Well, call me biased, but searching for a Chicago photographer is a great starting point. All jokes aside, getting your vendor dream team lined up is a great place to start because 2020 brides have now to work around 2021 brides. Start your search by securing your venue, planner, caterer, photographer, or videographer that you want as they may no longer be available if time passes.

Good question. In the past, elopements were defined as 2 young lovers running off alone to a church in Vegas to be secretly married off by Elvis. If that’s your cup of tea, drink that tea. These days elopements and micro weddings are considered a breath of fresh air. It all comes down to guest size. Elopements typically have a handful of guests and are usually more adventure filled than a traditional wedding or even mini wedding. Depending on what you are doing this can be a couple hours or a full-day adventure. Mini/Micro weddings on the other hand require a bit of structure and usually involve 10+ guests. With Chicago state limitations, this can be upwards of only 50 people in indoor spaces. Micro weddings give you the benefits of a traditional wedding without the stress and expectations that accompany it. 

Illinois is known for prairies and rolling hills. Mountains aren’t in our cards but that shouldn’t stop your adventurous side. If you want rocks and forests as your Midwestern backdrop there is still hope. Places like Garden of the Gods, Starved Rock State Park, or Matthiessen State Park provide what our California, Colorado, Montana counterparts have the pleasure of experiencing daily. You may also have a City Hall Wedding and plan for a lovely dinner afterward with your chosen guests. 

Don’t get me wrong, mountains, really anything nature-oriented, produce a stunning backdrop for intimate moments such as weddings? DO IT if you have the opportunity. But you have more options than you know in the city. You can get married anywhere because now there’re fewer people to worry about cramming somewhere. Where you had your first date, the backyard of your parent’s home, it can be as simple as a City Hall wedding with a nice sit-down dinner at your favorite restaurant downtown Chicago. Really any place that has a special meaning to the two of you is where your wedding will shine.

Hey, this is your wedding. If you want two parties. You have two parties. I get it, guest size has been cut down drastically. The beauty of your wedding is it’s your wedding. You can have a small intimate celebration this year and when Chicago allows for larger gatherings you can have a PARTAY!! Break the norms. Split them up.

Well, I am glad you asked. You can reach me via the contact button above or mosey on over to the inquire page up top and let's cross off "find a Chicago Wedding Photographer" off your to do list.