Skip to content
  • PortfolioExpand
    • Weddings
    • Engagements
  • VENUES
  • blog
Wasabi PhotographyWasabi Photography
  • CLIENTS
  • INFOExpand
    • About
    • Pricing
    • Planning Tips
  • Inquire
Wasabi PhotographyWasabi Photography

ENGAGEMENT LOCATIONS

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

Updated onApril 1, 2021

Home / Engagement Locations / Chicago / Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is a quiet, secret-garden-like 3.14 acre oasis tucked away along the northern edge of Lincoln Park Zoo and next to the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The lily pond offers a serene location for engagement photos, proposals and small wedding or elopement ceremonies.

The Lily Pool’s main entrance is located on the south side of Fullerton Parkway near the intersection with Cannon Drive. Open seasonally (mid-April to mid-November) during daylight hours, the garden can be rented for private events and photo sessions.

Engagement session permits cost $100 and the Lily Pool remains open to the public. There are also rental options for private proposal events ($350) and wedding ceremonies ($750) for groups up to 15-people.

The prairie school landscape architecture features limestone stepping paths, circular benches and a wood pavilion representative of Frank Lloyd Wright style.

Since being restored from 1998 to 2002 the Caldwell Lily Pool has been designated a Chicago Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark.

The Lincoln Park Zoo lot is the closest option. The parking lot can be entered at the corner of N Cannon Dr. and Fullerton Pkwy. The first 30 minutes are free, but go to $20 for the first hour and up to $35 for 24 hours.

In most cases, I’ll suggest traveling by Uber/Lyft during our engagement session. It’s less complicated than figuring out parking at each destination and often less expensive.

Driving ourselves usually eats a lot of time with the added logistics of parking and getting to where we want to go. If you have a friend or family member who wants to drive us, that can be a convenient option as well.

Park rules prohibit skateboards, bikes and, unfortunately, dogs from inside the Lily Pool gates.

There are many other nearby spots open to dogs. The grassy area west of Stockton Dr. is my usual recommendation for engagement photos with dogs in Lincoln Park.

Here’s some more information on how to include your dog in engagement photos

LOCATION DETAILS

Address: 125 W Fullerton Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Permit: Required - $100. Needs to be reserved at least 7 days in advance.

WHY WE LOVE IT

Though it’s become a bit more popular lately, the Lily Pool still has a bit of a hidden gem feel to it that I love. It’s unlike any other natural area in the city. Despite being just a block or two from some of the busiest streets in the city, the Lily Pool is a great escape.

From a photography standpoint, the lush landscapes offer great backgrounds and creative opportunities for framing. You’ll want to be there at least two hours before sunset to have the best light. And of course the central-feature, the Lily Pond, can make for great reflections.

alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-wedding-photos-31
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-01
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-002
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-02
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-058
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-23
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-04
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-051
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-061
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-08
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-033
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-wedding-photos-32
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-17
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-029
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-06
alfred-caldwell-lily-pool-engagement-photos-03

REAL COUPLES

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool engagement photos


Kara & Matt: Architectural Artifacts Wedding Photos

Emily & Kieran: Adler Planetarium Wedding Photos

Colorful Chinatown Engagement Session: Jean & Jack

Summer Engagement Photos in Chicago: Lauren & Dan

North Avenue Beach Engagement Photos: Brenna & Reuben

North Avenue Beach Engagement Photos: Amy & Robert

TIPS + ADVICE FOR COUPLES

planning resources


the most important question to ask before booking your wedding photographer

7 reasons to hire a real photojournalist for your wedding

our complete guide to the best wedding venues in chicago

what to do and where to go if it rains on your wedding day

where to go for engagement photos

how much does a wedding photographer in chicago cost

”

“If you’re thinking about hiring a photojournalist for your wedding, look no further.”

“Travis and his second shooter Justin capture EVERY moment from your wedding you could imagine. And because they capture real moments, you also can feel the emotions from the photos.”
LESLIE + OLIVER | CHICAGO

pricing info


Real weddings don’t fit neatly into six, eight or even 10-hour packages. Our collections don’t require you to know your timeline months before your wedding.
As a a documentary photographer, I love moments. And it turns out a lot of moments happen before most photographers arrive or after they leave. That’s why all of our collections include up to 12 hours!

We’ll work together to make sure I’m there for all the great moments you expect, and the ones you don’t. You’ll never have to worry about planning your day around the photographer’s schedule.

Wedding collections start at $4,800, which includes:
– full day coverage with two photographers
– online image gallery for viewing and ordering
– full resolution digital images with print release

Fill out the form on the right to check our availability for your date and to receive the full pricing guide.

quick inquiry


Portfolio


Recent Work


About


Wedding Tips

Why hire a photojournalist
Make the most of your morning
Wedding planning flow chart
Why do a first look
How to plan family photos
How to do an unplugged ceremony
What to do if it rains
Think about the light
How to pick a photographer
How much do photographers cost


Engagement Tips

What to wear
Where to go
When to take engagement photos
How to include your dog

Modern Wedding Venues

Adler Planetarium
Artifact Events
Ravenswood Event Center
Room 1520


Classic Wedding Venues

Cafe Brauer
Intercontinental Hotel
Lyric Opera House
The Drake Hotel
The Rookery Building
Chicago History Museum


Outdoor Wedding Venues

Adler Planetarium
Artifact Events
Bridgeport Art Center
Cafe Brauer

Loft Wedding Venues

Bridgeport Art Center
Loft on Lake
Cityview Loft
Artifact Events
Ravenswood Event Center
Room 1520
A New Leaf
Salvage One
Morgan Manufacturing
City Winery
Revel Motor Row


For Photographers

PhotoMechanic 6 Review
Canon EOS R5 Review
Best Camera for Weddings
Wedding Lighting Workshop
Wasabi Photography

FOLLOW US

Facebook Twitter Instagram
(773) 570-0491   |   (517) 402-0491
TRAVIS@WASABIPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
4936 N DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO IL 60625

Privacy Policy  |  Copyright & Terms  |  Sitemap

All images & content © 2025 Wasabi Photography

client login


For personal privacy, client galleries are password protected. To login, the password is “YYYYMMDDlastname,” where the date is the day of the shoot (wedding day or engagement session) and last name can be either last name. Passwords are case-sensitive, and names are always lowercase.

For example, the password for a July 3, 2018 wedding between John Smith and Sarah Kline would be either 20180703smith or 20180703kline.


  • Portfolio
  • Blog
  • About
  • Pricing
  • Venues
  • Planning Tips
  • Clients
  • Inquire
Facebook Instagram