Shar and Jeff were getting ready at a South Loop hotel and had a brief window of time before the start of their winter wedding day. The historic Printers Row neighborhood nearby provided a classic Chicago backdrop for their wedding portraits. © Wedding Creativo Photography
Wedding Pictures
Wedding Portraits on Chicago Rooftops
Wedding Pictures, Weddings, Wedding Photography, Wedding PortraitsOne of Creativo's signature portraits that we love to produce for many of our couples is from the vantage point of amazing rooftops, terraces and decks.
© Wedding Creativo Photography
© Wedding Creativo Photography
How are we able to accomplish this for many of our clients, for over two decades? We'll that is part of the work we do as professional photographers.
To any up-and-coming photographers that might stumble upon this post, our free advice...our work never involves us just showing up at a private business or venue without permission. We never just go and "ask forgiveness later." That isn't hard to do, and that might work often enough in the short run.
However, "asking forgiveness later" also puts your professional credibility at risk in potentially disappointing your clients. And also, if you plan to be in the game for more than a few years, that is the single best way to burn bridges with other professionals that you will need to rely upon if you plan to go back to your favorite locations more than a few times over the course of your career.
Chicago Spring Wedding Portraits
Wedding Pictures, Wedding Planning, WeddingsAre you planning a spring wedding in the Chicago area? If so, you can enjoy portrait backdrops of spring flowering trees including several varieties Crabapple, Cherry Blossom, Lilac, Magnolia, and several others in our region. Planning a date around peak tree blooming is tricky, since nature doesn't follow our human calendar, but generally the first couple weekends in May are a pretty safe bet.
© Wedding Creativo Photography
April Chicago Wedding Portraits with Cherry Blossoms
Wedding PicturesCherry Blossom trees and Magnolia trees have a short window for us to enjoy in April every year. They are for sure a perk for couples choosing an early spring wedding date in Chicago.
Contact us for more information about traditional film coverage options for your wedding.
© Wedding Creativo Photography
Classic Black and White Film Photography : Wedding Rings
Wedding PicturesBlack and white film is still, and will always be, a timeless and classic look for documenting weddings. At Wedding Creativo, we can provide the best of both worlds of digital and film coverage with our collection of modern and vintage profesional cameras.
Contact us for more information about traditional film coverage options for your wedding.
© Wedding Creativo Photography
Cake Cutting at Adler Wedding
Wedding PicturesJoe and Lena have a bite of wedding cake with the fantasic Chicago skyline behind them during their wedding at the Adler Planetarium. Click here to see more pictures from their lovely wedding day.
Perks of a Winter Chicago Wedding
Inspiration, Wedding Pictures, Wedding PlanningYes, many people dread the Polar Vortex monster that sweeps through northern and Midwest states during winter, but if you are planning a December, January, or February wedding, there are some perks to embrace as well.
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Seven Chicago Winter Wedding Perks:
1. Early sunset and twilight between 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. means you can get beautiful twilight portraits, like the one shown above, well before your cocktail hour typically starts at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.
2. Fancy coats, furs, shawls and other warming accessories can be warn during winter for not only practical reasons, but to also add variety to your winter wedding look.
3. Seasonal reduced rates are sometimes available at some venues and with some vendors and services that are not offered during warmer months.
4. Venues and vendors often have more available dates or have last-minute availability during this time of year compared to higher demand warmer months.
5. Cranberries, pinecones, poinsettia, holly, hot toddy, mulled wine, and other winter seasonal favorites make special appearances this time of year.
6. If you like snowy landscapes, there is plenty of it for your winter wedding portraits.
7. Close snuggles with your sweetheart to keep warm.
Small Wedding at Creativo Loft Chicago : Lori + Michael
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsLori and Michael celebrated their May spring wedding at Creativo Loft in Chicago with about 70 of their family and friends. It was a vintage style affair with teal and coral colors, and the bride's fantastic lace overlay dress from Weddings 826. Their ceremony was held downstairs from Creativo Loft at our neighbor's theater space, Chicago Dramatists.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails and a delicious dinner by J and L Catering and cupcakes by True B Bakery. DJ Nikki Cam Cam kept the dance floor filled, while guests were surrounded by rustic flowers from Natural Beauties Floral, and an overall fun and vibrant event designed by Soiree Events.
Small Winter Wedding at Creativo Loft
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsBrooke and Craig traveled from Michigan to celebrate their December wedding in Chicago. Their morning brunch wedding at Creativo Loft was the kick-off for their New Year's Eve wedding day. Bride Brooke chose blush, silver and gold tones for their powder-snow winter day. The groom's family lives in Scotland, so a small gathering of the bride's side welcomed him to his new family in America.
Despite the chilly temperatures, Wedding Creativo photographer Giorgio and the couple went around to a few downtown Chicago landmarks for some beautifully snowy wedding portraits. We coordinated an all-inclusive brunch wedding for the intimate group at our studio's own venue, Creativo Loft, including a delicious red velvet cake from Tipsycakes and adorable floral work from Steve's Flower Market. Congratulations to the happy newlyweds!
© Wedding Creativo Photography
Chicago Autumn Wedding at Ivy Room
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsWe had the pleasure of having an extended amount of time for intimate portraits with Nadia and Bill. Their chilly and rainy September wedding day began at the Hotel Sax, with lots of unusual and diverse areas for indoor portraits. Our brave troopers then faced the windy and chilly elements outdoors at a few Chicago landmark locations, before heading to the Ivy Room for their ceremony and reception.
There was a slight rain delay, but thankfully, the clouds eventually parted so the ceremony could carry on as planned in the outside courtyard. Afterwards, their intimate lounge-style reception featured a gourmet Mediterranean spread. Colors of purple, orange and brown were a perfect pallet for their cozy autumn evening soiree. Of course, a favorite moment for everyone was their fun rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" choreographed dance...complete with the trademark silver glove.
Also, for a fun interactive activity for their guests at their reception, Nadia and Bill included our fun Polaroid cameras and guest book.
© Wedding Creativo Photography
Event professionals: Wedding Creativo Photography, J&L Catering, Flora, I Do Films, The Left Bank Jewelry, Wedding Bells Bridal, Art + Science Salon, Home James Chicago Limo
Authentic Victorian Era Style Wedding
Wedding Details, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Pictures, Wedding Planning, WeddingsTerah and Ross celebrated their emerald green and gold wedding at Unity Lutheran Church and the Fortnightly Club in Chicago. The bride is a historian and created an authentic Victorian era theme wedding....down to making her own dress! It was modeled off of a 19th century Civil War era design. The groomsmen's suits were also period inspired with old fashioned ascotts instead of modern ties. The bride's mother Linda also helped a great deal by elaborately designing the reception table centerpieces. Each table had a different traditional scholastic subject theme and was decorated using a varieity of antiques and vintage pieces such as inkwells, maps, globes, books, and old photographs. Overall, the style of the wedding reflected both Terah and Ross's professional careers in academia. Terah and Linda also made the invitations and programs, and many other details. All in all it was truly an exceptional D.I.Y. wedding, We will always look back on this as all-time favorite for us, not only for the amazing details, but primarily because Terah and Ross were such wonderful and kind couple, an absolute pleasure to get to know, and we were so honored to be included on their memorable day.
October Wedding at Metropolis Ballroom
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsDeep orange and purple colors, vintage style, and candle-lit mason jars created a lovely setting at the Metropolis Ballroom in Arlington Heights, Illinois for Bailey and Dan's October wedding. The couple were inspired by autumn farmers markets for the overall feel for their wedding.
There were several unique and personal touches by the bride and groom, as well as their family members, for their Jewish wedding details. Some highlights included adorable personalized seed packets that doubled as escort cards and guest favors, which were strung up with mini clothespins. The laundry line theme was also carried over in the cocktail room were a wall was strung with their childhood photos. Lots of mason jars that the couple collected were used as candle holders for the ceremony aisle and reception tables. The beautiful ceremony chuppah was constructed by the groom's father, and draped with the bride's family heirloom embroidered top. Small pumpkins and fall foliage were also nice touches used throughout the reception decor.
The bride's spectacular vintage style dress and veil were custom creations by local designer Dame Couture. She also wore lovely accessories including a hairpin was from Blue Bow Millinery, great-grandmother's earrings, maternal grandmother's accent ring, and Mariana shoes by GOLC. The groom wore a gray Kenneth Cole suit, and bridesmaids dresses were majestic purple Alfred Sung gowns from Dessy Group. For their wedding rings Bailey and Dan chose conflict free diamonds and recycled platinum from Brilliant Earth. The bride's handkerchief and groom's fedora hat were also fantastic accents to express their style.
Event professionals: Rabbi Max Weiss, Beauty on Call, Sprout florist
Magic Wedding Moment : Nervous Ring Bearer
Inspiration, Wedding Details, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Pictures, Wedding PlanningThe little ones that carry rings and flower baskets at weddings are usually pretty aware big importance of the wedding day, and kids always create spontaneous and unique magic moments. To help them feel more comfortable and confident, it is nice to have a parent come a little early with them to the ceremony so they can "practice" their job before walking down the aisle in front of all those people! Sometimes this does not work at all when kids are extremely terrified, but frequently kids fare better with just getting an opportunity to feel more familiar in uncharted territory. Even a brief run up and down the aisle can be a big help to settle their nervousness. This little guy took his job as ring bearer pretty seriously and is shown here eagerly awaiting his cue to present the all important wedding rings. So adorable!
Creative Wedding Portrait : Wedding Party Jump
Inspiration, Wedding Details, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Ideas, Wedding PicturesThe wedding party "jump" is a classic fun portrait to do, especially with a larger wedding party lined up and jumping in perfect timing. We worked with the monochromatic details to give this portrait a bit more creative flair for this wedding party jump portrait. It worked out nicely with the orange barn, golden sunest sky, and burnt orange bridesmaid dresses at Jenny and Patrick's wedding in Glen Ellyn over the weekend.
Creative Wedding Portrait : Chasing up a Tree
Wedding PicturesJessica and Daniel had a fun and spontaneous idea for this portrait. This couple met while the bride was living and working in Italy for several years, and she "chased" him to join her back in her hometown Chicago. They arrived in America only one week before tying the knot! Bravissimo!
Creative Wedding Details: Fall Candy Apples
Wedding Ideas, Wedding Pictures, Wedding PlanningTegan and Var had these fabulous fall candy apples set on the tables for their guest favors. What a fun treat and nice addition to golden toned autumn weddings.
Chicago Wedding at Gibsons Steakhouse
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsAlicia and Nate had a beautiful day for their September wedding at St. James Chapel and Gibsons Steakhouse in downtown Chicago. We started with preparations and the couple's "first look" at Sofitel, followed by portraits along Lake Michigan before heading to their intimate ceremony and reception. We loved her pastel pink sash and flowing satin gown, and exquisitely delicate bridal bouquet by Zuzu's Petals.
Magic Wedding Moment : A Moment Alone
Wedding PicturesAlison and Tyler have a moment alone before their private garden wedding in St. Charles, Illinois. A special moment captured on black and white 35mm film.
Creative Wedding Portrait : Summer Splendor
Wedding PicturesAlicia and Nate share a very laid back moment, splendor in the grass, on their summer wedding day in Chicago.
Ari and Simon Wedding Highlights at Union League Club
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsCongratulations to Ari and Simon! The newlyweds tied the knot over the weekend at St. James and Union League Club. They traveled all the way from Australia (along with over 40 of the groom's family and friends) to have the wedding near the bride's family in Chicago. We'll feature more of this wedding in the future, but for now here are some highlights.
