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.
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.
Real tips on the rooftop terrace, the 12th floor lobby, the bird's nest angle above the dance floor, and what makes this Michigan Avenue landmark photograph beautifully — from a photographer who has been shooting here since 2010.
I still remember the first time I walked into the Ritz-Carlton Chicago for a wedding back in 2010. At the time, the 12th floor lobby had more of a classic, old-school Chicago feel. There was even a large water fountain that anchored the space. Then in 2014, everything changed.
They began a full renovation that transformed the hotel into a more modern luxury environment: black and white marble floors, hanging glass orbs, brass accents. The final updates wrapped in 2023, and now everything feels fresh, intentional, and elevated. Today, that 12th floor lobby is one of my favorite places to photograph Ritz-Carlton Chicago weddings. The natural light alone makes it feel like something out of a magazine.
The location doesn't hurt either. You're just off the north end of Michigan Avenue, steps from Oak Street, close to Lake Michigan, and right near the on-ramps for DuSable Lake Shore Drive. I've even photographed the Blue Angels flying past the windows during the Chicago Air and Water Show from a bridal suite.
QUICK FACTS
Style: Modern Luxury
Capacity: 850+
Ballroom: 8,400 sq ft
Chandelier: 400,000 Crystals
Location: 160 E Pearson St
Investment: $$$$
"Kenny perfectly captured the day — every detail and every moment. Months later, I am still getting frequent compliments on our photos, and countless people have told us they are the most beautiful wedding photos they've ever seen."
MADDIE & JOHN
— Photographer's Note
Maybe my favorite part of the Ritz-Carlton experience is the transition — you go from the energy of the city at street level to a calm, elevated space just one elevator ride up. That contrast shows up in the photos. The city is always present, but you're somehow removed from it. It creates a feeling that's hard to replicate.
I've photographed weddings at most of the major hotels in Chicago, and this is something I genuinely appreciate about the Ritz. The ballroom foyer is separate from the main lobby. You don't have guests gathering in the same space where people are checking in or rolling luggage through. Instead, they're in a more private, intentional space just outside the ballroom with a wide, window-lined walkway and great views of the city and glimpses of Lake Michigan.
It's a small architectural detail, but it makes a meaningful difference in how the day feels for guests. And for photographs, it means the cocktail hour and pre-ceremony moments have their own distinct visual environment.
Yes, there's a visible outdoor lounge terrace. But I'm talking about the other rooftop access area. One that requires a staff escort and that most guests have never seen.
— Photographer's Note
From a photography standpoint, this rooftop is significant. You're right next to the John Hancock building, with an angle and perspective that you simply don't get anywhere else in the city.
It feels private, exclusive, and completely different from typical Chicago rooftop photos. If we can access it on your wedding day, we're going.
One of the first things I notice at any hotel is the light in the getting-ready rooms. At the Ritz-Carlton, you can get clean, unobstructed natural light. No buildings blocking your windows. Which means brighter rooms, better views, and more natural, relaxed photos of the morning. For couples, it also means a more peaceful morning without constant flash interruptions.
Some spaces look beautiful in person but don't translate as well in photographs. That's not the case here. The geometric marble floors, vertical wood paneling, glass lighting elements, and brass accents all layer together in a way that adds depth and texture to your images. It's modern luxury, but still warm. The materials feel intentional rather than generic, and that intentionality shows up in every frame.
The ballroom chandelier is a statement piece: 400,000 crystals. It's one of those elements that subtly elevates your reception photos, adding a soft glow and dimension to the room without overpowering everything else. The ceiling height also hits a nice balance. Not too tall, not too low. Everything feels proportional in photographs rather than dwarfed by the space.
Photographer's Tip - There's a hidden overhead vantage point above the dance floor. I've heard it called the "bird's nest." It's not easy to find even with staff help, but it's worth the effort. Having a second shooter positioned up there during key moments like the first dance adds a perspective to your gallery that most couples have never seen in wedding photography before.
Within a block or two, you have a surprising amount of variety without needing to travel far:
This should be one of your first stops. The design, the light, the symmetry — it all works. The spots near the café with floor-to-ceiling windows give you incredible natural light for portraits. I always recommend carving out time here earlier in the day before guests arrive. Once the space fills, it becomes much harder to work with.
Timing Tip: The nice part about the Ritz layout is that when guests do arrive early, they're typically directed toward the separate ballroom foyer, not the lobby space we're using for portraits. This gives us more flexibility than most venues of this size.
If we can access it, we're going to. Private, iconic, and unlike anything else in the city. Having the John Hancock building immediately adjacent creates a really strong architectural backdrop. One that's recognizably Chicago but not the standard view. The perspective from up there one of a kind and makes my job as a wedding photographer in Chicago so much easier.
Not every couple wants this, but when it fits your style, it's worth it. Urban, energetic, slightly editorial. The movement of the city adds something you simply can't recreate indoors. The Magnificent Mile provides a backdrop that's immediately recognizable and when the light is right...genuinely spectacular.
The 12th floor lobby is one of the best photo locations in the building and I always recommend using it earlier in the day. The natural light changes significantly as the afternoon progresses, and the space fills quickly once cocktail hour begins. Building it into the first look or pre-ceremony timeline makes a real difference.
Whether it's stepping back onto the rooftop terrace or walking down to Michigan Avenue, the city lights create a completely different mood after dark. Chicago at night is a different city. More intimate, more cinematic. Even 10–15 minutes makes a significant difference in the range of your gallery. I always recommend it.
One of the biggest advantages of a Ritz-Carlton Chicago wedding is how much you can accomplish without leaving the building. There's enough interior variety to create a full, beautiful set of images on a rainy day. I've photographed Ritz weddings in every Chicago weather condition and it's never been a problem.
Being close to DuSable Lake Shore Drive means easy access in both directions if you want to travel for photos:
You get flexibility without adding much travel time. Which on a wedding day is a most valuable commodity.
Your guests have a lot to explore within walking distance: Michigan Avenue shopping, Water Tower Place, Oak Street boutiques, 360 Chicago at the John Hancock building, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and a wide range of dining options. For out-of-town guests especially, the Ritz-Carlton's location makes the whole experience feel like a true Chicago event, not just a wedding.
Quick Reference
Website
CAPACITY
850+
STYLE
Modern Luxury
Ballroom
8,400 sq ft · 400,000 crystal chandelier
Phone
(312) 573-5180
PHOTOGRAPHING HERE SincE
2010
INVESTMENT
$$$$
ADDRESS
160 E Pearson St, Chicago, IL
If you're planning a wedding at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago and want photos that feel natural, timeless, and a little editorial — I'd love to connect and hear what you're planning.
I've been photographing here since 2010. I know the rooftop and it's best angles, how to use the natural light in the lobby, and how to take advantage of the overhead perspective above the dance floor. That knowledge means one less thing to figure out on your wedding day.
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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.
