Top Ten Wedding Photo Locations in Chicago

by Camille McLamb

reprinted as appeared on chicago.thewedding.com

photo by Emily Gualdoni Photography

With its impressive architecture and unique attractions, Chicago provides a variety of stunning backdrops for photography. Many couples take advantage of the city’s features, spending a few hours on wedding day, either before or after the ceremony, to take wedding photos around town. Whether you want skyline vistas or garden foliage, here is my top ten list of wedding day photo spots in Chicago:

Chicago Marquee
A shot of the newlyweds with the famous Chicago Theatre marquee will make it clear for posterity where you got married. The lights on the sign are spectacular at night, but the colorful sign grabs attention for great daytime shots, as well.
Address: 175 N. State St.

The Bean
This quirky sculpture, formally named Cloud Gate, is a popular tourist destination and a favorite with wedding parties. The reflective surface can make for some artistic shots. But it can be crowded, and you likely won’t be the only wedding group there.
Address: 201 E. Randolph St.

Buckingham Fountain
A Chicago landmark that is a fun stop for a summer wedding. The fountain’s water display occurs for 20 minutes every hour. Inspired by the Palace of Versailles, the fountain provides an elegant setting for group photos while still being outdoors.
Address: 301 S. Columbus Dr.

Adler Planetarium
For some of the best skyline views, couples head to Adler Planetarium. With the lake and the beach there too, it’s a scenic spot for photos. But be sure to allow for plenty of time getting to and from the museum campus.
Address: 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.

Art Institute Garden
This little courtyard garden on the Art Institute’s south side provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of Michigan Avenue. Generally a quiet space, the canopy of trees, sculpture fountain, and stone benches offer nice photo opportunities and a moment of peace. 
Address: 111 S. Michigan Ave.

Michigan Avenue at Wrigley Building/Riverwalk
On the other hand, if you want to capture the energy of the city, go for a shot of the couple on the median of Michigan Avenue, as cabs and cars whisk by. You can then head down the spiral stone stairs to the Riverwalk for some photos of the Chicago River and surrounding famous architecture.
Address: 400-410 Michigan Ave.

Kinzie Street Bridge
For that industrial Chicago feel, Kinzie Street Bridge, with its high steel trusses, has become a must. It’s a great location for the full wedding party, but be prepared to wait, as other wedding groups take their turn.
Address: Kinzie St. & N. Canal St.

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
If you want to get back to nature, the Lily Pool offers rocky limestone paths, a prairie style shelter, and, of course, plenty of lily pads. Located in Lincoln Park, it is a national historic landmark.
Address: 125 W. Fullerton Parkway

Union Station
When planning the photo locales, don’t forget to consider a possible rain plan! With its massive stone columns, elegant staircase, and detailed ceiling, Union Station provides a grandiose indoor stop for photos.
Address: 225 S. Canal St.

Chicago Cultural Center
Stained glass domes, curving staircases, and marble walls with colorful mosaics create a magnificent backdrop. The location near Millennium Park is convenient if an unexpected rainstorm interrupts your photos, or if you simply need a break from the heat! 
Address: 78 E. Washington St.

When choosing your photo stops around town, map out the route in advance to best maximize your time around town. When planning the number of stops and amount of time for the trip, be sure to take into account likely city traffic. Rather than worrying about making it to each planned stop, be flexible and enjoy each location! You’ll get beautiful photos but will also be making memories in the process, as you spend time with your closest pals and newly minted spouse!

Tell us your favorite photo spots in the city!

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How to Entertain Guests During Wedding Photos

Photography has become a huge component of wedding day. Here in Chicago, with the beautiful parks, lakefront, and urban architecture that the city has to offer, it's no wonder that brides today want to do extended photo sessions with their new hubby and bridal party after the ceremony. But while the bride is with her entourage snapping photos around town, what are the guests to do? Here are some ideas for keeping guests entertained during the downtime.

If possible, try to limit your post-ceremony photo session to an hour. That way, guests can go directly to the cocktail hour to enjoy drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and conversation while you enjoy being the apple of the camera's eye. Don't worry about missing out on the cocktail hour food. Your wedding coordinator or caterer can set aside a plate of hors d'oeuvres for you and the groom to sample when you arrive.

If that hour simply won't cut it for your big photo plans, then arrange an activity for your guests.  A trolley or bus tour is a fun way to keep guests together, show them the city sights, while allowing them to save their feet for a night of dancing!

Many wedding venues are museums or historic sights, where guests can go on self-guided tours before the cocktail hour.  Or, maybe there is a museum or attraction nearby.  You can arrange to get a block of tickets for your group of guests.

If your guests don't mind a little action, send them on a photo scavenger hunt! Or, at an outdoor venue, set up lawn games!

A smooth flow from one wedding activity to the next will make your wedding day a more fun and enjoyable experience for your guests.  So, don't leave 'em hanging during your photo time, get planning!

What ideas do you have to keep your guests entertained?

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How to Spice Up Your Posed Wedding Photos

Photography is often one of the most important aspects of the wedding for many couples. When the cake is eaten and the band has stopped playing, it’s the photos that will remain and showcase the memories from the big day. So, make those photos stand out with these tips to spice up your wedding photos:

Location, Location, Location

Take advantage of your surroundings! Your photographer is sure to know many options for scenic shots,so discuss possible locations with him in advance. If getting hitched in Chicago, there are seemingly endless picturesque scenes to capture some favorite moments of the special day.

Consider these unique photo spots in Chicago:

• The Bean/Millenium Park
• The Northeast side of Adler Planetarium
• Buckingham Fountain
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• The Wrigley Building
• The Old Water Tower Building
• In a Horse-Drawn Carriage
• The Intersection of LaSalle and Jackson
• The Chicago Theater
• The Lakefront off of Montrose
• Morton Arboretum in Lisle
• Lynfred Winery in Roselle

Have a Plan

Once you’ve decided on a location, it's time to tame the wild bridal party that comes along for the photos. The key to getting through your photos with a genuine smile on your face is organization. Make sure you and your photographer are ready for the shoot..

Create a photo schedule and stick to it. As much as your bridesmaid sorority sisters may want to catch up, they’ll need to save their gabfest for the reception so that you can squeeze in all of the photos you want in a short time-frame.

Decide on groupings ahead of time.  Getting everyone into the right photos does not have to be a difficult task! Give your photographer a detailed list of who you want in each photo. It’s best to specifically list each family combination so that your photographer doesn’t miss any important shots.

Let your wedding coordinator be the drill sergeant. Your wedding coordinator can help round up people for photos. Give your coordinator a copy of the photo list so she can help keep the photo process organized. With a “people-wrangler” putting family members on stand-by, your photos will fly by.

Create your photo order with a purpose.  Make sure to strategically plan those group photos. If your cousin and her family are only in one photo, take it right away so they can head to the reception area and be out of the way. Similarly, if your parents are in dozens of photos with different people, try to do them in a row. This can save time by keeping them in the shot and simply replacing the others in the photo.

Allow some extra time.  Your day is tightly scheduled as it is, but adding 10 minutes to your pictures can be a saving grace. You want to make sure that even if your two-year-old ring bearer has a fit, you can still get photos with him. Tacking on a few extra minutes can allow you to go with the flow and fix most situations without throwing off the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Be Realistic.  If your church only allows 15 minutes for photos after the ceremony, your photographer likely won’t be able to get through a three-page list of extended family members. Take photos of immediate family members and the wedding party at the church, and plan to take photos of extended family and friends either before the ceremony or later at the reception.

Laugh.  Everyone has that one family member that can drive you nuts. Instead of letting them get the best of you and add stress to your big day, laugh it off. Not only will you release built up stress, you can continue to enjoy your day, and create a GREAT shot. Laughing shots are some of the most genuine candids you can get, as an outpouring of happiness comes across on screen.

Be Creative

Don’t be afraid to be creative with your poses. You never know what may turn out to be a favorite moment from the day!

A few ideas:

Blindfold the groom! It's a great shot without spoiling the first moment the groom sees the bride. It captures real sentiments and can keep both the bride and groom calm before the ceremony.

The first moment the groom sees his bride is a moment you cannot recreate. Whether it happens before the ceremony or as the bride walks down the aisle, capture both sides to highlight a moment you’ll never want to forget.

Write a letter to each other and read them with a door or screen between the bride and groom. This creates a special moment, as the photographer captures the reactions.

Using signs in your photos can create easy captions. They can make for great beginnings or endings to a wedding photo album as well as adding a unique touch to your photographs.

Using signs can also come in handy later. Taking the time to take a few shots with “Thank You” signs can make for a memorable and personal thank you card for you guests. It also provides another opportunity to showcase those wedding photos you treasure so much!

What are you doing for your wedding photos? Tell us below....

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Quick Tip: Getting Outdoor Wedding Photos Without Staining Your Dress

On your wedding day, you'll most likely want to take photos wherever you can to get a great shot with a beautiful background.  You may be traipsing through grass, gardens, fields, or even vineyards in your gorgeous white dress.  Here's a great tip for getting those fantastic photos without staining the bottom of your wedding gown or its train. If you're taking a photo outside or in an area that could stain your dress, simply spread a white sheet out on the ground.  Stand on the sheet (or cut a hole in the sheet where you'll stand) and arrange your dress and train so that the sheet is hidden underneath.  In the picture, the sheet will be invisible while the bottom of your dress is protected.  Now you can just smile and say cheese!

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Picture Perfect

When selecting a photographer, think ahead.  Your relationship with your photographer doesn't end after you've cut the cake and jetted off to your honeymoon.  Most likely your photog will be responsible for sending your proofs, ordering your prints, and creating your albums.  Don't be left still waiting for your digital images a year after your big day.  Ask lost of questions to potential photogs, so you know what to expect throughout the process. Here is a list to get you started:

• (For large companies) Will I get to choose the photographer that shoots the wedding?
• (For large companies) Will I get to meet with the photographer before the wedding?
• Will the photographer have an assistant that takes photos also?
• What packages do you offer?
• Do you take only a specific number of photos?
• Do you stay only a specific number of hours or until the end of the reception?
• What is the overtime charge if the wedding is not over before the time contracted for?
• Do you check with me before going into overtime or leaving the wedding?
• Do you have a backup photographer in case of illness or an emergency?
• Do you bring backup equipment with you?
• What is your photography style? Photojournalistic? Artistic? Traditional Posed? Combo?
• Will you follow a list of desired shots?
• How long after the wedding until we get to view the proofs?
• Do I get the copyright ownership to the photos?
• How long after the wedding until we get all of the negatives/digital images?
• What type of albums do you use?
• How many pages in the standard album?
• How much does it cost for extra pages?
• When can we expect to receive the albums?
• How will I receive the proofs? The albums? The digital CD? (mail? Pickup? Online?)
• Do you do any retouching to the photos?
• Who creates the album?
• Do I get to choose which photos will be included in the album?
• Do I get to approve the layout for the album and make changes before it’s printed?
• Do you release the albums to us even if others (such as the bridal party) have not paid for their orders?

Once you've chosen your photog, don't be afraid to give direction and be specific.  If there are certain locations around the venue where you want photos taken, tell the photog. If there are certain shots you want taken, give the photog a list. Don't assume that the photog will remember preferences you talked about in your initial meeting.  Whether details about your album or shots you want taken on wedding day, be sure to reiterate them to your photographer at the appropriate time. The more specific you are with what you want, the more likely you are to be satisfied when you get back your proofs.

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