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 July, I had the honor of photographing a beautiful day for Isabella and Anthony, 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 (and the location of their very first date), 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
Isabella and Anthony’s day began with a Saturday 9:30 AM 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.
After the ceremony at Chicago City Hall, Isabella and Anthony were ready to capture some memories with their closest loved ones. While they didn’t have coverage for the ceremony itself, family portraits right after provided the perfect way to share the joy with family members and capture the moment so it can live no forever.
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 family portraits were done, Isabella and Anthony were ready to enjoy a photo session in one of Chicago’s most iconic spots — the Art Institute of Chicago. We took an Uber from City Hall and arrived at 11 am, right when the museum opens on Saturdays. It's also a short 15 minute walk from City Hall to the Art Institute of Chicago, if you would rather do that! The Art Institute of Chicago is where Isabella and Anthony went on their first date so it was a meaningful (and beautiful) spot for their first photos as newlyweds. I love when my couples choose locations that mean something to them - whether it's a favorite dive bar or restaurant, a bookstore they frequent, or around your neighborhood.
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.
- 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!
A Day Full of Love, Joy, and Beautiful Memories
Isabella and Anthony’s day was bursting with joy and was a perfect encapsulation of their love story. Their City Hall elopement allowed them to focus on each other, and their portrait session at the Art Institute of Chicago offered the perfect chance to create lasting memories of their wedding day in the heart of Chicago. Whether you’re considering a City Hall elopement in Chicago or dreaming of wedding photos at one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, this combination provides the best of both worlds: an intimate ceremony followed by a beautiful setting to make your wedding day unforgettable.
Whether you’re planning your own elopement or simply looking for inspiration, Isabella and Anthony’s day is proof that sometimes, simplicity and elegance go hand in hand.
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?