Elawa Farm in Lake Forest is a true gem, and Chicago wedding photographers like us love every visit. This historic farm sits on Chicago’s North Shore, surrounded by natural lands and quiet trails. Its restored buildings and garden grounds feel both elegant and down to earth. It is the kind of place where history, nature, and celebration meet in the best way.

Elawa Farm was built in 1917 for A. Watson Armour, a member of one of Chicago’s oldest families. It is a rare example of a Lake Forest gentleman’s farm. In 1998, the City of Lake Forest bought the original farm buildings, and they were carefully restored. Today the Elawa Farm Foundation, a nonprofit, cares for the property and shares it with the community.

Couples choose Elawa Farm for its intimate spaces and stunning scenery. It is ideal for small to mid sized weddings that want warmth and character. The farm offers seasonal, farm to table catering from its own culinary team. An outdoor patio with a fireplace is perfect for cocktail hour or evening photos. For our team, the classic architecture, gardens, and open fields create endless options for beautiful portraits.

From Bumble to Business Partners

Erik and Molly met on Bumble, and their life together has grown into something truly special. They own a business together, Identity Body Piercing in Chicago. At home, they share their days with three French Bulldogs named Daisy, Gus, and Harley. They love concerts, spending time at the lake, and road trips. We love a couple who builds a life and a business side by side.

Their wedding vision blended a garden party with refined rustic elegance. They described it as a high end European country estate meeting an intimate American farm, with a farm meets Hamptons style. Blue florals with hydrangeas and forget me nots were planned alongside steel blue bridesmaid dresses. The groom and groomsmen chose classic black tuxedos with bow ties. As a wedding photographer team, we adore a look this polished and timeless.

We love weddings with a strong sense of style, and a historic farm gives us so much to work with. Old barns, brick walls, wooden doors, and garden paths all add texture and depth to photos. Our team plans portrait time around the softest light of the day, often during the golden hour just before sunset. That warm glow looks amazing on stone, greenery, and blue florals. We also take time to photograph the little details couples put so much thought into, like invitations, flowers, and place settings. These images help tell the full story of the day. Every wedding photographer on our team knows how to move quietly and quickly, so we capture both the planned moments and the surprises. The goal is always a gallery that feels elegant, warm, and true to the couple.

Original Weddings is based in Chicago, and we serve couples all across the entire state of Illinois. Our photographers and our Chicago wedding videographer team work together with ease. Want to explore wedding photography packages? You can view our prices and read reviews from couples who loved their experience. Browse our blog for more inspiration, or contact us to talk about your own celebration.

Original Weddings is a team of Chicago wedding photographers and videographers. Please click here to learn more about our Chicago photography and videography services. This wedding was edited in our Timeless editing style. We offer three different photography editing styles: Timeless, Airy, and Rustic. Please click here to learn more about our photography styles. You pick the style you love for your photos.

Wedding Photos | Chicago Wedding Photographers

Chicago Wedding Photographers at Elawa Farm

Original Weddings is a team of Chicago wedding photographers who believe the best photos come from real feelings. We watch for the nervous smiles, the proud parents, and the friends who make you laugh until you cry. Before the wedding, we learn about your plans and the people closest to you. This helps us shape a timeline that feels natural and stress free. On the day, we guide when it helps and step back when it matters. We also enjoy meeting parents and close friends early, which makes family photos fast and easy. Our photographers stay calm and flexible, so even when plans shift, the day stays relaxed. We want you to feel comfortable from start to finish.

Our team travels from Chicago to Lake Forest and towns all along the North Shore, including Evanston, Highland Park, and Lake Bluff. We also photograph weddings in Naperville, Oak Brook, Rockford, and across Illinois. Everywhere we go, we bring the same care and creative eye. We blend candid images with classic portraits and family photos. Every gallery is edited by hand in your chosen style. Original Weddings would love to help you remember every moment of your Illinois wedding. Our team also loves sharing a quick sneak peek so you can relive the day right away.

Chicago Wedding Videographers at Elawa Farm

Original Weddings creates wedding films that feel like reliving the day itself. Our Chicago wedding videographers capture vows, toasts, and dance floor fun in a natural, cinematic way. We pay close attention to sound and light, so every word and every glance comes through clearly. We plan our coverage around your timeline, so we never miss the vows, the toasts, or the first dance. We also catch the quiet in between moments, like a squeeze of the hand or a shared laugh, that make a film feel personal.

Our videographers travel from Chicago to Lake Forest, Evanston, Highland Park, and beyond. They work closely with our photographers, so the day stays relaxed for you and your guests. Each film is edited with care and set to music that fits your story. It is a keepsake you can share with family and friends for many years. We would love to film your Illinois celebration next.