Documenting all love stories near or far

Shelby Jane

October 10, 2024

Summer Elopement at Chicago’s City Hall | Stephanie & Edgar

FILED IN: Elopement

There’s nothing quite like a summertime elopement in the city of Chicago. Even as someone who lives in Indiana, it’s impossible to deny how incredible the Windy City is. That’s why I love being able to come back here time & again to document my couples on one of the biggest days of their lives. Today we’ll be taking a peek at Stephanie & Edgar’s elopement day, a perfect example of how even in a bustling city like Chicago you can still have a low key & simple elopement day!

Midwest Elopement Photographer captures Chicago skyscrapers towering in the sky with clouds in the background.
Midwest Elopement Photographer captures Chicago City Hall with clouds in the sky.

Their Intimate Ceremony at City Hall

The day began as I met up with Stephanie, Edgar, & their family outside of Chicago’s City Hall, & would you believe it we were FIRST in line to get in. From the get go I could tell this day was going to be special. I immediately clicked with Stephanie & Edgar, & the giddy excitement we all felt for the day was shared with their loved ones in attendance. As the doors opened to Chicago’s City Hall we made our entrance & headed inside for their elopement ceremony. It was a beautiful & emotional ceremony where Stephanie & Edgar were able to share their vows to one another as their loved ones watched & supported them. The simplicity & low levels of stress were exactly what Stephanie & Edgar wanted for their day, & I’m so glad we were able to make it happen for them!

Bride in a white lace dress hugs her sister in a mauve dress in front of Chicago City Hall before their elopement ceremony.
Families gather around bride in a relaxed white dress before elopement ceremony at Chicago City Hall.
Groom hugs his family before elopement ceremony at Chicago City Hall.
Bride holds a manila envelope as her family stands around her in the hallway of Chicago City Hall before elopement ceremony.
Bride and groom turn to face the camera as they walk down City Hall Hallway before elopement ceremony in Chicago.
Bride and Groom look at the judge during their elopement ceremony in Chicago City Hall.
Bride smiles at the Groom during elopement ceremony at Chicago City Hall.
Bride smiles at the Groom during elopement ceremony at Chicago City Hall in a stunning black and white portrait by Midwest Elopement photographer.
Bride and Groom's families stand and watch elopement ceremony in City Hall room.
Bride smiles emotionally at Groom during elopement ceremony in Chicago City Hall.
Groom puts ring on bride's finger during elopement ceremony ring exchange at Chicago City Hall as their families stand behind them.
Bride puts ring on Groom's finger during intimate elopement ceremony at City Hall.
Bride and Groom hold hands and look at each other during intimate elopement ceremony in Chicago City Hall Room.
Bride and Groom hold hands during intimate elopement ceremony in Chicago City Hall Room.
Bride and Groom kiss during intimate elopement ceremony while their families clap behind them.
Bride holds groom's neck as they kiss during intimate elopement ceremony while their families clap behind them.
Bride and Groom pose with their families after intimate wedding ceremony at Chicago's City Hall.

Elopement Portraits in Downtown Chicago

Another focal point Stephanie & Edgar had for their elopement in Chicago was of course the photos documenting their day. Not only did they want photos of the elopement ceremony & the reception that was to follow, but also portraits of them & their family celebrating together in downtown Chicago. Immediately after their ceremony we were able to make this goal a reality, as we had PLENTY of time for portrait photos before their brunch reception was set to start. First up were family photos outside of City Hall. One of the biggest benefits of an elopement at Chicago’s City Hall is that amazing portrait opportunities are quite literally just steps away! The exterior of the historic building makes for a perfect backdrop for your portraits, & its central location means that there are plenty of other stunning backdrops to enjoy all within walking distance.

Stephanie, Edgar, & I would take advantage of this by heading to some of my favorite locations for their newlywed portraits, the Chicago Board of Trade Building & the Chicago River. It was SO much fun exploring the Windy City with these two! As the three of us laughed our way throughout Chicago, it was clear to me just how much this day meant to both Stephanie & Edgar. The two were practically radiant as we made our way through the Windy City, & being able to document their love in a place as amazing as Chicago was such a treat.

Bride in a long sleeve relaxed dress and Groom walk hand and hand down Chicago streets outside City Hall after wedding elopement ceremony.
Bride and Groom's family cheers and smiles at the Bride and Groom as they kiss outside City Hall.
Bride poses with her hands on her hips outside Chicago City Hall.
Bride in a relaxed white dress smiles at the camera next to City Hall sign at Chicago's City Hall after elopement ceremony.
Bride and Groom stand in the center of a street in front of Chicago Board of Trade Building and look at each other.
Bride looks towards the camera as the Groom looks towards her as they stand centered in the street with the Chicago Board of Trade in the background.
Bride and Groom pose candidly for Elopement portraits in the center of a Chicago street with columned buildings around them.
Bride and Groom kiss in the center of the street with the Chicago Board of Trade in the background.
Bride and Groom dance in the center of a street in front of Chicago Board of Trade Building and look at each other.
Bride looks at the Groom as he laughs towards the camera and they stand in the center of a Chicago street.
Groom spins Bride in the center of a street in front of Chicago Board of Trade Building and look at each other.
Bride and Groom walk in the center of a street towards the front of Chicago Board of Trade Building and look at each other.
Bride and Groom kiss in the center of a street in front of Chicago Board of Trade Building and look at each other.
Bride and Groom embrace and kiss in front of an ornate gold door for elopement portraits in downtown Chicago.
Groom holds Bride's face as she candidly laughs during elopement portraits in Chicago.
Bride and Groom laugh candidly during elopement portraits in Chicago.
Groom kisses bride's forehead romantically during elopement portraits in downtown Chicago.
Bride flips her hair back and shows off her left hand with her diamond engagement ring while standing in front of a large columned building in downtown Chicago.
Bride smiles at the camera while wearing a long lace dress during bridal elopement portraits in downtown Chicago.
Groom smiles to the side as he stands in front of a gold ornate door for elopement portraits in downtown Chicago.
Groom stands in front of a gold ornate door for elopement portraits in downtown Chicago.
Groom smiles to the camera as he stands in front of a gold ornate door for elopement portraits in downtown Chicago.
Midwest Elopement photographer captures Bride and groom's hands on-top of one another showing off their wedding rings.
Bride and Groom cross the street in front of Chicago Board of Trade Building looking at each other.
Bride and Groom cross the street in front of Chicago Board of Trade Building looking at each other.
Midwest Wedding photographer captures a fuzzy cinematic style black and white portrait of a couple walking down a street for elopement portraits in downtown Chicago.
Bride and Groom hold their arms out and hold hands while walking down Chicago street.
Bride and Groom smile towards the camera as they walk down the city sidewalk street during elopement portraits in Chicago.
Bride lifts up her foot as Groom kisses her in front of City Hall sign.
Bride holds onto Groom's arm as they look at each other underneath the City Hall sign for elopement portraits in Chicago.
Bride looks into the camera as the Groom looks at her and they pose in front of a brick wall in a stunning black and white portrait.
Bride and Groom cross Chicago bridge holding a bundt cake smiling.
Bride and Groom embrace and kiss as they stand on a bridge overlooking the Chicago River with Chicago skyline in the background.
Bride and Groom embrace and kiss as they stand on a bridge overlooking the Chicago River with Chicago skyline in the background.
Bride and Groom embrace and kiss as they stand on a bridge overlooking the Chicago River with Chicago skyline in the background.
Groom holds his wife's arm as they stand on Chicago bridge overlooking the Chicago river with Wacker Drive buildings in the background.
Bride and Groom kiss on Chicago bridge with Chicago river and Wacker street in the background for romantic city elopement portraits.

An Intimate Brunch at the Siena Tavern in Downtown Chicago

After we had our fill of portrait photos celebrating their elopement in Chicago, it was time to head to the Siena Tavern for a delicious brunch reception. With their families waiting for them, Stephanie & Edgar arrived for an intimate & lowkey celebration in this comfortable & stylish restaurant in downtown Chicago. It was a simply perfect way to end a day that was already everything Stephanie & Edgar had hoped for.

Midwest Elopement Photographer captures the front of Siena Tavern sign with buildings in the background.
Bride and Groom kiss in front of Siena Tavern restaurant with string patio lights above them.
On a wooden table sits a plate with a Siena Tavern menu and utensils sitting on either side.
Bride and Groom kiss in-front of silver and white balloons set up in a private dining room for their intimate brunch reception.
Bride and Groom smile in-front of silver and white balloons set up in a private dining room for their intimate brunch reception.
Guests sit around a wooden table with cocktails and vases of white flowers during intimate elopement reception at Siena Tavern.
Bride holds her arm up in celebration as she stands next to the groom and her guests sit at a wooden table in front of them.
Bride and Groom kiss in-front of a table set up with their guests during their intimate restaurant reception in Chicago.

I am SO thankful to have been a part of Stephanie & Edgar’s elopement ceremony & celebration in Chicago. I absolutely adore these two & the vision they had for their day, & I’m just so lucky to have been able to document it! If you’d like to know more about planning your own elopement in Chicago check out my complete guide, & if you’re looking to have me document your day head to my contact page & send me an inquiry today!

A vase of white flowers sit centered in a table with wine glasses around it.
Midwest Elopement photographer captures a door leading to a private dining room where bride and groom's guests sit around a wooden table and enjoy the intimate reception in Chicago.

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