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
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
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
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:
Once you start narrowing down on your venue selections – make sure to ask these questions!
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.
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.
Take a look behind the scenes for our newest editorial, “Hopelessly Devoted.” Our July 2022 edition of Chicago Style Weddings hits the racks in just a week, so we wanted to share a look into how it all came together. With each issue comes the exciting opportunity to host an exclusive, bridal fashion editorial. To do this, we carefully curate a team of vendors, create numerous mood boards and pull bridal garments and accessories from all across the greater Chicago area. So on a crisp morning in April, the Chicago Style Weddings team gathered at Wildman BT to make this Hopelessly Devoted vision come to life.
gets too close to the earth it drives everyone crazy.”
–Otello
Feature image by Maico Pereira
Brought to you by Men’s Wearhouse
Getting ready to tie the knot? We’re sure you’ve got a lot on your mind. As with anything in life, prepping for the big day is critical to ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch. But there’s no need to overcomplicate things. Getting organized beforehand and knowing where to prioritize your energy will help ensure that you soak in every second of the best day of your life without any hiccups along the way. Here are the key things to remember to help you enjoy it all.
Photo by Lisa Hufford, as seen in Berry Glamour Styled Shoot at Offshore Rooftop in Chicago
In the midst of planning, it is easy to get swept up in the florals, cake, attire, and guest list. But at the end of the day, this is a celebration of your special love that you’d been fortunate enough to find. How special is that?
We’ve rounded up some swoon-worthy love poems perfect for your wedding ceremony or just to inspire you throughout your planning process. Take a seat, grab a cup of tea and soak up how beautiful it is to be marrying the one you adore.
Spring is in the air and the outdoor weddings are ready to emerge!
Golf courses and country clubs top the list of most popular locations for a wedding for a reason. They are vast, lush, and oh-so dynamic. When thinking about where to host your wedding celebrations there’s just something about country clubs and golf courses that is so charming. Plus, their stunning panoramic photo opportunities and event backdrops are something you can’t replicate in the concrete jungle!
NOTE: Many country clubs offer events to their members only, so be sure to check before you get your heart set on one. However, this members-only clause does add extra privacy and security to your special day, if you so desire.
Check out a few of our favorite Chicago golf course venues and country club venues here:
The First Monday In May has come and gone and we are still in awe of all the jaw-dropping looks that graced the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual gala. While we are still sifting who was perfectly on theme and who missed the mark, we did see a whole lot of wedding attire inspiration.
These looks could go down the aisle as-is and we’d love them just as much. Here are our top Met Gala not-bridal-but-sure-could-be looks.
International bridal fashion weeks are back! These spring 2023 collections offer a rejuvenated lens on bridal fashion. As weddings as we know them return to the scene, modern and traditional elements play with each other to create a new era of aisle style.
Here are a few of our favorite trends we saw this season:
Written by Alexandra Dillard | Cover Photo by Bradley Moss
Due to their historical and cultural significance, weddings themselves are time-honored traditions. Throughout history, weddings have been celebrated as a ceremonial union between two individuals, often accompanied by rituals, customs and traditions that have been passed down through generations. One of these enduring formalities is for the couple not to see one another before the ceremony. In fact, it used to be unheard of — and even bad luck — for couples to see each other before their wedding ceremony.
There is a romanticism inherent in this suspense. But within the last 20 years, this beloved custom has been upstaged by a modern addition to the wedding ritual arsenal: the first look. Once considered a wedding taboo, the first look allows couples to share an intimate moment together before saying “I do,” as well as an opportunity for some sweet photos before the rush of the day. With a perfect blend of efficiency and romance, you might consider skipping old-school conventions to embrace this new tradition.
Seeing your fiancé(e) for the very first time on your wedding day will no doubt stir up some powerful emotions. While some couples cherish the idea of that sentimental first glance happening at the end of the aisle, others are more comfortable with a private moment before the ceremony.
Having a private first look with just you, your future spouse and your photographer allows you to express your genuine emotions without the pressure or stage fright that may come from being in front of all your loved ones. It’s an intimate setting where you can shed tears, laugh and truly be yourselves. A skilled photographer will capture these magical and tender moments authentically, creating lasting memories for you to revisit.
After the ceremony, the whirlwind of the reception festivities will sweep you away (in the best way possible!). In the midst of all the celebrating, you might not be able to find a moment to candidly speak with your new spouse until much later. That’s where the first look comes in — it provides a precious opportunity to truly connect with your beloved before getting caught up in the revelries.
The pre-ceremony first look is a moment where couples can break away from prying eyes and be vulnerable with each other. So often weddings can feel like performances. However, during the first look, you can set aside the performance and simply be yourselves. It’s a chance to be real, raw and deeply connected with each other. It’s also a time to regroup and reaffirm your love before the ceremony. During this time, some couples choose to read letters to each other, exchange special gifts, pray together or simply just express their excitement and expectations for the day ahead.
A first look offers the opportunity to capture the reactions of both you and your partner, which can be more challenging when you’re separated by an aisle during the ceremony. Furthermore, a first look allows photographers to take advantage of ideal lighting and picturesque backdrops that the wedding venue may offer. While nighttime portraits are romantic in their own right, natural morning light is oh-so-dreamy.
The ultimate time-efficiency, a first look allows you to complete most of your posed photos and couple portraits before the ceremony. Couples who wait until after the ceremony often find themselves missing out on parts of their cocktail hour as they’re busy taking all the must-have photos. By opting for a first look, you free up time to ensure that you capture all the pictures you want, leaving you more relaxed and fully able to enjoy the reception.
It’s no wonder why first looks have become increasingly popular — considering the benefits they offer from both a logistical and romantic standpoint.
Logistically, this practice allows for a smoother wedding timeline, ensuring there is ample time to capture beautiful photos without feeling rushed. However, the romantic aspects of a first look are equally compelling. The intimate nature of this moment can help settle nerves and create the right emotional headspace for the rest of the day.
Whether you prefer the thrill of waiting until the ceremony to see your betrothed or you opt for the efficient first look, there’s no wrong decision. With a skilled photographer, you can rest assured that you’ll have wonderful photos capturing the essence of your special day.
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To see more beautiful first look images, check out our curated gallery here!
