Chicago Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

This Is How You Do a Garden-Inspired Wedding, Without the Garden

Although this Bride had envisioned a garden wedding with overflowing greenery, her winter nuptials in the Windy City meant it was going to be cold. Very cold. With a little creative planning and the help of Avant Gardenia, she pulled off a classic indoor affair that still felt garden-inspired, with the Bridesmaids in floral Plum Pretty Sugar getting-ready robes and then flowing blush Jenny Yoo dresses, the light and organic bouquets, and the table runners made from ample greenery interspersed with romantic candlelight at the reception. After perusing the gallery by Tim Tab Studios, we declare this Chicago wedding as pretty as any English garden we’ve ever seen.

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Winter Weddings

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Church Weddings in Historical Venues

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Classic Weddings

From the Bride… Chris and I got engaged in Chicago in April. We were so excited to start wedding planning, but we didn’t get very far before we realized the timing was going to be tricky. We knew we didn’t have time to rush into a wedding that summer, but we didn’t want to wait over a year until it was wedding season (and decent weather) again. After hours and hours of research on destination weddings and exploring different options for locations, we ultimately decided to keep it local and set out to plan a winter wedding in Chicago!

One good thing about planning a February wedding in Chicago is that you know it’s going to be cold, so it takes all the guesswork around weather off the table entirely. I had visions of a garden wedding, and even though that’s virtually impossible in the city in winter, we found The Ivy Room and knew it was the perfect venue for us as soon as we walked in. It’s a fantastic space with a simple elegance and rich wood floors, which was the perfect backdrop for the garden-style floral and greens I had been imagining. And on our wedding day, when surrounded by romantic vintage-inspired candlelight, it was truly a dream.

The courtyard just behind the venue is an oasis in the middle of the city and was the perfect spot for the two of us to escape to be alone for just a few minutes during our reception and reflect upon the amazing day we’d had. (And to take a few pictures before returning to the dance floor!)

We planned our wedding in about 10 months, and there were some stressful moments, but my advice to any Bride is to try to have fun with it. Time just flies when you’re planning a wedding, so find time to pause throughout the process to appreciate your fiancé and all your family and friends surrounding you along the way. Oh, and if at all possible, budget for a day-of wedding planner to help ease the stress of the wedding weekend and the days leading up to it. It’s seriously money well spent!

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Jenny Yoo

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Plum Pretty Sugar

Castelbel & Trumpet

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Lilli Tru

PomPon

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Embracing the Rain with a Chic and Romantic Chicago Affair

Returning to the city where their love story began, this Bride and Groom threw an insanely romantic Chicago wedding….rain included. Captured by Kate Weinstein, the gloomy day set the scene for a chic celebration planned by Estera Events, including blush colored blooms by Stems, watercolor stationery by EVR Paper and the prettiest portraits under the umbrella.

From the Photographer… Susan & Peter met while in college in Chicago and their first date was to a dog park. After a few years of dating, they moved to NYC so Susan could pursue her dream to work in fashion, and Peter in tech. Since they are both from Chicago and it is where their love story began, they decided to get married in Chicago and chose Cafe Brauer in Lincoln Park for its natural but still urban setting. Chicago weather in March can be quite unpredictable and it ended up being a foggy day with intermittent rain, but the bride was not the least bit concerned with the weather. Susan said she loved that it was raining because it made the usually busy city feel “so still, and peaceful.”

Estera Events planned the day to perfection, and Stems created the florals. Peter and Susan got ready at the Public Hotel and had their first look on the Ava Terrace at the hotel. Susan chose an embroidered dress by Lee Petra Grebenau, and accented it with a white fur stole for extra warmth. Joanna B Artistry designed Susan’s makeup, and Gia Tovar designed her hair. The Groom wore a suit by Double RL – Ralph Lauren. At Cafe Brauer, Tiger Lily Weddings provided the catering, Alliance Bakery created the cake, Toast and Jam DJ’d, String Theory provided the ceremony music, and Nimble Well provided rentals. The paper and invitations were designed by EVR Paper, who created a custom watercolor of Cafe Brauer to fit Susan’s vision and colors. For their first dance, Susan and Peter danced a piece choreographed to a musical medley from one of their favorite movies, La La Land!

This Inspiration is a Study in Classic, Blush Colored Romance

For this wedding shoot, the end goal was all out romance. Think elegant neutrals, blushing roses and a sparkle of gold. It’s as classic and glamorous as can be with design and florals by Splendid Weddings and Events and the prettiest of images by Codrean Photography. Sneak a peek at truly romantic inspiration right here.

Bride Steals the Show in a Pink Vera Wang Wedding Dress

ANY Vera Wang number is a showstopper in my opinion. But a pink Vera Wang? Hold the phone. This Bride absolutely rocked hers and it was perfect for this city fete planned by LOLA Event Productions. How fun would it be to prance in the street in this beauty?! Amanda Megan Miller Photography captured it beautifully, along with the entire day—here in the full gallery.

From Kirsty Basch of LOLA Event Productions… Jenna and John wanted an intimate celebration full of good music and great food. We love giving the client what they want! They found the perfect location for their affair at A New Leaf in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. Being a flower shop, a New Leaf provides the perfect amount of quaint and cozy, all while surrounding it’s guests in a garden-like atmosphere.

The day started at the Public hotel where Jenna enjoyed the company of her bridesmaids. It was impossible for anyone to ignore the gorgeous blush Vera Wang gown in the room which was the perfect accessory to the bride’s beaming smile. She was truly a vision.

Their courtyard ceremony was warm and welcoming, and full of laughs. You know a couple is meant to be when they each shout ‘HELL YES’ when asked if they would take the others’ hand in marriage. The reception to follow was just as fun. To create a relaxed, less formal, environment, Jenna and John chose to have a cocktail style reception instead of a classic sit down dinner. Per usual, Limelight catering wow’d with their delectable small bites, raw bar, and charcuterie station, – just to name a few! And who could forget about the donut wall from Do-Rite Donuts?! Guests were definitely energized after a fantastic meal to get out and shake it on the dance floor!

We loved the simplicity and softness of the decor at this wedding. The blush peonies and accents of greenery everywhere provided a nice feminine touch while still keeping some edge and sophistication with the brick walls and industrial feel of the space. As always, finishing off the space with an abundance of candlelight will do the trick to set the mood! There were perfect details all around to show off the subtle and classic style of the couple while complimenting, not competing with the already gorgeous surroundings of the venue. This intimate Chicago wedding was oh so dreamy!

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Vera Wang

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A Classy Engagement Session at the Crown of Chicago

With sweeping views of the city where they fell in love and where they call home, this couple’s engagement photos taken in the crown of Chicago’s Tribune Tower are absolutely breathtaking. Clary Pfeiffer Photography captured these two lovebirds as they danced and spun around, and we can’t get enough of their joyful expressions… or the beautiful movement of Torie’s gorg ruffled skirt.

From Clary Pfeiffer Photography… Torie and Amarit’s entire session was in the crown of The Chicago Tribune Tower, high above the city, looking over the river and white gleaming skyscrapers. This perspective of Chicago is breathtaking and one of my favorite locations ever for a city session! Being so high up in the sky felt magical. One moment I loved is The Wrigley Building’s clock peeking through while Amarit spun Torie in her gorgeous ruffled skirt.

Torie is wearing an A.L.C. top, a ruffled skirt from Alice and Olivia, and pumps from Pour La Victoire. Her engagement ring and wedding band were designed with help from Seth Brennecke at Diamond Consultants. Amarit is wearing a three piece suit from Suitsupply with shoes from To Boot New York. His watch is his wedding gift from Torie, a vintage Rolex from the year he was born.

From the Groom… Despite growing up just a few blocks from one another and attending rival high schools in downtown Chicago, Torie and I never met until after college when we both began working for Lettuce Entertain You in 2011. We became great friends almost immediately, and there was always a distinct gravity in our relationship, although it took over 2 years before we both realized what was really going on. Our close friends tell us they always knew we had strong chemistry, but we were both oblivious to the fact that we were falling in love with one another.

Three years later, I asked Torie to marry me in New York where I took her on our first date. Our engagement photos were taken at the beautiful Tribune Tower, an historic Chicago landmark completed in 1925. Although we both grew up a few blocks from the building and spent many years working just down the street, it was our first time up in the famous “crown” of the tower – looking down on the Chicago river and the very building in which we met six years earlier.

Pops of Citrus for a Fresh Take on a Summer Wedding

We love the fresh interpretation LOLA Event Productions took on this summery, Chicago wedding. Between the bride’s romantic gown with a pretty illusion neckline, the bridesmaids in flowing, peachy dresses, and the pop of citrus throughout the florals, it hit all the right, warm-weather notes. Stoffer Photography captured the cheerful and bright day – see the whole thing, in the gallery.

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From LOLA Event Productions… Maddie and Patrick wanted their July wedding at Skyline Loft to be welcoming, fresh, and summery. That’s exactly what we gave them. The day started out at the Palmer House Hilton in the heart of the city. Hair and makeup for the girls, and fresh, hot shaves for the guys. Talk about a morning of pampering!

Photos continued as Maddie and Patrick made their way to the stunning elevator bank of the hotel. It was a perfect backdrop for the sweetest first look you could imagine. The wedding party made their way around town to have a little fun in front of the camera. Finally, they arrived just in time to head up the classic elevator of the Bridgeport Art Center and down the garland lined aisle of the Skyline Loft.

The only things more stunning than the suspended ceremony arbor were the bride and groom found below it. With tons of textural greenery and pops of citrus, the flowers and farm tables created the perfect backdrop for their family style dinner menu. The suspended ceremony piece made the perfect accent for the head table décor during the reception, while the menu provided by Limelight catering was fresh and colorful. Café lights overhead were the perfect finishing touch to the dance floor to truly give the guests the experience of a Chicago summer night.

These Eclectic Florals Are a Work of Modern Art

The florals at this Art Institute of Chicago wedding, designed and planned by LOLA Event Productions, are just WOW! Exquisite Designs truly outdid themselves with eclectic instillations, interesting arrangements, and floating garlands that look right at home in the Modern Wing where the celebrations took place. We’ll let Olivia Leigh Photographie‘s images speak for themselves – see them all in the Vault.

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Summer Weddings

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Museum

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Modern

From LOLA Event Productions… Andrea and Dih-Loan had a spectacular wedding at the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago this past July. They started their day by getting ready at Hotel Monaco – a pooch friendly property which turned out to be perfect when it came to photo time! After photos around town were complete, 400 guests enjoyed a simple, heartfelt ceremony accented by clean lines and colorful, vibrant blooms. After the “I Dos” were exchanged, a spectacular multi-course meal reflective of Dih-Loan’s Chinese culture in Griffin Court was served. Finally, dinner was followed by dessert and dancing in Terzo Piano. The lush and colorful florals were the perfect complement to the simple grandeur of the space. It was as if the space had been made as a blank canvas for such a vibrant palette. Guests were in awe of the “floating garlands” which seemed to fit like perfect puzzle pieces in the long and narrow corridor, which is the modern wing. Even the paper goods had the mix of a modern white canvas with a splash of color to tie the whole look together!

This Reception Took Place Under the World’s Largest Tiffany Dome

When it came to planning their wedding day, this darling duo wanted to highlight the city that played the backdrop to their romance. From growing up and then falling in love in Chicago, to their Navy Pier proposal, the Windy City held a special place in their hearts, so it seemed only natural that they choose the magnificent Chicago Cultural Center as their wedding venue. Boasting the world’s largest Tiffany stained-glass dome, it made for one stunning and elegant wedding, captured by Two Birds Photography. See all the grandeur in the Vault!

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Summer Weddings

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Ballroom Weddings

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Classic Weddings

From the Bride… Jim and I met at a country concert through mutual friends in September of 2011. We hit it off instantly and found that we had more than a just few friends in common. Growing up about a mile apart, it felt like we had known each other forever. It wasn’t long after the concert when Jim asked me out on our first date. When we began dating, I was living in Lakeview and we were both working in downtown Chicago. We fell in love that year exploring the city – trying new restaurants and shows, attending baseball games and concerts, walking along the lake, and taking weekend trips. We dated for another three years, and in March of 2015, Jim proposed at Navy Pier with the city we both love so much as the backdrop. After the proposal, Jim surprised me with an engagement party to celebrate with all of our family and friends. It was definitely one of the happiest days of our lives!

When we began wedding planning, we knew we wanted to have a full Catholic mass. Jim and I both come from strong Irish Catholic families on the Southside of Chicago, so we chose St. Christina Church in the neighborhood where we both grew up. We also knew we wanted to have the reception downtown, and after visiting the Chicago Cultural Center, we left in awe. Preston Bradley Hall, with the world’s largest Tiffany dome, was one of the most beautiful rooms we had ever set foot in. Our decision was made, and we (quickly) booked our date for August 27, 2016.

With the two major venues set, the details began falling into place. We agreed on a classic and elegant theme and chose a neutral palette of ivory, gold, and blush to complement the green and gold accents of Preston Bradley Hall. The groomsmen wore black tuxes, and the bridesmaids wore long, black chiffon dresses for an elegant look. We accessorized with blush bouquets and boutonnieres. My mother helped me pick out my wedding dress, which was very special to me. Not only did I feel it suited my personality, but it also suited the venue. I loved how it was simple with a touch of glamour on the capped sleeves; yet the full skirt gave it a presence under the large dome.

For a personal touch, I designed all the wedding stationery from our invites and programs to the signs and menus, using quartz paper, gold ink, and blush accents. All of our vendors that we brought into the Cultural Center were absolutely amazing and, in my opinion, made our wedding live upe to the beautiful venue. Everything came together perfectly – the awesome band (312 Chicago), amazing food (Food Evolution), beautiful cake (Cake Chicago), and gorgeous florals and centerpieces (ZuZu’s Petals).

The morning of our wedding, it was pouring rain, but by the time we went to the church, the sun was out. Our wedding mass was exactly how I envisioned – we were surrounded by our family and friends with our wonderful bridal party standing by our side and our godparents and Jim’s grandfather playing a special part. I’ll never forget my dad walking me down the aisle trying not to cry or the overwhelming sense of calm that came over me after we said our vows.

After the mass, the bridal party went downtown to take pictures at the south garden of the Art Institute, which is one of my favorite spots in the entire city. I absolutely love the trees, ivy, and greenery – it inspired our summer wedding! After the Art Institute, Jim and I took a few pictures on the LaSalle Street Bridge – which have that iconic, downtown Chicago feel – before we went to our reception. When Jim and I walked up the grand staircase and into Preston Bradley Hall, it was truly magical. Seeing the entire room set up and lit with candles, and viewing the beautiful cake below the dome (Cake Chicago) was exactly how we envisioned and more. We had the absolute best day and night of our lives celebrating with all our friends and family in one room. We could not have asked for anything more.

A special thanks to our wedding planner, Lindsay Green Wedding and Events, and her team who took care of every detail the month leading up to and day of our wedding. From coordinating the vendors ahead of time to getting ready in the morning and cleaning up after the reception, they made everything run smoothly so we could truly enjoy every minute of our day. After the wedding, we received our amazing photos (Two Birds Photography) and video (One Fine Day Productions) and could not have been happier with how they captured every detail. Jim and I feel truly grateful for our beautiful wedding day and for the wonderful memories we will have for a lifetime.

Crafting an Open + Airy Bathroom Retreat without Changing the Footprint

One of my most favorite things about traveling is snagging a hotel with a big, huge, spa-like bathroom. And if I landed a room with a bath like this? I’d so never leave. Elizabeth Stamos Design crafted a master bath retreat that feels expansive and serene without changing the footprint. So no walls were knocked out in the making of this gem but a whole lot of goodies were added in. From floor to ceiling subway tile to modern sconces and a gorgeous rug, this bathroom beats all those hotel suites I thought I so loved.

When I first saw this bathroom I knew that this was going to be a fun project and great transformation. My clients had been living in their modern home for just a few years and were excited to get started on their dream bathroom and I was thrilled to help. When starting on a project I always take into context the style of the clients and the home. This house was previously renovated by an architect and had lots of sleek, modern details throughout. The bathroom needed to be an extension of that. We weren’t able to enlarge the overall footprint of the space, but reworked some details to make the bathroom feel more open and airy.

We eliminated a never used tub and replaced it with a spacious double master shower complete with modern fixtures (including handhelds to hose down their two adorable Westi’s-form and function). We ditched the old, stall-like shower and instead made custom walnut shelves to increase the storage in the space. The location of the vanity stayed the same, but we updated with a custom piece I designed that matched the shelving.

Stylewise the goal was to create a really clean, modern bathroom that still had personality. To keep things bright we decided to keep all of the walls white. I knew with such a simple palette, I would have to add interest with layers of texture and material. I found a handmade elongated subway tile that we used in the shower and behind the vanity in a stacked installation. Its not as perfect as a machine made tile, but the imperfections add a casual warmth and texture to the space, which is important when working with a limited palette. The rich wood of the walnut vanity and shelving also helped add warmth and the grey hexagon tile added a fun modern shape.

I was really excited about the sconces behind the vanity. I fell in love with this Kate Spade for Circa lighting Double Swing Arm sconce and was so happy when my clients were on board to use it. We coordinated with a pair of simple RH Modern Sconces in the same antique bronze finish to pull it together. The grommet detailing of the RH medicine cabinets and sleek lines of the Kohler Purist faucet layered just the right amount of interest to finish it off.

How This Couple’s Two Dogs Brought Them Together

Chad and Veronica were distant acquaintances at their gym for nearly 3 years, but it wasn’t until they struck up a conversation that they realized how much they had in common. Most importantly, their beloved chocolate lab dogs. And get this – those chocolate labs are the exact same age and share the exact SAME NAME. Call if fate, call it chance…we call it meet-cute perfection, and Kate Weinstein’s photos beautifully capture the love.

From Veronica, the bride-to-be… We had mutual friends so we knew of each other for 3 years. We were members of the same gym, but in that time we never had a single conversation. A simple “Hi, how are you” or a “See ya” at the gym may have been spoken a time or two but other than that, we were just in different places in our lives. After some time, we found ourselves talking to each other for the first time and realized we had an undeniable connection.

It just so happened that Chad had a chocolate lab he got in college. Well, I had the same story. I got a chocolate lab, out of the blue, in college as well. What makes this story even weirder is that we both named them Hunter. Two chocolate labs, same names, same age. It was just meant to be!

Within the next few weeks, we were out for a mutual friends birthday party. I remember he grabbed me and said “This may sound crazy but I think we are supposed to be together.” Eight months later we were engaged and the rest is history! We now live happily ever after with our chocolate labs, Hunter & Hunter, and will tie the knot this fall.”

Photography: Kate Weinstein Photo

Modern + Chic Chicago Wedding

With the ceremony at a Presbyterian church and the reception at a modern industrial venue in the middle of Chicago, this couple perfectly mixed tradition into their chic city wedding. The trendy design elements, including an iron gate escort display and a donut dessert wall, are wedding details made in heaven in my mind! Big City Bride lead the planning of this gorgeous event and Riverbend Studio captured every last detail.

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Summer Weddings

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Religious Institution Urban Space

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From the event planner… The beautiful bride, Elizabeth Wanders, married her hometown sweetheart, John Moore Jr. At the historic Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue followed by a stylish celebration at the modish Morgan Manufacturing venue. The couple met in their hometown of Winnetka, Illinois where the groom made his hockey debut. Moore, now a promising pro in the National Hockey League, plays for the New Jersey Devils. The sweethearts, who were married mid-July, reside in their Chicago condo as they await the arrival of their first child, a baby girl, due on their first wedding anniversary.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Designing a Custom Wedding Dress with Whitney Bischoff

Hello again, brides! If you haven’t been able to tell, I’m a lady who loves to plan, but I can also be very indecisive at times. So when it came to selecting a wedding gown, the planner in me paired with my indecisiveness created a challenge. I could not wait to try on wedding dresses, but it didn’t go quite as planned. I’m so excited to share how I ended up with a custom designed wedding dress, and as always, thanks for following along this journey down the aisle.

Like so many of y’all reading, I had dreamt of this day for SO long. The only problem was that with every dress I tried on, there was just something not quite right; something I couldn’t pinpoint (cue the indecisiveness). I found a few dresses that were 99.9999% perfect, but I wanted something 100%. This is not a decision that I could make a mistake with, but it was also a decision that I did not want to wait too long to make (cue being a planner). Goodness gracious.

After hours of researching online and collecting photos that inspired me, I walked into Belle Vie Bridal Couture completely overwhelmed. I could not understand how any woman could say yes to just ONE dress! I felt as if I desired 10 dresses to encompass a little bit of everything I loved….strapless, long sleeved, ball gown, sleek, lace, beading, color…are y’all catching my drift? I loved everything!

But let’s be real, I’m a bride with a budget in mind, and I absolutely could not have 10 dresses. Thank goodness for Amanda Bonnell, owner of Belle Vie Bridal and the creative director at Audrey Grant. Amanda put my mind at ease and ensured me that with a little bit of trust, I could have it all, even with one dress – a custom designed dress.

Trust in your vendors is something I know I mentioned in last month’s post and I will continue to do so because it is of utmost importance when planning a wedding. Being the planner I am, there is no way I could have decided to design my own wedding gown without a designer who I could trust with my vision. Amanda took the time to listen to my likes and dislikes, look at ALL of the pictures I had saved, and after trying on a few dresses, she sketched for me a custom dress with all of my favorite attributes.

Being my own fit model has been such a once in a lifetime experience, and also gives me such peace of mind knowing that tweaks can easily be made. It’s been so amazing to witness Amanda working her magic throughout this process, and I absolutely cannot wait to see this dream gown come to fruition!

To all the brides who are on the journey to finding and/or designing their perfect gown, here is my advice:

DO NOT SETTLE

If something seems off when you’re trying on a wedding gown, it probably is, so be sure to follow your intuition.

ASK QUESTIONS

Designing is an art. Designers have a knowledge, expertise, and eye for details that you and I may not notice or understand.

SPEAK UP

Once you have decided to design your own gown, be sure to voice your opinion along the way. I can guarantee your designer will want you to be ecstatic about the final product and that you said yes to your one-of-a-kind, never duplicated dress.

Until next time!

xoxo, Whitney

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Follow Whitney’s Wedding Journey

Engagement Photos | Planning a Domestic Destination Wedding

Photography: Carly Michelle Photography | Event Planning: Always Yours Events | Wedding Dress: Belle Vie Bridal

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Carly Michelle Photography

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Whitney Bischoff

Blogger Bride

Whitney Bischoff Talks Planning a (Domestic) Destination Wedding

You know Whitney Bischoff as the newest member of our SMP Blogger Bride Squad, and today this gorgeous bride-to-be is dishing a few details of her Cape Cod wedding. Based in Chicago, Whitney is planning a wedding across the country, but pulling off destination nuptials its no small task. She’s sharing two MAJOR tips – from one bride to another – to save your sanity and make the wedding planning journey one to remember.

From Whitney… Hello again! I hope everyone had a very Happy New Year and is getting back into the swing of things following the holidays. As I mentioned in my introductory post, Ricky and I got engaged the middle of July and almost immediately the questions started flooding in…”When are you getting married? Are you getting married in Chicago? Are you getting married in Kentucky?” Brides, I know y’all understand the feeling, am I right?! In today’s post, I’m hoping I can share some tips with couples who are hosting a destination wedding which have served us well since we made the decision to have a domestic destination wedding!

Ricky’s family has ties to Cape Cod, and so it was suggested we consider the Cape as a potential wedding location. Something in my heart told me I would not be disappointed and this is the place I should marry the love of my life. When Ricky and I traveled to Cape Cod in September 2016, I knew immediately this was the perfect location. We toured the area, looked at venues and by the end of the weekend, we had decided the Cape is where we would say “I do.”

With a date and a venue, we both took a huge sigh of relief, looked at one another, and thought “What in the world do we do now?!” If we were going to get married on the Cape, how in the world would I plan this wedding from so far away without having minor panic attacks on the regular? I would have to choose my vendors from afar and trust I’m making the right decisions through phone calls and pictures. For all the destination brides reading, I know you understand this feeling well! To say we were overwhelmed was an understatement. I started collecting wedding planning books and began my online research.

I soon realized there were two very important things I had to do in order for us to successfully plan a destination wedding from Chicago: I had to find local Northeast professional wedding vendors I could trust and connect with, as well as hire a wedding planner.

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Tip #1: Connect With Local Vendors

The power of social media in this day in age is quite mesmerizing to me. I love connecting with people and following their stories, seeing their travels, fashion, families growing, the list goes on, but never did I think that social media would be where I found my very first vendor- I kid you not! I mentioned I started doing a lot of research – this included reading and browsing SMP, but also looking for inspiration through Instagram. While browsing one evening, I saw an insanely gorgeous picture that appeared to be on the Cape. I started following this photographer immediately so I could keep track of photos I hopefully could capture for my day. Not too long after, I started corresponding with Carly from Carly Michelle Photography.

Not only was I obsessed with her pictures, but I was equally obsessed with how kind she was. This is a girl that if I lived out east, we would 100% be friends. And that’s when it all started to click. Not only do I want vendors who are talented, I want professionals who are passionate, kind-hearted, hard-working and who I enjoy being around. Soon enough, Ricky and I signed on the dotted line. We officially had a location and a photographer- there was no stopping us now.

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Tip #2: Hire a Wedding Planner, ASAP

A week or so later, Carly emailed she had just shot a wedding on the Cape with an incredibly talented wedding planner. Originally I was not going to hire a wedding planner. But I trusted Carly (trusting your vendors is KEY, I cannot reinforce that enough) so I decided to jump on a conference call just to get a feel for what this sweet gal, Keri Ketterer, owner of Always Yours Events, was all about. An hour later, I didn’t want to get off the phone. All of the anxiety and overwhelming feelings I mentioned previously were gone. She understood me and my vision, what I was looking for in a design and how personal I wanted my wedding day to feel.

For all of you planning a destination wedding, a wedding planner is mandatory! Trust me. Your fiancés can thank me later when they realize although it might add a bit to the budget, your sanity is worth every penny. Having someone who can represent you in person at vendor meetings when you cannot be present can relieve so much stress, and just having a professional and experienced planner by your side to guide you through the process is invaluable! From there, let the magic happen.

Until next month!

xo, Whitney

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P.S. Whitney + Ricky’s City Engagement Photos!

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Carly Michelle Photography

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Whitney Bischoff

Blogger Bride

Urban Glam Winter Wedding

I got married right in the thick of a Midwest winter and while some called in crazy, I called it perfect. I’m so happy this couple, Annie and Ryan, felt the same and opted for a December wedding in Chicago planned and designed by La Belle Fleur Events. Think candlelit romance with all white florals and greenery galore. Artistrie Co. photographed, and you can watch it unfold this way in the gallery.

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Classic Weddings Romantic

From Ashley La Fleur of La Belle Fleur Events… Annie and Ryan are two people that when you meet them, you instantly want to be a part of their lives. The two met in New York City and shared their first date in Central Park. Two years later, Ryan proposed on the top of a mountain in Bar Harbor, Maine

From the stories they shared about their journey, we knew we wanted to incorporate all of that into the wedding. Annie and Ryan truly wanted the wedding to feel like an intimate dinner with their closest friends and family. One element that kept coming up over and over was how water has been a part of their lives. Ryan is originally from Florida and served in the Coast Guard. He later popped the question to Annie on the shores of Frenchman Bay. Annie also grew up collecting skipping stones to put in her backyard. From those stories, the idea of the escort card display came to life.

Vale of Enna created an incredibly beautiful and organic bouquet for Annie. After hearing about their first date, Vale of Enna even tucked in a few Gerber daisies into her bouquet as those were the first flowers that Ryan ever brought Annie. Since every relationship Annie had with her bridesmaids was different, we opted to keep the overall feel and look the same in the bouquets but highlight a different flower. We loved the added sentiment of her gifting her bridesmaids each an individual bouquet with added meaning.

One of the best parts of their wedding was how it was a family affair. One of their closest friends sang during Annie’s walk down the aisle. Annie’s cousin also played the trombone during one song, and then her grandpa surprised her by finishing up her first dance song. Her mother, a talented painter, also hand painted all the cocktail hour art. They were pieces based on places or dreams Annie and Ryan have for their marriage.

All in all, it was a beautiful day in December. Every piece of their story was perfectly highlighted on their wedding day, and every friend and family member was on the dance floor until the very end of the night.

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When the Perfect Snowfall Caps Off Your Wedding Day

In my humble opinion, there’s no more romantic season to marry than in winter. And if this snowfall photograph from Emily and Kyle’s big day doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will. Set at the Chicago History Museum, the amazing LK Events brought the magic of the season to life through every detail and Tim Tab Studios didn’t miss a moment behind the camera. More pretty waiting in The Vault!

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From the Bride… Kyle and I met in Chicago – despite both being from St. Louis, we knew we wanted to share the city in which we met with our family and friends for our wedding. Kyle proposed on my birthday in December of 2015. At the time, we were dating long distance, and he flew in to celebrate my birthday, or so I thought. My parents were also in town visiting, allegedly for the same reason…but little did I know it was all orchestrated for the perfect proposal in front of the Chicago Water Tower on Michigan Avenue!

We knew we didn’t want too lengthy of an engagement, so a winter wedding in December 2016 was perfect timing. When planning our wedding, our top priorities were making sure the day felt true to us, as well as making the weekend an amazing time in the Windy City for our family and friends. We brought in Nicole Zenner from LK Events because I absolutely adored a prior wedding she had planned at our venue, the Chicago History Museum, and I also loved her personality and style! She then led us to a spectacular team of vendors, who all worked closely together to execute the wedding we had envisioned.

On the day itself, I felt so excited to celebrate our love and marriage, but also to have all of our family and friends in the city Kyle and I love so much. My favorite moment was our ceremony. Our officiant kept it true to us by incorporating both traditional and non-traditional elements, including reading excerpts from our favorite musical. We also added personal touches throughout the weekend, such as Garrett’s popcorn and St. Louis-style gooey butter cookies in our welcome bags to tie in the two cities we call home. After dancing the night away with our band, Time Chicago, guests left with a monogrammed matchbook with the date and location of our wedding as a final personalized memento.

One thing I wasn’t expecting that was so lovely was the snow that started falling just before our ceremony! Not only did it make for an especially cozy evening, but also it turned the reception into an even more festive setting for our awesome photographers, Tim and Bethany! Our florist, Allison of Stems, also had to work with the snowy conditions. She created a greenery bouquet for me the day-of since it was too cold to take my floral bouquet outside. Even though it wasn’t planned, the photos with the greenery bouquet are some of my favorites! Looking back, I’m so glad that we had the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one place, as we could not have asked for a more seamless chain of (snowy) events!

Why a One-Year Anniversary Session is Always a Good Idea

There’s no doubt that I’m a full supporter of documenting life’s milestones—especially those based around love. I wouldn’t be worthy of the wedding blogger title without that notion. And for me? That includes the 1-year anniversary. Enter this Chicago sesh from Elizabeth Nord, who captured her very own sister’s anni. Complete with city scenes and love in the street, you can find it all in The Vault.

From Elizabeth Nord… After months of planning to visit the city, Lauren and Adam decided to celebrate their first year wedding anniversary with a photo session in the heart of downtown with me, her older sister. We chose two iconic photo spots for their session: the Lasalle bridge and in front of the Chicago Board of Trade building. They dated for 2 years prior to getting married and were married on our parent’s 30-acre property in West Tennessee. It’s been a joy to watch these two as they dated and as their marriage continues to grow. They are the perfect match and I’m so happy my sister has found her forever love.

From Lauren… In the year that we’ve been married, we’ve already learned so much about growing a marriage together. The best piece of advice that I could share with other newlywed couples is to make time for one another. It’s important to continue to date your spouse as you did before you were married. If you’re able to do it, I would suggest a date night a week. If not, a special date night each month is lovely! Continue to show each other how much the other means to you by little gestures throughout the day. Husbands, text your wife to tell her how much you love her or surprise her with flowers randomly. Wives, offer to give him a back rub or tell him how proud you are of him. Those kinds of gestures make such a difference!

Photography: Elizabeth Nord Photography | Black Dress: Lord & Taylor

Gorgeous Views + A Beaming Bride Fight Off Wedding Day Rain

It’s pretty hard to beat a view as amazing as this one… but well, this beaming Bride did just that. With her gorgeous Jenny Yoo dress and her never-ending smile (despite rain!) she stole the show and Tim Tab Studios and Old North Film Co. captured it all – see every moment in our Vault right this way!

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From Tim Tab Studios… Alex and Brandon’s wedding day dawned with sun and sweeping, light rains. It was the day of the Air and Water Show in Chicago, and the city was bustling and warm. Alex spent a leisurely morning prepping at her hotel on the Magnificent Mile with her bridesmaids and mom. The energy in the room was so joyful and excited, a true reflection of Alex’s persona.

She dressed in Jenny Yoo, posed for a quick group shot with her ladies, and then it was time to see Brandon and begin their wedding day. The moment that Brandon stepped in for their private First Look was positively bursting with love. Brandon barely held it together when he saw his bride, and those first minutes alone together were the perfect start to the best day of their lives.

Alex and Brandon went into their wedding day knowing they wanted to feature the crown jewel of Chicago in their photos – the waterfront skyline – and their venue choice could not have been more perfect. The Adler Planetarium gave their guests the best vantage point in the whole city for both the ceremony and reception.

The Ketubah ceremony was an emotional time for everyone, as it was more intimate than the larger ceremony to follow. When the Rabbi asked the bride and groom to read their marriage contract aloud and in unison, there was hardly a dry eye in the room. According to Jewish tradition, it was at that point that Alex and Brandon were truly married.

What followed next threw a curve in their plans: rain swept across the ceremony space just as Fleur, Inc had finished the last decor details. But Alex and Brandon never wavered on their plans for an outdoor ceremony. Guests began to arrive and were ushered inside to wait out the rain. When it was finally clear, a perfectly cohesive vendor team (Food for Thought catering, Fleur, Inc floral designers, and Wrap it Up party planners) made quick work of drying off the guest’s chairs while the pianist played “Here Comes the Sun”. A few enthusiastic guests even jumped in to help too! It was an endearing team effort, and it was all for Alex. Minutes later the procession started and she walked down the aisle with her parents as the sun really did come out and lit up the whole glistening planetarium.

Initially it had felt like a challenge to create an interfaith ceremony that honored both Jewish and Catholic traditions that were so important to Alex and Brandon, but the delivery by the priest and the rabbi was so seamless, fitting, and even humorous that no one even thought twice about how hard it must have been to meld the two traditions together. Once Brandon stomped on the glass, the party got started!

Guests were ushered into the reception with a champagne place-card just as the sun was setting behind the Chicago high rises, and to their delight they saw that tacos were on the menu! The Gold Coast Allstars, arguably one of Chicago’s very best wedding bands, had the dance floor completely packed the entire night. It was an incredible day, and even the rain made Alex’s memories of her ceremony even more perfect.

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The Prettiest Dress We’ve Ever Seen

This dress is a big deal. Because I swear I’ve looked at thousands of gowns in the ten years that I’ve been writing this blog and this gown just definitely makes the list for one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. Definitely top five. And the bride just happen to choose the most gorgeous bridesmaids dresses EVER (Jenny Yoo, obvi) to compliment her chic, timeless with a twist style. With florals by Kehoe Designs, coordination by Reva Nathan, photography by Emilia Jane and cinema by Vibrant Film, this wedding is everything. Everything. And I didn’t even get to the ice cream bar. Click here to see the whole she-bang.

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From the Bride…Scott and I met in Chicago and were, at first, just friends. Three years after meeting, when the timing was right, our friendship became something more and we started dating. When we decided to get married two years later we didn’t know where we wanted the celebration to be held, but knew we wanted something unique. After exploring many ideas which included a family farm in Texas, Italy, Napa and even on board a vintage train, we opted for Chicago, the city where we lived and loved so much. Scott and I were so excited to host our friends and family in The Windy City which truly shines in the summer. We kicked off the weekend with all guests on a private Architectural Boat Tour, one of our favorite activities for out of town guests.

For our wedding ceremony, The Peninsula Hotel’s rooftop terrace was the most perfect setting which felt like garden of white florals and green succulents (thanks to Kehoe Designs) that was dropped in the middle of the city surrounded by skyscrapers. Though the attire was black-tie, the evening was relaxed and casual, but still elegant. Our good friend served as officiant and my grandparents read the Jewish traditions which we incorporated into our intimate ceremony.

After the ceremony, the terrace quickly transformed into cocktail hour where guests dined on dim sum, a homage to our first official date in Chinatown, before entering the ballroom for dinner and dancing. We wanted the evening to feel fun and personal. The fun was provided by Ken Arlen Orchestra which had guests on their feet all night with the last ones leaving at 4 AM. We personalized the night with custom candles in lieu of place cards, my favorite hometown ice cream Custard Cup, a Texas themed grooms cake from Bite Sized Baker, and late night Chicago style deep dish pizza and whiskey bar – the groom’s favorite. The night was captured perfectly by Emilia Jane Photography and John Hoel Videography. Guests left with a fortune cookie to finish off their dim sum which read, “A hangover is in your immediate future.

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Classic Chicago Wedding – With Amazing Views!

There’s a whole bunch of beautiful cities out there but something about Chicago always captures my eye. Take in the views in 312 Film’s work right here and I have a feeling you’ll agree. But no scene can steal the thunder from these two cuties that met at college. Their classic wedding hits every right note and we feel lucky to be along for the ride! Enjoy!

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From 312 Film… They met in college at the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana in 2011 at an intramural flag football game. She was there in support of one of her friends and fortune landed Jon on the same team. It just so happened that they were introduced and they instantly fell for each other. From there, the rest is history. Wedding planning was so much fun and they enjoyed every moment. They are so excited to begin the next chapter of their lives as husband and wife.

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Persian Fusion Chicago Wedding

Nicole and Peter’s wedding day is the perfect example of how to effortlessly combine tradition and elegance on your big day. Complete with Tim Tab Studios behind the lens capturing every bit of Art of Imagination decor, we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

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From the Bride…Our first encounter was in the hallway of our law school. I stood a little too close to Pete, called my dad, and spoke Arabic loud enough so that he’d hopefully notice. I wasn’t entirely sure if he was Arab, but I thought I would take a shot to get his attention. He heard me – but didn’t quite catch on. He spoke Farsi, not Arabic. Although my tactic to lure him in that day didn’t work, Pete eventually introduced himself and taught me the difference between Arabs and Persians. Fast-forward nearly eight years later – through graduations, cross country moves, years of long distance and different jobs – we got married in Chicago.

Our relationship and background is unique – both of Pete’s parents are from Iran, and my dad is from Lebanon and mom is from a small town in Michigan. We both love and appreciate our cultures, but also have our own way of life in the city. Being authentic to who we are independently, together and with our families was a priority for us.

With a wedding party of 10 each, the girls were up at 7 AM to get the day started. The guys were lucky and Pete started the day with a fresh work out (in true Pete form for those who know him). We had our first look at the hotel, which was by far one of the most intimate and memorable moments of the day. Then we cruised around Chicago until it was time to head to Bridgeport.

Our ceremony was split into two segments: first part Persian, second part American. We really wanted the ceremony to reflect who we were as a couple and wrote the program from scratch. The sofreh aghd – a traditional Persian spread with a number of items, each symbolizing good wishes and blessings – was the centerpiece of our Persian ceremony. With our longtime friends as officiants, we recited traditional Persian vows and our own, and had Lebanese and Persian poems read.

During the cocktail hour and prior to the ceremony, we served Lebanese beer (Almaza – my favorite!), liquor (Arak), and wine, all while playing 50s American music. Our caterer did an amazing job adding a Middle Eastern twist to the entrees and hors d’oeuvres that everyone could enjoy. Thankfully everyone loved the food, another priority of ours with all the different palates in the room! Later on we served an array of Middle Eastern desserts and handed out McDonald’s (with servers in McDonald’s gear) as our late night food. It made for a few fun pictures.

As for the most important part of the night – the dance floor – we had a Persian DJ who was well-versed in all of the different types of music we wanted to play. We were able to mix traditional dances (including the Lebanese dabke and Persian baba karam) with our favorite modern music. The drummer that played the durbake (Middle Eastern drum) was a huge hit and added even more energy to the dance floor.

Looking back the best part of our wedding is not only how happy we were throughout the day and weekend in general, but also seeing how happy our family was. We’ll cherish the pictures of our family members breaking it down on the dance floor for a lifetime.

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