Planning a Chicago wedding can feel like a significant undertaking. From finding your dream wedding venue to booking the best Chicago wedding DJ, it may seem like your wedding planning to-do list is more work than fun.

But your engagement shoot falls in the fun category! Think about it: You get to pick a special location, coordinate outfits, and hang out with your partner all day while a wedding photographer in Chicago snaps sweet pictures of you two. Plus, once the photo shoot is finished, you’ll be all dressed up and ready for a celebratory date night!

The first step to getting amazing engagement pictures in Chicago is to find the right location! From lakeside beaches to elaborate museums, there’s no shortage of breathtaking sites throughout the city to showcase your love (and that sparkling ring!).

Here are six of the best spots for a Chicago engagement shoot that says “we can’t wait to get married!”

Chicago Riverwalk & Bridges

There’s nothing quite like a riverside photo shoot — and what better opportunity than for Chicago engagement photos? Located in the heart of downtown near Michigan Avenue, the city’s bridges make for great pictures from every angle. 

And with the iconic Chicago skyline towering above, you’ll be sure to get some beautiful and dynamic shots that capture not just your love story, but your favorite city!

Navy Pier

Home to stunning views and tons of activities, Navy Pier is the perfect waterfront destination for a fun engagement shoot in Chicago. Take a stroll around the park, soak in a sunset, hop on the Ferris wheel, or go for a spin on the merry-go-round — the photo ops are plenty! 

There’s a reason Navy Pier is one of the top destinations for date night. Now, imagine the picture-perfect engagement photos that will get you and your guests excited about your Chicago wedding!

Garfield Park Conservatory

If you’re planning a Chicago engagement shoot during the colder months, there’s no better spot than the Garfield Park Conservatory. As one of the largest botanical gardens in the nation, Garfield Park’s lush landscape of flowers and greenery provides the perfect backdrop for your engagement photos. 

A gorgeous glass atrium invites the sun without letting in a chill — so you can still wear that cute outfit in the thick of winter. (Love Garfield Park? They are one of our favorite wedding venues in Chicago!)

Chicago Botanic Garden

Still haven’t had your fill of greenery? The Chicago Botanic Garden is another plant-forward destination that offers stunning backdrops for engagement photos in Chicago. With 385 acres of exquisitely landscaped gardens, you’ll undoubtedly find many hidden corners to get lost with your partner (and Chicago wedding photographer!).

Looking for certain blooms to match your wedding color palette? Check out the Botanic Garden’s website or mobile app to see what’s in bloom, so you can plan your Chicago engagement shoot around the seasonal colors!

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is home to a collection of notable artworks, but it’s more than another art museum. The Art Institute’s grounds are just as remarkable with simple and lovely gardens sprinkled throughout the space.

Between the elegant galleries inside, scenic gardens, and nearby cityscapes, you can hit a lot of settings for your Chicago engagement photos. Pro tip: Take advantage of the spring, summer, and fall seasons when the trees are blooming in the gardens!

North Avenue Beach

The North Avenue Beach is a popular location for beach-loving engaged couples in Chicago. Nestled in the Chicago Park District, North Avenue Beach offers picturesque views over Lake Michigan and the calming feel of sand beneath your toes. 

Since this beach is one of the most popular in the city, plan with your Chicago wedding photographer to schedule the photo shoot for off-hours and avoid crowds. Don’t forget to snap some engagement pictures with the iconic blue and white North Avenue Beach House!

Millenium Park

People gather around the reflective sculpture known as "The Bean" in Chicago's Millennium Park, with tall city buildings and a blue sky in the background.

Iconic and versatile, Millenium Park features the Cloud Gate sculpture (“The Bean”), the serene Lurie Garden, and modern architecture, providing a variety of backdrops.

This popular tourist attraction brings people from all over the world into Chicago, making it an instantly recognizable location for your engagement photos.

Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs have called Wrigley Field home for over a century. Wrigley Field is a Chicago landmark and the perfect place to snap your engagement photos if you’re a sports fan.

Grant Park

Black and white photo of Chicago's skyline featuring the Buckingham Fountain in the foreground, with tall buildings and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Known as “Chicago’s front yard,” Grant Park includes Buckingham Fountain (one of the largest fountains in the world!) and expansive green spaces.

Throughout the year, the park changes with the seasons. Take advantage of the vibrant flowers and lush greenery in the summer, while autumn offers colorful foliage. If you’re looking to line up your engagement photos with a particular season, Grant Park is the perfect place.

We’re firm believers that you can’t go wrong with any location in Chicago, so sit down with your partner and consider the spots you want to remember forever. Is it the park where you met? The cafe where you had your first coffee date? Think about the meaningful locations of your relationship and go from there.

And if you still have questions, we’re here to help! Whether you’re looking for a top-notch wedding DJ in Chicago or you simply want more ideas for your engagement shoot, we’d love to learn more about you and your wedding plans. Send us a message!