Jessica & Alex | Chicago Wedding & Travel Photography
We walked into the former macaroni factory-turned-artists’ lofts, a character-filled space perfectly befitting Jessica and Alex. After we ascended six flights of stairs, we were treated to the most spectacular gem, with all of downtown Chicago ready to serve as the backdrop to the wedding ceremony. It turns out those 80% chance thunderstorm forecasts were all bluster.
It was so much fun to be a guest at this wedding, after having seen Jessica and Alex date for the past ten years and getting to document their proposal in San Francisco last year too. They met at TAF, a summer camp that a lot of us have been a part of for a long time, so we had a whole lot of mutual friends ready to party with the couple. Below are some of my favorite snaps from the wedding and the rest of our Labor Day weekend in Chicago too!
I love that Conrad was the officiant. He was one of our counselors growing up at TAF, and we all knew him for his booming voice. He led a very personal and humorous ceremony, including some hilarious delay tactics before the first kiss.
Then it was time for cocktail hour at magic hour!
Caleb and Christina are soon to be wed themselves!
We rounded up the troops for an all-TAFers photo!
On the right, a little engagement book that I made for Jess & Alex from their proposal photos.
A great mix of industrial character and elegance.
And finally, some candids from the last song.
Congratulations, Jess & Alex!
Now, we transition to the rest of our stay in Chicago! We were so graciously hosted by Angela and Charles in their gorgeous Lincoln Park apartment.
They were also hosting Esther, because a whole other contingent of Duke friends were going to a different wedding in Chicago that weekend.
Late night up on their private roof deck with Millie the pug!
Millie was having fun with Christina on the hammock, but I don’t know if Christina was having as much fun.
A morning run to a nearby bakery.
Then lunch with the TAF crowd at Big Star.
A stop by Wormhole Cafe.
Sunday brunch at Ming Hin dim sum in Chinatown.
Relaxing at Hotel Bosworth (Ming’s apartment) after lunch.
Monday brunch at Publican Quality Meats: charcuterie & sandwich plates.
Followed by Jeni’s Ice Cream! They’ve expanded their little Ohio shop into a delicious empire.
And finally, Tuesday lunch at Crisp in Lakeview with Godwin and Eric.
A little walk to Lake Michigan.
And more ice cream!
Hooray Chicago! Midwest summer is pretty special. Congrats again to Jess & Alex, and thank you to Angela & Charles for being such amazing hosts!
Anna Wu is a wedding and portrait photographer based in San Francisco but often traveling and working around the world. She creates beautiful, soft, and timeless imagery while capturing the most fleeting of moments. View her work at annawu.com or contact her to book your own session today.
