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Hi, I'm Kenny Nakai.

 

As a Chicago wedding photographer, I’m lucky enough to document some of the city's most beautiful love stories.

 

I hope you find inspiration here and connect with the feelings I had when I created each photo.

kenny nakai chicago photographer in tuxedo on dark backdrop

Hi, I'm Kenny Nakai.

 

As a Chicago wedding photographer, I’m lucky enough to document some of the city's most beautiful love stories.

 

Welcome to my Chicago wedding blog, where I share my latest work and the deeper stories behind the photos. I hope you find inspiration here and connect with the feelings I had when I created each one.

CHICAGO WEDDING BLOG

REAL STORIES.

REAL VENUES.

REAL MOMENTS.

chicago skyline engagement night

It's been quite the journey since I started this Chicago wedding blog in 2007. Photography is more than something to post on social media. It's a time capsule. Stopping. Freezing. Holding a moment forever.

 

There is no greater privilege than being trusted to preserve these moments for the people I love working with.

 

Wedding photography has brought me to the rooftop Cupola at The LondonHouse and on to the turf at Wrigley Field. Not just documenting people, but our ever-evolving city, one frame at a time. One love story at a time.

Loews Chicago Wedding Photos // Carly + Aaron

Chicago Downtown Loews Jewish Wedding Photos

It’s been less than two weeks since Carly + Aaron’s wedding, and their photos are up! It was a non-stop day of fun with all their Jewish wedding traditions taking place at the Downtown Chicago Loews Hotel! Not to mention their Hora dance that included jump roping, skits and tossing the bride up in the air?! There were so many great photos, it was hard to narrow down the best ones for this blog post! Be sure to scroll down to see all 60+ images!

chicago loews downtown wedding photographer bride groom

Wedding Details:
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Loews Downtown Chicago Hotel
Planner + Coordinators: Johnna + Erica from Great Events Inc
Photographers: Nakai Photography
Florals + Decor: Stemline Creative
Band: Arlen Music Productions
Wedding Dress: Pronovias

Photographer’s Tip: Use interior design features to help with composition! Here the modern ceiling details and pendant lights frame their kiss!

chicago loews downtown wedding photos bride groom

Love this “Vanity Fair” inspired bridal party photo!

chicago loews downtown wedding pictures bridal party

Getting Ready Pictures at the Loews Chicago Downtown

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The ladies had a little bit of fun with their confetti toss!

chicago loews downtown wedding photos getting ready

Carly did a reveal to her bridesmaids and we love all the expressions on their faces! Photos like these make my job as a photographer all the more rewarding – What a moment to capture!

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Looks like she belongs in a wedding advertisement!

chicago loews downtown wedding pictures getting ready

Such a pretty portrait of the Bride

chicago loews downtown wedding pictures bride

Father of the Bride wanted to show off his matching socks! =)

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Father and Son moment –

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We headed up to the rooftop to take photos together!

chicago loews downtown wedding pictures bride groom

The cutest photo EVER!

chicago loews downtown wedding pictures bride groom

chicago loews downtown wedding pictures bridal party

chicago loews downtown wedding photographer bridal partychicago loews downtown wedding photographer bride groom

As a photographer, this is one of my favorite spots to shoot at the Loews Chicago. It’s not always available if there are too many people in the lobby, but it was open for Carly + Aaron! We may have asked a few people to move, but guests are more than happy to do their part for the bride and groom!

chicago loews downtown wedding photos bride groomchicago loews downtown wedding photographer bridal partychicago loews downtown wedding photographer bride groom

chicago downtown wedding pictures bride groom

 

chicago downtown wedding pictures bride groom

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Jewish Wedding Ceremony Pictures

The Loews Chicago ballroom looked great with florals and decor from Stemline Creative-

chicago jewish wedding photographer ceremonychicago wedding pictures escort card table

The Jewish wedding ceremony actually happens with close friends and family…where they sign their Ketubah!

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Loews Chicago Wedding Reception Photos

loews chicago downtown wedding photos receptionloews chicago downtown wedding photos receptionloews chicago downtown wedding pictures receptionloews chicago downtown wedding photos receptionwedding photographer chicago loews receptionhora dancing jewish wedding pictures chicago loewshora dancing jewish wedding photos chicago loewshora dancing jewish wedding photographer chicago loewshora dancing jewish wedding photos chicago loews

Non-stop fun for these guys! Carly had a workout!

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Looking forward to photographing these two next year!

wedding photographer chicago loews receptionloews chicago downtown wedding pictures reception Congrats again Carly + Aaron! I hope these photos help you relive all these wonderful moments from your wedding day! Can’t wait to share more!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai

Loews Chicago Wedding Photography Slideshow

Loews Chicago Hotel Wedding Photography Slideshow

Can’t believe it’s just been a month since this wedding! Though I already posted my favorite photos on a previous blog post, (E&T’s Loews Chicago Hotel Wedding Photography) I loves sharing photos in a slideshow format! Be sure to watch via a high speed connection so you can watch in HD!

Wedding Details:
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Loews Chicago Hotel
Planner: Great Events, Inc
Decor + Florals: Kehoe Designs
Gown: Pronovias from Mira Couture
Photography: Nakai Photography
Band: The Lakeshore Encores

Blackstone Wedding Teaser Photos // Catrina + Tom

Chicago Wedding Photos // Blackstone Hotel // Buckingham Fountain

It’s 1am and Catrina and Tom are probably not even back in their rooms yet after partying all night at their reception at the Blackstone Hotel! There are so many amazing moments from their wedding day, I just wanted to share these teaser photos to keep the excitement going!

Wedding Details:
Getting Ready + Reception Venue: Chicago Blackstone Hotel
Ceremony: Anunnciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago
Planner + Designer: Manikas Designs
Photographers: Nakai Photography
Gown: Dimitras Bridal Couture

First up…a photo where Tom proposed! In front of the iconic Buckingham Fountain!

chicago wedding photographer Buckingham fountain

The Blackstone Hotel is a classic and beautiful kept hotel in Chicago. The interior decor is unreal! Not to mention that it has historical family significance! Love their timeless look paired with a classic interior space like the Blackstone!

blackstone hotel wedding picture lobby bride groom

Manikas Designs knocked it out of the park with the decor. Love everything about this room and the decor to compliment it! As a wedding photographer, its our job to make sure the decor looks as phenomenal in a photo as it does in real life (if not better)! As much as I love this picture, it was pretty surreal to actually be in this room!

Blackstone hotel wedding photos reception details

One last photo on the front steps of the Blackstone Hotel!

blackstone hotel wedding photo night bride groom

Congrats again Catrina + Tom! It was an amazing day all around! Thanks for having us there to celebrate with you all! There are soooo many more phenomenal photos…enjoy these for now!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai

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I'm Kenny Nakai, a Chicago wedding photographer creating beautiful, timeless imagery since 2007. For couples who value artistry, authenticity, and the moments that last forever.

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