Eloping in Chicago

Chicago is a city known for its vibrant culture — which means your Chicago wedding or elopement can be anything you want. Thinking of a small ceremony at a local park? Upscale dinner party vibes? City Hall? Make your wedding or elopement whatever you want it to be, and everything you ever imagined.


This October, I had the honor of photographing a beautiful day for Nikita and Oana, who chose to tie the knot at Chicago’s City Hall and then take their first photos as a married couple at one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Art Institute of Chicago. From their ceremony to the stunning portrait session, here's how their unforgettable day went!


The Perfect Start: A City Hall Elopement

Our day began with a Saturday morning appointment at Chicago City Hall. City Hall elopements are a fantastic option for couples who want a streamlined, stress-free ceremony with their essential people. The City Hall ceremony is straightforward, usually lasting around 5-10 minutes. You can expect to wait between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, even with an appointment. At the Chicago City Hall, appointments are only available on Saturdays.


The couple chose to include coverage of the ceremony. Their ceremony was intimate, with just them, their two family members and a close friend (and me)!

A few tips for couples planning their own City Hall elopement:

  • Consider timing: If you plan to take portraits afterward, make sure to leave enough time to get to your next location — like the Art Institute of Chicago! If you're going to have a photographer, talk through how they handle City Hall ceremonies running behind and talk through the timeline of the day.
  • For my couples, if City Hall is running behind, I guarantee all elopement clients at least 1 hour of portraits. If we run behind schedule and the wait takes 1.5 hours or 2 hours, I absolutely guarantee at least 1 hour of portraits even if that means we go longer than our designated end time.
  • If City Hall runs ahead of time and we get to have the Ceremony earlier, that just gives us extra time to get some more photo locations (ex: Millennium Park, Cultural Center).
  • Book your City Hall appointment early: Appointments for Saturdays at the Chicago City Hall fill up fast, so make sure to secure your spot ahead of time.
  • Arrive prepared! On the day of your appointment, you'll need a valid marriage or civil union license and a $10 administrative fee. You must obtain your marriage or civil union license at least one (1) day in advance - but no more than 60 days before the ceremony.


Newly-Wed Portraits at the Art Institute of Chicago

Once the ceremony was done, we were ready to enjoy a photo session in one of Chicago’s most iconic spots — the Art Institute of Chicago. We walked from City Hall and arrived at 11 am, right when the museum opens on Saturdays. The rest of the family drove and met us there. The short 15 minute walk there led us through the streets of Chicago and - I have to say - led to some of my very favorite and oh-so Chicago photos! Looking back at them now, all I think about is how much I love this city, and how Nikita and Oana's joy just leaps through the screen.

Tips for taking portraits at the Art Institute of Chicago:

  • If you're wanting portraits during the Art Institute of Chicago's regular operating hours, you just need to pay the regular cost of admission. There aren't any additional photo permit fees, unless you want a private photo shoot. If you're interested in a private photo shoot, send an email to eventrentals@artic.edu. Read more here.
  • You can't bring in flash, tripods, monopods, handheld microphones or other extraneous equipment (unless you've reached out and cleared it by them already via email or submitting their Filming and Photo Shoot Proposal Form).
  • You can't bring in real flowers - that includes bouquets and boutonnieres.
  • You have to check your bags, so your photographer will have to wear their equipment in. Bag check is provided at no cost.
  • Arrive earlier if you can! The museum gets very busy, especially on the weekends later in the day, so I would recommend arriving when they open!

Your Day with Mary Xiang Photography

Just because you’re planning a City Hall elopement doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice anything. With Mary Xiang Photography, you can have the best of both worlds: a thoughtfully guided experience, stunning documentary-style images, and budget-conscious options tailored specifically for intimate weddings and elopements.



Whether you're keeping things simple or adding personal, luxurious touches, I'm here every step of the way— from the very first email to the moment your final gallery is delivered.


Photography That Fits Every Budget (Without Feeling “Budget”)

Elopements are often more affordable than traditional weddings, and my elopement collections are designed with that in mind. You don’t need a full-day package or a massive photography team to capture your day beautifully. With flexible hourly coverage and options tailored to smaller events, I ensure that you get gorgeous, professional imagery without the overwhelming price tag of a large wedding package.


You’re still getting high-touch service—just on a scale that matches your vision.


From Inquiry to Delivery, You're Fully Supported

From your first message, I bring a warm, organized, and personal approach. I'll guide you through the planning process, help you create a timeline (even for short elopements!), and recommend the best portrait locations — like the steps of the Art Institute of Chicago and the gardens around Millennium Park, to small, neighborhood spots.


I don't just show up with a camera— I become part of the rhythm of your day, helping you feel relaxed, confident, and fully present.


Here’s what you can expect:

  • Customized coverage based on your unique day (whether it’s 1 hour or 4)
  • Timeline guidance to help you plan the flow of your day
  • Location scouting for beautiful, light-filled backdrops in the city
  • Gentle posing direction so you don't ever feel uncomfortable in front of the camera
  • Sneak peeks delivered quickly, so you can start reliving the day right away
  • A full gallery that feels authentic to your day


Interested in learning more?