Intercontinental Chicago Wedding

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Some weddings simply feel larger than life, and Jillian and Billy’s summer Intercontinental Chicago wedding day was absolutely one of them. From one of the biggest bridal parties I’ve ever photographed to multiple first looks, rooftop portraits, a surprise dog appearance, a visit from Cannoli Boy, an incredible band, and a dance floor that did not stop… Every part of this day was filled with so much energy, personality, and love! This was a wedding where they truly wanted to go all out, and it made for such a fun day to photograph from beginning to end.

This wedding was especially fun for me to photograph because Jillian and I were in the same sorority in college. We weren’t in the same class, but we shared quite a few college friends, so there were familiar faces throughout the entire day. Getting to celebrate Jillian and Billy alongside so many people I knew from college made the wedding feel extra personal and special.

A Beautiful Chicago Ceremony at St. Michael in Old Town

The day began at the historic and beautiful St. Michael Church in Old Town. The church provided such a classic Chicago backdrop for Jillian and Billy’s ceremony, surrounded by their family and friends. There was so much excitement and anticipation throughout the morning, and with such a large bridal party and so many people there to celebrate them, the energy was already high before the ceremony even began.

And the bridal party absolutely brought that energy with them throughout the day! Jillian and Billy had so many people standing beside them on their wedding day, and it made every portrait and every moment together that much more fun. There is something so special about a couple who surrounds themselves with a huge group of people they genuinely love, and that love was evident everywhere you looked. After the ceremony, they even had a surprise guest waiting for them – their dog! It was such a fun and unexpected moment and one of those personal touches that made the day feel completely like Jillian and Billy.

First Looks, Rooftop Portraits & All the Chicago Views

We also had so many opportunities throughout the day for portraits and first looks, including a rooftop first look with the Chicago skyline surrounding them. One of my favorite things about photographing weddings in Chicago is getting to incorporate the city into the story of the day. The architecture, skyline, and energy of the city can add so much to a wedding gallery. Jillian and Billy were completely on board with making the most of it! Between the first looks, bridal party portraits, and time together as a couple, there were so many opportunities to create images that felt both classic and full of personality.

A Reception That Went All Out

From there, the celebration continued at the Intercontinental Chicago, where the reception was every bit as incredible as the rest of the day. The entire celebration felt like a reflection of Jillian and Billy – joyful, energetic, and surrounded by the people they love most. There were beautiful reception details, heartfelt speeches, and a first dance that gave everyone a chance to slow down and take in the moment before the party really got going.

And then came the dance floor! With an incredible band (shout out to the Bluewater Kings!) and a room full of people ready to celebrate, the energy never let up. There was dancing, laughter, and so many moments happening all around the room that it was impossible not to have a huge smile behind the camera. Of course, this wedding needed one more unforgettable guest appearance, and Cannoli Boy made an appearance during the reception. It was exactly the kind of fun moment that fit this wedding so perfectly!

The portraits didn’t end when the sun went down, either. Later that night, we headed back up to the rooftop for nighttime portraits, and the Chicago skyline was absolutely incredible. I love when couples are willing to sneak away from their reception for a few minutes to create something completely different from their daytime portraits. The night photos gave Jillian and Billy a chance to step away from the party for a moment, take everything in, and create some of my favorite images from the entire day.

A Chicago Wedding to Remember

Looking back through these memories, I still have the biggest smile on my face. There are weddings that are beautiful, and then there are weddings that you leave feeling like you were truly part of something. Jillian and Billy’s was the latter. It was full of laughter, happy tears, nonstop energy, and so many people who clearly adore them. Every part of the day felt like a celebration of not just their marriage, but the incredible community of family and friends they have built around them.

I also can’t leave out one of my favorite personal details from this wedding – the beautiful florals were designed by my best friend, Bonnie. Getting to photograph a wedding that was already so personal to me, surrounded by so many familiar faces and with someone I love bringing the floral vision to life, made the day even more meaningful.

From the beautiful ceremony at St. Michael in Old Town to the rooftop portraits at the Intercontinental Chicago and an absolutely epic reception, Jillian and Billy’s wedding was one I know I’ll remember for a very long time. It was the kind of Chicago wedding that reminds you why this city will always be one of the best places to celebrate love surrounded by all of your people!

Jillian and Billy, thank you for letting me be part of such an incredible celebration. Congratulations, newlyweds!! I hope you always remember your wedding day exactly as it felt – full of laughter, energy, happy tears, your favorite people, and so much love.