CHICAGO WEDDING BLOG

Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Wedding Photos

This hotel is nestled in the heart of Chicago, right on Michigan Avenue and across the street from Millennium Park. The classic Chicago architecture and interior design are so picturesque! It originally opened as the Chicago Athletic Association in 1893 and was patterned after the Doce in Venice. It closed it’s doors in 2007 and was reopened in 2015 as a hotel! We hope you can see it’s brilliance in Amalia + Stephen’s Chicago Athletic Association Hotel wedding photos!

Shout out to Hannah and the staff at the Chicago Athletic Association and Michelle from Bustle and Lace for helping create such a smooth and flawless day!

Wedding Details:
Wedding Ceremony + Reception Venue: Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
Decor: Studio Poppy
Photographer: NAKAI Photography
Planner: Bustle and Lace
Musicians: Cloud Gate Quartet

Love all the hand carved details above the fireplace and how Amalia’s dress and headpiece match the vibe perfectly! Good composition in a photograph is one thing, but we love their energy in their laugh! It makes us smile every time we look at it!

The symmetry and leading lines in this staircase photograph are sublime. Such a variety of geometric patterns and textures help frame the bride and groom! Converted to black and white to help bring out the composition!

Their Chicago Athletic Association Hotel wedding photos would not be complete without a view of Millennium Park from the rooftop! Cindy’s rooftop space allowed us a quick outside photo without having to walk far at all!

Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Wedding Photos: Getting Ready

A photo of her engagement ring-

This photo of Amalia and her mom might be one of my favorites from the day! Love their energy and love the matching expressions!

A portrait of Amalia with her timeless look.

The large Michigan Avenue facing windows in her suite helped light her getting ready Chicago Athletic Association Hotel wedding photos!

Stephen was getting ready in his room with his brother. Loved photographing them both putting on their ties.

For their first look, we prioritized a private space with good natural light. Love how excited Stephen is to see his bride!

Had to take a picture with them in front of the large windows and stained glass panels! The repeating pattern and symmetry make for the perfect backdrop-

Love the way they laugh together!

This next portrait of Amalia looks like it could be out of movie or an advertisement for a new HBO series. Such a regal look. Classic elegance-

The staff at CAA Hotel helped us with the foot traffic so we could take these staircase photos quickly without interruption!

We love staircases…and found one more to photograph! It was a little difficult to access, but we think it was worth it – Thanks Amalia and Stephen for making it happen!

The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel has amazing masonry work the front facade. We went across the street to photograph the bride and groom in a window while also photographing the facade!

Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Wedding Photos // Ceremony

The ballroom all ready for the ceremony with a beautiful arch by Studio Poppy.

Amalia threw up her ‘heart’ sign a couple times on their wedding day =) Love that little bit of non-verbal communication between the two of them!

Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Wedding Photos // Reception

A room shot of the ballroom set up for the reception. Love the ornate ceiling details, the custom wall panels and sconces, and the beautiful stained glass!

Mother of the bride shouting out Amalia’s friend who helped introduce the bride and groom to each other!

Amalia putting up a ‘heart/love’ sign to her family members!

A sunset view from the Chicago Athletic Hotel ballroom. Guests get to watch the sunset over Millennium Park and Lake Michigan during dinner.

A proud mother of the groom giving her toast

Had to take a photos with the same windows and stained glass panels at night!

Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Wedding Photos // The Game Room

After the reception, guests went to the Chicago Athletic Association Game Room to continue the fun and festivities!

This poor guest always had the jenga pieces fall when we were taking photos =)

The competition at the foosball table got a little intense-

A little Skee Ball action for the Father of the groom-

This shuffleboard game seemed to be on another level-

He’s hoping it all doesn’t fall down while while being photographed!

Ending their Chicago Athletic Association wedding photos with a few pictures on the rooftop at night!

Congrats again Amalia and Stephen! It was a wonderful day and your Chicago Athletic Hotel wedding photos were everything we hoped they could be! So many laughs and smiles throughout the day and ending with a fun time in the game room!

Can’t wait to share the full set with you, enjoy these for now!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai