Featured Photo by Joshua Harrison

Ever since we were bright-eyed children at birthday parties, favors have held a special place in our hearts. Those delightful gift bags wrapped with vellum and curly ribbons were the ultimate take-home treasures after an unforgettable celebration. While the true gift lies in the experience of the party itself, these tangible mementos have always been a delight. Now, you are embarking on planning your wedding — the grandest celebration yet. Do not let the concept of party favors fade into the distant past of your seventh birthday party! Your wedding guests deserve a token of appreciation for joining you on this momentous day.

At the reception, hosts give guests small gifts known as wedding favors. These are often placed at their table settings or presented near the exit. These gifts serve two purposes: to thank guests for their presence and to be lasting reminders of the occasion.

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The treasured wedding cake stands as a sweet symbol of union and joy. However, it’s not just the exquisite designs and flavors that can leave a lasting impression. Enter wedding cake accessories – the often overlooked yet essential elements that can elevate this beloved moment to new heights. Explore these delightful cake accessories that will make your wedding cake experience all the sweeter. (more…)

Featured Photo by Bradley Moss

Grab your forks and knives — it’s time to talk catering! With these seven tricks of the trade in mind, you and your caterer can create a meal to remember.

1. DECIDE HOW TO SERVE THE FOOD

Before deciding on the menu items, it’s important to consider how you want the food to be served. Food service sets the tone for the rest of the reception, so take time to mull over the following options before you pick.

Full-Service

Also called plated meals, full-service meals are for couples who want the meal to be the highlight of the event. For this method, individual courses are delivered to guests by servers, providing an elegant dining experience with professional service and minimal handling. While this is a glamorous option, do note that it takes more time out of the reception than a buffet alternative.

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Written by Christine Boulton, Branching Out Chicago | Featured Photo: Kate Kaplan Photography

Flowers are one of the most magical parts of a wedding. They breathe life and energy into a space while setting the tone for the celebrations. Your wedding flowers communicate the style and feel you want to flow through your day. So when it comes to what color palette and personality you want your florals to exude, where do you begin?

One of the things I love most about being in the wedding industry is how it is ever-changing. Every year brings a new look, style and floral trends. I am really excited about the colors that I see on the horizon for 2024. The couples I have been talking to aren’t afraid to change things up and it is so exciting to play with. Primarily, I see color trends for 2024 weddings falling into three categories: Bright and Bold, The Softest Pastels and Give Me Pink. Let’s get right to what each of those trends entails.

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Written by Christine Gaither, The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy | Feature Photo by Stephanie Pana Photography

As you plan your special day, dare to embrace the allure of a Sunday wedding. With Saturdays often in high demand, this alternative presents its own offering of benefits. So why not consider hosting your wedding on a Sunday? Both Saturday and Sunday are during the weekend, it’s just a question of whether you want a day before or after the wedding to enjoy your guests. Let’s delve into the realm of Sunday weddings and explore why this choice is poised to captivate your heart. After all, the distinction lies not in the day of the week itself, but in the enchanting moments that follow.

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WRITTEN BY Alexandra Dillard |Feature Photo by Louie Abellera Weddings

Your future spouse is the one you instinctively seek comfort from, especially during your most emotional moments. Your wedding morning will undoubtedly be a day where emotions are high! As your wedding day nerves are coursing, you might long for nothing more than to embrace your partner in a big, warm hug. But with wedding preparations in full swing, you and your wedding parties will be busy getting glammed up! Instead of spending the morning physically together, make your presence known through a heartfelt, handwritten note.

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Written by Alexandra Dillard | Photography by Nicole Defilippis Photography

By unveiling the heartfelt promises that bind two in matrimony, wedding vows hold a profound significance. Crafting vows that encapsulate one’s emotions can be both exhilarating and daunting. To shed light on this craft and offer guidance, we spoke with Liz Babinski, the author of “I Just Want to Say Vow Journal.” Also a wedding officiant with Liz Rae & Co, Babinski shares vow writing tips and offers a sampling of what you can find in the journal itself.

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Throughout the wedding planning experience, it’s easy to forget to take a moment for yourself. Recenter your wellbeing as you luxuriate in elegance, beauty and serenity.

“Mind & Body” Handpicked by… Chris Schmidt, Associate Director of Sales & Events at Park Hyatt Chicago

1. Calm Mind Massage, NoMI Spa
2. Sweet Dreams on a Bryte Balance Mattress, Bryte
3. Getting Ready Bathrobe, Frette
4. Bergamote 22 – Park Hyatt’s Signature Scent, Le Labo
5. Eye Mask, Slip
6. Calming Color Palette, Windswept Weddings
7. Orchid Florals, Life in Bloom
8. Table Setting, Urban Allure Events

Written by Audrey Jonas | Photography by Louie Abellera Weddings 

Weddings are about public declarations of love, and not just between the newlyweds. Guests giving toasts and speeches at the wedding reception are important traditions. It’s a chance to include some close family or friends on your big day and hear their reflections and well wishes upon the marriage.

When it comes to toasts, couples should choose a few people important to them to make a few remarks, give them plenty of notice and make sure to express their gratitude for their time and effort.

But sometimes — a few weeks before the wedding — the couple gets a panicked text. Their friend is freaking out. They procrastinated and they don’t know where to start! Wedding speech writing can be nerve-wracking, but here is a basic guide to the structure of a wedding speech, and a few other tips to keep in mind on the big day.

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Celebrity wardrobe stylist Kate Loscalzo believes bridal shopping should be fun and easy, so she created Something White Styling, a platform specializing in exclusive rentals for brides. With this platform, she offers both rental options and styling services for carefully curated, gently-worn bridal attire and accessories. With this service, you can achieve both sustainability and style for all your wedding-related occasions.

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WRITTEN BY Sam Haywood, Paramount’s Meyer Ballroom | Feature Photo by Lauren Ashley Studios

When you begin your venue search, you don’t always know what you’re looking for. To get you started, here are some tips and important elements to consider.

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Chicago’s culinary scene is unmatched and attracts some of the world’s top chefs. By pairing a sincere passion for food with pure talent, these Chicago culinary artists are sure to elevate your wedding day meal. Not only will you be served a work of art, but your guests will also talk about the delectable meal for years to come.

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WRITTEN BY James Cox, Chicago Sugar Daddy Patisserie | Feature Photo by Rachael Schirano Photography

Determining the ideal size for your wedding cake can be a challenge. From guest count to budget to personal preferences, there’s a lot to consider! Let’s break it down.

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Written by DuPage County Convention & Visitors Bureau | Feature Photo by King & Opal

There are a lot of factors to consider when planning a wedding in a city you don’t live in. But with the guidance of a local Convention and Visitors Bureau (commonly known as a CVB), your wedding away from home can come to life.

Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a unique and unforgettable vacation and wedding wrapped in one. However, planning a destination wedding can be a daunting task, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area and its local vendors. This is where working with a local CVB can be incredibly helpful.

At DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (also referred to as DuPage CVB or Discover DuPage), we offer complimentary planning services for those looking to get married in DuPage County. While we cannot help you book hotel accommodations in Malibu or arrange site visits in Miami Beach, we can shed some light on what a CVB can do for you when planning your wedding. Each CVB operates differently; we cannot guarantee what services other cities will provide, but we can let you know that the resources are out there. Let’s get started!

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Adored and adorned – a symphony of elegance sings through fine jewelry selections styled by CD Peacock.

LOCATION Wildman BT
PHOTOGRAPHY Zach Caddy
JEWELRY CD Peacock
HAIR & MAKEUP Patty McGuire Hair & Makeup Artists
VIDEOGRAPHY CTRL+shot Wedding Films
GOWN PROVIDER Grace + Ivory
MODEL Carly Jane Dagen, 10 MGMT