SJ & Josh’s Chicago Waterfront Elopement

One of my favorite things about elopements is the amount of flexibility we have on the day. In lieu of traditional getting ready photos- SJ, Josh, and I were able to dedicate nearly two hours of time for our first look and couples photos on the beautiful Montrose Bird Sanctuary in Chicago.
This location was really special to them because it was one of their favorite date spots. The early stages of fall didn’t stop the sun from shining down on us hard, and we played with direct light as we explored the sanctuary. This is one of my all-time favorite locations in Chicago. You get the stunning skyline visible over the lake with the added bonus of beautiful wildflowers in the spring and summer, and native grasses during the fall. True to its name we even spotted a heron in the water and caught some shots of it taking off into flight!
SJ and Josh were so fun to work with. Quiet, composed, but also adventurous – these two didn’t mind getting sandy in their wedding outfits. I’ll always have fond memories of this day!
Photos by Frankie Isabel