I’m so excited to share Sarah and Amado’s Chicago City Hall wedding with you today! This sweet couple had two goals for their day. First, they wanted their wedding to be a very intimate celebration with the people closest to them. And second, they wanted their day to feel very classic Chicago. I think they very beautifully accomplished both things!

Prep at LondonHouse

Just because you’re planning a small, intimate event doesn’t mean you have to forgo having photos from this portion of the day! I absolutely love when couples decide they want some classic prep photos – they really help tell the full story of your celebration! My main tip (since intimate weddings are typically working with a tighter photo timeline) is to make sure your prep location is just a couple of minutes away from the next stop for the day!

With City Hall being the next stop in our agenda, Sarah and Amado chose to get ready at LondonHouse (aka one of my FAVORITE hotels in the city). I love these classic bride and groom portraits and these calm, quiet moments leading up to the excitement of the day. And who doesn’t love an excuse to pop some bubbly together to kick the celebration off?! 🙂

Wedding Ceremony at Chicago City Hall

After prep, we walked over to City Hall to wait for our turn with the judge! Once you get in the room, things move very quickly, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ample opportunities to capture the joy of the occasion! I just love how excited these two were and how happy their families were to witness their union.

Classic Chicago Portraits

We opted for two main locations for their post-ceremony portraits: Chicago Cultural Center and the Riverwalk. Chicago Cultural Center is very iconic and offers some beautiful architectural shots and, perhaps more importantly in the winter months, warmth! After a few minutes there, we walked up to the Riverwalk where there are always TONS of wonderful photo ops. It was a chilly, overcast day but these two were troopers and they dressed for the weather.

Tip: If you’re getting married in a cold month, do yourselves a favor and invest in a nice statement jacket or wrap to wear. Not only will it allow us to stay outdoors longer for your photos but it will give you some variety as we can quickly switch between coats on and coats off. I loved Sarah’s burgundy pea coat – it went so beautifully with the gorgeous fall color palette in her bouquet.

Chicago Steakhouse Dinner

It doesn’t get much more classic Chicago than dinner at a steakhouse! Sarah and Amado picked the delicious Smith & Wollensky as their reception location and invited a few additional guests to join them. I loved the simple floral decor lining the table and the always elegant white textured cake. Such a perfect way to end their day!

Sarah & Amado, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your celebration! It was such an honor and I wish you both the best!

Vendor Love

Florals: Willrett Flower Co

Hair & Makeup: Tricia Clarke

Dress: BHLDN

Suit: Bonobos

Prep Location: LondonHouse

Restaurant: Smith & Wollensky

Cake: Alliance Bakery

Film Scans: The FIND Lab

see more intimate weddings here