Chicago Elopement Photography at Shake Shack ~ Planning an elopement in Chicago during springtime can be tricky. It can be snowing or rainy or 80 degrees and sunny. Victoria and David didn’t plan to have their wedding shot at Shake Shack or to be walking around / hiding under a canopy or any cover we could find in Westfield Old Orchard Mall. But there we were. Making the best of a very rainy and windy Friday afternoon. Victoria and David wed at the Skokie Courthouse in an intimate ceremony. After the I do’s we looked at the radar and peaked out the window of the courthouse and determined there was no way to shoot outdoors. Complete bummer for sure. I suggested we go to a favorite spot of theirs until we could either wait out the weather or give us time before we were allowed in the reception space.

Shake Shack + Chicago Elopement Photography

Victoria loves milkshakes. Shake Shack was in the same area as Maggiano’s, where they were hosting their wedding reception. This wasn’t the most ideal location but boy did we have a blast! The employees at Shake Shack were so amazing! They welcomed us in (we were soaked) gave two milkshakes on the house to the bride and groom and gifted the happy couple with a $25 gift card. I shot photos while the couple enjoyed their shakes and giggled about how the day was not going as planned but they were married. It was just as it should be. Their wedding love story.

After we dried off and rested up a bit we headed out into Westfield Old Orchard Mall and walked around. Now some people couldn’t even imagine taking wedding portraits at an outdoor mall but that is just what we did. We walked that mall and found some lovely areas to use for portraits.

Wedding days hardly ever go as planned. And that’s okay! The unexpected moments are what matter. Victoria and David are one of the loveliest couples I have had the pleasure of working with. I hope they remember this day with excitement and fondness.

XoXo,

Winterlyn