A Windy & Romantic Chicago Wedding at Theater on the Lake

Real wedding

Jun 22

Susanna + Brandon’s Windy, Romantic Chicago Wedding at Theater on the Lake

If you're dreaming of a classic Chicago wedding with jaw-dropping skyline views, cathedral vows, and a dog cameo, look no further than Susanna and Brandon’s wedding day. Filmed by us here at Whole Heart Video, this wedding had it all—laughter, tears, windblown magic, and a chocolate lab. Let’s dive into the highlights of this unforgettable day.

Getting Ready With a View (and an IV Drip!)

The day began in a gorgeous lakefront condo where Susanna prepped with her bridal party. From the windows, we caught video of boats sailing past under clear blue skies—a perfect Chicago spring morning. While Susanna wasn’t feeling 100% (we even got some behind-the-scenes footage of her receiving an IV drip—shoutout to the awesome nurse!), her energy lifted the moment her dress went on.

🎶 Family and friends were drinking, dancing, and hyping her up. These candid moments are the heartbeat of every Whole Heart wedding film.

👉 Pro Tip: Natural light + candid chaos = video gold.

First Look on the Rooftop: Wind, Tears, and Pure Magic

Brandon met Susanna on the rooftop of the condo, where the views were absolutely wild—and so was the wind. Dresses flew, hair whipped, and in 60fps slow motion, it looked like a dream. Brandon was speechless when he saw Susanna. Their joy was palpable.

📸 After the first look, they posed for a few portraits with the talented Andrew at @nicodemcreative, then met up with their beloved chocolate lab for a quick cameo. We love a well-dressed pup.

Lincoln Park Conservatory Photo Session

Next stop: the lush gardens near the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Zoo. With Chicago’s spring blooms in full effect, this spot made for perfect portraits and candid video. From bridal party silliness to family hugs, kisses, and cheers—we caught it all.

Ceremony at the Iconic St. Clement Church

Susanna and Brandon tied the knot at St. Clement Church, one of the most stunning, gothic-style churches in the city. The architecture, stained glass, and dramatic lighting created a cinematic atmosphere.

🎥 A note to couples: St. Clement has strict rules about where videographers and photographers can stand. Lucky for you, Whole Heart Video knows this space well and knows how to work around the rules without missing a beat. Shoutout to Andrew for getting creative with me!

The newlyweds exited to a sea of bubbles and cheering friends—an iconic Chicago church moment.

Reception at Theater on the Lake: Skyline Views + Party Energy

The party moved to Theater on the Lake, an incredible venue on the lakefront with sweeping views of the Chicago skyline. We always recommend drone footage here—and we made sure to capture it!

🧁 The space was decked out by Ashley at @flowerfirm with dreamy florals. Speeches brought laughs and tears, the food (catered by Blue Plate) was chef’s kiss (no post-wedding Culver’s run needed), and the open dance floor? A total blast.

🎧 The dance party was powered by Debbie + Heidie from @arlenmusicproductions, and it was rip-roaring fun from the first song to the last.

Want to work with a Chicago Wedding Videography team to capture the fun of your best day ever?

You can find out more about working with the fanny pack wearing team behind Whole Heart Video, at this link!

💪 Shoutout to a Pregnant Planning Queen

The real MVP? Noelle at Olive Fine Weddings—who planned this wedding while pregnant- I could not do what she did! We work with Olive Fine Weddings often, and every wedding they touch is smooth, stunning, and stress-free. Noelle crushed it.

Theater on the Lake Wedding Video