Wedding Photos of Chicago

The following “Chicago” images were created by documentary wedding photographers from the WPJA, who regularly submit their best candid moments, artistic portraits, details, and scene setters for review by our WPJA competition judges.

WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS + ARTISTIC PORTRAITS & DETAILS + ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Some of the “Chicago” marriage photography samples below may have come from the getting ready events, the actual wedding ceremony, the reception after-party, an engagement session with the couple, or possibly be artistic portraits or detail shots.

FINE ART WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: Our Artistic Guild award winners take a more creative approach to wedding day Portraits and use their innovative skills to capture the Details of each couple’s special day. The Artistic Guild’s Scene Setters are some of the most notable and breathtaking from within the artistic WPJA contest categories. Playing with light and shadow, special effects, and post-production editing, these images embrace the artistic component of wedding photography.

PRE-WEDDING ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY: The story of every couple starts long before the wedding day, and the engagement marks one of the most important milestones in their story. Engaged couples often want to celebrate the occasion and announce their upcoming wedding with a photoshoot. Pre-wedding portraits of an engaged couple can be just as moving and compelling as the images taken on the wedding day. Engagement portraits can win a Diamond Award, an exclusive WPJA award whose winner is selected from the best engagement photography in the world.

Newlyweds leave their Chicago wedding reception at New Leaf in a horse-drawn carriage, captured in a black and white action shot.

Newlyweds Depart Chicago Wedding Reception at New Leaf in Horse-Drawn Carriage – Black and White Action Shot

Amid the excitement of a Chicago wedding, the bride takes a brief break to check her phone before making her grand entrance into a stunning church ceremony

Bride Takes a Moment to Connect amidst Bustle of Chicago Wedding

pre aisle march church ceremony chicago bride checking phone Illinois Chicago wedding photography Chicago

In Chicago, a couple poses for an urban-inspired portrait in a colorful alleyway adorned with eye-catching graffiti. The warm, low-lighting captures their loving embrace.

Couple Embraces in Chicago Alleyway for Colorful and Romantic Engagement Portrait

low light warm light Chicago engagement photography alleyway Chicago urban portrait graffiti

This photo captures the joyous moment as the newly married couple walks down the aisle in Chicago. The happiness and love radiating from their beaming faces is evident as everyone celebrates with raised arms after the civil ceremony.

Newlyweds radiate love and joy while walking down the aisle in Chicago ceremony

civil ceremony Chicago wedding photography down the aisle beaming faces Chicago

This photo captures the energetic atmosphere of a Chicago wedding, with guests dancing and celebrating on the dance floor. The black and white effect adds a timeless and classic touch to the rowdy party scene.

Chicago Wedding Guests Let Loose on the Dance Floor in Timeless Black and White Documentary Image

Illinois Chicago wedding photography party classic touch black and white dance floor rowdy scene

During their engagement portrait session in Chicago, the man lovingly wrapped his arms around his soon-to-be bride, both beaming with warm smiles.

Chicago Engagement Portrait with Beaming Smiles and Warm Hugs

tight shot Chicago warm smiles arms wrapped Chicago engagement photography

A timeless black and white photograph capturing a bride and groom under a beautiful arch in Chicago, highlighting the intricate architecture.

Underneath Chicago's Enchanting Arch: A Timeless Bride and Groom Embracing in Monochrome Splendor

beautiful timeless bride intricate monochrome marriage groom

A romantic black and white wedding photo captured from a high angle as a bride and groom ascend the stairs from Chicago Riverwalk, creating a timeless and elegant moment of love and togetherness.

Timeless Elegance: Bride and Groom Ascend Chicago Riverwalk Stairs In Romantic Black and White

ascend bride timeless groom Togetherness Illinois black and white

A joyful wedding party getting ready in a beautiful room at Firehouse Chicago, filled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming ceremony.

Preparing for Love at Firehouse Chicago

getting ready Chicago Documentary Wedding Photography Chicago bridal preparations Firehouse Chicago

A stunning first dance wedding photo captured at the iconic Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago, showcasing the epitome of classic Chicago style in Illinois.

Chicago Rhapsody: A Timeless First Dance at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel

first dance iconic hotel lit dance floor Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago Chicago Documentary Wedding Photography Illinois wedding cake

Modern, stylish, and contemporary, this award-winning wedding day portrait captures a couple in Chicago, surrounded by autumn leaves, about to share a loving kiss with joyous smiles.

Chicago Autumn Love: A Modern, Stylish, and Contemporary Wedding Day Portrait

autumn leaves Joyous Smiles Chicago Artistic Portrait loving kiss modern love stylish couple portrait session

Award-winning wedding photographer captures the modern and stylish essence of the bride and groom's rings, arranged in a straight line on a clean white background, adorned with a delicate oval of white flowers.

Santa Barbara Dream: Rings Aligned, Floral Halo, Minimalistic and Elegant

Artful artistic wedding detail shots couples rings Chicago Chicago Artistic Details white flowers white backdrop

Chicago, Illinois-based wedding photographer captures a stunning and modern image during a bride's preparation at home. The photograph showcases the bride's dress hanging in the background, creating a stylistic composition with dual mirror reflections.

Chicago Bride's Stylistic Dress: Modern Reflections in Dual Mirrors

stylistic composition palm frond bridal gown indoor Illinois reflections in a building

An artistic wedding photographer captures the intricate details of wedding rings against the rustic backdrop of a roaring fireplace at a cozy Chicago winery, embracing the romantic ambiance with warm bokeh circles.

Rustic Flames: Intimate Love Soars Amidst Chicago Winery's Warm Embrace

Lights artistic wedding detail shots orange lights tight shot wedding ring wedding details bokeh

In this award-winning wedding image at Union Station in Chicago, IL, a couple basks in their love, framed by vibrant tall columns.

Chicago Love: Award-Winning Union Station Wedding Photo Frames Eternal Romance

Chicago eternal romance Creative Artistic Wedding Images couple portraits Union Station Chicago bride and groom Wedding Photos in Chicago

An award-winning wedding photographer captures the scene as the bride, flanked by her parents, gracefully walks down the aisle at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. The golden sun casts long shadows, creating an enchanting ambiance.

Celestial Journey: A Graceful Chicago Wedding at Adler Planetarium

Adler Planetarium wedding scene wedding ambiance Adler Planetarium Chicago artistic wedding photographer Celestial Journey newlyweds

A professional documentary wedding photographer based in Chicago captures the joyous celebration of a bride and groom after their wedding at the Bottom Lounge. This image has been recognized with a prestigious award from WPJA.

Chicago Love on Display: Bride and Groom's Blissful Rendezvous at Bottom Lounge Wins WPJA Accolade

blissful joyous Chicago Chicago Love on Display Bottom Lounge Illinois celebration

A playful couple shares a kiss at Winnemac Park in Chicago, IL, in a creative pre-wedding engagement portrait. The soft purple translucent screen adds a unique element to the composition.

Whimsical Romance: A Playful Kiss at Winnemac Park

Chicago translucent screen Chicago engagement photography purple screen kiss on cheek Winnemac Park

Lifestyle couple portrait at Guthries Tavern in Chicago, IL. Shot from outside looking through the window, the couple is captured enjoying a drink

through window Guthries Tavern Chicago Illinois table bar Chicago engagement session

At the Riverwalk in Chicago, IL, a soon-to-be-wed couple enjoyed their engagement portrait session, sitting together and laughing joyfully while holding cotton candy - he with a blue treat and she with a pink one.

Cotton Candy Love: A Joyful Engagement Portrait By the Riverwalk in Chicago

blue and pink Chicago engagement portrait sitting on bench Chicago Riverwalk park bench cotton candy Illinois

In a joyful Chicago wedding reception, an excited tattooed bride reacts to a heartfelt speech from her maid of honor. This image has been recognized and awarded by the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA).

WPJA Accolade for Emotional Chicago Bride Reacting to Maid of Honor's Speech

chicago wedding emotional bride maid of honor wedding photographer chicago wedding venue chicago wedding reception wedding venue

In this beautiful wedding day photo captured in Chicago, Illinois, the bride and her father are the focal point as they watch the heartwarming mother/son dance, a moment of love and joy.

Chicago's Heartwarming Wedding: A Father's Watch, A Son's Love, Joy

Mother Son Dance Bride and father Chicago Reception Image Chicago Chicago Documentary Wedding Photography Illinois

A bride at Firehouse Chicago prepares for her wedding day by grabbing her hanging gown with scissors in hand. A beautiful scene captured before the ceremony.

Firehouse Chicago: Bride Prepares for Wedding with Scissors in Hand

scissors Chicago Firehouse Chicago hanging gown Chicago Documentary Wedding Photography window light

In the heart of Chicago near the iconic Wrigley Building, a couple's love blossoms against the enchanting backdrop of a fiery sunset. They share a tender embrace, framed by towering skyscrapers.

GLAMOROUS WEDDING COUPLE PORTRAIT: Chicago's Fiery Sunset Sets the Stage for Love's Illumination

Chicago skyscrapers Wrigley Building wedding chicago couple portrait Wrigley Building glamorous couple portrait chicago wedding Chicago sunset

In Chicago, Illinois, during their heartfelt ceremony, the bride tenderly consoles the groom, lightly touching his cheek, showcasing their deep love and emotional connection

Captured Emotions: A Chicago Love Story in Heartfelt Wedding Moments

touching cheek tender touch Chicago heartfelt ceremony garden Ceremony Chicago Documentary Wedding Photography

A talented wedding photographer captured this award-winning photo during a reception in Chicago, Illinois. The image shows the couple happily dancing to the music before going inside to celebrate their special day.

Chicago Celebration: A Captivating Wedding Photo of a Happy Couple Dancing at Reception

Chicago wedding photography dancing Chicago Chicago reception celebration Illinois

A romantic couple shares a tender silhouette kiss in the captivating bank vault of the iconic Rookery Building in Chicago, Illinois

Embracing Love's Treasury: A Serenade of Affection Enchants the Enigmatic Bank Vault within Chicago's Timeless Rookery Building

iconic building Chicago engagement photography Rookery Building bank vault kissing couple Silhouetted couple Chicago

Romantic silhouette of a couple sharing a tender kiss beneath a breathtaking sunrise at North Avenue Beach in Chicago, IL

Indulging in Love's Eternal Embrace: Couple Immersed in an Enchanting Sunrise at North Avenue Beach, Chicago

Illinois north avenue beach silhouette sunrise engagement breathtaking sunrise Chicago PreWedding Session Chicago

Engaged couple enjoying an early morning walk on the bridge, surrounded by nature at Lincoln Park Zoo South Pond Nature Boardwalk in Chicago

Cherishing the Calm: Lovebirds Embrace Tranquility during Early Morning Stroll at Lincoln Park Zoo South Pond Nature Boardwalk in Chicago

Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo cityscape Chicago engagement session urban South Pond Nature Boardwalk bridge

Engaged couple embraces under a stunning Autumn sunrise at North Avenue Beach, Chicago, IL, with Lake Michigan as a backdrop

Enamored Couple Graces North Avenue Beach, Chicago, IL, Amidst Spectacular Autumn Sunrise

sunrise Chicago engagement photography Chicago stunning sky Autumn Lake Michigan north avenue beach

Pages

WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.