Some wedding days hit different, and this was definitely one of them. I’ve known Nikki since she was a camper at the summer camp where I was a counselor – we’re talking years of staying in touch, random dinner dates to catch up, and just generally watching her grow up. When she reached out about photographing her and Kate’s city hall elopement, I was honored.
These two have known each other since high school, dated before, and recently found their way back to each other. You can just see how content and genuinely happy Nikki is now, and that’s the kind of thing that makes this job feel really full circle.
The Day
We met up at Chicago City Hall bright and early and were first in line for marriage court. Nikki and Kate brought a small crew with them, just the people who mattered most, which is exactly what a city hall elopement should be. They even FaceTimed Nikki’s brother, who’s currently deployed, so he could be part of it. Naturally, he didn’t answer and texted back asking if his wife meant to call lol! We eventually got him on the phone and included his little floating head on FaceTime in some family photos!
They were both a little quiet and nervous at first, which is totally normal. But the judge accidentally kept calling Kate Nikki’s “husband” instead of “spouse,” and honestly? That broke the ice. The whole room was trying not to giggle, and suddenly everyone relaxed. It was one of those perfectly imperfect moments that just made the day feel more real.
Nikki wore this amazing custom denim jacket embroidered with “Mrs. Prince” and their wedding date on the back, paired with Doc Martens. After they officially became spouses, we headed out to explore the city for portraits.
Exploring the City
Nikki had put together a Pinterest board with some location inspiration, and we used that as our jumping-off point. We spent about three hours total together, walking up and down LaSalle and just letting our comfort level guide us on where to stop. The Board of Trade and the river bridges were high on her list, and since they were close, we made our way through both.
The weather was actually warmer than average and cloudy, which is perfect for portraits – no harsh shadows, just soft, even light. We got that iconic City Hall sign shot, found some gorgeous ornate doors, and then set up one of my favorite shots of the day where they’re walking across the street with traffic blurred around them. That one took a little staging, but it was so worth it.
At one point, I just told them to run, and Nikki’s dress caught the wind perfectly. They were loose and playful once they got comfortable, and honestly, that’s when the best photos happen.
Why City Hall Elopements Are Underrated
There’s something really special about city hall weddings that doesn’t get talked about enough. It’s just you, your person, and the people who matter most. No stress about seating charts or timelines or whether the centerpieces match. Just the actual marriage part, and then you get to explore the city together as newlyweds.
Watching Nikki go from that kid at summer camp who never stopped talking to this confident, happy person marrying someone who clearly makes her life better? That’s the kind of full-circle moment that reminds me why I love this job. And getting to document it with zero pressure, just wandering around Chicago and capturing them being genuinely happy? That’s exactly what wedding photography should feel like.
For years, my favorite photo of Nikki was this shot of her at camp catching a water balloon – it just came down and exploded on her face. I never thought anything would top it. But photographing her wedding day? I’ve got a new favorite now, and it feels like the most full-circle thing ever.
Thinking about a Chicago city hall elopement? I’d love to document your day. Get in touch here.
Hiiiii, I’m the imaginative force behind Cooper’s Mill Photography—capturing your unique and magical moments with a touch of enchantment.
