Rain on Your Wedding Day – Where do You Go?

All of us Chicagoans know that our weather is a crapshoot. It can be perfect, sunny and 80° one day… and then nasty, drizzly and 45° the next. What’s a couple getting married to do?

So when I posed this question to some of my favorite Chicago photographers, I could practically hear a collective GROAN via email. This is an issue that they have to deal with All. The. Time. When the weather won’t cooperate, where are some of the best indoor spots in Chicago to take wedding pictures?

Outdoor photo shoots are ideal since you can’t beat natural light. TIP 1: But always have a Plan B (and maybe even a Plan C)! Make sure that you pick a secondary INDOOR location to shoot, just in case. TIP 2: Be sure to check in advance with that location(s) regarding their photography policies. Suuuuper important because many places require a special permit/permission, and it would be no fun to get the boot when in your wedding day finery. (Although sometimes if you luck out, you’ll get a security guard who won’t mind a few pictures, but better safe than sorry!)

Kevin Weinstein Photography at the MCA Chicago:

Kevin Weinstein Photography at Chicago Union Station (probably one of the most popular indoor spots): 

 Jeremy Lawson Photography at Union Station:
 

TIP 3: Pick an indoor location that has some meaning to you! Your favorite restaurant, coffee shop, bookstore, or even your favorite clothing store… be creative!

Jeremy Lawson Photography at a dive bar, Rip Tide Lounge: 


Jeremy Lawson Photography at Rip Tide Lounge:  


 Jeremy Lawson Photography at the Modern wing of the Art Institute: 

Chicago is known for subways and our El trains. What better place to show some Chicago pride?

Jessfoto – see the rest of the shoot here: 

   Jessfoto:

Chicago Cultural Center by Steve Koo Photography, probably the second most popular in-case-of-rain spot after Union Station:
 


Laurie Peacock Photography. TIP 4 from Laurie: Regardless, have some cute rain boots and umbrella on-hand, and WORK IT! 

Olivia Leigh Photographie at the Publican Restaurant. Like I said before, pick your favorite restaurant (and try to avoid crazy hours such as lunchtime and dinner): 

Olivia provided what was probably the best TIP, she even blogged about it: When choosing a hotel where you plan to get ready before the wedding, choose a hotel that has beautiful guest rooms, cool architectural details, or hopefully a gorgeous lobby. While you may pay a bit more for a hotel with photo-worthy locations, it’s better than having all of your getting-ready photos at an unattractive hotel, and will give you some great spots for wedding party pictures in case of bad weather. By the way, this doesn’t mean that you have to arrange your entire room block for wedding guests at the same hotel!

Both photos below by Olivia Leigh Photographie at Crimson Lounge, Hotel Sax: 

 

What’s YOUR Plan B?