Illinois Weddings

This Mark Zunino Bride and her handsome groom were literally surrounded with love on their wedding day. Evan Hunt captured the moments that mattered, while close family and friends gathered at Balena for an inviting celebration planned by Kelly Cavanaugh. From the six cakes baked out of love, to Artistrings rendition of Katy Perry, every detail was personal and you can see it all here.

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From The Bride…On a whim, I signed up for a beginners’ rock climbing class, thinking I should try something new and different. I noticed a good-looking guy in the advanced class. He introduced himself and we chatted briefly during class for a few weeks. Eventually he invited me to come climb with him on a Friday night. When I arrived, he encouraged me to try a move that was clearly above my skill-levl, offering to take me out for a drink if I could make it. I didn’t make it and instead fell off the wall injuring my knee, but I still got that drink. We had a blast that night and have been together ever since. We are total partners in life and we love to do things our own way. We added running, mountain biking, and wake surfing and you can always find us taking adventures together, including moving to the suburbs.

Our wedding really reflected our personal choices and who we are as a couple. From the beginning, it was important to us to have a beautiful wedding without all of the fuss. Our favorite parts of other weddings are the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. So, we decided to mash them all together and skip (almost) everything else — including a formal dinner with seat assignments — in favor of a more relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. We knew immediately that we wanted to have the wedding at Balena; the food is divine, the drinks are spectacular, the staff is amazing, and the decor reflects perfectly the things we like and the mood of the day: warm and inviting, with soft beautiful lighting, rich leather chairs, and exposed wood.

Our ceremony was “in the round,” with my law-school best friend officiating and our moms providing heartfelt personal introductions. Our family and bridal party sat in chairs around the ceremony and everyone else stood around, which lent to the intimate, family atmosphere. The introduction to my favorite Coldplay song “Reign of Love”, played as I walked down the aisle and a quartet played a version of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” for the recessional.

After the ceremony, I changed out of my first dress and heels and into a comfortable ball-gown and flats. Dave kept me company as I had my hair twirled into a bun, and we snacked on appetizers and champagne in the quiet of Balena’s downstairs private-dining room. The reception was divine; we hand picked our favorite items off Balena’s seasonal menu, and Dave’s sister made six gorgeous cakes. We named our signature drinks “The Polly” and “The Reuben,” after the characters in “Along Came Polly” who remind us of each other. Our family and friends were in on all aspects of the wedding, my mom designed our invitations and made the groomsmen’s cufflinks. A family friend handled all the flowers. Almost all our vendors were friends, and all were in attendance to help us celebrate. We were surrounded by love at our wedding and wouldn’t have done it any other way.

Photography: Evan Hunt | Videography: Evan Hunt | Wedding Planner: Clementine Custom Events | Florist: R. Jane Morgan Interior + Design: Rjanemorgan@aol.com, 847-275-3530 | Wedding Dress: Mark Zunino | Cakes: Sweet As Cake | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Jewelry: Mark Zunino | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Ann Taylor | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Hair And Makeup: Kate Johnson Artistry | String Quartet: Artistrings | Wedding Venue: Balena | Bridesmaid's Dress: Watters | Cake Stands: Nimble Well | Clutch: Judith Leiber | Custom Veil: The Giving Bride | Dress Belt: Ms. Couture | Earrings: New York Jewelers | Flower Girl's Dress: Autolive | Getting Ready Venue: Public Hotel | Groom / Groomsmen Cufflinks: McLaughlin Glazeware | Groom's Suite: Nicholas Joseph | Reception Dress: David's Bridal | Wedding Rings: New York Jewelers

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I love Olivia Leigh. Seriously. She captures weddings in a way that tells the prettiest of stories, and I always want to reach through the screen and kiss her for it. This chic Chicago soiree is a wonderful example, because boy does it have a story to tell. With literary nods tucked throughout the floral-filled reception, it’s all as gorgeous as it is meaningful, and you can see just what I mean here.

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Detail wise, this one was a stunner, with an enormous and lush bouquet which we often don’t get in the city. The maids wore a dress of their choosing in pink, gold or blue. Table decor paid more nods to the literary bent with many different quotes about love from a variety of authors printed on one side of the menu cards along with, of course, the menu on the other side. It was so fun to walk around and read all the different quotes and it really lent a super personalized feel to the day! Card tables were done as library call number cards with ivy and greenery spilling out of card catalogs. Tables featured rustic summer blooms along with golden pears and candle light. Angelo is Italian and many of the guests were from Italy. Limoncello paid homage to his heritage with his dad giving a beautiful toast, and the backs of the bride and groom chairs reading Avere & Tenere (to have and to hold). All of this of course was beautifully accented by the amazing architectural gem that is the Cultural Center! Emily and Angelo did my favorite first dance EVER to Be My Baby by the Ronettes which was just so special in this space. Lastly, the invitations were AMAZING with vintage postcards of Chicago reproduced as Save the Dates and beautiful custom calligraphy by Jilly Ink & Sarah Drake Design pulling in their beautiful color scheme. It was just gorgeous!

Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie | Coordinator: Estera Events | Florist: Fleur Inc | Wedding Gown: Jenny Packham | Cake: Dominos Pastries | Invitations: Sarah Drake Design | Ceremony Venue: Holy Family Church | Catering: Blue Plate | Calligraphy: Jilly Ink | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Officiant: Fr. John Belmonte | Venue: Chicago Cultural Center | Music: Style Matters DJs | Rentals: re:find Joy

Some weddings are romantic, some are adorable; others are whimsical, and some just look like one fun party. This Chicago celebration is all of that and more. A beautiful bride, gorgeous florals, cool venue, and a gelato AND cookie bar make this celebration unlike any other. Cristina G caught every smile and this gallery leaves me feeling very jealous of all those lucky guests.

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From The Bride… We met in the theater in 2007. We were cast in one of the best and most romantic musicals of all time, “West Side Story.” Daniel played “Baby John” and I was a dancer and “girlfriend of Diesel” in the “Jet” gang. We became great friends through long rehearsals and the run of the show. We started dating and realized very quickly we were good for each other’s soul. We dated for seven years which took us from our hometown Milwaukee, WI to Chicago, IL. Along the way we “grew up” together, became best friends, held each other’s hand through really hard times, and supported each other through our greatest successes. Being struggling artists is not easy, but Daniel is the person you want at the finish line when you have nothing left and I’m the person encouraging you along the way. 

It was in year six when the proposal happened. We had finally found our place in Chicago. I was coming home on a rainy evening from work and messaged Dan to see if he’d pick me up from the train to avoid the wet walk home. He replied “I’m at work babe.” I walked home and noticed on the front door to our building, was taped a white envelope that said “Holly.” Inside read a list of reasons why Dan loved me. I walked up the three flights of stairs to another envelope – more reasons. I paused, knowing what was going on, and took a deep breath. Inside I found more letters, flowers, and pictures of our 6 year journey scattered everywhere amongst candles! I walked through our apartment and found more letters leading me to our back porch. I opened the door and found Dan, in a fancy suit surrounded by twinkle lights with our song playing. He got down on one knee and opened the box. In true fashion, I swore like a sailor, and said YES! The ring was custom made by Dan and is spectacular!

Photography: Cristina G Photography | Wedding Planner: Soiree Weddings & Events | Florist: Vale Of Enna | Wedding Dress: Rivini | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering: Jewell Events | Makeup Artist: Shannon O'Brien MUA | Hair Stylist: Jane Roberts Salon Kelly Cunningham | DJ: DJK Entertainment | Mens Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Transportation: Loyalty Limo | Ceremony & Reception: Salvage One | Gelato Cart: Black Dog Gelato | Musicians: Acoustic Generation

Clary Pfeiffer has a beautiful way with the camera. So when she steps behind the lens to capture a wedding as chic and classic as this beauty, I know we are in for a treat. And let me just tell you, this gallery is certainly a treat. Modern and sophisticated, this couples’ beautiful day plays out like a dream, leaving us with a stunning collection of images that each look like a work of art. See them all here.

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From The Bride…Keith always says it was love at first sight, but it took me a little longer. We met our first year in college at DePauw University; Greencastle, Indiana. Three years later, we started dating. Since then, we’ve been together through six moves, five jobs, four apartments, and now, one wedding. Long distance isn’t for everyone, but it made us strong communicators, and an even stronger couple. Now that we’re in the same place and life has settled down, we couldn’t be happier.

When you have the perfect Chicago spring day, everything seems to go right. And that’s exactly what happened on May 31, 2014. It was a warm 72 degrees with a lake breeze, and after nearly eight years together, we were getting married. From the ceremony to the reception, the day moved beautifully. The feel of our Museum of Contemporary Art party was fresh and modern, with clean lines and all white tables. We aimed for timeless elegance, yet kept the celebration chic and current. Nothing says spring like white tulips, peonies, and ranunculus (bride’s favorite flower), which were spread throughout the main gallery floor. To make the grand gallery space feel more intimate, yet still dramatic, we opted for two long king’s tables to seat our 175 guests. Perhaps our favorite memory of the day was dancing our first dance, as the Bubbly Creek Band played. Our love for Bluegrass music is something we enjoy as a couple, and their performance was fresh and fun–a great way to transition into the party! We couldn’t have asked for more love and energy from our guests!

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Floral Design: Fleur Inc | Cake: Gingersnap Sweets & Such | Ceremony Venue: Old St. Patrick's Church | Reception Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering | Make Up: Christina Stokes | DJ: Stitely Entertainment | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Transportation: Trolley Car & Bus Co. | Bride's Clutch: Diane Von Furstenberg | Bride's Dress And Veil: BHLDN | Music: Bubbly Creek Bluegrass Band

I get weak at the knees when it comes to stationery and paper goods, so when I saw all of the fabulous little details scattered about this colorful wedding, my heart beat a bit quicker. But then I found out that the talented bride created it all herself, and well, I’m bowing down to her. Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema captured it all and you too can join in the fun with every burst of color.

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From Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema… We are so excited to share this beautiful summer wedding. This wedding is close to our hearts because the groom is my brother and the bride is now my sister-in-law! Maggie and Rob were together for almost 10 years before they got married, so we have long felt like Maggie was a member of the family. Rob and Maggie share a love of music, and had members of both families perform at the ceremony!

Maggie is a graphic designer, and her eye for color and design was all over her wedding. Maggie designed all of her printed materials, pulling together the beautiful colors of the wedding and a strong sense of style. Believe it or not, Maggie’s aunts created the beautiful florals, including the bouquets and centerpieces. We could not stop gushing over the amazing giant pink peonies!

Maggie’s dress was an amazing design by Hayley Paige – it was so unique and looked perfect with her vintage-styled hair and makeup by Antje Kastner and Mollie Gloss!

Finally, Maggie and Rob had some unique struggles while planning their wedding. Just a few months before the wedding, their venue fell through, and they had to scramble to find a new space on a popular day in Chicago. Maggie kept her cool, though, and found an even more stunning setting for the ceremony on the rooftop of the Hellenic Museum. There are few places in Chicago with this amazing skyline view! The reception was held at Chez, which is a brand new event space right in downtown Chicago. Everybody agreed that the new spaces were even more perfect than the original!

Photography: Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema | Event Coordination: Citygirl Weddings | Wedding Gown: JLM Couture, Inc | Ceremony Venue: National Hellenic Museum | Reception Venue: Chez Chicago | Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung | Caterer: D'Absolute Catering | Makeup: Mollie Gloss | Hair: Antje Kastner's Studio | DJ: Style Matters DJs | Lighting/Drapery: Art of Imagination

If I could pick any decade for a party, I wouldn’t have to think twice. The 1920s had my kind of style and Jay Gatsby has my heart. So when this wedding combined classic 1920s touches with whimsy and glamour, I was sucked right in. Soirée Weddings & Events brought the couple’s fantastic vision to life and Cristina G caught every roaring detail. So kick up your shoes and join me in the full gallery here.

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From Soirée Weddings & Events… Aileen and Kevin had a specific vision in mind when we first met with them. Aileen envisioned a classic elegance and vintage romance. 

We looked at many venues in Chicago, but there was always one that stood out. At each venue we looked at, they kept comparing them all to this “one.” It was newly renovated tented space, Galleria Marchetti. A lush English garden tucked away in the middle of Chicago’s skyscrapers and L trains, the whimsical grounds offered the perfect setting for Aileen and Kevin’s nuptials. So finally after looking at several other venues, I said asked the question they were both thinking “Why are we looking at anything else? Nothing is going to compare to Galleria Marchetti, right?”.

They went home to discuss it, and later that night I got the green light from them. “Let the fun begin!” The garden and tent’s new oversized orb-like crystal chandeliers were what hinged much of the design. We wanted their guests to feel like they were transported into the pages of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, escorted to a lavish party suitable for the company of Daisy, Jay, Nick and Jordan. We wanted the guests to have that feeling, without going overboard or being literal with the theme. 

The bride then found the perfect gown. A simple sweetheart strapless gown, with an attachable peplum that she added for the reception. The Bride had her heart set on a vintage car. A vintage Bentley picked up the couple after their first look and chauffeured them around Chicago for photos before dropping them off to Galleria Marchetti for the ceremony.

Aileen loved picking out the flowers. A former Cali girl, she admired all the natural floral scents that graced her California home. She very much wanted to bring some of those flowers and scents into her wedding day. We knew that flowering Jasmine Vine must be represented in her bouquet – a little piece of Cali and a piece of her heart. Aileen’s Irish roots also played a big role as well. We wanted to honor her heritage and also her grandmother who couldn’t come to the US for the wedding; what better way than with gorgeous monochromatic centerpieces made up of lush green Bells of Ireland? They were hosted in a metallic trumpet vase and served as the lovely elevated floral arrangements that complimented the height of the tent.

Kevin loves magic and magic tricks, so the couple sourced some vintage playing cards – which happen to be Chicago World’s Fair souvenirs that donned images of Chicago landmarks – to use as the place cards. The mother of the bride hand wrote each guests name on a playing card; the card number indicated what table number they were seated at, and the color (red or black) indicated their meal choice. So clever! A sign directed guests to “Pick a Card, Any Card – Just make sure it has your name on it. Go to the table that matches your number and set the card down by your glass. Your meal will magically appear!” It also served as fun keepsake for the guests. The guest book was a collection of vintage Chicago postcards; guests were asked to write out a card for the bride and groom and drop in inside a wire birdcage. 

The couple had many talented friends, many of which were musicians. They had their friends take part in the wedding by playing music through the cocktail reception. They also thoughtfully curated the music for the wedding by creating a playlist of not only their favorites for the ceremony, first dances and parents dances, but they had a playlist that took their guests though each decade. Starting with the 20’s and finishing the night with music from the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s and today. Another friend emceed the event while one of the groomsmen DJ’d the later part of the evening.

The day turned into night, the dance floor was packed and Aileen and Kevin hugged all their guests as they left. “The best night of their lives” was written all over their faces, and it was. One of our favorite weddings with one of our favorite couples!

From The Bride… Despite sharing our junior high school years living less than one mile apart in Colorado Springs, we didn’t meet until college, at the University of Colorado in Boulder. When fate decided we were ready, we met and became fast friends, sharing many hours onstage performing in various Colorado-based West African bands; most notably the University of Colorado’s West African Highlife Ensemble. I was an amazing dancer, and Kevin did his best to figure out the tricky trumpet parts.

Romance wasn’t in the cards until after college, when we both ended up in Chicago. I was busy getting my Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology and Kevin messing with pop-psychology as a Madmen-in-training at Leo Burnett. During our late 20s our deep friendship evolved into something more, and the “L” word (i.e. “Love”) was in play just before I embarked on my California adventure to complete my internship and post-doctoral studies at the West LA VA Hospital and UCLA, respectively. Just four short (i.e. LONG!) years later (FOUR YEARS OF LONG DISTANCE!) we reunited back in Chicago, and were soon to be engaged!

Photography: Cristina G Photography | Wedding Planner: Soiree Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Vale Of Enna | Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design | Stationery: Nellie & Co | Ceremony Venue: Galleria Marchetti | Reception Venue: Galleria Marchetti | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nordstrom | Hair & Makeup: Kate Johnson Artistry | Transportation: M&M Limousine

Kristin La Voie‘s excitement about this sweet Chicagoan soiree is infectious, and her imagery is enchanting to say the least. Soft peaches and lavenders paired with succulents and lovely bow details give this day a darling feel, while the shiny bright smiles give it a gorgeous glow. See it all right here in the full gallery!

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From Kristin La Voie Photography…This wedding is just bananas. I am still so giddy after photographing such an amazing day with these two cutie patooties! Emily & Andy started the day just right; sharing a special first look inside the Grant Statue tunnel at Lincoln Park’s south pond. This was seriously the cutest first look in KLP history, with the beaming Andy seeing his bride for the first time. His reaction was priceless. My chipmunk cheeks are sore from smiling so much. It was a gorgeous day (that’s an understatement- it was perfect, let’s be real) and everything was absolutely stunning. I was thrilled to photograph my first wedding at the Murphy Auditorium, which is now sitting pretty on my “Chicago’s best wedding venues” list. The balcony was the best spot to capture such epic photos (and I NEVER say “epic”!). I mean, look at their first dance?! It just doesn’t get any better, and I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful, sweeter couple to share it all with.

Photography: Kristin La Voie Photography | Florist: Meetinghouse | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Ceremony Venue: The Murphy Auditorium | Reception Venue: The Murphy Auditorium | Shoes: Kate Spade | Caterer: Food For Thought | Makeup: Makeup By Aga | Hair: Done Up Chicago | DJ: Style Matters DJs | Tuxedo: Formally Modern Tuxedo | Bridal Boutique: Bella Bianca

Filled with plenty of wow factors, this designer bride and her college sweetheart planned a perfectly branded wedding. Every grand detail captured by Joan & Jon from the logo to the paper goods and even a marquee sign (to name a few) is reflective of their unique day and will leave you fascinated. Toast & Jam carried the celebration into the night and you can partake in the party right here.

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From Joan & Jon…We are so excited to share this amazing one of a kind Branded wedding. Yes Branded. The bride is a designer and completed branded her day. What was also so sweet about their story is that Kari is a southern girl from Kentucky who found her soul mate who was born and raised in Chicago.

Mike and Kari were married in an unforgettable candlelit ceremony at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago Illinois. Talk about a stunning celebration! Kari is a designer and she branded her entire wedding day. Their wedding even had it’s own logo which Kari designed. She also created and printed all the paper goods. Kari’s father made the huge Mike & Kari marquee sign that hung in the entrance of the gallery. Their wedding had so many wow factors.

From The Bride…Mike and I wanted our wedding to really reflect our personalities and style. We asked ourselves at the beginning “what do we want this wedding to be?” And our answer was always…we want a day for our friends and family to have fun with us and celebrate our love. Throughout the entire planning process, we tried to combine our styles and create unique details that just made us smile. The day couldn’t have turned out more perfectly. Although we both put our heart and soul into the wedding, and there were many sleepless nights designing each small detail to reflect our wedding “brand”, the day wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing families and our insanely amazing vendors! We both feel truly blessed to have so many wonderful people help create the best day of our lives.

It started with a big, southern “Hiiii”. Mike was born and raised in Chicago. Kari was born and raised in a tiny town in Kentucky. In 2005, they met at the University of Kentucky. While Mike played hockey…Kari watched him play (he had no idea who she was). However, once the next semester began, they had a class together (Professional Ethics to be exact). Kari, thinking he knew who she was because of the growing popularity of a website called “the facebook”, stops him after their first night class together. “Hiiiiiiiii Mike!”. Long (and embarrassing) story short – he had NO clue who she was. The next class, however, he sat down next to her and the rest…as they say….is history.

Photography: BellowBlue | Coordination: Sarah Meece | Wedding Gown: Mori Lee | Cake: Creative Cakes | Ceremony Venue: Zhou B Art Center | Catering: Food For Thought | Hair: Samara Toby | Lighting: Mk Lighting Design | DJ: Toast and Jam | Grooms Attire: Topshop | Groomsmen's Attire: H&M | First Look: Drumbar Rooftop Bar | Floral Design & Table Styling: Ashland Addison Floral & Event Decor | Getting Ready Location: Raffaello Hotel | Jewelry ( Brides Bracelet): Christy Southern Wire | Make-up Artist: Ashley Chaney Smith & Sarah Shepperson

From the moment that Hello Darling bouquet popped up on my screen, I knew we were in for something good. I’m talking a wedding set at the Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago and infused with cultural flair from start to finish. Anne Book Signature Style layered the day with classic-yet-totally-cool design, and Olivia Leigh Photographie? Well, she didn’t miss a beat. More right here!

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From the planner, Anne Book of Anne Book Signature Style…Aiasha and I met only twice prior to her arriving back in the U.S./Chicago one month prior to her wedding. The entire design was done together over international calls and Skype. The first time we met in August of 2012 Aiasha had an entirely different vision of blues and more of a natural look in her mind as well. By January of 2013 she had changed her mind to wanting a different feel of soft oyster, warm soft gold, and creamy whites mixed with elements that were more natural such as herbs, berries, wood and bistro lighting. All of this needed to make sense at The Museum of Contemporary Art which is, of course, contemporary. 

In order to bring together all of the different ideas in a cohesive manner that reflected the venue, we designed a lookbook complete with palette, design elements, fonts, calligraphers, menu, floorplan options, floral inspiration, basically everything. In addition to the overall design, it was important to include personalized touches throughout the entire event. For Aiasha and Charles’ wedding, a few of those touches included: Playing up the museum’s outdoor garden area by designing custom sips and picnic plates featuring food and drink from their home countries, hosting a traditional Henna ceremony for the bride and bridesmaids the evening prior, displaying an array of international sweets for all the guests to enjoy, and so much more.

Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie | Planner: Anne Book Signature Style | Cake: TipsyCakes Chicago | Stationery: Alexa Pulitzer | Stationery: Magnificent Milestones | Ceremony Venue: Bond Chapel | Reception Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering | Makeup: Juli Valdez | Hair: Sonia Roselli | Calligraphy: Stacey Shapiro | Floral & Event Styling: Hello Darling Event Design | Music: Toast and Jam | Rentals: Tablescapes Event Rentals

If I could pick my favorite type of wedding, it would be an intimate, yet elegant dinner party under twinkling lights. One where conversation flowed right along with the wine and each guest felt like the most important person there. So I think it’s safe to say I’m basically obsessed with this chic, Chicago soiree from Azuree Wiitala. Every detail was curated with love, and the result was beyond.

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Then we fell in love with Chicago.

We wanted to share our new home, along with it’s rich history & awe inspiring architecture, with our friends and family from our respective hometowns. Only three of our guests were from the area. All the others flew in from Long Island, Boston, Toronto and Vancouver to share the day with us. We kept referring to it as a destination wedding in our backyard. To showcase the tradition & history of the city we decided to say ‘I do’ at the second oldest church in Chicago, which is nestled in Little Italy. From there, guests moved east and settled in for the night on a patio on the River. With boats going by and lights from the nearby city buildings, it was a perfect representation of summer in the heart Chicago.

Everything we did was inspired by italian elegance & simplicity with unique DIY touches. I planned everything myself, designed, ordered and put together all the florals, as well as designed the centerpieces, and all the decorative details. My veil was handmade by my Mom. One of my favorite details of the day was the dripping wax effect created as the candles melted down. I think it proved to us that the truly beautiful moments in life aren’t something you can plan for. I think it’s safe to say 100+ more people fell in love with Chicago on Aug 2nd.

Photography: Azuree Wiitala | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Elizabeth And James | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Catholic Church: Holy Family Church | Donuts: Glazed And Infused | Restaurant: Rivers Restaurant

Inspired by some of Monet’s loveliest work, this beautiful collection of images from Katie Kett are a work of art themselves. With beautiful blooms from Life In Bloom Chicago, stunning stationery from Made Divine, and delicious sweets from A Baker’s Tale – every perfectly curated detail styled by La Belle Fleur Events defines lovely, and you can see just what I mean right here.

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I decided to use one of his water lily paintings that mostly incorporated blues, greens and a touch of pink. This painting in particular, has weeping willow branches on the sides, and I was interested in incorporating something hanging into the design.

For florals, I decided to work with Rachel of Life in Bloom because her romantic work was perfect for the overall feel. We discussed a hanging floral piece to give you the feeling that you’re actually in the gardens, and walking through the weeping willows. Small touches such as roses in the bowls were to give a nod to the water lilies that are in the Japanese Gardens, and the amaranthus that hung from the bouquet tied into the weeping willow trees.

For linens, I decided to work with Jessica from Bramble Workshop. I actually found her from Style Me Pretty! When I saw her work, I knew I had to have her on this shoot. I love that she custom made all her work, and that she was actually going to hand dye all the linens. It really made me feel like she was creating a work of art.

For stationary, I worked with Crystal at Made Divine. She always creates the most beautiful work, and I know her love of art would be the perfect addition to this shoot. One of my absolute favorite touches of this shoot is that the invitation holder is actually made out of canvas.

Lastly, Kpoene from Mignonette Bridal provided the beautiful dresses for the shoot. I loved the soft colors and the ethereal feel of them. I wanted the ladies to feel feminine, and I think every girl dreams of embracing her inner child and dancing around in a a lovely dress with lots of tulle!

Every vendor came together to really bring life and love to this shoot. I am so grateful to them for providing their talents and their love, and, of course, a very special thanks to my dear friend Katie for capturing it beyond compare.

Photography: Katie Kett Photography | Floral Design: Life In Bloom | Stationery: Made Divine | Venue: Room 1520 | Blue Tufted Chair: Rent Vintage Chicago | Bridal Dresses & Accessories: Mignonette Bridal | Buffet Table: Shadow Box Dreams Vintage Rentals | Cake Stands: re:find Joy | Cakes & Macarons: A Baker's Tale | Creative Director, Planner & Styling: La Belle Fleur Events | Linens: Bramble Workshop | Makeup & Hair Styling: Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists | Place Settings: Vintage Place Settings | Tables, Chair, & Flatware: Halls Rental | Water Color Signage: Layers Of Loveliness

One of the best things about cities are the hidden gems, which is exactly what these two Groom’s discovered at Public Chicago. High above the skyline they transported their guests into a quirky and modern affair featuring extraordinary views and minimalistic blooms by  Stems Chicago. Check out the stunning details captured by Annie Parish Photography in the gallery!

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From the Grooms… A friend of ours had suggested the Public Hotel Chicago when we were considering venues for our wedding reception. We knew we wanted to have an intimate event with only 30 or so guests. We kept referring to it as a dinner party for our closest friends, instead of our wedding reception. We were drawn to the modern, minimalist style of the hotel because it mirrored our own tastes, and when we saw the terrace outside the Ava Room with its expansive view of the downtown Chicago skyline and peeks of Lake Michigan between the buildings, we were sold. It was the first and only property we toured, and we signed the contract immediately.

We continued the minimalist look with white table linens and flower arrangements in shades of whites, creams, and pale greens. Graceful pieces of driftwood helped to visually ground the table. Pops of color came from the place cards we made that featured whimsical robots with guests’ names displayed on monitors in their chests. We had hoped our guests would want to keep them as souvenirs of the night so the cards had fun personal touches. For example, one of our friends had broken a leg in a biking accident, so her robot wore a cast.

As with all weddings, the day was a blur as we hurried to get dressed, manage last minute details, and have our photos taken with Annie Parish. Neither of us is particularly comfortable in front of the camera, but she was able to capture some really incredible moments from the night… including when we had to quickly scramble to move the event inside because a storm blew in from the lake right as we began our speeches. The wind was so strong that a bouquet of flowers flew out of the vase in front of us, rolled down the length of the table, and went over the railing.

The storm only lasted about thirty minutes, and we easily recovered with a champagne toast and dinner inside. The patio was dried off and ready to go for a night of dancing under the stars.

The evening was incredibly special because our closest friends from around the country — and two came all the way from Dubai! — made the trip to add their happiness to ours. It’s very rare to have all of your best friends gathered together at the same time, so it was amazing, humbling, and made for an all-around unforgettable party.

Photography: Annie Parish Photography | Floral Design: Stems, inc. | Cake: Alliance Bakery | Groom's Attire: Dsquared2 | Venue: Public Hotel | Groom's Shoes: Allen Edmonds | Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Groom's Tie: Burberry | Wedding Rings: Cartier

We’ve seen a lot of stunning Chicago weddings come across our screens, but this beauty from Cristina G Photography really stands out. It has that classic city elegance we love about the fêtes that come from Chicago mixed with some lovely rustic details just to shake things up a bit. Add in some picture perfect florals from A Stem Above, and ladies and gents, we have a winner on our hands. See it all here.

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Laura and Mike’s wedding was elegant and simple, yet sophisticated and chic. Their exposed brick with wood beams venue matched the rustic theme perfectly. It was quiet and a little ways away from downtown Chicago, but offered unparalleled views of the city skyline.

The guests made their way in just before the clouds gathered over the city and the rain started to fall. Inside the room, beautiful French Country chairs and white freshly picked flowers lined the candlelit aisle. After a short, but heartfelt ceremony cocktail hour awaited with a full bar and miniature passed hors d’oeuvres.

The dinner reception welcomed guests directly onto the dance floor. The lively band made sure no one stayed seated for too long in between courses. A New York style reception is probably the best entertainment you could offer your guests at a wedding! Sprinkled with a few toasts and the couple’s formal dances, the guests danced the night away alongside the newlyweds!

Photography: Cristina G Photography | Wedding Planner: BCR Events | Floral Design: A Stem Above | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Ceremony Venue: Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft | Reception Venue: Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Blue Plate | Band: Rendezvous | Paper Goods: Magnificent Milestones

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Jenny Yoo

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The beautiful grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden made it the perfect setting for this adorable engagement session. Shot by Kina Wicks, the sweet couple has an entire gallery of great shots, and you can see how their love was captured perfectly here.

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Photography: Kina Wicks | Session: Chicago Botanic Garden

We can’t help but swoon over an e-sesh that features so many thoughtful details. The stunning couple, the sweeping scenery, an adorable pup, and don’t forget about that ring! Thanks to Britta Hundertmark’s captures, this couple now has a gorgeous set of photos to add to their ever-growing list of memories together. Take peek for yourself.

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From the Bride… Michael and I met in 2009 in Cancun, Mexico while we were both on spring break. While there, mutual friends introduced us. That led to us staying up all night talking and watching the sunrise. When we returned to school, Michael asked me to attend his spring formal. We had a blast, continued to have fun dates and eventually started dating! He even stuck by my side through my crazy year as Miss Nebraska USA! In 2012, after graduating from the University of Nebraska, we both moved to Chicago, where we lived for the past 2 years. Since then, we are now back in Nebraska so Michael can attend dental school!

Proposal: Traveling is one of the many things we love to do together, so when we planned a trip to Mackinac Island, MI over Memorial Day weekend, we were both ecstatic to explore a new place together. Mackinac is unique because there are no cars on the island, so you get around by bike or horse and buggies while there! (We celebrated our 5-year anniversary in April, so of course the entire time I was thinking that this beautiful place would be the perfect place to get engaged. It was so magical!)

After checking into the the historic and beautiful Grand Hotel, we biked the entire perimeter of the island. Later that evening we had a 5-course dinner planned at our hotel. Being the avid picture taker that I am, we took some photos on the porch with the breathtaking views before dinner. (Fun fact, the Grand Hotel has the record for the world’s longest porch!) There were professional photographers on the porch, so Michael went to ask them to take our photo. As they were snapping a few, Michael said, “Lets take a goofy photo.” I didn’t think anything of it, because, like I said, we had taken a ton of photos, so I thought he just wanted to change it up. At that moment he proceeded to get down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I barely remember it, but all I know is that I was overjoyed with happiness! When we finally took in our surroundings, we noticed that everyone inside was smiling and clapping for us! We then had our amazing dinner, celebrating with champagne, just the two of us. After dinner, we couldn’t contain our excitement anymore, so we enjoyed coffee in the foyer while we told our family and friends the exciting news. We had two days left on Mackinac (one being my birthday), and they were both so wonderful to spend together as a newly engaged couple.

Engagement Session: Every location we chose to capture our engagement photos was a special place to us. First, since we are both homebodies at times and seem to spend a lot of time in our apartment (especially during the cold winter months) either hanging out watching movies or hosting parties, we wanted to capture a few photos in our home with our pup. Next, since we love going on walks, we wanted to capture some photos at North Pond. We always say it’s our little secret, because it’s never overcrowded with people and it’s tucked away from the street and is surrounded by trees! It’s so quaint and romantic and we love going on walks around the pond. Lastly, we wanted to capture some photos by the water. Being on Lake Michigan makes Chicago such a special city, and since we lived in the Lakeview neighborhood, we spent a lot of time by the water either biking along the lakeshore path, running or going to the beach in the summer. We often went to the beachfront in the evenings to unwind from the hustle and bustle of city living. When it came to photography, we were immediately drawn to the magical and airy feel that Britta’s photography has. Her work is timeless and just simply beautiful. Once we met her energetic/fun personality, we were sold! She truly made our engagement session so special. When it came to our outfits, we knew we wanted them to be timeless with a subtle touch of elegance. We chose classic colors and luxe fabrics/textures with lace, chiffon and pearls. Now, since we have moved from Chicago, we look back on these photos with even more happiness, reminded of all of our favorite memories in our favorite city!

Wedding Plans: Although Michael and I both love the city, we have a special place in our hearts for the country since we grew up there. We’ve decided a countryside wedding was how we wanted to celebrate our special day. There’s something so beautiful and relaxing about being surrounded by the outdoors and only hearing the humming of birds and the breeze in the trees. We’re having our ceremony and reception at a beautiful estate in Nebraska, where our nearest and dearest will celebrate under a white tent. We want all aspects of our wedding to be elegant, timeless and bespoke with shades of white and ivory, gold and all white flowers with greenery galore. August 8, 2015 can’t come soon enough!

Photography: Britta Hundertmark | Shoes: Michael Kors | Jewelry: J.Crew | Blush Dress: Alice And Olivia | Film Developer: At Your Side Planning | Navy Sweater: All Saints | White Dress: For Love And Lemons

I love, love, love Olivia Leigh Photographie. Why you ask? She never fails to send us weddings that make our heart beat a little faster, and this chic Chicago wedding beautifully planned by Estera Events at the Green House Loft is the most stunning example. Her images left this couple with a gallery of images they will cherish forever, and you can cherish them too right here. 

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Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie | Event Design: Estera Events | Florist: Asrai Garden | Cake: Bittersweet | Reception: Greenhouse Loft | Catering: Pure Kitchen Catering | Hair + Make Up: Samara Toby

This darling day from Cristina G Photography, which began with some seriously beautiful getting-ready shots I might add, is Chicago elegance at it’s best. No surprise here when we saw that Clementine Custom Events and A Stem Above added their pretty touch. And following all that pretty? A first dance shot that’ll steal your heart, with none other than Toast & Jam at the DJ helm. Head to the gallery for more!

From Cristina G Photography…Jen & Tyler’s wedding was a romantic and chic celebration at one of my favorite venues in the city – Fulton’s on The River. Cocktails al fresco with the sun setting over LaSalle Bridge and beautiful nighttime views of the city as the backdrop for their head table, not to mention delicious food, and you have the perfect late spring wedding in the heart of downtown Chicago.

The day was emotional and full of love. Starting with getting ready pictures in the beautiful suite at St Michael’s in Old Town, a tearful first look of the bride and groom just before they walked down the aisle and a touching ceremony in one of the most beautiful churches in the city.

Jen & Tyler laughed, cried and danced the night away together with their friends and family!

Photography: Cristina G Photography | Videographer: Gravity Weddings | Wedding Coordinator: Clementine Custom Events | Floral Design: A Stem Above | Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller | Cake: West Town Bakery | Ceremony Venue: St. Michael in Old Town | Reception: River Roast Private Events | Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN | Makeup: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics | Hair Stylist: Pin Me Up Chicago | DJ: Toast and Jam | Mens Attire: Macy's

One part classic and another part modern, this wedding speaks straight to my minimalist-loving heart. It’s crisp and clean with a nod to tradition (read: the bride’s heirloom lace veil) and lucky for us, we get to swoon Every. Last. Bit. See the gallery from Caili Helsper right here.

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From Caili Helsper… Tyson and Jackie wanted their wedding to feel modern, clean and contemporary while infusing the things that are most important to them into their day. Pashminas were given to their guests upon arrival at the ceremony, to keep warm during their sunset vows on the rooftop of Ignite Glass Studios. They kept their ceremony decor minimal, letting the skyline serve as the backdrop as they said their handwritten vows. The chuppah frame was made by the bride’s father (and also used at her sisters wedding), and was adorned with lace made by Jackie’s cousin. The lace on her veil was her mother’s.

They chose neutral tones and lace trim to adorn the tables at the reception, using a custom silhouette logo to tie all of the details together – even the candies at their dessert table! Tyson and Jackie are from Chicago but currently live in Brooklyn. To pay homage to their two home cities, they served their guests their favorite Brooklyn pickles and late night Chicago donuts. Jackie’s dad made custom takeout boxes for their guests to take the donuts home. They really did make every aspect of the day feel special and unique to them.

Photography: Caili Helsper | Floral Design: Samantha Kaplan | Wedding Dress: Michelle New York Brides | Cake: Do Rite Donuts | Catering: Smoque BBQ And Chow | DJ: Stu Hirsch Orchestra | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Venue: Ignite Glass Studios | Accomodations: The Hard Rock Hotel Chicago | Planning: Samantha Kaplan

With Chicago History Museum as the venue for both the ceremony and celebrating, classic elegance was sure to ensue. And, judging by the pics from Emilia Jane Photography, it definitely did. From the city’s stunning architecture to the peony filled bouquets by Fleur Du Jeur, every inch of this wedding was covered in class. Check out this timeless beauty for yourself in the gallery.

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Photography: Emilia Jane Photography | Florist: Fleur Du Jour | Wedding Gown: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Alliance Bakery | Bridesmaids Dresses: Weddington Way | Caterer: Jewell Events | Make-up: Shannon O'Brien MUA | DJ: Spin Chicago | Ceremony & Reception: Chicago History Museum | Day Of Coordinator: The Ideal Day | Getting Ready Hotel: The Langham Chicago

Modern weddings? They’re kind of my jam. Clean lines, chic details and black + white palettes always feel fresh, and Chicago museum wedding is the latest object of my affection. Planned by Soiree Weddings & Events with blooms by Sweet Petal, it’s black tie gone gorgeous, and Diana Lupu captured every last bit. More right here.

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From The Bride…Our wedding was a dream from the beginning to end….from our proposal to all of the celebrations with family and friends to the ultimate end, our wedding day. The night we got engaged we decided three things about our wedding: We wanted it to be soon; we wanted it to be small and intimate; and we wanted it to be a representation of us, simple, classic and beautiful.

That being said, the day was perfect…. Being able to marry my best friend in the center of our beautiful city followed by a celebration filled with candles, flowers, lights floating about our heads, and a long white table filled with our closest family and friends. With the help of our amazing vendors, the entire day was carried out flawlessly. Tiffany, from Soiree Chicago, was a huge help as she and her team provided great recommendations throughout the process and made sure our day went smooth. The wedding meal, by Wolfgang Puck, was impeccable, light and delicious. Our uber-talented photographer, Diana Lupu, captured each special moment.

The night was black tie affair and our wedding party fit the bill. My bridesmaids chose their own dresses and the groomsmen wore tuxes. I found my amazing dress from Nicole Miller. Long, silky, sexy but simple. Doug wore his own tux by Hugo Boss, so classic and handsome. After eating and dancing under the stars, the night ended by leaving under a canopy of sparklers into a surprise horse-drawn carriage. And then, we lived happily ever after.

Photography: Diana Lupu | Wedding Planning: Soiree Weddings & Events | Florist: Sweet Petal | Bakery: Magnolia Bakery | Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering | Bride Dress: Nicole Miller | Ceremony & Reception: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | DJ & Instrumental Musicians: Cage And Aquarium | Groom Tux: Hugo Boss | Lighting Design: MDM Entertainment