Creating a romantic and dreamy style for a wedding in Chicago

Ethereal Romance: Crafting Dreamlike Wedding Imagery in Chicago

Chicago’s blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty provides an enchanting canvas for photographers aiming to capture wedding days in a soft, whimsical light. Romantic and dreamy photography styles focus on evoking emotion through delicate compositions, diffused lighting, and a touch of fantasy. These artists transform ordinary moments into timeless fairy tales, using the city’s landmarks and landscapes as magical backdrops.

Soft Light and Pastel Hues: Setting the Dreamy Tone

The key to romantic wedding photography lies in mastering light. Chicago’s golden hour—that fleeting period after sunrise or before sunset—casts a warm, diffused glow perfect for creating ethereal portraits. One photographer schedules outdoor sessions during these times, positioning couples beneath the willow trees of Lincoln Park or along the shimmering waters of Lake Michigan. By using reflectors to bounce light onto faces and avoiding harsh shadows, she ensures every image feels like a page from a storybook.

Another artist incorporates pastel color palettes to enhance the dreamy aesthetic. For a 2024 wedding at the Chicago Botanic Garden, he edited photos with muted pinks and lavenders, turning the bride’s bouquet into a watercolor masterpiece. Even urban settings, like the Art Institute of Chicago’s grand staircase, were transformed through soft focus and gentle tones. “Color isn’t just visual—it’s emotional,” he explains. “Pastels evoke calm, love, and nostalgia.”

Chicago’s Architectural Wonders as Fairy-Tale Settings

The city’s iconic buildings offer dramatic yet romantic settings for wedding photography. One photographer uses the Chicago Cultural Center’s Tiffany dome as a backdrop, shooting upward to capture the bride and groom framed by stained glass. The result is a series that feels both historic and otherworldly, as if the couple stepped out of a Victorian novel.

Another artist takes advantage of the city’s bridges and waterways. For a 2025 wedding, he staged a “boat ride” under the Michigan Avenue Bridge, using a slow shutter speed to blur the water’s surface and create a dreamy reflection. The couple’s laughter echoed off the stone arches, adding to the magical atmosphere. “Chicago’s architecture isn’t just steel and glass,” he says. “It’s a stage for love stories.”

Whimsical Details: Turning Trinkets into Treasures

Romantic photography thrives on small, meaningful details. One photographer focuses on the bride’s accessories—a lace veil, a vintage brooch, or a handful of wildflowers—turning them into focal points. During a 2023 wedding at a historic mansion, she captured the bride’s hands adjusting her veil, the light catching the delicate threads. The image later became the couple’s favorite, symbolizing the quiet intimacy of their day.

Another artist incorporates whimsical elements like bubbles, confetti, or floating lanterns to add playfulness. For a nighttime shoot at Millennium Park, he released biodegradable lanterns as the couple kissed, capturing the warm glow against the city’s skyline. The couple described the photos as “a visual representation of our hopes and dreams.” “Details aren’t just decorations,” he says. “They’re the threads that weave the story together.”

Embracing Movement and Flow for Dynamic Romance

Static poses can feel stiff, so many photographers encourage couples to move naturally. One artist directs brides and grooms to walk, twirl, or dance during portraits, using a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion. In a 2024 shoot at the Garfield Park Conservatory, she had the couple stroll hand-in-hand through the palm house, their dress and suit billowing in the breeze. The resulting images felt alive, as if the viewer could hear the rustle of leaves and the couple’s whispered jokes.

Another photographer uses long exposures to create artistic blur. For a 2025 reception at a loft space, he captured the bride’s first dance with a slow shutter, turning her movements into a soft, ghostly trail. The groom’s sharp figure contrasted with her ethereal form, symbolizing their connection across time and space. “Movement adds depth to romance,” he explains. “It shows love isn’t frozen—it’s alive and evolving.”

The Magic of Nighttime: Chicago’s Skyline as a Starry Backdrop

Chicago’s skyline transforms after dark, offering a glittering canvas for romantic photography. One artist specializes in nighttime portraits, using the city’s lights to create bokeh effects—those dreamy, out-of-focus circles of light. For a 2024 wedding at Navy Pier, he positioned the couple beneath the Ferris wheel, their silhouettes framed by twinkling lights. The bride later said the photos made her feel like “the only two people in the world.”

Another photographer incorporates light painting techniques, using sparklers or LED wands to draw shapes around the couple. During a 2025 shoot at the Adler Planetarium, he had guests wave sparklers as the couple kissed, creating a constellation of light around them. The images felt like a celebration of love and the universe itself. “Nighttime removes distractions,” he says. “It lets the couple’s love shine brighter than any city light.”

Weather as a Romantic Element: Rain, Fog, and Snow

Unpredictable weather can add unexpected beauty to wedding photos. One photographer embraces rain, using umbrellas or clear rain covers to protect cameras while capturing the couple’s joy. For a 2023 wedding during a downpour, he photographed the bride and groom laughing as they ran through Grant Park, their clothes soaked but their smiles radiant. The couple loved how the images captured the “realness” of their day.

Another artist seeks out foggy mornings or snowy evenings for a magical, winter-wonderland effect. During a 2024 December wedding, he shot the couple’s portraits in Lincoln Park as snow fell, their breath visible in the cold air. The soft white landscape made the images feel timeless, as if the couple had stepped into a holiday card. “Weather isn’t an obstacle,” he says. “It’s a gift that adds layers to the story.”

Chicago’s romantic wedding photographers are artists who see magic in the mundane. By mastering light, embracing movement, and using the city’s landmarks as fairy-tale settings, they create images that feel less like photographs and more like portals to a world where love reigns supreme. Every click of the shutter captures a moment of enchantment, preserving the dreamy essence of a couple’s most cherished day.