A CHICAGO WEDDING BLOG FOR NAKAI PHOTOGRAPHY

Sabrina + Jorge Wedding Photos!

Loews Ohare Wedding Photos!

The leaves just began to turn colors for Sabrina + Jorge’s wedding pictures! Safire Belly Dancers made a surprise performance at the reception and we had the most amazing sunset pictures at the top of the Loews Chicago Ohare Hotel! This was our first Assyrian Orthodox wedding ceremony and the first time photographing the Assyrian dancing during the reception!

This is an email we received from Sabrina after she saw her wedding teaser photos!

Thank you again for capturing our big day! You captured beautiful memories all while keeping me calm! You’re the best, and I sincerely mean it!!! My entire family knows how much I praise you and your work! The teasers look great! Can’t wait to see the rest!

So excited to be able to share all of these photo with you today! Be sure to scroll all the way down! In case you missed Sabrina + Jorge’s Chicago Riverwalk Engagement Photos – be sure to check them out!

Wedding Details

Ceremony Venue: Mart Mariam Church
Reception Venue: Loews Chicago Ohare
Photographer: Nakai Photography
Associate Photographer: Tom
Belly Dancers: Safire Belly Dancers

The fall colors were in full effect for this photo taken in a forest preserve!

chicago fall colors wedding photographer

A gorgeous portrait of the bride and groom taken at the Loews Ohare Hotel!

loews ohare wedding photographer assyrian bride chicago

The Loews Chicago Ohare ballroom all setup for the reception! Photographer’s Tip: Capture the ambience of the room by including the lighting effects – they help create the mood!

loews ohare wedding photographer photos chicago

Getting Ready Photos at the Loews Chicago Ohare Hotel 

loews ohare chicago wedding pictures dress getting ready bride

Had to get a photo of the Jimmy Choo shoes!

loews ohare chicago wedding pictures shoes getting ready bride

loews ohare chicago wedding photographer getting ready bride

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loews ohare chicago wedding photos getting ready bride

loews ohare chicago wedding photographer getting ready bride

loews ohare chicago wedding photos getting ready bride

loews ohare chicago wedding photographer getting ready bride

loews ohare chicago wedding photos getting ready bride

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My associate photographer, Tom was photographing Jorge getting ready-

loews ohare chicago wedding photographer getting ready groom

loews ohare chicago wedding photos getting ready groom

loews ohare chicago wedding photographer getting ready groom

Chaldean Church Wedding Ceremony Photos

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago images

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago images

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago photos

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago photos

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assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago images

As a photographer, I always enjoy documenting all the rich traditions in an Orthodox wedding ceremony!

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago photographer

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago photos

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago pictures

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago pictures

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago pictures

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago photographer

assyrian orthodox wedding ceremony chicago photographer

Wedding Pictures in a Forest Preserve

We headed out a local forest preserve in hopes of capturing the fall colors!

chicago forest preserve wedding photos fall colors

chicago forest preserve wedding pictures fall colors

chicago forest preserve wedding pictures fall colors

We were able to find some fall colors!

chicago forest preserve wedding photographer fall colors

chicago forest preserve wedding photos fall colors

chicago forest preserve wedding photos fall colors

chicago forest preserve wedding pictures fall colors

chicago forest preserve wedding photographer fall colors

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Love the romantic feel to this next wedding picture!

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Loews Chicago Ohare Hotel Wedding Reception Photos

loews chicago ohare wedding photographer bride groom

loews chicago ohare wedding photographer bridal party

loews chicago ohare wedding photo bride groom

We headed up to the top of the Loews Ohare parking garage to capture this stunning sunset!

loews ohare wedding photos chicago

This almost feels like we are in California!

loews ohare wedding picture chicago

We had to include a photo with the Chicago skyline in the background!

loews ohare wedding photographer assyrian bride chicago

loews ohare wedding picture chicago

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The rose chandeliers of the Loews Ohare ballroom helps bring everything together!

loews ohare wedding photographer photos chicago

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loews ohare wedding photos photos chicago

I enjoyed photographing this wedding reception entrance! The Assyrian music and dancing compliments of the drummer + zerna player!

loews ohare wedding photo assyrian bride chicago

loews ohare wedding photographer assyrian bride chicago

loews ohare wedding photo assyrian bride chicago

loews ohare wedding picture assyrian bride chicago

loews ohare wedding photos chicago

The Safire Belly Dancers performed for the audience!

loews chicago ohare wedding reception photos belly dancers assyrian

loews chicago ohare wedding reception photos belly dancers assyrian

loews chicago ohare wedding reception picture belly dancers assyrian

loews chicago ohare wedding reception photo belly dancers assyrian

The Assyrian dancing was a lot of fun and everyone could participate!

loews chicago ohare wedding reception picture assyrian dancing

loews chicago ohare wedding reception photo assyrian dancing

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loews chicago ohare wedding reception photo assyrian bride groom

loews chicago ohare wedding reception photo bride groom

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One last photo with the sweets table from the Loews Ohare-

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Thank you Sabrina + Jorge for having me as your wedding photographer! So many great photos at the Loews Ohare + Forest Preserve! Hope you are enjoying your honeymoon!

with love,

Kenny

Andrea + George’s Wedding Teasers!

The Drake Hotel Wedding Photographer’s Best Photos 

The gorgeous Gold Coast Room at The Drake Hotel Chicago is one of the most iconic wedding venues in Chicago! As a photographer, I love incorporating archictecture into my wedding pictures and we can do it all at The Chicago Drake Hotel! Be sure to look at these three ‘Photographer’s Best’ Teasers from yesterday’s wedding!

Wedding Details:
Ceremony Venue: Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Wedding Reception Venue: The Drake Hotel Gold Coast Ballroom
Coordinator: Alicia from Clementine Events
Photographer: Nakai Photography
Associate Photographer: Tom
Videographer: Fig Films
Flowers + Decor: Phillips Flowers
Makeup: Stella Mikhail
Hair: Vivian Arpino
Band: Chris Sarlas Orchestra
Cake: Cake Chicago

This first photo was taken on the rooftop of The Drake Hotel! An absolute amazing experience and we have this epic wedding picture to show for it! I love the glowing Drake marquee and the John Hancock in the background! As a wedding photographer, I have plenty of memorable moments in my career…this was definitely up there with the best!

the drake hotel wedding photo rooftop chicago photographer

The Drake Hotel has a luxurious lobby that is the perfect location for a few creative wedding day pictures!

Drake Hotel wedding photographer lobby best

The Gold Coast Ballroom all setup for the wedding ceremony – The decorative columns paired with the modern centerpieces were the perfect combination!

Drake Hotel wedding photos gold coast ballroom photographer best

Be sure to check back to see more of their wedding photos in the next couple weeks!

Wedding Photos at TheWit – Katrina + John!

The Wit Hotel Wedding Ceremony + Reception Photos

The Roof at TheWit Hotel in Chicago is the perfect venue for a wedding ceremony! It also makes for the perfect first look location! The Wit Chicago is also centrally located to so many great wedding photo locations! State Street, the Chicago marquee and riverwalk area all within walking distance! ***Shout out to Cherile + David for referring me to Katrina + John! I appreciate your support! You can see their amazing Chicago engagement photos at this blog post!***

Wedding Details
Wedding Venue: TheWit Hotel Chicago
Day of Coordinator: Citygirl Weddings + Events
Photographer: Nakai Photography
Associate Photographer: Tom
Bouquets and Decor: Studio AG Designs

This first photo taken with the Chicago marquee at night – is one of my favorites from their wedding day! As a Chicago wedding photographer, this one picture brings it all together…the iconic sign, the CTA in the background and the perfect pose!

chicago wedding photographer marquee night state street

TheWit Rooftop ledge for a first look! Iconic Chicago architecture in the background of the photo!

the wit wedding photographer hotel chicago roof rooftop

As a wedding photographer, I’m always looking for a unique perspective and vantage point! Here you can see The Wit’s ledge really sticking out over the city! You can also see Millennium Park in the background!

thewit wedding photographer hotel chicago roof rooftop

Getting Ready at The Wit

the wit wedding getting ready photo

shoes the wit wedding getting ready photo

ring the wit wedding getting ready photo

the wit wedding getting ready photo

the wit wedding getting ready picture

Before her first look, we took some portraits of Katrina in the ROOF at TheWit lounge! I love the modern interior design –

the wit wedding photographer roof bride chicago hotel

the wit wedding photographer roof bride chicago hotel

the wit wedding photo roof bride chicago hotel

My associate photographer, Tom, was taking photos of the groom getting ready –

cufflinks groom wedding getting ready the wit hotel chicago

groom wedding getting ready the wit hotel chicago

groom wedding getting ready photo the wit hotel chicago

groom wedding getting ready picture the wit hotel chicago

groom wedding getting ready photo the wit hotel chicago

groom wedding photo the wit hotel chicago

groom wedding photo thewit hotel chicago

Rooftop Wedding Photo at the ROOF at TheWit

thewit wedding photo hotel chicago roof rooftop

thewit wedding picture roof rooftop

thewit wedding picture roof bride groom

Photographer’s Tip: I was drawn to the color and texture of these couches. The perfect way to balance out the scene!

thewit wedding photographer roof bride groom

thewit wedding photo roof bride groom

the wit wedding photo roof bride groom

the wit wedding photo roof bride groom

The Wit has a yellow ‘lightening bolt’ running down the front of the hotel- I wanted to incorporate it throughout their wedding photos

the wit wedding photographer bride groom

thewit wedding photographer bride groom

Photographer’s Tip: The yellow Wit hotel umbrella is the perfect pop of color on a dreary day! Classic Chicago architecture in the background framed by the bold red umbrellas in the foreground!

chicago state street wedding photographer bride groom

This photo of the Chicago marquee on State Street took a little bit of coordination, but it was worth the effort! The sign is classic Chicago!

chicago state street wedding photographer bride groom

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wedding-photos-chicago-nakai-photography-034

Chicago Riverwalk Wedding Photos

chicago riverwalk wedding photographer bride groom

chicago riverwalk wedding photos bride groom

Photographer’s Tip: The bride and groom are framed by the river’s edge. Leading lines point you to the bridge and Wrigley building!

chicago riverwalk wedding photographer bride groom

chicago riverwalk wedding photos bride groom

chicago river walk wedding photos bride groom

One of my favorite spots on the Riverwalk!

chicago riverwalk wedding photographer bride groom

This next photo feels like a magazine ad!

chicago river walk wedding photographer bride groom

chicago river walk wedding photos bride groom

TheWit Hotel Chicago Wedding Ceremony Pictures

the wit hotel wedding ceremony photo

thewit hotel wedding ceremony photo

The ROOF at TheWit lounge transforms into the perfect wedding ceremony venue!

the wit hotel wedding ceremony photography

thewit hotel wedding ceremony picture

the wit hotel wedding ceremony photo

thewit hotel wedding ceremony photo

the wit hotel wedding ceremony picture

thewit hotel wedding ceremony picture

Reception Photos at TheWit

thewit wedding reception photo

the wit wedding reception photo

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thewit wedding reception photo first dance

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thewit wedding reception picture first dance

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thewit wedding reception photographer

Oh man…I love late night snacks!

thewit wedding reception photo

One more photo on State Street with the Chicago marquee sign at night!

chicago wedding photographer marquee night state street

Thank you Katrina + John for having me as your wedding photographer! We were able to capture so many epic photos throughout Chicago! The Riverwalk, the marquee, State Street + the Roof at TheWit! What an epic day! Congrats again!

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I'm Kenny Nakai, from NAKAI Photography sharing creating beautiful, creative, & timeless imagery on this Chicago wedding blog since 2007. I would love to capture your love story!

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3334 N Avers Ave #2

Chicago, IL 60618

312-298-9721