You are not skipping anything. You are choosing what actually matters. As a Chicago courthouse wedding photographer, I am here for all of it.
A Chicago courthouse wedding, whether at City Hall on Randolph Street or the Cook County Marriage Court. is one of the most honest ways to get married. Just you, the person you love, maybe a handful of the people who matter most, and vows that mean exactly what they say. No performance. No timeline pressure. Just the real thing.
I am Adri De La Cruz, a documentary-style Chicago courthouse wedding photographer. I have been documenting real moments since 2015 and courthouse ceremonies are some of my absolute favorites. There is something about the simplicity of it — standing in front of a judge, saying your words, and walking back out into the city as a married couple — that is completely unrepeatable. I want to be there for all of it
Chicago Courthouse Wedding Photographer
Most Chicago City Hall weddings follow a similar rhythm. You arrive downtown, get married, and then the city is yours. That is where the portraits happen — and Chicago delivers.
After your ceremony we typically head to the Chicago Riverwalk, the LaSalle Street canyon near the old Chicago Stock Exchange for those iconic building backdrops, or the South Garden at the Art Institute. All of it is walkable from City Hall. All of it is stunning. And none of it requires a permit or a production.
Your gallery will feel like a love letter to Chicago and to each other.
What Is Included
Courthouse wedding coverage at The Adri Photo Co. starts at $1,050. This includes your ceremony coverage at Chicago City Hall or Cook County Marriage Court plus portrait time at downtown locations of your choice. You will receive a full edited gallery delivered through Pixieset.
Need more time or want to add a dinner or reception? Ask about custom packages when you reach out.
A Few Things Worth Knowing About Chicago City Hall Weddings
Chicago City Hall operates on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday. Saturday ceremonies are available but require advance appointments. Weekday mornings during warmer months tend to have longer waits — plan for some buffer time and honestly, the wait makes for great candid moments too.
You will need a valid Illinois marriage license before your ceremony. Licenses are obtained from the Cook County Clerk’s office, which is conveniently located in the same building.
Bilingual | LGBTQ+ Inclusive | All Couples Welcome
I am fully bilingual in English and Spanish and happy to work entirely in Spanish from your first inquiry through gallery delivery. The Adri Photo Co. is proudly LGBTQ+ inclusive — all couples are welcome here, full stop.
Chicago Courthouse Wedding Photography — Common Questions
What Is Included
Courthouse wedding coverage at The Adri Photo Co. starts at $1,050 and includes 2 hours of coverage. That time covers your ceremony at Chicago City Hall or Cook County Marriage Court plus portrait time at a downtown location of your choice — the Riverwalk, LaSalle Street, the Art Institute, wherever feels right. You will receive a full edited gallery delivered through Pixieset.
The 2 hours is a guide, not a hard stop. The goal is to make sure your day feels complete, not rushed.
Do I need an appointment at Chicago City Hall to get married?
Weekday ceremonies are walk-in, no appointment needed. Saturday ceremonies require an advance appointment. Plan to arrive early on weekdays during spring and summer — it can get busy.
Do I need a marriage license before my courthouse wedding? Yes — you need a valid Illinois marriage license before your ceremony. You can get one from the Cook County Clerk’s office, which is in the same building as the marriage court.
Where do couples take portraits after a Chicago City Hall wedding?
The city is your backdrop. Popular spots include the Chicago Riverwalk, LaSalle Street for the iconic building canyon, the South Garden at the Art Institute, and Millennium Park. All are walkable from City Hall.
How long does a courthouse wedding photography session take?
Most courthouse wedding sessions run 2–3 hours — ceremony plus portrait time at one or two downtown locations.
Do you photograph LGBTQ+ courthouse weddings?
Absolutely — all couples are welcome here, full stop. The Adri Photo Co. is proudly LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes — fully bilingual. Happy to work entirely in Spanish from inquiry to gallery delivery.
Is a courthouse wedding the same as eloping?
They overlap but are not identical. An elopement is about intention — choosing intimacy over a big production. A courthouse wedding is a specific legal ceremony at City Hall. Many couples do both — a City Hall ceremony followed by a celebratory dinner or a bigger party later. Either way, it deserves to be documented.