City Hall Elopement - Chicago, IL | Sarah & Jim

I’m sitting here in my office, it’s March (as I write this), currently quarantined with the rest of the world as we face Coronavirus, and I just can’t stop smiling staring at these photos from Sarah + Jim’s leap day Chicago City Hall elopement. I was so unbelievably honored to be a part of their secret celebration and I am absolutely obsessed with how gorgeous their day was. You might be wondering why I’m sharing so late. Their elopement was just for the two of them, with an intimate celebration that was supposed to follow in June, that included their closest friends and family in Mexico. To ensure my lips were sealed, I wrote this while the details and feelings were fresh in my mind. Looking back now, I am so glad this couple got their elopement in just a few weeks before Chicago basically shut down. At the end of the day, the most important thing about your wedding, is the two of you, something that was so true with Sarah and Jim.

Sarah told me that Jim didn’t have strong feelings about most things for their wedding. The only thing he wanted, was to get married on leap day. So they decided on an intimate Chicago City Hall elopement, just the two of them. I met them after they said “I do” to celebrate around some of their favorite spots in the city. The sun was out in full force, and the only thing brighter then the city that day, was the looks on Jim and Sarah’s faces after making it official.

Sarah walked out in a stunning white jumpsuit, her Australian hubby following her, dressed to the nines in a black suit. Everywhere we went, heads turned, horns honked, and passerby’s congratulated this wonderful couple on their wedding day.

We snapped a few photos in front of Chicago’s iconic City Hall sign outside of the courthouse. The courthouse itself was jam packed with others in love wanting to make an already special day, one to celebrate even more. We then headed towards Chicago’s financial district and popped into the One North LaSalle Street building on our way. After getting some good heart of the city shots in, we jumped in the car and headed to our final spot, North Avenue Beach on the Chicago Lakefront.

This is one of my absolute favorite spots for photos with the city to one side, Lake Michigan and a gorgeous sky to the other, and a strip of beach if you’re game for getting a little sandy. Here we threw some confetti (biodegrade-able of course!) and popped a bottle of champagne. We said our goodbyes and the couple jumped back in the car and headed to the airport. They were visiting their resort in Mexico to celebrate and do a bit of planning.

I love love love getting to be a part of these intimate ceremonies and celebrations. There is something so raw and real and special about having just two people, no frills, no thrills, just jumpsuits and a marriage license. Congratulations Sarah and Jim, wishing you nothing but sunny days and reasons to pop champagne for the rest of your marriage ✨