Chicago Public Locations for Ceremonies and Portraits

  • A park with a pond, autumn trees with yellow leaves, a stone edge surrounding the pond, and city skyscrapers in the background.

    Alfred Lily Pond

    Step through the Prairie-style Fullerton gate and enter a hidden garden of unmatched beauty. Follow the stone walk encircling the lily pool and discover a pavilion, council ring, and diverse native plantings. This is the vision of landscape architect Alfred Caldwell: a hidden garden for the people of Chicago designed to resemble a river meandering through a great Midwestern prairie.

    Up to 16 guests | permit required - (773) 883-7275

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  • A couple dressed in wedding attire, embracing and kissing on a rooftop with city skyscrapers in the background.

    Michigan Avenue Bridge + Wrigley Building

    This beautiful bridge is the perfect spot for views of The Wrigley Building if you’re looking for quintessential Chicago wedding photos! Photo - Alex Fererri

    No permit required

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  • Interior of a historic train station featuring grand columns, an ornate balcony with a statue, and a high arched window, with travelers and ticket machines visible.

    UNION STATION

    An iconic building and architectural marvel, Union Station is the perfect backdrop for quintessential Chicago wedding day photos.

    Permit Required

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  • Skyline of Chicago with Lake Michigan and Navy Pier in the foreground, featuring tall skyscrapers and partly cloudy sky.

    North Ave Beach

    As one of Chicago’s most popular beaches, the beach features a unique and popular beach house that contains 22,000 square feet of space that features something for everyone and is permanently docked along this popular beach. This sleek, ocean liner-inspired building, decked out in a crisp blue and white, boasts one of the best views in the city.

    Permit Required

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  • Aerial view of a city park with tennis courts, walking paths, and unique modern architecture surrounded by tall office buildings.

    Millenium Park

    The lakefront campus, located in the heart of downtown, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (aka “The Bean”), interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and plenty of green space.

    Permit required

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  • Multiple visitors walking up and down stairs inside a museum with art and sculptures on the walls, titled 'The Henry Crown Gallery'.

    The Art Institute

    The Art Institute of Chicago is home to a collection of art that spans centuries and the globe.

    Permit Required

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  • Aerial view of Millennium Park in Chicago with a large fountain, green trees, and the Chicago skyline in the background under a blue sky.

    BUCKINGHAM FOUNTAIN

    Buckingham Fountain is a Chicago Landmark in the center of Grant Park, between Queen's Landing and the end of Ida B. Wells Drive. Dedicated in 1927 and donated to the city by philanthropist Kate S. Buckingham, it is one of the largest fountains in the world. Photo - @chidrone

    permit required

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  • City skyline of Chicago with tall skyscrapers, water in the foreground, and tree branches framing the top of the image, during sunset.

    Milton Lee Olive Park

    Swaths of green lawn gently undulate between the fountains, setting the pools at subtly different levels. This location has a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline!

    Permit Required - (312) 744-6635

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  • Wooden pavilion with arched, layered design in an outdoor park with trees and city skyline in the background.

    Lincoln Park Honeycomb

    The Honeycomb is a Chicago landmark located in Lincoln Park. The sculpture is located in the Lincoln Park Zoo’s Nature Boardwalk and is just east of the free outdoor zoo.

    Permit may be required - events@lpzoo.org

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  • Historical building with arched windows on a busy city street, with cars and pedestrians, including a woman wearing a face mask and backpack.

    Chicago Cultural Center

    If you’re looking for some drama, we encourage you check out the Chicago Cultural Center. This stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes.

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  • Aerial view of an island with a white church, surrounded by water, with trees in autumn foliage and a city skyline in the background.

    Promontory Point

    Promontory Point (known locally as The Point) is a man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan. It is located in Chicago's Burnham Park. The Point was constructed from landfill and by the late 1930s was protected by a seawall.

    Permit Required

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  • People walking and relaxing on a sandy beach with umbrellas and tents, next to a city skyline with tall buildings under a clear blue sky.

    Oak Street Beach

    One of Chicago’s most beautiful beaches with the city’s skyline rising in the background.

    Permit Required

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  • Nighttime view of the Chicago Theatre marquee advertising Cirque du Soleil's Banana Shpeel, located on a historic building with illuminated signage and moving cars in the street in front.

    Chicago Theatre

    It doesn’t get more Chicago than this! While it’s definitely a busy part of the city, if you’re wanting that quintessential Chicago vibe, we recommend stopping here for some photos after your ceremony!

    no permit required

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  • Elegant hotel lobby with large windows, marble walls, high ceiling, and gold accents. Multiple elevator doors are visible on the right side, and decorative hanging light fixtures are on the ceiling.

    The Old Post Office

    The Historic Lobby, once bustling with mail carriers and patrons, is open to the public during visitor hours. The Chicago Landmark has been fully restored to its original state, a true tribute to its 1920’s Art Deco design.

    Permit Required - events@tpochicago.com

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  • Aerial view of a city beach with high-rise buildings, green parks, and a marina with boats.

    Montrose Beach + Harbor

    Montrose Beach is Chicago’s largest public beach. It is located in Lincoln Park, one of the city's oldest and largest parks.

    Permit Required

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  • A view of Chicago River with skyscrapers, a bridge, boats on the water, and people sitting along the riverbank.

    Riverwalk

    Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, the award-winning, pedestrian-friendly Chicago Riverwalk stretches 1.25 miles from Lake Michigan to Lake Street. Along the way you’ll discover intimate coves, breezy cafes, wineries and bars, public art, monuments, museums, and a boatload of excursions on the water.

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  • View of a small fountain in a park with a historic mansion in the background, surrounded by lush green trees and modern high-rise buildings under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

    women's park

    The Chicago Women’s Park and Garden is a stretch of 3.23 acres of land and is constructed on the site that formerly housed the Vietnam veterans Museum. This community garden is dedicated to the women who have contributed to the city throughout its history.

    Permit Required

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  • A view of Navy Pier in Chicago at sunset with carnival rides, boats on Lake Michigan, and the Chicago skyline in the background.

    Navy Pier

    Navy Pier in Chicago offers a picturesque backdrop for wedding photos, with options ranging from the iconic Ferris wheel to the scenic lake views.

    Permit required- NavyPierPR@navypier.org

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  • Cityscape with tall modern skyscrapers behind a lush green park with pink and white flowers in the foreground.

    Lurie Garden

    A beautiful garden located within in Millennium Park with stunning views of the Chicago skyline.

    Permit Required from Millennium Park

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  • Sculpture of a stylized boat with a sail in front of the Chicago skyline at dusk, with purple sky and city lights reflected on the water.

    The Adler Planetarium

    The grassy area surrounding the Adler Planetarium is free and open to the public and boasts the most beautiful views of the Chicago skyline.

    No permit required

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  • Aerial view of a marina filled with numerous boats docked in water, surrounded by green parks, roads, and city buildings.

    Belmont Harbor

    Belmont Harbor is located in the heart of beautiful Lincoln Park and is one of the largest harbors in Chicago.  The harbor is surrounded by acres of park space and a beautiful skyline view to the south.

    Permit required

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  • Interior of a grand historic shopping mall with ornate iron railings, decorative columns with gold accents, marble floors, and a glass ceiling with intricate latticework. Visible staircases lead to upper levels and storefronts line the background.

    The Rookery Building

    The Rookery building is architectural masterpiece and one of the greatest surviving examples of the early commercial skyscrapers. Its stately façade is unmatched in architectural detailing and is complemented by a rich and inviting environment within the building, highlighted by incredible architectural features including the mesmerizing oriel staircase and stunning light court.

    Permit required

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  • City skyline of Chicago at sunset with tall skyscrapers, lush green park, and a calm river reflecting the buildings and trees.

    South Pond

    The South Pond of Lincoln Park boasts some of the most beautiful views of Chicago’s city skyline.

    Permit Required

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  • Skyline of Chicago with the Willis Tower and other skyscrapers during sunset, reflecting on the river.

    Ping Tom Memorial Park

    Originally a railroad yard, Chinatown's Ping Tom Park is now home to 12 acres of rolling green space and riverfront paths with picturesque views of the skyline facing north. For an even clearer vantage point, climb up to the 18th Street Bridge, where you can soak in views of both the cityscape and the historic St. Charles Air Line Bridge.

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