the pavilion below

Of course, we’ve barely scratched the surface. There are dozens more interesting sites for Chicago wedding photography. With a little creativity, one of them could be the perfect backdrop for a lifetime of memories.