A Chic October Microwedding: Love Above the Skyline at Nomi Kitchen

Two white lace gowns hanging side by side in a sunlit hotel room. That was the first frame we shot, and honestly, it told us everything about the day ahead. As a Chicago microwedding photographer, we’ve seen firsthand how a small guest count strips away the noise and leaves you with nothing but real feeling. This October celebration at Nomi Kitchen was exactly that. Two brides, a balcony overlooking the city, golden light, and a rooftop that felt like it belonged only to them.

Getting Ready at Le Meridien Essex

The Le Meridien Essex gave us a suite with text-covered walls and soft, even light filtering through sheer curtains. Perfect getting-ready conditions. Their gowns hung next to each other on wooden hangers, one lace and one flowing chiffon, and we pulled in close on the fabric details before the room filled up with family and laughter. One of the sweetest moments came completely unscripted: both brides reached for their dresses at the same time, ended up nose to nose in matching robes, and just started grinning. That kind of thing can’t be posed. You just have to be ready for it.

City Portraits in Golden October Light

After vows on the Nomi Kitchen balcony, we took these two out into the city. October in Chicago delivered exactly what we hoped for: golden, slightly hazy light with enough warmth to keep everyone comfortable. Pink hydrangeas in a nearby park gave us this lush, almost painterly backdrop that we shot wide to let the color fill the frame. One bride tucked into the blooms for a solo portrait while the other stood among the skyline. Then they came together, foreheads touching, completely lost in each other. Those quiet in-between seconds are where our favorite images always live.

From the park, we moved to a stone fountain framed by trees and high-rises. Classic architecture behind modern glass towers, and two people radiating happiness right in the middle of it all. Later, stone steps covered in fallen amber leaves shifted the mood to something quieter and moodier. One bride cradled the other’s face, and then they kissed. If you’re considering a Chicago microwedding, know this: the city gives you a dozen portrait locations within a short walk, and golden hour here is genuinely world-class. Those are the frames that remind us why we love being a Chicago microwedding photographer.

Cocktails Above the City

Back at Nomi Kitchen, the whole energy shifted. The ceremony adrenaline softened into something quieter, and the couple settled onto a rooftop couch with the skyline glowing behind them. Sunset light caught the glass railing and spread warm streaks across the scene. We shot wide here because the scale of that view deserved it. The two of them just sat together holding hands, taking it in, while guests mingled nearby with cocktails. The whole rooftop felt like a living room suspended above the city. That shift from ceremony nerves to easy, end-of-day stillness is something we absolutely live for.

The reception details told their story just as clearly. A white cake topped with a custom silhouette of the couple, complete with their dogs, sat on a glass cart surrounded by gold votives. Monogrammed napkins read “L & L, 10.10.22.” Every single piece reflected who they are. Nothing was filler. That’s what happens when real thought goes into every choice, and it’s one of our favorite things to document. To explore more of our work with celebrations like this, visit our wedding photography portfolio.