Planning a wedding in the Chicago suburbs and searching for the perfect backdrop for your photos? Look no further. Here are seven stunning locations where you can capture the beauty of your special day.
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1. Mayslake Forest Preserve, Oak Brook
Mayslake Forest Preserve is a beautiful outdoor setting with lush greenery, providing a natural, serene backdrop for wedding photos. You’ll find a variety of settings to capture your love story, from the forest to the historic Mayslake Peabody Estate.
Address: 1717 W 31st St, Oak Brook, IL 60523
- The Mayslake Forest Preserve offers a diverse range of picturesque settings – from its lush woods to the charming Mayslake Peabody Estate, this location is perfect for those desiring a blend of nature and history in their shots.
- The estate’s architecture adds a timeless elegance to your wedding photos, giving them a unique aesthetic appeal.
- The natural lighting provided by the outdoor setting enhances the quality of the images and can contribute to creating stunning photos.
- With its convenient location in Oak Brook, it is easily accessible for wedding parties based in the Chicago suburbs.
- The expansive forest preserve offers ample space, allowing photographers to work freely and come up with creative framing and composition ideas.
2. Waterfall Glen, Lemont
Waterfall Glen is named for a small but picturesque waterfall that makes a unique and romantic backdrop for wedding photos. The stunning landscape of the forest preserve offers diverse scenery, including prairies, savannas, and wetlands.
Address: 8783 S Cass Ave, Darien, IL 60561
- Waterfall Glen’s unique scenic beauty, including its waterfall, prairies, savannas, and wetlands, offers a variety of stunning backdrops for your wedding photos.
- The presence of a waterfall not only provides an element of romantic charm but also gives your photos a distinctive and captivating look.
- The diverse landscapes within the preserve allow for a range of photo aesthetics, making it possible to capture a variety of moods and styles in your wedding album.
- Its location in Lemont makes it a convenient spot for couples in the Chicago suburbs.
- The vast space within the forest preserve allows for social distancing and privacy during your photo shoot, ensuring a comfortable and relaxed experience.
- The natural light filtering through the trees, combined with the serene environment, can create a magical ambiance, enhancing the quality and look of your wedding photos.
3. Ryerson Woods, Riverwoods
This location offers a tranquil woodland setting for your wedding photos. With its tall trees and scenic trails, Ryerson Woods is a perfect choice for nature-loving couples.
Address: 21950 N Riverwoods Rd, Riverwoods, IL 60015
- Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods offers a peaceful and serene environment, perfect for couples wanting a tranquil, nature-inspired setting for their wedding photos.
- With its tall, majestic trees and picturesque trails, this location imparts an element of adventure and romance to your wedding photos, giving them a unique aesthetic charm.
- Its location, being accessible from the Chicago suburbs, presents a convenient option for wedding parties based in that area.
- The woodland setting provides ample natural light, which can significantly enhance the beauty of your photos.
- It offers a large area to work with, giving your photographer the freedom to experiment with different angles and compositions, thereby creating a diverse and visually stunning wedding album.
- The privacy offered by Ryerson Woods ensures a relaxed and intimate photo shoot, allowing couples to truly express their love and joy without distractions.
- For those wanting to incorporate a hint of the wilderness and rustic charm into their wedding photos, Ryerson Woods is an excellent choice.
4. Schaumburg Park District
The Schaumburg Park District has a historical farm and cabin that serve as unique and charming backdrops for wedding photos. It’s an ideal location for couples looking for a rustic or vintage vibe.
Address: 235 E Beech Dr, Schaumburg, IL 60193
- The Schaumburg Park District offers a historical farm and cabin, providing a rustic and vintage feel to your wedding photos. It’s perfect for couples looking for a unique, charming backdrop that deviates from the usual contemporary settings.
- With its historical structures and surrounding natural beauty, this location allows for a range of creative photo opportunities. The rustic charm of the farm and cabin can lend your wedding photos a timeless quality.
- Located in Schaumburg, it’s easily accessible for wedding photos in the Chicago suburbs. Its position within the park district ensures a serene, relaxed environment for your photography session.
- The ample outdoor space provided by the park district allows for a variety of compositions and frames, giving your photographer the freedom to generate a diverse range of images.
- The natural light available in this outdoor setting can enhance the aesthetics of your photos, giving them a bright, airy feel.
- The privacy and tranquility of the Schaumburg Park District can help create a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere for your photo shoot, allowing genuine emotions to shine through in your photos.
- For couples wanting to instill a sense of history, rustic charm, and natural beauty into their wedding photos, the Schaumburg Park District presents an ideal choice.
5. Chicago Botanic Garden
Featuring 27 gardens and four natural areas, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a breathtaking location for wedding photos. From the Japanese Garden to the Rose Garden, each spot offers its own unique charm. You need to buy a permit for wedding photos.
Address: 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
- The Chicago Botanic Garden offers a variety of locations within its premises, each having a unique charm and aesthetic. This diversity can add a rich, multifaceted look to your wedding photos.
- With 27 gardens and four natural areas, the possibilities for backdrops are vast and varied, from the tranquil Japanese Garden to the vibrant Rose Garden.
- The natural lighting provided by these outdoor garden settings can greatly enhance the quality of your photos, giving them a bright, vibrant aesthetic.
- Located in Glencoe, the botanic garden is a convenient location for couples based in the Chicago suburbs.
- The expansive space within the botanic garden allows the photographer to work creatively, experimenting with different angles and compositions.
- The variety of flora in the garden can contribute to a colorful and visually pleasing aesthetic in your wedding photos.
- The serene, natural environment of the botanic garden helps create a relaxed atmosphere for your photo shoot, allowing genuine emotions and joy to shine through.
- If you’re a couple with a love for nature, the Chicago Botanic Garden would add a touch of natural elegance and beauty to your wedding photos.
6. The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum boasts a stunning landscape of trees from around the world. The picturesque gardens, meadows, and forests provide a variety of beautiful settings for your wedding photos.
Address: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532
- The Morton Arboretum offers an expansive landscape of diverse trees and plants from around the world, providing an array of stunning backdrops for your wedding photos.
- The picturesque gardens, meadows, and forests within the arboretum offer a variety of settings, allowing for a diverse and visually engaging wedding photo album.
- The arboretum’s natural lighting, filtered through the canopy of trees, can create a beautiful, soft glow in your photos, enhancing their aesthetic appeal.
- Located in Lisle, the Morton Arboretum is easily accessible for couples based in and around the Chicago area, making it a convenient location for your wedding photo shoot.
- The large space within the arboretum gives your photographer the freedom to experiment with different perspectives and compositions, thereby creating captivating and unique photos.
- The tranquility and serenity of the arboretum ensure a relaxed ambiance for your photo shoot, allowing the emotions and joy of your special day to shine through authentically.
- For couples who appreciate the beauty of nature and wish to incorporate it into their wedding photos, the Morton Arboretum serves as a fantastic choice, adding a touch of natural elegance to your photos.
7. Naperville Riverwalk
The Naperville Riverwalk, with its covered bridges, fountains, and charming brick paths, is a romantic and picturesque location for wedding photos. The Riverwalk provides a tranquil setting that’s perfect for capturing your special moments.
Address: W Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
Each of these locations offers unique charm and beauty for your wedding photos. Remember to check with each site about any necessary permits or fees, and be sure to respect the natural surroundings. Happy photo shooting.
Important Note: Check with the Location First
It’s essential to note that many venues, particularly public parks and historical sites, may have specific permits or rules regarding wedding photography. Permissions are often required to ensure that the natural beauty and integrity of these locations are preserved and respected. Additionally, there might be restrictions on certain types of equipment, use of drones, or areas off-limits for photography. Therefore, couples are advised to check and familiarise themselves with these requirements in advance to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted photo session. Furthermore, some venues might charge a fee for photography permits. Hence, planning ahead allows you to incorporate these costs into your wedding budget and avoid any unexpected expenses or last-minute issues.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Location for Wedding Photos
Choosing the perfect location for your wedding photos involves more than just picking a beautiful spot. You need to consider several factors to ensure that the setting complements your wedding theme, reflects your personality, and provides a stunning backdrop for your pictures.
Here are some things to look for when choosing the best location for your wedding photos:
- Variety of Settings – A great location will offer a variety of settings for different types of photos. For instance, the Fabyan Forest Preserve is a hidden gem with beautiful trees, tall grass, and open fields, making it one of the best spots for both engagement photos and wedding pictures.
- Iconic Landmarks – If you’re interested in incorporating the city’s charm into your photos, consider locations near iconic Chicago landmarks. The Lyric Opera House, Navy Pier, Union Station, and the Wrigley Building are all fantastic spots that offer a view of the Chicago skyline or the Chicago River.
- Natural Beauty – Locations with natural elements such as beautiful flowers, a pond, or a fountain can add a touch of serenity to your photos. Cantigny Park and Montrose Harbor are favorite spots for their gorgeous landscapes and perfect backgrounds.
- City Vibes – If you prefer an urban feel, downtown Arlington Heights or Michigan Avenue are great choices. These areas offer a blend of cityscapes and green spaces, providing a unique backdrop for your photos.
- Waterfront Views – For stunning waterfront photos, consider spots along Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. Grant Park and Museum Campus are two beautiful spots that offer breathtaking views of the water and the city.
Remember, no matter what location you choose, make sure to explore the grounds, check if a permit is needed, and consider the time of year. Spring and fall offer beautiful colors and soft light, perfect for photos. And don’t forget to take more photos than you think you’ll need – you can’t go wrong with having options to choose from.