Chicago Cultural Center Civil Ceremony and Duck Inn Reception – Katelyn & Corbin

When Katelyn and Corbin told me they were planning a Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony, I was so excited! Elopements and smaller wedding ceremonies are always my favorite to capture, and theirs was no exception. If you’re not familiar, the Chicago Cultural Center dedicates one Saturday every month to civil ceremonies for ten lucky couples. Ceremonies last about 3-5 minutes and cost a mere TEN DOLLARS. It’s true! Just takes some planning ahead (not too much!) and a little luck 🙂

Katelyn and Corbin met in Pittsburgh and moved to Chicago together three years ago. Their families traveled from all over the country to spend the day with them! The couple got ready with friends at their Humboldt Park home before heading downtown. After their ceremony, the three of us got to spend the afternoon visiting some favorite Chicago locations! Corbin and Katelyn are members at The Art Institute of Chicago, so photos in the gardens were a must.

Finally, it was time to regroup with family and head to Bridgeport. If you live in Chicago and haven’t been to The Duck Inn, trust me – you are missing out! The food and cocktails here are beyond fabulous, and the staff were awesome. This was exactly what Katelyn and Corbin wanted: an intimate, relaxed wedding reception with delicious food and great company. Way to go, you two! Thanks again for having me document your Nuptial Fest!!

Want to be like Katelyn & Corbin?

Are you engaged? Is a big, elaborate wedding day not for you? Civil ceremonies like Katelyn and Corbin’s are by appointment only and must be made in person. Find more info on how to have your own Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony HERE!

Vendor Team

Ceremony Venue: Chicago Cultural Center/Reception Venue: The Duck Inn/Bride’s dress: Silver Moon Vintage/Groom’s suit: Richard’s Fabulous Finds/Florals: A New Leaf/Rings: G.V. Jewelry/Caterer: The Duck Inn/Cake: Moody Tongue

Bride and groom at Art Institute of Chicago gardens after Cultural Center civil ceremony
Street sign to couple's home in Chicago Humboldt Park neighborhood
Record player in couple's home before their Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Couple's home where they get ready for Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Talking Heads album cover while record plays before Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Invitation to couple's Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Wedding rings and invitation to couple's Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom get ready at home together before Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Groom helps bride zip dress at home before Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Groom getting ready at home before Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom get ready at home together before Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride helps groom get ready at home for Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride puts on shoes before leaving for Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
View of downtown Chicago from car driving to Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Downtown view outside of Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Sign to Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony location downtown
Poster for Keith Haring exhibit at Chicago Cultural Center
Couple enters building for their Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom greet guests before their Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Entrance to GAR Memorial Hall where Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony takes place
Bride and father enter Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Groom and officiant wait for bride at Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Summer Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony in GAR Memorial Hall
Father of the bride provides rings for Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Family in attendance during Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom exchange rings during intimate Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom on stage during Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom's first kiss at Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Just married bride and groom exit GAR Memorial Hall after their Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Family photo on steps of Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony location downtown
Pedestrians applaud bride and groom after their Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom look out at Chicago skyline after their Cultural Center civil ceremony
Candid photo of bride and groom at Art Institute of Chicago after their civil ceremony
Just married bride and groom at Art Institute gardens after their Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride's burgundy and white bouquet for Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom with fountain at Art Institute gardens after their Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Just married bride and groom at Chicago Riverwalk after their Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom under bridge at Chicago Riverwalk after their downtown elopement
Candid photo of groom laughing after Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Happy bride and groom after their Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom on Chicago Riverwalk after their summer civil ceremony at Chicago Cultural Center
Sign to Chicago Theatre on State Street downtown
Bride and groom in front of Chicago Theatre after their Cultural Center civil ceremony
Bride and groom in unique Chicago alley after downtown elopement
Bride and groom in street with Chicago Board of Trade and taxis going by
Bus drops off guests at Duck Inn for dinner after Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony
Cocktail bar and custom neon sign for couple's Duck Inn wedding reception
Bride's bouquet and champagne buckets at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Tray of champagne glasses at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Custom cocktail menu for couple's The Duck Inn wedding reception
Couple's unique wedding welcome sign at Duck Inn restaurant in Chicago
Bottles of rose wine on ice at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Bride's bouquet detail at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Skull figurine decor on cocktail table at The Duck Inn wedding reception
The Duck Inn wedding reception family style table in garden
Bartender pours custom cocktail at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Garden floral centerpiece at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Pink floral centerpiece at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Custom Negroni cocktail at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Bride and groom toast their guests at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Candid photo of bride and groom's welcome speech at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Rubber duckies and loon figurines at The Duck Inn restaurant in Chicago
Candid photo of groom mingling during The Duck Inn wedding reception
Guests mingle during family style dinner at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Guests dine in garden during family style wedding reception at The Duck Inn restaurant
Delicious appetizer plate served at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Gourmet cheese curds served at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Skewer appetizer at The Duck Inn wedding reception in Chicago
Wedge salad course at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Heirloom tomatoes and buratta appetizer at The Duck Inn wedding reception
Delicious seafood plate at family style dinner for The Duck Inn wedding reception
Happy bride and groom outside The Duck Inn wedding reception
Candid photo of bride and groom outside their Duck Inn wedding reception
Couple's chocolate cake by Moody Tongue brewery at their Duck Inn wedding reception
The Duck Inn wedding reception venue and restaurant at night

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