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Top 3 Best Spots to Elope in Illinois

June 16, 2022

Hey there, Love!

Something I love that I don’t talk about enough, is elopements! Elopements aren’t what people used to think they are. Although I love a cute little white chapel moment, going to Vegas to get hitched isn’t the only way to elope!  

Your wedding doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s wedding. As much as I love the traditional, big weddings, tradition and celebration looks different for everyone, so weddings should be different for everyone as well. Eloping can be so intentionally intimate… It’s just you two (or maybe a few guests) celebrating the love and life you two have built together. You’re saying your vows in a location that feels personal, yet secret, like in that very moment you two are the only people on the planet.  

No matter if you’re eloping due to shared love of adventure, not wanting something traditional or if it’s just because you two know that’s exactly what your hearts want to do for your wedding day, I got your back! Here are 3 of my favorite spots in Illinois for elopements…

  1. Garden of the Gods

If a breathtaking view is what you dream about for your elopement (other than your partner), Garden of the Gods is perfect for you two! I swear this location leaves me breathless every time, but it really is one of my go-to spots for elopements. I mean, how can it not be with a view like that? Although this is a beautiful elopement destination year round, the blossoming spring trees and the turning fall leaves would add the most stunning scenery to an already extra special day.

2. Downtown Courthouse

Nature isn’t for everyone and you can never go wrong with a courthouse elopement! Courthouse elopements used to get such a bad rep, but personally, I love them so much! Just you two, the courthouse and the city as your backdrop. This is also a great location choice if you wanted to celebrate your union with your loved ones in Downtown after you say “I do”! If you’re looking to elope at the Courthouse, you’re in luck because this location is a solid choice year round, however, I do love all the dreamy and snowy photo opportunities that winter brings.

3. Rosewood Beach

If you’re looking for some romance on the shoreline, Rosewood Beach is the elopement spot for you two. From the lush greenery, the soft crashing waves and the sun on the horizon, this is definitely a special spot (especially if you’ve been pinning sunrise or sunset photos onto your wedding pinterest boards). If you two are lovers of warm weather, this would be a perfect spot for a dreamy, Nicholas-Sparks-inspired, summer elopement… and who doesn’t want that?

Elopements may be smaller and more intimate than your average wedding, but don’t let that keep you two from getting married in the most authentic way possible for the both of you. From Illinois to beyond, I’m here to help with all things elopement planning. You two deserve to have the wedding day you both have dreamed about, however you want to say “I do”, I want to be there with you!  

Make sure to follow my Instagram and Pinterest to see even more wedding and elopement inspiration, oh and don’t forget to say hi when you visit!

I’ll be thinking of you! Until next time friend,

Nichole x

"CONGRATULATIONS this is your sign that your search for the perfect wedding photographer has ended-- it's Nichole!!!

Words fall short when writing about Nichole's photography and talent, but I will do my best. As an Indian bride, I wanted a photographer who would be able to capture the color and action of my wedding weekend, and Nichole BEYOND DELIVERED!!!! She is an angel and a true artist and completely blew us away.

I’ve cried and laughed a million times looking at my wedding pictures and cannot thank Nichole enough for allowing us to relive the day so perfectly. We are so immensely grateful that we found her and had the insane luck to pick her as our wedding photographer. I truly wouldn’t have changed a thing about the whole process, she is such a light and so fun to work with. Her pictures are the very best wedding present we got and could have possibly asked for.

We adore Nichole! If I could give her 500 stars I would. Wedding couples, you are so lucky that you found her page-- book her IMMEDIATELY!!"

- RAGHAV & ANANYA

Words fall short when writing about Nichole's photography and talent, but I will do my best. As an Indian bride, I wanted a photographer who would be able to capture the color and action of my wedding weekend, and Nichole BEYOND DELIVERED!!!! She is an angel and a true artist and completely blew us away.

I’ve cried and laughed a million times looking at my wedding pictures and cannot thank Nichole enough for allowing us to relive the day so perfectly. We are so immensely grateful that we found her and had the insane luck to pick her as our wedding photographer. I truly wouldn’t have changed a thing about the whole process, she is such a light and so fun to work with. Her pictures are the very best wedding present we got and could have possibly asked for..."

"you know you found the perfect photographer when you feel like you’ve known them forever. And that’s exactly what we told Nichole on our wedding day!

Nichole is not only a genius behind the camera, but she is genuinely a great person all around! She is so passionate about what she does and boy does it show! She captured photos from our wedding that we are still in awe of. Everyone who has seen our wedding photos say they look like they could be in a magazine.

Nichole went above and beyond our expectations. If you are looking for a photographer, she is your girl! We can’t thank her enough for capturing moments from our wedding that we will cherish for the rest of our lives."

- CELESTE & CODY

"Nichole is truly amazing!!! She was the photographer for our engagement photos and our wedding; and I hope she will be our photographer for years to come!!!

Nichole took the time to get to know us as a couple which helped us feel so comfortable while we took photos. She captured our moments beautifully!! Nichole was always willing to set up a phone call to discuss wedding details and hear what we wanted for our big day. And she delivered in every way!

She was our ultimate hype woman and we couldn't have asked for a better photographer to capture our day. Thank you, Nichole!

- daniela & zac

Words fall short when writing about Nichole's photography and talent, but I will do my best. As an Indian bride, I wanted a photographer who would be able to capture the color and action of my wedding weekend, and Nichole BEYOND DELIVERED!!!! She is an angel and a true artist and completely blew us away.

I’ve cried and laughed a million times looking at my wedding pictures and cannot thank Nichole enough for allowing us to relive the day so perfectly. We are so immensely grateful that we found her and had the insane luck to pick her as our wedding photographer. I truly wouldn’t have changed a thing about the whole process, she is such a light and so fun to work with. Her pictures are the very best wedding present we got and could have possibly asked for..."

"if there were 10 stars, she’d get an 11.
I cannot recommend Nichole enough!!

She is the perfect balance of professionalism, hype woman, and friend. Her photos are stunning and prompt and you can tell she has such a passion for capturing love in all of its forms. She has a way of making everything feel comfortable and relaxed, even if you don’t love having a camera in your face. She makes it so easy, fun, and the times flies!

We have been so blessed to work with her and all of her forms/website/emails are easy to navigate. She’s the best of the best!."

- alexa & jordan

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