When it comes to wedding, post, or pre-wedding shoot locations in Chicago, we are most definitely spoilt for choice. From gorgeous gardens to stunning skylines and famous landscapes, there are a hundred places for couples to get lost in each other’s arms and take beautiful pictures.
Amid all the wedding planning stress and confusion, choosing the perfect place for your engagement shoot can be overwhelming, considering the multitude of options available.
As a professional Indian wedding photographer in Chicago, it is our job to find the best locations in the city for your beautiful pictures. We are pros in the art of scouting for the perfect frames.
So, to make things easier for you, here is a compilation of the top 10 best pre-wedding shoot locations in Chicago, IL.
If you are confused about your actual wedding venue, check out our guide to the top 10 best wedding venues in Chicago here.
1. Wrigley Building
The Wrigley Building in Chicago is one of the most popular spots in the city for photoshoots, and not just for weddings. For the same reason, it would be difficult to find a frame with no people in it. However, an expert Indian wedding photographer can use professional tools like Photoshop to edit out the crowd. The location provides breathtaking frames with views of the Chicago skyline in the backdrop. You can also catch some spots with neutral-colored vintage architecture. You can take your pick and choose a mix of both styles for your pre-wedding shoot.
2. Chicago Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk is a comparatively less packed spot with a gorgeous mix of skyline views, a few bridges, the river, and some greenery. Located under the street roads of Chicago, the Riverwalk covers a fairly long stretch, which allows you to take a variety of pictures using different frames. Some of the most famous buildings in Chicago can proudly form your background at the Riverwalk, the most used one being the intersection of North Michigan Avenue with Wacker Dr. You can perhaps pick different themes, and include an outfit change or two for the perfect pre-wedding photo album.
3. Montrose Beach
The Montrose Beach, located on the North side of Chicago, is yet another spot that offers a variety of picture-perfect frames. You can choose from the wonderful sandy shores and the blue waters, the long piers, the magnificent city skyline, or the great preserve. If you’d like to choose more than one frame, you can go for two or three outfit changes as well. What’s more impressive about Montrose Beach is that they allow pets too. In fact, it offers one of the largest dog beaches in Chicago. Hence, if you wish to include your furry friends in your shoot, this is your spot.
4. Buckingham Fountain
The Buckingham Fountain is also a very popular wedding and engagement shoot location; however, it is fairly large and accommodative. A lot of couples and their Indian wedding photography teams flock to the place to capture moments, but you will still be able to find deserted spots perfect for your own. It houses one of the largest water fountains in the world, which adds value to your memories. Plus, it also has views of the North and South Rose Gardens and the city, so you can take your pick and choose a mix of themes. In case it gets too hot, you can also find some shade around the fountain, so that you don’t end up looking too sweaty in your pictures.
5. Chicago Theatre
The Chicago Theatre is quite literally the glaring landmark of the city. Located at its heart, the place offers the most unique and indigenous Chicago ambiance. Hence if you seek to bring the heart and soul of the city through your pictures, this is the place to be. Plus, since the best spots are on the streets overlooking the grand signboard, you don’t even need special permits for photography. For the best results, this is one place where you can try nighttime photography. Capture the essence of Chicago with the city lights in your engagement pictures.
6. Caldwell Lily Pool
The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is the epitome of nature-rich elegance. As it is not a vastly laid out space, there is a good chance you can get the best spots for yourself for your engagement shoot. It is a beautiful Lily Pond with a small waterfall, giving the most wonderful environment to share some romantic moments together for couples. Summer and Autumn would be the best times to shoot here, with the greenery in full bloom. The park will be closed during the winter. If you wish to have your shoot at a place away from the bustling city of Chicago, this is the perfect location.
7. Promontory Point
The Promontory Point is situated on the Southern half of Chicago city on a part of the lakeshore that projects over on one side creating a jetty. For the same reason, the place offers a unique city view. Set picturesquely along Lake Michigan, the spot offers a seemingly eternal view of the skyline with a beautiful natural backdrop of rocky boulders as well. Some people have even used the spot as their wedding venue owing to its natural beauty. Use an exceptional Indian wedding photographer in Chicago to capture some amazing moments here.
8. Olive Park
The Olive Park, located close to the Navy Pier is another beautiful space that offers views of both, the Chicago skyline and the lake. Even though you don’t get the full skyline, you do get the Hancock Tower and the Ohio beach in the backdrop, just enough for people to identify the city. Additionally, you also get a brilliant view of one of the largest Ferris Wheels in the world on the south side. If you are looking to include some outfit changes, you can always drop over to the Navy Pier and click more photographs. Summers would be the best time to have your pre-wedding shoot here.
9. Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory is a location known for its lush beautiful greenery. The plants and trees along with the small water bodies offer a wonderful tropical vibe, perfect for intimate engagement shoots. The place also has a few restrooms, which makes it easier for couples to change outfits in between. There is also comparatively less space, which ensures enough privacy and room for perfect shots. The location is ideal for pictures all year round, but in the winter, the ambiance is particularly magical.
10. University of Chicago
The campus of the University of Chicago is perfect for couples who wish to bring about a vintage and sophisticated vibe to their pre-wedding photos. Named the “most beautiful campus” in the city, the place is often compared to the fictional Hogwarts campus, as it has towering trees overlooking the university blocks. With the gothic-style buildings complete with ivy-covered walls, and the fallen leaves covering the grass during Autumn, the University campus provides a stunning romantic ambiance, ideal for couple photography. It is also a popular location for Indian wedding photography.
Final thoughts
Once the wedding dates are set, the pre-wedding shoot is probably the second most exciting part of the whole experience, after the wedding. You get to click some of your best, most romantic pictures with your fiancé and you get to announce to the world, that you are going to marry the love of your life.
It indeed calls for the best Indian wedding photographer in Chicago, and the best locations in the city, to make the most of the shoot.
Use this guide to pick your location, check out the place on Google Maps with our direct links, and give our team a call to frame your magical moments. For updates check our Instagram page.
Also read – Everything To Know About Gujarati Weddings