Photo Location Guide
Welcome to our
Photo Location Guide!
Super excited to share some of our favorite spots around Chicagoland for Group Photos and Portraits!
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If you know for sure where you want to go, CLT+F to find it on our list. If you know the neighborhood or venue nearby, give that a search too!
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Each section will show you some inspirtation photos from that location and other important info about the space - whether or not it requires a photo permit, etc.
Downtown Locations
Grant Park
Permit needed. Great location if you’re getting married at any Loop or River North venues!
Gallery, courtesy of: Jess Diaz Photography
Chicago Riverwalk
No permit needed! Great location if you’re getting married at any Loop and River North venues!
Gallery, courtesy of: Victoria Saint Martin Photography
Lyric Opera Building
No permit needed! Public Areas (Lobby) are open to public. Great rain plan! Perfect for any Loop, West Loop, or River North venue.
Address: 20 N Wacker Dr STE 400, Chicago, IL 60606
Gallery, courtesy of: Madi Ellis Photography
Maggie Daley Cancer Survivor’s Garden
Permit needed. Great location if you’re getting married at any Loop or River North venues!
Address: 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Gallery, courtesy of: Fox + Ivory Photography
Renaissance Chicago Downtown
Will need to have a room booked to take photos. Great location if you’re getting married at any Loop or River North venues!
Address: 1 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
Gallery, courtesy of: Mikaila Dusenberry Photography
JW Marriott Downtown
Will need to have a room booked to take photos. Great location if you’re getting married at any Loop or River North venues!
Address: 151 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
Gallery, courtesy of: This is Feeling Photography
Freehand Hotel
Will need to have a room booked to take photos. Great location if you’re getting married at any Loop or River North venues!
Address: 19 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611
Gallery, courtesy of: Mark Trela Photography
Shedd Aquarium/Adler Planetarium Lakefront
No permit needed, but admissions fees required. Great location if you’re getting married at these venues: LM Studio, Venue SIX10, Chicago Illuminating Co, Revel Motor Row, and Tethered Events.
Address: 1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Gallery, courtesy of: Mark Trela Photography
North or South Garden at the Art Institute
Permit Needed. Must be within museum hours (M/W/Fri/Sat 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-8pm, Closed Sundays & Tuesdays) Great spot if you’re getting married at any Loop or River North venues!
Address: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Gallery, courtesy of: Jonathan James Photography
Chicago Locations
Ping Tom Memorial Park
Permit Needed. Great location if you’re getting married at these venues: Lacuna Lofts, Chicago Illuminating Co, Revel Motor Row, Mae District, Tethered Events, or the Zhou B Art Center.
Address: 1700 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Gallery, courtesy of: Once like a Spark Photography, Sandra Armenteros Photography, J Brown Photography
Garfield Park Conservatory
Permit Needed. Great location if you’re getting married at these spots: WildmanBT, Ovation, The Arbory, The Fulton West, Fairlie, and any West Loop venue!
Address: 300 N. Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Gallery, courtsey of: Victoria Saint Martin Photography, Frankie Isabel Photography
Thompson Hotel
Will need to have a room booked to take photos. Great spot if you’re getting married at any Loop or River North venues!
Address: 21 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611
Gallery, courtsey of: This is Feeling Photography
Wrigley Building
No permit needed! Great location if you’re getting married at any Loop and River North venues! You will see other wedding couples there! Lots of people use this space for photos.
Address: 400-410 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Gallery, courtsey of: This is Feeling Photography, Louie Abellera Photography, Fox + Ivory Photography
Humbolt Park Fieldhouse
Permit Needed. Great spot if you’re getting married in any of these locations: WildmanBT, The Joinery, Stan Mansion, Sarabande, Rockwell on the River, or any West Loop Venue!
Address: 1400 N. Sacramento Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Gallery, courtsey of: Fox + Ivory Photography
Lincoln Park
Permit Needed. Great spot if you’re getting married in any of these locations: Cafe Brauer, Salvatores, The Drake Hotel, The Renaissance Hotel, and any downtown venue!
Address: Conservatory - 2391 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
Gallery, courtsey of: Victoria Saint Martin Photography, This is Feeling Photography, Louie Abellera Photography
Olive Park
Permit Needed (Contact: 312-744-6635). Great spot if you’re getting married in any of these locations: The Chez Wedding Venue, The Ivy Room, Chicago Winery, or any Loop or River North Venue.
Address: E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611
Gallery, courtsey of: Louie Abellera Photography
Suburban Locations
Lilacia Park
No permit needed! Great location if you’re getting married at these locations: The Westin Lombard, Pinstripes Oak Brook, Venuti's, or a church in the western suburbs!
Address: 150 S Park Ave, Lombard, IL 60148
Gallery, courtsey of: Fox + Ivory Photography
Hyatt Lodge
Will need to have a room booked to take photos. Great spot if you’re getting married in these locations: The Westin Lombard, Pinstripes Oak Brook, or a church in the western suburbs!
Address: 2815 Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Gallery, courtsey of: Sherah Grose Photography, Carol Bax Photography
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