Chicago couples looking for a wedding videographer usually start by searching for someone local.
Makes sense, you’d rather not hire a stranger to the city for the one day you can’t redo. But I split my time between Baltimore and Chicago, so when I filmed Kalissa & Brian’s wedding at Manzo’s right by O’Hare Airport, I wasn’t figuring the city out that week. I already knew it.
Local isn’t really the thing that matters
What matters is whether the person behind the camera actually knows how the day is going to move, not whether their studio has a Chicago zip code.
I’ve spent enough time in Chicago to know how the light comes off the lake late afternoon, which routes get slow on a Saturday, and how to build a timeline around both. That’s the same standard I bring to every one of my 250+ weddings. Chicago just happens to get it too.
What’s different here versus Baltimore
Nothing really compares to the architectural beautiful of Chicago. So there are wa more shooting opportunities here, plus the lakefront, a skyline and the riverwalk, I got to see it for Kalissa & Brian’s journey from engagement session to wedding.
Filming Kalissa & Brian’s wedding at Manzo’s
This wedding took place in essentially two parts across the city on a Saturday with overcast & a chance of rain. But they say that’s good luck on a wedding day. So with the ceremony & reception being in opposite sides of town, knowing which route to take, instead of sitting on I-90 forever, helped make sure the day remained on schedule.
The ceremony took place at a church with beautiful stained glass windows but presented challenges based on the sanctuary design but was no issue because of my experience capturing 250+ weddings, even though it was my first time there.
Watch the trailer on YouTube here
No, there’s no travel fee
Most traveling videographers charge $1,500 to $3,500 to cover a market like Chicago. I don’t, because I’m not traveling here the way they are. I’m already spending roughly half my year in the city.
A few other things people ask
Do you go outside Chicago proper?
Yes, if your venue’s in the suburbs or elsewhere in Illinois, just bring it up on the discovery call.
How far out should you book Chicago weddings?
Same window as Baltimore, 9 to 14 months for peak season. The calendar fills the same way regardless of city.
Will it look different from your Baltimore work?
No. Same gear, same dual-card backups, same edit. The city changes the light and the logistics. It doesn’t change the standard.
Ready to talk through your Chicago date?
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