The Rookery Building Engagement Session | Amanda + Mallory
Mallory + Amanda had their engagement session at the stunning Rookery Building in Chicago, IL. The main feature of The Rookery Building is the grand staircase; let me tell you, it is even more breathtaking in person. Being at the Rookery was a first for all three of us, and now it is definitely on my list as a favorite engagement session location in Chicago.
Mallory + Amanda came into the session with the perfect balance of lightheartedness and care towards one another and their Rookery Building engagement session. We all quickly warmed up to each other and the flow of the session and it was so fun! We talked about their wedding plans, our pets, and of course, Chicago.
The Rookery Building
Completed in 1888, The Rookery is known for being one of the most historically significant and beautiful pieces of architecture in all of Chicago. This iconic building is known for the spiral staircase (also known as the Oriel Staircase), the Light Lobby, and the grand staircase. The spiral staircase stretches across 10 floors and is an architectural masterpiece in and of itself. The light comes in brilliantly through the windows into this landmark building, giving a contrasting lightness to the iron and marble. This iconic Chicago location was the perfect place for Amanda + Mallory’s love to shine. While we took the majority of their photos at the Oriel Staircase, we also did a few photos in the Light Lobby and in front of the gold elevators.
Booking Your Engagement Session at The Rookery
In order to book an engagement at The Rookery Building in Chicago, you must obtain a permit. To do so, you should contact them by calling (312) 553-6100 or sending them an email at rookery@georgejewell.com. Here is the website with information on how to obtain a permit. The fee for the permit ranges from $150-$300, depending on the length of your reservation and the locations you’d like to use. It is a popular spot, so be sure to reserve your date in advance!
The Rookery is located 209 S LaSalle Street (on the corner of LaSalle and Adams) in the Financial District of Chicago. To get to the Rookery Building, I highly recommend either taking public transportations such as the L, taking an Uber or Lyft, or securing a spot on SpotHero. There is not street parking nearby, so it’s best to plan ahead. Once you arrive to the Rookery, you will enter through the glass and gold doors and check in with the security desk.
The Chicago Board of Trade Building
One of the amazing things about Rookery Building engagement sessions is that there is another phenomenal spot just literal steps away from the front door. When you exit out of the main doors, you will be immediately met with the Board of Trade Building. It’s the perfect backdrop for outdoor Chicago photos. After we finished at the Rookery, we decided to hop out for a few photos among Chicago’s beautiful buildings. You can see more inspiration for photos at the Board of Trade building here.
Amanda + Mallory
These two were engaged for almost two years before their engagement session, so this was the perfect kickoff to their wedding season! They met through mutual friends. Amanda + Mallory love attending Chicago Sky games, spending time together in their hot tub, and hosting friends at their house for ping pong. They got engaged in June 2022 in Colorado while visiting Mallory’s sister. Amanda scheduled a tour of a wedding venue, just for fun, since they had been talking about getting married soon. Mallory ended up turning it into a proposal and photo shoot! I can’t wait to photograph their wedding this coming October.
Need someone to photograph your Rookery Building engagement session? Reach out here! I’d love to document your love in this iconic space.
