Eloping is not a backup plan. It is a bold, intentional choice to make your wedding day entirely about the two of you and it deserves to be documented with just as much care and intention as any ballroom celebration. As your Chicago elopement photographer, I am here for all of it.
I am Adri De La Cruz, a documentary elopement photographer based in Forest Park, IL. I work with couples who want something real, intimate, and completely free from the noise of a traditional wedding. Whether you are exchanging vows on a rooftop, in a hotel suite, at a city park, or somewhere entirely unexpected, I will be there to document every honest moment. Capturing moments that matter for people that care about the love in their life.
What a Chicago Elopement Session Looks Like
No two elopements look the same and that is exactly the point. Some couples want a quiet morning ceremony followed by a long, leisurely portrait session across the city. Others want a single emotional hour documented from start to finish. I work around your vision and your timeline, not the other way around.
Chicago offers incredible backdrops for intimate ceremonies — the Riverwalk, Millennium Park, The Langham, rooftop terraces, hidden courtyards, and beyond. If you have a location in mind I would love to hear it. If you need ideas I have plenty.
What to Expect
Elopement coverage starts at two hours and scales from there depending on what your day looks like. You will receive a full private online gallery and the same documentary approach I bring to every session — honest, unhurried, and completely centered on your story.
Chicago Elopement Photography — Common Questions
What is an elopement session?
An elopement is an intimate, intentional wedding just the two of you, maybe a handful of your favorite people, and no pressure. No big production. Just your vows, your moment, and someone there to document all of it honestly.
How much does a Chicago elopement photographer cost?
Elopement and intimate wedding coverage at The Adri Photo Co. starts at $1,050 for courthouse and small ceremonies. Larger intimate weddings start at $3,500 for 6 hours of coverage. Every package includes a full edited gallery delivered through Pixieset.
Where can we elope in Chicago?
Anywhere that feels like you. The Cook County Courthouse is a popular option for a simple, intimate ceremony. Beyond that the Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park, the lakefront, a rooftop, a forest preserve, your favorite restaurant. If it matters to you, it’s the right location. Adri knows great spots all over the city and suburbs and is happy to help you choose.
Do you need a permit to elope in Chicago?
Some locations require a permit for photography. Adri will help you navigate that so nothing gets in the way of your day.
How long does an elopement session take?
Most elopements run 2–4 hours depending on locations and how the day flows. There is no rushing — your timeline is built around you.
Do you photograph LGBTQ+ elopements?
Absolutely all couples are welcome here, full stop. The Adri Photo Co. is proudly LGBTQ+ inclusive and has photographed couples of all kinds across Chicago and beyond.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes — fully bilingual. Happy to work entirely in Spanish from your first inquiry through gallery delivery
A Session to Inspire You
Ready to Book?
Courthouse & micro ceremonies
.Contact me here to talk through your elopement vision and check availability. Stop by my instagram for more inspiration.
