Destination wedding photography
You picked a place you’re a little in love with. Now you get to marry the person you’re completely in love with. The anticipation, the shaky vows, the first dinner as newlyweds—all happening somewhere that’s becoming part of your story.
I’m Nicole Kilday, an Illinois-based destination wedding photographer documenting celebrations beyond the continental U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. I’ll get to know you, help shape the photography timeline, and handle my own travel. You get to take it all in. I’ll make art from the place, the feeling, and the way you hold onto each other through it.
Destination wedding photography that brings you back to being there
Tell me what made you choose this place. A trip you’ve never stopped talking about? Somewhere your family comes from? A little corner of the world you want to share with everyone you love? My passport’s ready—I want to hear about it.
Then tell me how you want it to feel. A slow morning with your person. Dinner that stretches into speeches nobody planned. Bare feet by the end of the night, everyone a little sunburned and very happy to be here.
We’ll build your photography timeline around those things, the light, and time to explore together. During portraits, you can hand me the reins. I’ll bring ideas shaped by getting to know you, the place around us, and a decade behind the camera.
And throughout the day, I’m watching for what makes this yours. Your parents taking in the view. Your person brushing windblown hair out of your face. The whole table losing it over a story they’ve heard a hundred times. Photographs that hold the place you traveled for and how it felt to get married there.
Is this your kind of destination wedding photography?
You’re getting married somewhere you love, and you want to…
Choose a place that makes you look at each other and say, “This is what I want it to feel like when we get married.”
Make memories around the wedding, too—the dinner when everyone arrives, exploring together, and finding a favorite spot you’ll talk about coming back to.
Have a photographer you’ve gotten to know before the trip, who understands your people and what you’re most excited about.
Hand over the photography plans and my travel arrangements, with those details settled before you pack your bags.
Leave time to wander off together, trust my eye, and make photographs that feel like you in this place.
Come home with more than the view—your person’s face during the vows, the hugs, the happy tears, and how it felt to be there.
Then hi—where are we going?
A familiar face, a whole new place.
I’m Nicole—a light chaser, mom of two feral little boys, and still in love with the boy I met at 20. I started in art school and switched to psychology, but kept coming back to creating and connecting with people. Photography gave me a place for both in 2016.
After 134 weddings, I still get caught up in the feeling of it all. The nerves before you see each other. Your people watching you say your vows. The moment dinner turns into everybody telling stories. A new place gives me more to notice, but getting to know you tells me what matters.
Before we ever pack our bags, we’ll have talked about your plans, your people, and what you want to remember. You’ll know who’s showing up with the camera, and I’ll arrive ready to explore the light and make something personal with you. I take a small number of weddings each year so I can bring that kind of attention—and my whole heart—wherever we’re going.
How We Bring Your Destination Wedding To Life
01 · Tell me where we’re going
Tell me about you two, the place you picked, and why it feels like somewhere you want to get married. Share your date, your venue if you have one, and what you’re most excited about. You don’t need a finished itinerary—I’d love to hear the plans as they are.
02 · Get into the dirty details
I’ll personally review your inquiry. If your date is available and we sound like a good fit, I’ll send my destination wedding guide with the collection, investment, and travel details. We can hop on a call if you’d like, then a signed agreement and retainer make it official.
03 · Make room for being there
Once you’re booked, I’ll handle my travel arrangements and work with you and your planner on the photography timeline. We’ll consider the light, locations, time for portraits, and the moments you want to be part of. We’ll also plan your included pre-wedding session—close to home or the evening before at your destination. Then you can start counting down to marrying your person.
Your destination wedding photography collection
You’ve come all this way. Let’s make room to remember it.
Getting ready with the windows open to somewhere new. Your person waiting for you. Dinner stretching into dancing in the sand, with a few “Can you believe we’re here?” moments along the way.
One collection with your wedding-day photography and my travel included. You get me, personally invested in your people and your plans, with time to chase the light and make art somewhere that means something to you.
Starting at $12000
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Up to 10 hours of continuous wedding photography
One photographer—me—start to finish
Photography timeline creation & assistance
A 30–90-minute pre-wedding session
All of my travel—flights, lodging, ground transportation & travel days
Sneak peeks within seven days
An online gallery with high-resolution and web-size downloads
A personal print release
Full gallery delivery within 4–16 weeks
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Time together before the wedding helps the camera feel familiar and gives us room to make something personal.
Choose a Monday–Thursday engagement session within two hours of Hebron, Illinois, with travel available beyond that area, or save your session for the evening before your wedding at your destination.
At your destination, those 30–90 minutes can include portraits, a little of your welcome gathering, or a mix of both. It’s one session on one day, with the plans worked out together beforehand.
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This collection is for weddings outside the continental U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. My travel is included in the collection, and I handle my own arrangements.
Want more of the trip photographed? Extended welcome-party or rehearsal-dinner coverage and additional celebration days are available, subject to availability. My destination wedding guide explains those options before you book.
Getting married within the continental U.S.? My wedding collection is available with travel added.
“I’M SCREAMING I JUST SAW THE SNEAK PEAKS. There were so many!!! Omg!!! They look so amazing!! … EVERYONE has told me how amazing YOU were at the wedding especially!!”
A few more destination wedding details
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I’m based in Illinois and travel for weddings outside the continental U.S., including Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii. Tell me where you’re headed, what drew you there, and when you’re getting married. I’d love to hear what you’re imagining.
For weddings within the continental U.S., my wedding collection is available with travel added.
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Yes. My destination wedding collection starts at $12,000 and includes my flights, lodging, ground transportation, and travel days. I handle my own arrangements, so you can keep your attention on your trip and your people.
We’ll discuss your location and any venue requirements before you book, with the details outlined in your proposal.
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You can reach out while you’re still figuring things out. Share your destination, possible dates, and any venues you’re considering. The more you can tell me, the more useful I can be as we talk through the photography.
Your confirmed date and location will help us finalize the collection and booking details.
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Absolutely. You can choose a 30–90-minute engagement session Monday–Thursday within two hours of Hebron, Illinois, with travel available beyond that area.
Or we can save that time for the evening before your wedding at your destination—for portraits, a little of your welcome gathering, or a mix of both. It’s one session on one day, planned together beforehand.
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Yes—tell me what else you’d love to remember. Dinner when everyone arrives. The hugs before anyone’s changed out of their travel clothes. Time together before the wedding day gets here.
Your included pre-wedding session can cover a little of that evening. For more time, welcome-party or rehearsal-dinner coverage and additional celebration days are available, subject to availability. My destination wedding guide walks you through those options.
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Getting to know you comes first. Then I research the location and work with you and your planner on timing, light, access, and the places we’ll be photographing.
A decade behind the camera has taught me to notice what’s happening and work with what’s in front of me. We’ll make thoughtful plans beforehand, with room for the wind, the unexpected, and the little detour that ends up being your favorite part.
Want me along for the ride?
Tell me who you’re marrying, where you’re headed, and what makes you say, “This is what I want it to feel like.” I want to hear about the place, your people, and the things you’re already looking forward to.
I’ll personally read your inquiry and check your date. If I’m available and we sound like a good fit, I’ll send my destination wedding guide with the collection, investment, travel, and all the dirty details. We can hop on a call, too, if you’d like.