Every couple wants their wedding photos to be spectacular. That goes without saying. After all, we’re making memories here. But there’s more to creating stunning wedding pictures than simply hiring a talented photographer and turning them loose at the reception.
Like real estate, wedding pictures are all about location, and where you choose to pose for your post wedding photo shoot is just as important as who you hire to operate the camera.
Fortunately, the Chicago area offers some truly remarkable photo opportunities for the newly married couple, and there’s no shortage of beautiful backdrops for a post wedding photo shoot. We’ve put together a list of our 7 favorite Chicago landmarks, each of which can bring something truly special to your wedding picture book.
Millennium Park
Best known for the iconic “Cloud Gate” sculpture (aka the “Bean” to us Chicagoans), Millennium Park boasts 25 acres of lush landscape and breathtaking architecture that offer a veritable smorgasbord of photo opportunities.
The Crown Fountain, with it’s cascading waterfalls and reflecting pool is particularly suited to wedding pictures; or escape into the Lurie Gardens and pose amidst a colorful explosion of flowering plants. If you’re in a more playful mood, the Boeing Galleries offer contemporary art installations that can give your wedding photos an exciting, and sometimes exotic, flavor.
The Adler Planetarium
One of the most popular locations for wedding photos, the Adler Planetarium offers an unobstructed view of Chicago’s world famous skyline. The perfect backdrop for a stylish upscale photo shoot. Plan your photo shoot for the evening, and you can have your pictures taken under the stars. For some added variety, stroll behind the planetarium itself, and have your photographer take a series of pictures with the mighty Lake Michigan in the background. The Adler Planetarium is also home to the Shedd Aquarium, which offers its own unique photo opportunities.
The Navy Pier
Wedding photos should never be boring, and if you want to really go for that fun factor you might consider Chicago’s historic Navy Pier. The carousels and Ferris wheel will bring a sense of fun and excitement to you wedding pictures. The perfect location the couple who refuse to grow up. The Navy Pier pavilion offers some unique photo opportunities, particularly with the famed Chicago skyline looming in the distance. The Navy Pier is also a great location for couples with blended families, and the carnival atmosphere gives you a chance to include the kids in the photo shoot.
Cantigny Park
Finally, if you are looking for a location that has it all you can’t go wrong with Cantigny Park. Formerly the family estate of the publishers of the Chicago Tribune, Cantigny Park boasts 500 acres of manicured lawns, natural walkways, and world renowned gardens. Perfect for those outdoor wedding photos. But there’s more. The exquisite mansion is a wedding photographer’s dream, and the world class museums provide ample opportunities for some truly spectacular photographs.
Wedding photo opportunities abound in the Chicago area, and it can be hard to decide where you want to have your post wedding pictures taken. In many ways, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Take some time to decide on your favorite location, and consult your photographer to get their input. Their advice can be invaluable when it comes to choosing the perfectly location for your wedding photo shoot. But above all, choose a location that excites you both. The memories you make on your wedding day will sustain you both for years to come.
