Downtown Chicago Wedding Timeline Planning: Where to Begin

So you’re hosting a big wedding day in downtown Chicago, AMAZING, ICONIC, LOVE!! One of the most crucial pieces for your Chicago wedding is going to be a detailed, intentional, wedding day timeline. A timeline will help you stay organized, know where everyone needs to be, and keep us on track while having the best celebration ever.

One of the best parts about being a Chicago wedding photographer is working with couples and their planners on their timeline because it can truly make or break a day. I am here to give you the best advice as an experienced Chicago area wedding photographer who has photographed events and engagement sessions in the heart of the city while creating a downtown Chicago wedding timeline that actually works.

Building the Big Picture for Weddings in Downtown Chicago

The first step is consulting with your Chicago wedding planner or Chicago day of wedding coordinator on all the events you are wanting to focus on for your day. Having this list early helps shape the entire timeline for weddings in downtown Chicago. For example:

• First looks (with a parent, bridesmaids, or your partner)
• PJ portraits while getting ready
• Whether you want to join cocktail hour, if so how long?
• Introductions, cake cutting, first dances, speeches
• Any other moments that feel unique to you
• How long will the ceremony last?

Non-Negotiables That Shape Your Downtown Chicago Wedding Timeline

The most important keys that will shape your downtown Chicago wedding timeline are:

• Hair and makeup cut-off time
  
• Whether you’re doing a first look with your partner
• Getting ready locations for both partners

Once these are set, the rest of the day becomes much easier to map out, especially when coordinating with your Chicago day of wedding coordinator and photography team.

Choosing the Best Getting Ready Locations for Downtown Chicago Weddings

When deciding on a getting ready location for your Chicago wedding, are you in the same building as your venue or will you be renting a hotel block? How is the natural light in the morning? This will make ALL the difference in your pre-ceremony imagery and your downtown Chicago wedding photos. Most importantly, is there enough space for hair, makeup, getting into attire, and photographer movement?

I love to provide this checklist to all of my couples if their wedding venue has a not-so-ideal getting ready space or when they are looking for hotels or Airbnbs near popular Chicago wedding picture locations. You will want a calm, spacious getting ready location because it sets the tone for the entire day and has a huge impact on your timeline and your downtown Chicago wedding photos.

 

Wedding Photography Timing Advice From a Chicago Wedding Photographer

Every Chicago wedding photographer is unique, but you hired yours because you trust their vision. It is so important to ask them about their preferred timing for each part of the day especially when working through a downtown Chicago wedding timeline.

For example, I love to build in enough space so nothing feels rushed and we are aiming for gorgeous imagery. That does not mean every image is posed, but more that we are making room for natural, candid moments to unfold while still capturing important guided portraits at iconic Chicago wedding photo spots.

Here’s a general breakdown I like to use:

• 1 hour – Getting into attire, accessories, touch-ups, and suite portraits
• 1 hour – First look, private vows, and couple portraits
• 15–20 minutes – Bridesmaids (closer to 20 minutes if more than five people)
• 15–20 minutes – Groomsmen
• 10–15 minutes – Full wedding party
• ~10 minutes – just married post-ceremony portraits, then I love letting my couples join cocktail hour

 

Why Buffer Time Is Critical for Weddings in Downtown Chicago

Here is the thing, if it takes 5 minutes to drive somewhere in Chicago, give yourself 15. Being ahead of schedule is always better than being behind, and those unexpected pockets of time often turn into little sparks of magic throughout the day while keeping your downtown Chicago wedding timeline stress-free.

Vertical travel time matters too!

I once had a bride wait on an elevator for 10 minutes. Because we had buffer time built in, everything stayed calm. But it’s a great reminder how many hidden delays exist in the city:

• Elevators
• Hotel lobbies
• Loading into cars
• Quick touch-ups before moving locations

 

Chicago Wedding Transportation Planning Tips

Traveling through downtown Chicago for a wedding could end in a disaster if not planned correctly. Chicago wedding transportation should always be discussed early when building your timeline. You need to know exactly how you and your wedding party are getting around the city whether it’s for portraits, ceremony parking, or reception parking.

The best options to consider are traveling by trolley, limo, or a bus that fits everyone. A Chicago wedding trolley is always a favorite and looks incredible in downtown Chicago wedding photos. Bonus points if your photographer and videographer can ride along, this keeps us close to all of the fun and often leads to the best pre-party or post-ceremony photo moments while navigating Chicago wedding transportation smoothly.

Major Events to Check When Planning Weddings in Downtown Chicago

It’s a city there are events almost every weekend. But there can also be huge events that impact travel time such as a Cubs game, marathons, or festivals like Lollapalooza. This is especially important for weddings in downtown Chicago. Make sure you check your wedding date and plan additional time and parking just to be safe.

Photo Permits & Chicago Wedding Photo Locations

As a Chicago wedding photographer, so many popular Chicago wedding photo locations require permits. This is why it is crucial to talk to your photographer early about which Chicago wedding photo spots you have in mind whether they’re your ideas or you’re open to their recommendations. Many of the most iconic places to take wedding pictures in Chicago require permits that need to be handled well in advance due to processing times.

Season, Sunset & Light Considerations for Downtown Chicago Wedding Photos

I am providing a sample timeline below, but please remember it’s not one size fits all. You have to consider your season when building a downtown Chicago wedding timeline. The best way to determine your ceremony start time is by looking at sunset.

Due to the skyscrapers, sunset is a little different in the city, which directly impacts your downtown Chicago wedding photos.

Spring and summer weddings have light lasting almost until the end of the evening, giving you more flexibility. However, for fall and winter weddings, sunset is much earlier, which means portraits at your chosen Chicago wedding picture locations should happen earlier in the day.

The Best Month To Get Married in Chicago can help you decide on which month is best!

Weather Backup Plans for Chicago Wedding Photo Locations

Of course, the topic that scares a lot of couples when planning their Chicago wedding. The best advice I have is this: if there is a chance of rain, make sure you love Plan B JUST as much as Plan A especially when choosing covered Chicago wedding photo locations.

This is something I walk through with my couples about a week before the wedding if the forecast isn’t changing. We make sure we have solid portrait locations, transportation is ready, and cute umbrellas are packed. When in doubt though, EMBRACE THE RAIN. A little sprinkle won’t hurt your hair, makeup, OR your downtown Chicago wedding photos.

Ceremony Exit, Guest Flow & Downtown Chicago Wedding Logistics

Guest communication is incredibly important. It only takes one family member being out of the loop to cause chaos. After your ceremony, make sure your family knows exactly where to go for family formals especially when navigating large venues and popular Chicago wedding picture locations.

Other important factors to consider:

• Do elevators bottleneck guests after the ceremony?
• Do guests need to relocate immediately to the reception hall or can they linger?

If you’re doing a getaway car after a church ceremony (which is SUCH an iconic move), make sure your wedding party knows the plan so no one is left waiting for you, this keeps your downtown Chicago wedding timeline running smoothly.

Still searching for a Chicago wedding venue? I’ve got you! Read ‘5 Of The Best Wedding Venues in Chicago‘

Sample Downtown Chicago Wedding Timeline

This downtown Chicago wedding timeline is an example of a couple getting married at a venue and holding their reception in the same space, with portraits taken at nearby Chicago wedding photo spots.

12:50 – Hair and makeup done

12:50 – PJ Portraits

1:00 – Get into attire, accessories, portraits

2:00 – First look with bridesmaids

2:10 – Pack up shuttle and leave for location

2:30 – Arrive at location for First Look

2:40 – First Look, Private vows + couples portraits

3:40 – Bridesmaids Portraits

4:00 – Wedding Party Portraits

4:15 – Groomsmen Portraits

4:30 – Leave for ceremony

5:00 – Arrive at venue, wedding party resting

5:30 – Ceremony

6:00 – Ceremony End (Reception room flip begins)

6:10 – Family Formals

6:30 – Just Married portraits

6:40 – Couple joins cocktail hour

7:05 – Reception introductions

7:35 – First Dance + Cake Cutting

7:45 – Welcome speech, dinner served + sneak out for 5 minutes after dinner for sunset portraits

8:45 – Toasts + parent dances

9:00 – Open dancing

9:30 – Photographer departs

 

 

Let’s Host An AMAZING Chicago Wedding Day

And that’s all on having an intentional, well-planned Chicago wedding day. If this experience sounds like exactly what you’re dreaming of, I would love to be your Chicago wedding photographer. For my couples, every moment and photograph is intentional and fully embraced. It’s more than just the images, it’s about your experience 🤍

✨ Inquire about your Chicago Wedding here → Begin Your Experience

READ MORE CHICAGO WEDDING PLANNING TIPS:

How to Choose the Best Wedding Planner in Chicago

How To Plan a Stress-Free Downtown Chicago Wedding

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