A winter Chicago City Hall wedding with portraits at the Chicago Cultural Center, Union Station, and the Board of Trade. See how a downtown courthouse wedding can feel timeless, stylish, and unmistakably Chicago.
Victoria C Photos joins The Knot Hall of Fame 2026, honoring excellence in service, artistry, and client experience. Based in Chicago and trusted by couples worldwide, Victoria blends legacy-driven storytelling with refined, editorial wedding photography.
A couple flew in from Texas to elope in Chicago — no big production, just a sleek, modern day built around architecture, mood, and a little rain that followed us everywhere.
They got ready at the Chicago Club Association. The space is classic, but the rooms are small, and the photo permit fee is the highest in the city. Beautiful for details, but not something I’d recommend for getting-ready photos unless you’re fully prepared for tight quarters.
We stopped at the Chicago Cultural Center, made our way to the Board of Trade, and ended at City Hall for their ceremony. It rained all day but honestly it added to the story and felt more real than anything, They always say its good luck for rain on your day. it washes away all the sin.
City Hall was busy, you never know what you will get there. Waiting was a little more fun to add to all the stories for everyone in there.
A Chicago elopement doesn’t need perfect weather or an empty street. It just needs two people who are all in ,the rest falls into place.
This season I had the honor of going to Paris Fashion Week with Webster Capital and photographing Willy Chavarria’s Huron show.
Before the runway, I spent time at the Plaza Athénée with Izabel while she got ready. Suky, the makeup artist, was there too, and we actually had time to hang out in between looks. Those are the moments I love—less staged, more real.
Paris itself was alive in every way. K-pop is massive right now, and you could feel it everywhere—crowds chasing idols outside hotels, fans camped at show doors. Add in the constant celebrity sightings, and walking the streets felt like a scene. Of course, I had my film cameras with me. I can’t go to Paris without shooting film—it catches the city exactly the way it feels.
The show itself—Huron—was pure performance. It opened with 35 local models in oversized white T-shirts and shorts, kneeling on the runway to an acoustic version of “California Dreamin’.” A reference to ICE detainees, it set the tone immediately: political, emotional, and unapologetic. From there, color exploded—bubblegum pink, butter yellow, mint, and cerulean green—all inspired by factory uniforms. The tailoring was fluid, genderless, and full of movement. Adidas pieces were reworked into sharp, street-informed looks, and the energy in the room was electric.
The finale was emotional—Willy himself handed roses to his family. The show wasn’t just fashion; it was storytelling about identity, resistance, and presence.
Scroll through for photos from the hotel, Paris on film, and the Huron show at Salle Pleyel.
I photographed Izabel and Tony Olson’s vow renewal in Rio de Janeiro, a celebration recently featured in Modern Luxury Weddings. Izabel and Tony first met at Carnivale in Rio 20 years ago. They married in 2008, built remarkable careers here in Chicago, Izabel as the founder of Salt & Light Coalition, a nonprofit for survivors of human trafficking, and Tony as CEO of Webster Capital.
The day started with a sunrise ceremony at the base of Christ the Redeemer, surrounded by clouds and sweeping views. Their children delivered personal speeches before guests joined in a prayer tunnel, a moment that set an emotional tone for the day.
By evening, the celebration moved to Fasano Hotel, where guests dressed in all white while Izabel stood out in a crystal-embellished Dolce & Gabbana mini. Their nine-year-old daughter surprised them with an original song, a highlight that drew both tears and applause.
Photographing events like this, where personal history, style, and meaningful locations come together is exactly why I do what I do. My role is to create images that feel as intentional as the day itself, whether it’s a destination vow renewal in Rio or an intimate wedding close to home.
Read the full feature here: In the Clouds: Izabel & Tony – Modern Luxury Weddings
Venue & Catering Fasano Hotel, fasano.com.br/en
Wedding Planner Manu Gonçalez, instagram.com/manugoncalez
Bride’s Dresses Vivienne Westwood, viviennewestwood.com; Dolce & Gabbana, dolcegabbana.com
Groom’s Suit Tom Ford, tomford.com
Rings Ring Concierge, ringconcierge.com
Florals & Decor Patricia Vaks, instagram.com/ patriciavaks
Videographer Gabriel Queiroz Films, gabrielqueirozfilms.com
Photography Victoria Chukarov, victoriacphotos.com
