The Best Views of the Chicago Skyline for Micro Wedding Photos
Whether you’re newly engaged and looking for the perfect Chicago park to take your engagement photos or if you’re looking for a place to take portraits after your Chicago micro wedding, we’ve got a ton of recommendations for you!
Be sure to scroll down to the bottom for some of our favorite indoor locations, as well!
North Ave Beach
As one of Chicago’s most popular beaches, North Ave features a super unique beach house that is permanently docked along the shore. This sleek, ocean liner-inspired building, decked out in a crisp blue and white, boasts one of the best views in the city. The beach also juts out into the lake, which allows you to get both the lake and the skyline in your photos! We recommend going at sunrise or sunset to avoid crowds, especially during high season.
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! The city doesn’t turn on the water in the fountain until early May and operates daily from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. until mid-October. A water display occurs every hour and lasts about 20 minutes! We recommend going off hours to avoid crowds.
Lurie Garden
Lurie Garden is a beautiful urban park located within in Millennium Park with stunning views of the Chicago skyline rising up behind it. During high season, the park is in full bloom with beautiful shades of greens and purples and contains a water feature. If you’re getting married in the Spring or Summer, this would be a lovely location for a couple looking for something that feels soft and feminine.
Adler Planetarium
The grassy area surrounding the Adler Planetarium is free and open to the public and boasts the most beautiful and vast views of the Chicago skyline! We love this location because despite the Planetarium being a popular tourist destination, the grounds surrounding it are large enough that you can easily dodge crowds for your engagement session or micro wedding portraits! We recommend ubering to this location as parking can be tricky!
South Pond
The South Pond of Lincoln Park boasts some of the most beautiful views of Chicago’s city skyline. We think it looks especially beautiful in the fall if you’re getting married in September or October! The changing leaves and the golden sun reflecting on the skyscrapers in the distance make for a beautiful backdrop for your engagement or wedding day portraits!
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. This spot is perfect for a couple looking for something a little more “off-the-beaten path” without giving up on the classic Chicago feel with the skyline in the back!
OTHER OUTDOOR LOCATIONS TO CONSIDER
If you’re interested in exploring other outdoor (or indoor!) locations for your engagement photoshoot or micro wedding day portraits, we recommend taking a look at our full list of Chicago locations here! Be sure to look into which locations require a permit to take photos- some will be more strict than others but not to worry! We walk all of our clients through the permit process if their location requires one!
Things To Consider When Picking Your Perfect Chicago Engagement Shoot Location
Consider the Season and Time of Day: Each season offers unique scenery; for example, spring blossoms or autumn leaves can enhance your photos, while golden hour provides the best natural lighting.
Pick a Meaningful Location: Select a spot that holds personal significance for both of you, whether it’s where you had your first date or a favorite local park, to add a personal touch to your engagement photos.
Plan for Your Comfort: Choose a location that allows you to feel relaxed and candid, so you can focus on each other and capture genuine moments without distractions. We want you to feel relaxed during these beautiful moments.
Interested in learning more about how we can help you plan your Chicago micro wedding?
The Tiny Wedding Collective offers all-inclusive elopement and intimate wedding planning services for Chicago, Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. A Tiny Wedding is for couples who want to celebrate their commitment in a thoughtful, stylish way but don’t want the stress and fanfare of a big, expensive wedding. Not all couples fit inside the same traditional box and it’s time that we make space for inclusivity, diversity, and creativity. To find out more about what it’s like to work with us, please fill out our contact form here.