Meaningful Photo Locations for Your Chicago Elopement

 

Written by: Samuel Gernand of The Gernands Photography, a cinematic documentary-style wedding photographer based in Chicago. All photos by The Gernands Photography.

Since 2020, I’ve had the joy of photographing countless elopements at City Hall in Downtown Chicago. Over the years, I’ve documented couples in some truly stunning photo locations that I can’t wait to share with you. In this resource, I’ll highlight my favorite spots that not only showcase the city’s beauty but also offer the perfect backdrop to match your unique personalities and aesthetic. Let’s make your elopement as seamless and memorable as possible!

1. City Hall

This is a no brainer but… City Hall itself is a fantastic starting point for your photos. The iconic City Hall sign makes for a classic shot, and the hallways and main lobby offer stunning architectural details. While access to the main lobby can be hit-or-miss due to crowds of people or randomly being roped off, the escalators, waiting rooms, and judge’s office provide perfect spots to capture those candid, intimate moments.

2. Chicago Cultural Center

Just a short walk from City Hall, the Chicago Cultural Center is one of my favorite hidden gems for elopement portraits. What makes this spot so special is that it’s a free, indoor location that doesn’t require a photo permit — a rare find in the city! Inside, you’ll find breathtaking architecture, vibrant color, and soft, dynamic light that creates a romantic and cinematic atmosphere. Each room tells its own story, offering a variety of stunning backdrops for your portraits, from intricate mosaics to grand staircases and archways. While it’s especially ideal for couples’ portraits, there’s also enough space to capture intimate family or small group shots. The exterior of the building is equally charming, making this stop a seamless extension of your City Hall elopement experience.

3. The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the most versatile and visually rich locations for elopement portraits in the city. From the grand staircase flanked by its iconic lion statues to the serene gardens on either side of the building, this spot offers an incredible range of settings — especially stunning in the late spring, summer, and early fall.

Inside the museum, the classic marble stairwell and the sleek, modern staircase off to the right offer soft, flattering light and striking architectural beauty. The surrounding galleries can also serve as backdrops — whether you’re drawn to timeless pieces or the colorful energy of the Modern Wing.

The Modern Wing itself is full of light and movement, with bright art and an airy garden space that feels fresh and intimate for outdoor portraits. As a member of the museum, I can offer my couples complimentary admission, which also includes access to the members’ lounge — a cozy, tucked-away spot where we can pause for a cup of coffee or tea. It makes for a great photo moment and a lovely breather in the middle of your shoot.

Whether you’re art lovers or simply drawn to elegant, romantic city settings, the Art Institute offers a meaningful and dynamic space to celebrate your love story.

4. The Chicago Riverwalk

Just a short walk from City Hall, the Chicago Riverwalk is one of my favorite locations to photograph year-round. While it may not be the coziest spot in the heart of winter, on a milder day — even in the colder months — it can still be absolutely magical.

What makes the Riverwalk so special is the breathtaking blend of nature, architecture, and movement. With stunning views of the skyline reflected in the water, it’s the perfect place to capture that unmistakable downtown energy while still keeping things intimate. The bridges overhead not only offer a dramatic visual element, but they also give us a chance to incorporate some of Chicago’s iconic street names into your photos — a subtle but beautiful way to tie your story to the city.

The Wrigley Building, one of Chicago’s most beloved landmarks, sits right along the Riverwalk and provides a timeless and elegant backdrop. There are also pockets of green space nestled throughout, which add a natural, serene contrast to the surrounding cityscape. Whether you’re strolling hand in hand or pausing for a quiet moment along the water, the Riverwalk delivers a blend of romance, vibrancy, and classic Chicago atmosphere.

5. North Rose Garden in Grant Park

Tucked just beside the Art Institute, the North Rose Garden area in Grant Park is a true hidden gem — especially during the late spring, summer, and early fall when the flowers are in full bloom and the trees are lush with greenery. This spot is ideal for couples who want a more nature-forward feel to their portraits while still staying within the rhythm of the city.

One of my favorite things about this location is its quiet, wooded area — it feels like a little enchanted forest nestled right in the middle of downtown. It’s the kind of place where you can feel completely surrounded by nature, even while the hum of the city is just beyond the trees.

There are also nearby bridges that cross over the railways, offering striking views of the skyline and giving us the perfect balance of natural beauty and iconic Chicago architecture. If you’re dreaming of photos that feel soft, romantic, and grounded in nature — with just a touch of urban magic — this location offers all of that and more.

6. Quincy CTA Station

Just a few blocks south of City Hall lies one of Chicago’s most beloved hidden treasures — the Quincy Brown Line station. As one of the oldest remaining ‘L’ stations in the city, it’s steeped in history and packed with vintage charm. The warm tones of its wooden platforms, ornate ironwork, and classic globe lights offer a uniquely romantic and intimate backdrop that speaks to a slower, simpler version of the city.

What I love about photographing here is the mix of stillness and motion — the timeless structure contrasted with the rush of trains passing by above the street. It gives us a chance to play with movement and mood, capturing the feeling of being in the moment, together, as the world keeps moving around you. And if you’re open to it, hopping on the train for a few candid shots can be a playful and cinematic addition to your session.

It’s a little pocket of nostalgia, a love letter to the city itself — and such a fun and meaningful place to include in your elopement story.

7. Board of Trade & Calder’s Flamingo

Just east of the Quincy station is a stretch of downtown that offers some of the most visually rich and classic Chicago backdrops. The Chicago Board of Trade Building, located along Jackson Boulevard, stands as a towering tribute to the city’s architectural legacy. Its iconic art deco design and powerful symmetry make for incredibly cinematic portraits. Just across from it, the pillars in front of the Wintrust Wealth Management building add an elegant, timeless feel — offering a quieter, more refined moment amidst the bustle.

A short walk away brings us to another cluster of city gems. Tucked between Adams and Jackson, near Dearborn and Clark, you’ll find the U.S. Post Office Plaza, Calder’s Flamingo — a bold and playful burst of red sculptural energy — and a charming little garden space nearby. These spots come together to create a beautifully varied canvas for your portraits, blending historic gravitas with vibrant art and soft greenery.

This entire area is perfect for couples who want to feel fully immersed in the textures and pulse of downtown — it’s where movement, monument, and magic all live side by side.

8. Lyric Opera 

Tucked right along the Riverwalk, the Lyric Opera House offers one of the most dramatic and architecturally compelling backdrops in the city. The towering stone pillars and the long, arched hallway at the building’s front create an almost cinematic stage — perfect for portraits that feel moody, romantic, and full of presence.

What I love about this space is its simplicity and strength. The clean lines, soft shadows, and monumental scale give us the freedom to create images that feel timeless and grounded — with just the right amount of drama. It’s incredibly accessible, too, making it an easy stop to pair with other downtown locations like the Riverwalk or the Board of Trade.

For couples looking to capture the quieter, more powerful side of the city — where elegance meets a kind of understated grandeur — the Lyric Opera is a must.

9. Chicago Union Station

Few places in Chicago capture the grandeur of the past quite like Union Station. With its towering stone pillars out front and the soft golden light that pours through its Great Hall inside, this location brings a truly timeless and cinematic quality to your elopement portraits. The architecture is steeped in history — from the sweeping archways to the gleaming wooden benches — and the sense of scale and space within the hall is absolutely breathtaking.

This location does require a photo permit, and while that adds an extra step to the planning process, it’s well worth it for couples who resonate with the atmosphere here. The permit cost is $150 and ensures that we have the freedom and space to create beautiful, uninterrupted images in this iconic setting. I can help walk you through the logistics if it’s something you’re considering — it’s a favorite for a reason.

Whether you’re drawn to the drama of the architecture or simply want to soak in the quiet elegance of the space, Union Station offers a blend of history, light, and intimacy that’s hard to match.

10. Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk

A short Lyft or Uber ride from City Hall, the Adler Planetarium skyline walk offers some of the most stunning views of the Chicago skyline you can find. Nestled right along the lake, this location is a quiet and expansive space that blends the calm of nature with the grandeur of the city.

It’s especially beautiful during early morning or late evening hours, when the light is soft and the view feels even more breathtaking. With fewer crowds compared to some downtown locations, it provides a peaceful atmosphere that allows for more intimate, grounded moments.

If you’re looking to include both skyline views and a connection to nature in your elopement portraits, this location offers the best of both worlds — a space to breathe, be still, and take in the beauty of your surroundings.

11. Chicago Women’s Park & Gardens

One of the most intimate and least-known gems in the city, the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens offers a peaceful, almost secret-world atmosphere that surprises nearly everyone I bring there. Tucked a bit further south from downtown, this location is absolutely worth the extra drive — especially if you’re drawn to garden settings that feel lush, private, and quietly magical.

The space features a beautiful historic home, a graceful fountain, and a variety of trees, flowering bushes, and garden beds that shift with the seasons. In the summer months, the vegetable garden is vibrant and carefully tended, adding a unique and organic charm to the surroundings.

What makes this spot so special is how it invites stillness and connection. It’s perfect for couples who want to step away from the busy city energy and into a space that feels like their own — grounded, serene, and surrounded by life in full bloom.

12. The Rookery Building

Located near the Board of Trade, the Rookery Building is one of the most visually breathtaking indoor spaces in Chicago. Its grand, winding staircase and light court are both iconic and ethereal, offering a stunning blend of ornate architecture and soft, natural light. Every detail — from the ironwork to the marble — creates a cinematic setting that feels both historic and luminous.

There is a photo permit required to shoot inside the Rookery, which includes a $400 fee for a one-hour reservation. While it’s an investment, the atmosphere and aesthetic of the space make it well worth it for couples who are drawn to classic beauty and architectural elegance. Note that scheduling is based on first-come first serve basis. Monday-Friday after 6:00pm. Saturday after 2:30pm and Sundays from 8:00am-8:00pm.

Whether we’re capturing a quiet moment beneath the skylight or moving up the elegant staircase, the Rookery offers an unforgettable space for portraits with depth, grace, and timeless appeal.

-Finding the Right Backdrop for Your Story-

One of the most beautiful things about eloping in downtown Chicago is how many ways there are to make it feel yours. Whether you’re drawn to historic architecture, intimate garden spaces, quiet lakefronts, or the movement and rhythm of the city itself, there’s a space here that can hold the unique energy of your relationship.

These locations aren’t just backdrops — they’re part of the story. They hold light and texture and memory. They can feel grand or quiet, playful or poetic. My goal as your photographer is to help you find the places that feel right for you — that reflect your connection, your vibe, your pace.

It’s not about checking off landmarks. It’s about presence. It’s about walking together, pausing together, taking a breath and really seeing each other in the middle of it all — and then capturing that.

And while this list is full of locations I truly love and trust, the most meaningful portraits often come from places that feel personal. If you love visiting coffee shops together, let’s capture that. If you have a favorite cocktail bar, record store, alleyway mural, or street corner that means something to you — let’s go there. This day is about you, and I’m here to help co-create something that feels true, whatever that looks like. Let’s wander, let’s laugh, let’s make something beautiful together.

 
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