Elegant Shower Favors

I recently had the opportunity to visit The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, and although I am not currently engaged, the whole time I was there, I could not stop thinking ( ok fantasizing) about how beautiful it would be to be married there. The natural landscapes of tree lined roads and paths as well as the Children’s Garden were absolutely beautiful.

As we walked around I pictured how in the future if I married in the summer, my future hubby and I could take our wedding pictures at the Children’s Garden, in front of any of the flower gardens. These gardens are popping with an incredible array of colors. As we continued to walk around the grounds, I thought (ok dreamed) about how incredible a Fall Wedding at the Arboretum would be. The picturesque colors of red, yellow, orange, rust and brown and green trees would make incredible backdrops for my wedding pictures. I had to stop and thank Mother Nature for supplying this beautiful backdrop for my future (someday) wedding photos. Since I was enjoying this fantasy so much, I took it a step further and pictured how I would give my future wedding guests a keepsake favor that would help them remember spending this special day at the Arboretum with my husband and me. I have already spotted some really cool

leaf -themed bottle stoppers, fall photo frames, glass leaf coasters, mini fall leaf photo albums, fall gel candles and fall leaf shaped bookmarks. So many choices, maybe I will choose them all (of course after I find Mr. Right). 

Bella Pictures is an innovative company that is transforming the wedding photography industry. Bella was founded by a team of professionals with backgrounds in photojournalism, e-commerce and marketing. The unique set of skills that our founder and management team bring to the table is enabling Bella Pictures to establish new industry standards. Elegant Shower Favors.com  is pleased to present some great Chicagoland photo spot suggestions from Bella Pictures(http://www.bellapictures.com/chicago) (1-888-556-7590).

The city of Chicago is many things. It’s diverse. It’s metropolitan. And sure, it can be windy. Accordingly, Chicagoans and visitors alike can find numerous opportunities for ideal places and backdrops for beautiful wedding photography. We’ve selected one favorite, Chicago’s 24.5-acre Millennium Park as one must-stop photo locale for your wedding.

Completed in 2004, the park contains everything from architectural marvels to outdoor oases. We’ve highlighted the park’s best landmarks — all worthy of becoming the canvas for your wedding memories. Be aware, however, that if you plan to schedule a wedding shoot at the park, it is your responsibility to secure the necessary permit for professional photography.

Millennium Park

Where it’s located: Welcome Center
201 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601

Contact: (312) 742-1168

What you should know: The park is open every day from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. and admission is free. The Millennium Park Garage entrance is located on South Columbus Drive, between Monroe Drive and Randolph Street. Check www.grantparkparking.com for rates. Keep in mind the park is a popular spot for visitors, especially on weekends.

BP Bridge

About this photo locale: It winds 925 feet from Daley Bicentennial Plaza to Millennium Park. The BP Bridge is a brushed stainless-steel clad structure designed by world famous architect Frank Gehry. The pale tones of the Brazilian hardwood compliment the contrasting metal exterior.

What you should know: In the distance, you’ll be able to capture a remarkable view of the Chicago skyline. Take some photos of the wedding party on the bridge from the vantage point of the structure itself as well as from Columbus Drive below.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

About this photo locale: Also designed by Frank Gehry, the 120-foot-high pavilion is an architectural wonder made of stainless steel. A shining metal trellis emerges from the sinewy organic structure housing the stage to envelope the 95,000-square-foot lawn seating area.

What you should know: Venture inside the pavilion or around the exterior to capture the details of the pavilion up-close and personal. Or catch a view from the nearby BP Bridge. One thing to note is that the Pavilion holds events and activities throughout the season. You can check with the event website for exact times, but they tend to occur on Saturday mornings before 11 a.m.

Cloud Gate

About this photo locale: Like an oversized glistening paperweight, the 110-ton Cloud Gate sculpture lies centrally in the SBC Plaza. It measures 66 feet long and is 33 feet high. This delightful sculpture, known affectionately as “The Bean”, was designed by British artist Anish Kapoor.

What you should know: This elliptical master of illusions offers boundless possibilities for wedding photo moments. Walk one way and you’ll see the mirrored reflection of the Chicago high-rises on its polished stainless steel plate surfaces. Walk under its 12-foot-high arch and you’ll be able to capture a kaleidoscope of images on the concave underbelly of the sculpture. Keep in mind that you’ll likely share your space with other curious onlookers, bent on figuring out the distorted views the Cloud Gate offers.

Crown Fountain

About this photo locale: Not to be missed, the Crown Fountain is comprised of two 50-foot towers marking the ends of a shallow reflecting pool. Spanish artist Jaume Plensa created this ever-changing masterpiece, which displays the faces of Chicago’s own on the giant LED screens.

What you should know: The crown fountain makes for some wet, but beautiful imagery. Water spouts forth from the mouths of the faces — or so it seems. A water outlet is placed just so, to create the illusion of mouths spewing water into the shallow pool. Though you’ll be able to capture the images year round, the water typically runs from mid-spring to mid-fall, so plan your photographic moments accordingly. You can check with the park for more up-to-date information.

Lurie Garden

About this photo locale: The 2.5-acre park, designed by Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel, sits on the south side of Millennium Park by Monroe Street. It is a tribute to Chicago’s transformation from a flat marshland into the urban powerhouse it is today.

What you should know: Look for details to include in the photos such as the 15-foot shoulder hedge, the hardwood footbridge, and over 100 types of perennials. Brides and grooms who don’t mind casting their cares and shoes away might endeavor to get a few photographs at the shallow pool.

Millennium Monument

About this photo locale: Even amongst the modernistic aesthetics of many of the structures of Millennium Park, you’ll find a nod to ancient Greek architecture. At the north end of Wrigley Square, you’ll find the Millennium Monument, a replica of the original peristyle that once stood there from 1917 to 1953. The limestone Doric columns are nearly 40 feet high and arranged in a semicircle around a spouting fountain.

What you should know: At night, the lit monument makes for an enchanting backdrop, with the names of the park’s founders etched into the base wall of the structure. By day, expect this to be a busy spot for park visitors. Consider taking some close-up shots behind a veil of water as the fountain rains down. Or take a few around the perimeter of the colonnade as you descend the ramp with the structure flanking your left-hand side.