Photo above by TWA Photographic Artists

Selecting your wedding photographer can feel like a daunting task. The cake will be eaten, the dress will be worn, but the photos are what will last for years to come. As you search for your wedding photographer, start the process by determining what style of photography you want. Some photographers are able to shoot and edit in a number of styles, while others have one signature look. Whatever photographer you choose, you’ll want to be able to effectively communicate to them what style you’re looking for. Here are some popular photography styles for you to consider.

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The Graceful Ordinary

3 E. Main St. | St. Charles, IL 60174 | 331.235.5803 | thegracefulordinary.com

From its riverfront location to its acclaimed chef, this newly opened restaurant and event venue in downtown St. Charles is anything but ordinary. In a sophisticated setting along the scenic Fox River, rustic fare from Executive Chef Chris Curren dazzles. Their chef-driven cuisine is centered around the kitchen’s wood-burning hearth with a menu of elevated, yet approachable tavern fare. The Graceful Ordinary is the ideal setting for all your wedding celebrations, with 4,700 square feet of interior space and 2,200 square feet of waterfront terrace space outside. Unforgettable views, chef-driven cuisine and gracious hospitality — The Graceful Ordinary is the memorable backdrop to your life’s special events.

Photo by Matthew Reeves

Lola Valentina

6430 Hamlin Ave. | Lincolnwood, IL 60712 | 224.251.7614 | lolavalentina.com

Lola Valentina is revolutionizing fine linen rentals and event branding by offering access to original designs and fully custom options for all your event rental needs, including tablecloths, table runners, decor placemats, napkins and more. There is a full team of designers in-house, so customers can access fresh and exclusive designs without any limitations. All items are environmentally conscious and proudly crafted in the U.S.

Photo by Jessica Lorren

WarPaint International Beauty Agency

On-site Beauty. Whenever. Wherever. | Chicago, IL | 917.740.2896 | warpaintinternational.com

WarPaint International Beauty Agency is an on-site “beauty-on-demand” agency. We specialize in intimate, luxurious, on-location wedding hair and makeup experiences in Chicago. We know weddings! With thousands of happy brides serviced over 10 years in business, we are true professionals that strive to make your day flawless. Our team of hand-selected and experienced Artisans are passionate about perfecting your special day. WPI Artisans are interviewed, technically tested, receive ongoing education, are nationally background-checked for your safety and expected to have the highest standard of sanitary practices. WarPaint International is the ultimate symbol of luxury and excellence in hair and makeup artistry.

Avli on The Park

180 N. Field Blvd. | Chicago, IL 60601 | 312.600.9997 | avli.us

Avli on The Park opened in May 2021 and is centrally located in Chicago with easy access to hotels, Maggie Daley Park and all the city has to offer. Curate the perfect destination-style celebration in downtown Chicago with stunning rooftop cabanas, skyline views, a beautiful private banquet room in the main hall and more. Along with contemporary Greek cuisine and a lively beverage program, Avli on The Park is an unparalleled choice for group dining, birthdays, celebrations and events that’ll transport your guests seamlessly to a seaside resort in Greece.

Photo by Mac Yellek

Revelry 675

675 S. River St. | Batavia, IL 60510 | 630.940.8987 | revelry675.com

From Exceptional Events by Shuki Moran comes Revelry 675, a new and elegant wedding and events venue. Located along the Fox River in the heart of Batavia, Revelry 675 boasts a luxurious and spacious 8,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor property. Just as the name “Revelry” implies, the venue is synonymous with dancing, festivities and celebrating the night away in style. Adorned with gold starburst chandeliers, white marble flooring and an outdoor patio with strung bistro lights, this newly renovated space has found new vibrancy. With an established presence as a luxury and celebrity event planner, Shuki Moran knows how to host an unforgettable fete, and this new venue continues that legacy.

Photo by Lynette McCarthy Photography

voco Chicago Downtown

350 W. Wolf Point Plaza | Chicago, IL 60654
Hotel: 312.836.5000 | Catering: 312.529.1124 | vocohotels.com/chicagoil

Chicago’s newest wedding venue, voco Chicago Downtown, is located at the confluence of the Chicago River on iconic Wolf Point. Defined by Chicago’s urban style and an unrivaled location at the heart of River North, The Loop and Fulton Market, voco Chicago Downtown features dazzling city and river views from the 15th floor of 350 North Orleans. The venue offers three upscale ceremony and reception spaces — two with floor-to-ceiling windows — and warm and inviting guest rooms for you and your guests. Whatever you need, they’ve got it covered.

City Cruises Chicago

600 E. Grand Ave. | Chicago, IL 60611 888.741.0282 | citycruises.com/chicago

Whether enjoying the breathtaking cityscape while cruising the Chicago River or the city’s striking skyline from Lake Michigan, you’ll love Chicago’s most unique and elegant wedding venue. Say your vows aboard the Spirit of Navy Pier, the newly renovated tri-deck vessel expanded to provide ample space for cocktail hour, formal dining and dancing. The rooftop bar has been completely reimagined to create a luxurious top-deck lounge with photo-perfect, open- air views. Relax and let their complimentary event planners provide City Cruises’ signature service, delicious dining, custom décor and distinctive entertainment. Bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties or post-wedding brunches — the event of your dreams is waiting on the water!

Photo by Photography by Lauryn

Copper Fox by FoxFire

477 S. 3rd St. | Geneva, IL 60134 331.248.0422 | copper-fox.com

Copper Fox by FoxFire is one of the newest, most complete event spaces in downtown Geneva. FoxFire, being well known since 2003, has always had requests for larger parties, so the family owned, small business decided it was time to take the event venue world by storm. With over 20 years of event experience, and a full remodel inside and out, Copper Fox was born. They offer full catering, event décor and design, indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, and a team of professional event staff. Their Event Coordinator will be with you from the beginning of planning, through to the big day and will assist you in planning the wedding day of your dreams.

Photo by B&B Photography

Wedding Design Studio by 1440 Event Design

5514 Lincoln Ave. | Lisle, IL 60532 630.946.6807 | weddingdesignstudiochicago.com

The Wedding Design Studio is a 7,000-square-foot space created by 1440 Event Design. A collaborative concept, drawing together a group of industry experts and artists with decades of experience in wedding, floral and decor design, bridal gowns, and custom design and alterations. WDS Chicago offers full-service event design and production alongside an expansive collection of designer gowns in a one-stop shop for all things bridal. Offering a sense of genuine expertise and enthusiasm, specializing in thorough and informative service, the WDS team invites you to discover “Your Wedding Wonderland.”

Photo by Marcello Rodarte

The Matrix Club

808 S. Route 59 | Naperville, IL 60540 630.581.7200 | matrixvenue.com

The Matrix Club is a new premier wedding, banquet, convention and performance venue, opening in the summer of 2022. Their talented and versatile events team creates exquisite engagement and wedding ceremonies for diverse cultures. Award-winning chefs create world- class culinary delicacies from around the world in their in-house state- of-the-art kitchens. Your wedding should transcend your expectations and The Matrix Club’s goal is to make that happen. Delivering an immersive experience, it’ll be unique and one that’ll linger with you and your guests for years to come. Details matter, and The Matrix Club will take care of every single one for you.

The Moment on Main

122 N. Main St. | Wheaton, IL 60187 630.433.8906 | themomentonmain.com

The Moment on Main is the new urban event venue located within the heart of downtown Wheaton. Offering modern elegance with a minimal design concept, the venue’s goal is to inspire couples with personalized planning so their vision becomes a reality. Creating a venue that is carte blanche was and is their core inspiration to everything they do. The experienced and talented vendors partnering with The Moment on Main will ensure each wedding is perfected and a moment in time to remember forever. Outside of their four walls, The Moment on Main is surrounded by beautiful city parks, urban streetscapes, eateries and bars to enhance your wedding getaway experience.

Photo by Photography By Lauryn

Chez Hotel

519 W. Algonquin Rd. | Arlington Heights, IL 60005 847.437.5590 | chezhotel.com

Be one of the first couples to celebrate in the new Chez Hotel, opening in 2022! Situated in the charming suburb of Arlington Heights, Chez Hotel is a high-end 4-star luxury boutique hotel offering reception halls, luxury dining, a modern rooftop terrace, beautifully appointed rooms and friendly multilingual staff. Make a grand and glamorous entrance with beautifully curated spaces and the only luxury outdoor rooftop venue in the Chicago suburbs. From cocktail receptions, rehearsal dinners or brunches on the rooftop to formal weddings in the European Crystal Banquet Grand Ballroom, you’ll find the ideal reflection of contemporary luxury. An exceptionally well-prepared on-site event team will help you realize your vision and ensure your big day experience is a memorable one.

Inspired by the vibrant colors and romantic rave-stylings of the ‘90s, this styled shoot by Fierce Productions celebrated the unapologetic magic of love. At the forefront of inclusivity in the Chicago wedding scene, Fierce Productions specializes in events that are bold, non-traditional and fearless. Complete with cosmic brownies, neon lights and heart-shaped sunglasses, this faux wedding showcased all the liveliness that comes with being authentic to who you are.

From the planner & stylist…

I wanted to plan and design a styled wedding at the brand new Chicago venue, The Arbory, that was funky, punchy and off-beat. It was really important to the team that we featured a BIPOC, LGBTQ+ couple. Inclusivity is part of our mission at Fierce Productions so anytime we do a shoot we are looking to represent every couple!

– LAURA REITSMA, OWNER, FIERCE PRODUCTIONS

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Photo by Kristin Sweeting Photography

It’s no secret that wedding planning can be stressful. To keep yourself feeling refreshed and relaxed, be sure to schedule time to pamper yourself and prepare for the big day. Whether that be a relaxing massage to ease stress or regular hair blow-outs to keep your hair shining, check out these options for some much-needed pre-wedding pampering.

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There’s an often overlooked component to weddings: the groom.

But not anymore.

A vision for showcasing luxurious possibilities for grooms came to life in the hands of Ramsey Prince of Maison Du Prince. Prince is known for turning heads with his recognizable flair and bespoke styling, so these scenes came together beautifully in his handwriting.

With rich orchids, gilded accents, and incredible menswear, a fabulous grooms’ weekend at The Thompson Hotel unfolded.

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Photography by Rachael Schirano Photography | Collection Photography by Danielle Simone & Co.

Fueled by a swirl of almond latte art, Goli Parvinian Young creates bridal attire for the true believers. Having lived in Chicago, London, Auckland, New York City and Melbourne, she embodies a restless urge to absorb the world. Throughout her years of international travel and moves, a vision for her own bridal line marinated and, in 2019, Goli June was born.

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Written by Patty McGuire, Patty McGuire Hair & Makeup Artists | Photography by Joy Lyn Photography

The getting ready process on the wedding morning is a fun and celebratory time that sets the tone for the rest of the day’s events. What could be better than having your hair and makeup done to your favorite song with the people you love the most while indulging in champagne and sweet treats?

As a professional hair and makeup team, we are privileged to have witnessed a lot of touching moments during our travels. While there are certain traditions that will never go out of style, we’ve seen some new and meaningful trends that are on the rise. Instead of the focus being solely on the bride or groom, there is a heartwarming shift happening. With more emphasis on lifting up the wedding party members by recognizing them as individuals, our nearlyweds are shining a spotlight on what each attendant means to them. The events of the last few years have made us all want to love harder and to be more expressive when it comes to letting people we care for know how much they mean to us. These 12 must-haves are inspired by the incredible nearlyweds who are taking things to another level and making the wedding day morning truly unforgettable.

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Is your pet just as important to you as your significant other? For many couples, incorporating their furry friends into their wedding is a must. While they might not make the invite list, they certainly deserve to be represented in the festivities one way or the other.

Photo above by Emily Elizabeth Photos

CUSTOM PETS COOKIES

What is cuter than a portrait of your pet on a deliciously designed cookie? Include these sweet treats in your guests’ welcome bags, at the reception dessert table or as a departing gift.

Photo by Louie Abellera Weddings, as seen in Bryn & Andy’s Traditional Wedding at Chicago History Museum

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Shop local, eat local, celebrate local! We love local! Adding thoughtful, personal touches to your celebration with unique local treasures creates those one-of-a-kind moments you and your guests will not soon forget. When finding inspiration for your wedding, look no further than your neighborhood.

“In the Neighborhood” Handpicked by… Rick Verkler, General Manager, The Guesthouse Hotel

Above Photo by Stephanie Parshall Photography 

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Taking a cue from sparkling gemstones, jewel-tones create a luxe and timeless environment. Let your wedding jewelry be the star of the show and build a vision around the hues of sapphire, ruby, emerald, topaz, amethyst, and – of course – the shine of a diamond.

“Jewel Toned” Handpicked by … Chelsea Holtzman Lawrence, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, C.D. Peacock

Photo above by Victoria Saint Martin Photography

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Color is back, baby! I am drawn to muted colors that have a romantic feel. The cake and floral installation were the first items I found and instantly knew they would be the focal point of my picks. Everything else builds from this coming up roses vibe!

“Coming Up Roses” Handpicked by … Alexa McNish, Owner/Wedding Planner, Monarch Creative Events

Above photo by Jessica Gold Photography

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Wedding Venue photo above: Wandering Tree Estate; Photography by Maksym Prokopiv Photography

When planning your wedding, you’ll most likely start with selecting and securing the venue. After all, your venue will ultimately influence the mood, logistics and design choices of your celebration. From the rehearsal dinner to the ceremony to the reception, there are a lot of options for what your wedding landscape will be. Keep things simple and streamlined by planning all your festivities in one spot or treat your guests to several locations. There are a lot of options! Whatever you choose as your venue(s), take into account the aesthetics and overall vision, but also think about these important aspects:

• Location – How easily will guests be able to access the venue? Is the venue located near hotels? Do you want something within the city or in the suburbs? How far are you willing to travel?
• Cost – Will you have to move around other items in your budget to accommodate for a certain venue? Does your desired wedding date have a higher peak-season rate?
• Amenities – How much is provided by the venue and how much will you need to bring in? How many restrooms are there and what are they like? Is it handicap accessible? Is there a catering kitchen?
• Size – What is the maximum capacity? Will the venue be too large or too small for your guest list?
• Preferred Vendors – Does the venue have a list of preferred vendors that you’re limited to?
• Privacy – How private or public will the venue be? Is there a risk of strangers and passersby stumbling into it? Does the venue offer a security team?

Once you start narrowing down on your venue selections – make sure to ask these questions!

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Sarah Kathleen Events led their Designers’ Challenge team into a mauve and moody atmosphere at The Moment on Main. The Wheaton venue’s minimal and sleek design concept provided a blank canvas for this team to infuse dramatics and texture. Emily Elizabeth Photos captured the vision of Floral Expressions, F&S Linens, The Quintessential Cake, Sarah Kathleen Events and Your Little Details beautifully at the sparkling new venue.

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BW Studio + Events transformed the Chicago Riverwalk into the Seine in an impressionist vision. Hosted at River Roast, the artistic visions of Branching Out Chicago, BW Studio + Events, Lola Valentina, Maxe Designs and Toni Patisserie were captured by Jasko Omerovic Photography.

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Planned and detailed by Wedicity, this Designer’s Challenge team created a romantic Santorini affair in the heart of Chicago’s Millennium Park neighborhood. The contemporary Greek venue, Avli On the Park, served as the team’s starting point for inspiration. Achieving a stunning display of bougainvillea pink, azure and sailing rope tan, Marc & Mindy Photography captured the works of ECBG Cake Studio, F&S Linens, Maison Du Prince, Nerissa B Modern Calligraphy and Wedicity at Avli On The Park.

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