Inclusive vendor directory

LGBTQ+ Affirming Wedding Vendors in Illinois

Photographers, planners, officiants and venues across Illinois, from Chicago lofts to lakefront ceremonies. Every vendor here is vetted to be genuinely affirming before they’re listed.

See Illinois vendorsHow we vet every vendor
A Chicago proposal with sparkling rosé
From A Chicago Proposal with a QR Code and Sparkling Rosé.

Illinois at a glance

Ready the next dayYour license takes effect the day after it is issued.

License lasts 60 daysUse it in the county where it was issued.

No officiant registrationIllinois does not require officiants to register.

Chicago-based talentSeveral of our vetted vendors call Chicago home.

Vetted vendors serving Illinois

Type of vendor
  • A green wedding stationery set with white tropical floral cut-outs and event details in a light font.
    • Australia
    • |
    • Melbourne, Victoria

    Stitch Press
    A team of designers with a wealth of experience in creating beautifully crafted, affordable, letterpress wedding & engagement stationery
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  • Close-up of two rings with large central gemstones, one blue and one brown, surrounded by smaller diamonds set in gold bands.
    • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • |
    • USA

    Emily Chelsea Jewelry
    Emily Chelsea Jewelry, are an online retail store that specializes in creating unique and custom engagement and wedding rings. We want your jewelry to uniquely reflect who you are, what you stand for and what you find beautiful. We seek…
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    • Troy, New York
    • |
    • USA

    Milestones by Miri
    I create and perform ceremonies and rituals of all varieties. In the process of getting to know people, from newborns and their families to nearlyweds to actively dying folks, I craft celebrations of life’s meaningful moments, both big and small.
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    • Leominster, Massachusetts
    • |
    • USA

    Kassia Lee Photography
    Kassia Lee Photography is all about capturing real moments & raw emotion. The little things that make life so beautiful, from the laughter, the tears, to the smallest details, I’m here to document your story as it naturally unfolds.
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    • Denver, Colorado
    • |
    • USA

    Sophia Lewis Photography
    I’m Sophia, the photographer behind Sophia Lewis Photography. I specialize in story-driven wedding and elopement photography across Colorado and beyond, documenting celebrations that are intentional, emotional, and deeply personal. My approach is rooted in connection and trust. I want you…
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    • New York City, New York
    • |
    • USA

    Elvira Kalviste Photography
    Choosing a wedding photographer isn’t just about finding someone who takes great photos—it’s about finding someone you trust to capture the real, unfiltered moments without turning your day into a production. With 11 years of experience, we know how to…
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    • New York City, New York
    • |
    • USA

    Sylvie Rosokoff
    Hey there! I’m Sylvie, an NYC-based photographer specializing in elopements and intimate weddings. My work is all about celebrating the texture, motion, and ephemeral feeling of your milestone day in the city I’ve called home for the past 18 years.
    Read More
  • Two people are standing waist-deep in a misty river, facing away from the camera with rocky terrain in the background.
    • Florence, Alabama
    • |
    • USA

    The Rose Reflective
    Milly and her team capture love across America and the world, specializing in LGBTQ+ couples and body-positive wedding photography.
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    • Asheville, North Carolina
    • |
    • USA

    Laura Sparks Photography
    Hey, I’m Laura Sparks and I specialize in elopements and intimate weddings because I 1000% believe it’s the best way to get married! (Like, for real! My wife and I eloped in Olympic National Park in Sept ’23!) I seriously…
    Read More
    • Rockville, Maryland
    • |
    • USA

    Married by Miller Officiating
    Married by Miller Officiating is a one woman celebrancy business owned by Joanna Miller. A Washington, DC area native who lived in Australia for four years, Joanna specializes in creating custom ceremonies for couples from different religious, cultural and racial…
    Read More
    • Richmond, California
    • |
    • USA

    Vivian Chen Photography
    Hi, I’m Vivian! I am a nature lover and visual storyteller who focuses on organic moments while highlighting a sense of space and showcasing your beloved communities authentically. I began my photography journey two decades ago, assisting high-end wedding photographers before…
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    • Seattle, Washington
    • |
    • USA

    Jamie Buckley Photography
    I love capturing weddings. A lot of the time when people talk about weddings it’s with dread or sarcasm. How overwhelming they are, how stressful they are, how expensive they are. It’s true, they can be all those things, but…
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  • Emily Chelsea Jewelry

    Emily Chelsea Jewelry, are an online retail store that specializes in creating unique and custom engagement and wedding rings. We want your jewelry to uniquely reflect who you are, what you stand for and what you find beautiful. We seek to always source as responsibly and ethically as possible—whether that means using recycled or Fair-mind gold, recycled and post-consumer diamonds, or Montana sourced or lab-grown gems.

  • Milestones by Miri

    I create and perform ceremonies and rituals of all varieties. In the process of getting to know people, from newborns and their families to nearlyweds to actively dying folks, I craft celebrations of life’s meaningful moments, both big and small.

  • Sophia Lewis Photography

    I’m Sophia, the photographer behind Sophia Lewis Photography. I specialize in story-driven wedding and elopement photography across Colorado and beyond, documenting celebrations that are intentional, emotional, and deeply personal. My approach is rooted in connection and trust. I want you to feel comfortable enough to be fully yourselves so the photos reflect the real moments unfolding around you.

  • Elvira Kalviste Photography

    Choosing a wedding photographer isn’t just about finding someone who takes great photos—it’s about finding someone you trust to capture the real, unfiltered moments without turning your day into a production. With 11 years of experience, we know how to blend into the rhythm of your wedding, letting things unfold naturally while staying ready for whatever comes next.

  • Sylvie Rosokoff

    Hey there! I’m Sylvie, an NYC-based photographer specializing in elopements and intimate weddings. My work is all about celebrating the texture, motion, and ephemeral feeling of your milestone day in the city I’ve called home for the past 18 years.

  • Laura Sparks Photography

    Hey, I’m Laura Sparks and I specialize in elopements and intimate weddings because I 1000% believe it’s the best way to get married! (Like, for real! My wife and I eloped in Olympic National Park in Sept ’23!) I seriously have the best job ever because I get to help lovers create a day that is authentic, where you can completely be yourselves, and have the best damn day EVER. From location and vendor recommendations, to creating the perfect timeline for you, I’ve got you covered!

  • Vivian Chen Photography

    Hi, I’m Vivian! I am a nature lover and visual storyteller who focuses on organic moments while highlighting a sense of space and showcasing your beloved communities authentically. I began my photography journey two decades ago, assisting high-end wedding photographers before branching out on my own. What started as a job became my purpose as I fell in love with storytelling through my art. I am incredibly lucky to spend my weekends surrounded by joy, having now captured over 500 weddings from lavish celebrations at luxury hotels to quiet, intimate elopements by the sea. Photography has been my passport to travel the world, connect with so many remarkable people, and play a part in sharing their stories.

  • Jamie Buckley Photography

    I love capturing weddings. A lot of the time when people talk about weddings it’s with dread or sarcasm. How overwhelming they are, how stressful they are, how expensive they are. It’s true, they can be all those things, but they are also magical, exciting and full of love.

Oops! It looks like you've seen it all!

Oops! It looks like you've seen it all!

Getting married in Illinois

Illinois has had marriage equality since 2014, and Chicago is home to several of the vetted vendors in our directory. From loft weddings to lakefront portraits, there’s a lot to love here.

The legal bit

Your license takes effect the day after it’s issued and is valid for 60 days. It’s only good in the county that issued it, so a Cook County license covers Chicago and suburban Cook County. You can start your application online, but both of you need to finish it in person together. After the ceremony, the license goes back to the clerk within 10 days.

Officiants and courthouse weddings

Illinois doesn’t require officiants to register with the state. Want something quick? Cook County’s Marriage and Civil Union Court in downtown Chicago holds ceremonies six days a week. Illinois also offers civil unions if that suits you better.

Where couples are saying yes

Our latest Chicago story is a proposal with a QR code and sparkling rosé. We would love to feature more Illinois weddings, so send us yours.

Questions couples ask

Is there a waiting period to get married in Illinois?

Your license takes effect one day after it is issued, so you can marry the next day.

How long is an Illinois marriage license valid?

60 days from the date of issue. It is only valid in the county that issued it.

Do Illinois officiants need to register?

No. Illinois does not require wedding officiants to register with any government office.

Can we get married at the courthouse in Chicago?

Yes. Cook County’s Marriage and Civil Union Court in downtown Chicago performs ceremonies six days a week. Check current hours before you go.

Are civil unions available in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois offers civil unions as well as marriage.

Legal details last checked October 2026 against the Cook County Clerk. Other counties may differ.

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