Intentional storytelling worthy of the family archives

Wedding photography packages and prices

Photography gives me a view into those sacred, fleeting pieces of life — where love lives unfiltered, and stories are preserved with intention.

Is Nicole Kilday the right fit?

My art thrives in friendship. I don’t say this lightly and if you’ve worked with myself or my team, you know I’m here to be more than ‘hired help’. At my core, the human connection is what drives me and my art. Sharing my empathy and investing wholly into each human I come into contact with is where my heart takes root. My goal as a professional, is to show up as a friend first. This gives me solid ground to stand on to know how to truthfully document your story(ies) & a unique approach to storytelling by using my art as a way to explore, experiment, evolve, and deepen my connections with others.

I believe art is ever-evolving, just as we all are as humans. It ebbs & flows, the same way each chapter in love does. This also means there are no standards or norms my art will ever fall into, as I continue to grow, learn, and change as an artist through my own life experiences and lessons. After all, it wouldn’t be true to you if I followed trends, or photographed every session/milestone from a Pinterest board checklist. My art is meant to fully encapsulate your memories, and bring you back to exactly how it felt in those moments.

I believe everyone deserves a seat at my table. All are welcome here.

Most importantly, I understand selecting a photographer is a big decision, and believe you should be able to make that choice with 100% certainty. My job is for you to love your images and the experience - nothing less. If my art doesn’t speak to you in more ways than just a pretty picture, that is OKAY. These images will last longer than our lifetime, and I want your story to be told in a way that portrays your memories exactly as they are and were - from your sun kissed skin all the way to the butterflies in your stomach. You should be able to not only see, but feel your memories.

What do you want to remember from your best day? Easy: all of it.


That’s why my wedding and elopement collections are designed with flexibility — from all-day coverage to intimate courthouse vows. Everything is buildable and customizable to fit the way your love unfolds. Because not every love story fits inside a box — and yours shouldn't have to either.

Let’s make space for the quiet magic and the loud joy. I’ll take care of the art. You focus on the memory-making.

  • All day coverage begins 3-4 hours prior to ceremony, and ends 30 minutes to 1 hour into open dance. This ensures we’re not missing any important moments, start to finish. This collection covers 8 hours of continuous coverage, leaving room for buffers in case of spontaneous moments, because maybe you just really want McDonald’s after leaving the church - I’m here for all of it.

    Most chosen collection.

  • For more intimate celebrations with shorter desired timelines. This collection includes 4 hours of continuous coverage. Coverage typically begins 2-3 hours prior to ceremony, and ends 1 hour into reception.

  • For celebrations that require less than 3 hours of coverage and take place on a Monday-Thursday, including 2 hours of continuous coverage.

“Nicole is a dream of a human to work with. She is easy going, intuitive, and truly an artist. I wouldn't have chosen anyone else to capture my love the way she did. 11/10 recommend.”

People raising glasses in toast at a wedding reception under a large white tent, decorated with white flowers and candles at a classy, elegant backyard wedding in Grayslake, IL.
Bride and groom holding hands and walking outdoors on their wedding day, with trees and grass in the background.
A man and a woman holding hands outdoors under a blue sky with clouds, both wearing sunglasses. The woman is dressed in a white lace dress, and the man in a black leather suite at their elopement after celebration in McHenry, IL.
A man and woman in wedding attire holding each other closely indoors, their foreheads touching and eyes closed, sharing an intimate moment during getting ready together before their elopement ceremony at Autocamp in Boston Massachusetts.

Tell me more,

  • 1 Photographer, previews within 7 days, online gallery with high & low resolution images, print release & access to gallery printshop, full gallery within 4-16 weeks, complimentary engagement session (excludes courthouse collection), curated timeline planning & assistance, 40 mile radius from Hebron, IL of travel included

  • 50 images per coverage hour is a perfect rough estimate. For example, the ‘All Day Wedding Collection’ can expect to have a total of 400 images minimum to 500+ in a full gallery. There is never a cap on the maximum number of images as every day is different.

  • Easy answer, yes! You are welcome to add a second photographer ($825.00) to join your team, as well as additional continuous coverage hours ($150.00/hr) for a maximum of 12 hours. I highly recommend utilizing the package that best fits your dreams to begin with.

  • I’m always up for a dual celebration on a holiday weekend (Friday-Sunday - $500.00). This includes New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day.

  • complimentary with ‘all day’ & ‘simple joys’ wedding collections and includes a 1 hour session (M-Th), 1 photographer, posing direction & guidance, location & outfit guidance, online gallery with high & low res images, print release, sneak peeks within 7 days, 2-4 week turnaround.

  • Yes, yes, and yes. I’ve traveled with my couples all across the United States in years past. From the Midwest's cornfields, the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, hiking through Ohio's Hocking Hills, Martha's Vineyard and various spots on the East Coast, and ventured through Denver and its surrounding areas. Wherever your love is the loudest - I’m there!

    All of my traveling weddings receive a custom proposal including all travel (mileage, fuel, hotel or accommodations, flights, rental vehicle, transportation, food, baggage fees, parking fees, and other related expenses, if applicable), and then I complete all of the booking for my own travel to take it off your plate.

    Travel fees are location-dependent and determined on a case by case basis. A 40 mile radius from Hebron, IL is included in all of my wedding collections.

  • If it's me you want present for your life memories (insert me dancing like a lunatic), I require a non-refundable retainer (50%) and a signed contract to lock you in on my calendar.

    Wedding photography is on 3 split payment schedule. The first payment is a non-refundable retainer (50% of your total). The 2nd payment (25%) is due at the midpoint, and the 3rd and final payment (25%) is due 1 week prior to your event date.

  • Life happens, I get it. If you need some flexibility in regards to your payments, make sure to let me know ahead of time. I do offer a delayed final payment 1 week post-event-date. The only stipulation is that zero post-processing will begin until final payment is completed.

A bride and groom sharing a kiss outdoors during a wedding, with the groom dipping the bride while she wears a white wedding gown and the groom is in a cream suit, surrounded by green trees.
A joyful bride with dark, wavy hair wearing a lace wedding gown holding a glass, dancing with a surprised groom with short hair and a beard wearing a tuxedo, inside a decorated reception hall.

Love, on the blog & portfolio

YAY! You’re here! I do thing’s a little differently here. I want to be sure I’m guiding you in the best direction to finding your best fit artist. The blog is the best place to begin! Here, you can find the finer details of what it’s like to work with me, planning/preparation pieces, photography session resources, and real love stories that unraveled in front of my camera. I want you to feel empowered and inspired when you begin your photography experience, so take a peek!

Featured
Emily & Cody, on the family farm

Emily & Cody • A Hot Summer Day at Grandma & Grandpa’s Farm

On a bright July afternoon in 2025, Emily and Cody kicked off their wedding at the heart of their family—Grandma and Grandpa’s farm in Southern Wisconsin. Against lush crops and under sun‑baked skies, their love unfolded in candid, heartfelt ways: quiet glances, playful hugs, and endless laughter echoing across the land with only their closest family and friends.

This wasn’t about posed perfection—it was their story, unscripted and real. As they wandered through corn and leaned into each other’s warmth, Nicole captured images that feel like soft whispers of nostalgia and belonging. This is what the ordinary, beautiful moments feel like.

Read on to see their full gallery.

Dan & Breanne, BlueStem Farm and Events

Dan and Breanne’s wedding at Bluestem Farm in Hebron, IL was the kind of day that reminds me why I love what I do. It was equal parts laid-back and deeply meaningful—filled with personal touches, spontaneous laughter, and those quiet, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them moments. From emotional first looks to golden hour portraits across the fields, every part of their day felt effortless and true to them. My role? To witness, preserve, and tell their story as honestly as possible—because this kind of love deserves to be remembered just as it felt.

Jessica & Ryan at The Crawford

Jessica and Ryan’s September wedding at The Crawford in Naperville was the perfect blend of modern romance and elevated simplicity. The editorial-inspired portraits, rich in soft light and natural tones, paired effortlessly with a clean, minimal design aesthetic throughout the day. From emotional candids to intentional, artfully composed frames, their gallery tells the story of a couple grounded in love and style. With a color palette of warm neutrals, pops of bold florals, and just the right touch of structure in the details, this wedding was as beautiful as it was meaningful—and it was a true honor to document it all.