The Rookery Wedding

Photographing a wedding at The Rookery is an absolutely thrilling experience.  During the day it serves as home to commercial offices but for events the businesses are covered by draping which leaves only the beautiful architecture.  There are few venues which are simple and complex at the same time.  The layout of the venue takes you from a grand lobby entrance into a wide open indoor courtyard with access to a grand staircase which overlooks the entire reception floor.  The real gem however is one which you don’t see immediately.  Only once you’ve reached the main floor do you see the Oriel Staircase which allows you to have an unobstructed view from the bottom all the way out of the glass ceiling and into the outside world.  The design and structure of the building was initially created by Daniel Burnham and John Root and later redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright.  It’s an absolute photographers dream.

The day began at the JW Marriott Chicago which not only offers spacious and well lit rooms to get ready in but provides an architecturally scenic lobby area, perfect for a first look.  The other amazing aspect of the hotel is that it’s just steps away from The Rookery as well as the financial district which features the stunning Chicago Board of Trade as an iconic backdrop.  Between the JW Marriott and The Rookery there’s a wonder of hidden photographic gems which can be a perfect match for your wedding day.