Intimate Chicago City Hall Elopement

You say ‘yes’ to forever and ‘yes’ to the dress (or killer outfit), but saying ‘yes’ to the right wedding photographer is pretty darn important, too. I ‘clicked’ with Rhea and Jordan right from the start. Their personality and wedding style perfectly meshed with my shooting style, making it an elopement to remember! They opted for a simple city hall ceremony, which allowed them to have a more intimate experience. But first, we had to shake things up for their first look! We headed to a quiet River North rooftop so they could recite their handwritten, heart-tugging vows.

Chicago City Hall Elopement Details

Rhea and Jordan’s city hall wedding day was anything but boring. In tune with their unconventional way, he saw her dress, but she hadn’t seen his killer green tux!! Amazing. These two may love staying in, but they sure have style—check out those Louboutins! I loved their detail shots. They had so many pieces that added to creative compositions. They waited in line for almost two hours to tie the knot, but that gave us time for some unique photos, and they were the last couple to get married on August 27^th—a lovely grand finale!

To end the day, they commemorated the occasion with an unforgettable cocktail hour at Hubbard Inn with their very closest friends and family. After their grand entrance, Rhea and Jordan surprised all their friends and family with a crazy-fun choreographed Bollywood dance. (I highly recommend the posh, artistic venue! The cozy nooks, eclectic art, modern décor, and painted murals make for incredible portraits and a fun experience for all. Not to mention, their cocktails are amazing!)

Everything about the day suited these successful WFH software engineers perfectly. For fun, they love snuggling in and playing video games (and maybe a little Netflix and chill). An extravagant wedding ceremony just wasn’t their style, so they did things their own way, and their authentic, emotive photos reflect that. Their day—their way—was pure magic.

A Note from the Bride

“I want to feel like I’m hanging out with a friend. I don’t want to feel like I have to be professional and well-behaved around a photographer—I just want to be my normal stupid self. I’ve never read a description of a couple that matched us so perfectly—the way Meg described the couples she works with.”
-Rhea, bride

How to Make Your Chicago City Hall Elopement Unforgettable

1. Book a Getting Ready Suite

No matter how you do it, this is your special day! Embrace it and enjoy it to the fullest. Even if you opt for a civil ceremony, you can still get ready with your loved ones and spend some time relaxing, catching up, and getting pampered. You’ll be so glad you did!

2. Emphasize the Details

Buy the dress (or the green tux). Wear the shoes. Get the bouquet. Do it up big (if you want to)! Prioritizing the details that are important to you and getting the photos you want will make your Chicago city hall wedding day even sweeter.

3. Do a First Look

If not for the photos, do a first look for each other. Your wedding day is a big deal. It’s ok to get a little sappy and gaze into each other’s eyes. A first look will help you carve out some private time and space to savor the moment (and yes, get some emotive photos while you’re at it—after all, this may be the first time you see him cry! 😆)

4. Take Couple’s & Family Portraits

For their big day, Rhea and Jordan kept the ceremony simple but prioritized the memories and the photos. We spent a chunk of time around Olive Park getting some great intimate couple’s portraits and sweet family photos, too. A city hall wedding doesn’t mean you must skimp on the memories or gorgeous pictures.

5. Celebrate After

Every wedding day deserves a toast and some cake! Whether it’s just the two of you or your whole crew, do something special to celebrate your marriage. Take some time to pause and take it all in. This is a milestone chapter in your story!