Illinois Weddings

Cuneo Mansion Wedding from Christy Tyler Photography + Big City Bride

From Erica Rose Photography… Brenna and Andy’s engagement session is one of my personal favorites, I love that they wanted to do something a little bit outside the box that was reflective of the two of them as a couple. Brenna came to me with the vision of a really fun shoot, the two of them popping a bottle of champagne with the skyline in the background…the images would be used on the save the date for their mimosa-filled brunch reception. I love it when couples put forethought into their weddings, and Brenna definitely has that going on! Brenna & Andy will be married this June in an outdoor ceremony downtown Chicago.

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Wedding Photography: Erica Rose Photography | Location: Chicago, Illinois

There’s just something about a traditional wedding that makes me smile. Maybe it’s because growing up obsessed with weddings, I always imagined myself walking down the aisle in a grand cathedral, followed by a beautiful reception in a breathtaking ballroom. It’s the fairytale all little girls dream of, no? So when I first spotted this gorgeous day captured by Christy Tyler Photography, I knew we were in for a special treat. A seriously stunning, planned to perfection by Big City Bride special treat bursting with beautiful blooms from Art Quest and more than enough pretty. See it all in the full gallery.

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Spring Wedding in Chicago from Cristina G Photography

From Christy Tyler Photography… Caitlin and Kyle had a beautiful vision for their wedding… it was classic and elegant, while at the same time managed to feel low-key and fun, just like themselves! They chose bright, cheerful colors for the day of yellow and grey and not a detail was overlooked. Everything was executed perfectly and put together by Kim from Big City Bride. After a touching ceremony at Holy Cross Parish, everybody headed over to the unbelievably beautiful reception venue, Cuneo Mansion & Gardens. There isn’t a bad spot for photos on the entire historic property. It was a perfect summer evening for cocktails on the patio, followed by a joyous celebration in the ballroom, complete with beautiful floral details by Art Quest, while Toast & Jam kept everybody moving on the dance floor all night!

But what really made the day was the obvious overwhelming amount of love between Caitlin and Kyle – who are just beautiful people inside and out. It was a joy to witness and be a part of their day!

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Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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This Bride is a pure vision – of loveliness, grace and timelessness. With her stunning Badgley Mischka gown, chic Chicago setting and her dashing groom, her dream day soiree will easily be just as beautiful one hundred years from now. And thanks to Cristina G Photography all the priceless moments were captured in a way that will easily stand the test of time, and you can see them all right here.

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Great Gatsby Styled Wedding Inspiration from The Photography Stylistas

From Cristina G. Photography… Can I just start by telling you how much I love Liz? She is a joy to be around and more than I could ever ask in a client and a bride. The day of her wedding it was cold… really, really cold. Red, runny nose cold… You wouldn’t know that by looking at the pictures. And that’s because Liz knew that these pictures were forever and of all the things she was feeling that day, the cold was the last thing on her mind. Joy and love is what you see. Sunshine and a million amazing pictures! Thank you, Liz for trusting me 110% and just having fun in front of the camera! You will wonder why I am not mentioning Steve. It’s because he was wearing a suit. Kidding. I love them both! We were all a team and it truly shows.

From the Bride… Steve and I met while we were both working in Cleveland– we were law clerks for the same judge. After a few months, we realized that we liked each other and we decided to try dating despite our work situation. The rest is history.

Because my family is from Cincinnati and Steve’s is from Cleveland, we decided to split the difference and have the wedding in Chicago, where we currently live. We picked the first Saturday in 2013 that fell on the 13th, which turned out to be in April, because 13 is my favorite number. Our theme was “spring time in Chicago.” Giving our guests the feeling that they were in the middle of the city was really important to us, so as soon as we stepped inside the Tip Top Tap Ballroom at the Allerton Hotel, which has nearly 360 degree views of downtown Chicago, we knew it was the perfect venue for us. Our colors were gray/silver (my favorite color), green (for spring), and black and white (to coordinate with the color scheme at the Tip Top Tap). We fell in love with Starshaped Press’s City of Big Ornaments collection, and put together save the dates and an invitation suite with a whimsical skyline of Chicago in green against a light gray, textured background. Jennifer Farrell of Starshaped Press graciously allowed us to use the skyline image as our “logo,” and we put it on our ceremony programs, menus, and even on our photobooth strips. Our flowers were primarily bright green and white, reflecting the spring time theme.

Our cake was based on a photo we found online, and it was beautifully interpreted in our color scheme by Laura Perea of Bombon. It was pretty delicious, too! My dress was actually the first one I ever tried on. I loved that it combined elements that normally would be found in different wedding dresses (lace, beading, organza, and ruffles). Our officiant was Judge Helene White, for whom I had worked in Detroit.

Our guests were on the dance floor until the lights went on at around 1:00 a.m., which we consider to be the sign of a successful party. We were beyond thrilled with all of our vendors, and our day could not have gone any better.

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Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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I don’t know about you lovelies, but I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” for what seems like forever. I mean, one of my all-time favorite novels brought to life by the always amazing Leonardo DiCaprio? Yes, please. And while I may or may not have already purchased tickets via Fandango, I still have a few hours to wait until I can see it on the big screen. Lucky for me (and you), the oh-so-talented Photography Stylistas have sent over their own take on the classic… and it’s downright lovely. From the beautiful stylings of Whitney Ambition to the fab paper goods by Molly Jacques Illustration to image after image of serious pretty, it’s making my wait feel a little less antsy. Thank you, Photography Stylistas. I owe you one. See it all in the full gallery.

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From The Photography Stylistas… The Stylistas are a group of ten Chicago based photographers that compose stylized wedding shoots twice a year. The theme of our most recent shoot was a modern re-write of the 1920’s classic The Great Gatsby in response to the upcoming movie release this May. It was shot at RPM Italian in Chicago which is the restaurant co-owned by Guiliana and Bill Rancic. RPM graciously allowed us to shoot while the restaurant was closed, allowing for optimal styling of the location and models with other vendors.

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Concept + Design: The Photography Stylistas (Christine Brizendine of Dabble Me This + Dominique Strom of Dominique Strom Photography & Design + Heather Hart of Heather Hart Studio + Jenny Chavez of Hope Faith Love Photography + Jill Tiongco of Jill Tiongco Photography + Katrina Mather of BKM Photography + Keren Chookaszian of Keren Sarai Photography + Nikole of Nikole Marie Photography + Robyn Schwab of Robyn Photography + Zipporah Kapambwe of Zipporah Kapambwe Photography) | Styling : Whitney Middleton Gruber of Whitney Ambition | Venue : RPM Italian | Invitations + Details: Molly Jacques Illustration | Desserts : Biere Chocolates | Cake: Kim Smith: KJ’S Cupcakery | Floral Design : Nancy Krause Floral Design & Garden Antiques | Wedding Gown: Diane von Furstenberg via Rent the Runway | Bridesmaid Dress: Trina Turk via Rent the Runway | Clutches: Diane von Furstenberg Handbags via Rent the Runway | Jewelry: Siebke Hoyt Jeweler | Suits: Urban Offering | Headpieces: Carly Reynolds: Mata Hari’s Daughter | Bride’s Hair: Jillian Koch | Bride’s Makeup: Gigi (gigi.2bhealthy@gmail.com) | Bridesmaid Hair, Makeup, and Groom’s Styling: Shaundria Blythe (shaundriarae@yahoo.com) at Solo Salon | Models : Noelle Lynch + Ryan Dunn (Bride + Groom), Shaundria + Luke Blythe (Bridesmaid + Groomsman)

Chicago Brunch Inspiration Session from The Eventful Life + Mark Federighi

Little known fact about me: brunch is my favorite meal. Yep… as someone who is never ever hungry in the morning, but considers pancakes the greatest food invention of all time, it’s the best of both worlds. So, this sweet bridesmaid brunch inspiration session from the talented team at The Eventful Life? Amazing. Because nothing’s better than the combination of yummy breakfast foods, mimosas and your besties. Nothing. See every last gorgeous moment captured by Mark Federighi in the full gallery.

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From the The Eventful Life… Brunch – the infrequent, yet ever delightful weekend meal. We’d do just about anything to have brunch in our lives as much as possible. Wouldn’t anybody?! We love the idea of putting together a private brunch for your girlfriends to ask them to be your bridesmaids. Salvage One provided such a unique backdrop – as it has for so many eclectic Chicago weddings. We discovered the absolutely monstrous stain glass window on a weekend shopping trip and it instantly became color-pallete inspiration. We incorporated heirloom pieces along with more contemporary items for a fresh, colorful look with a bit of nostalgia. Pop the champagne and let the celebration begin.

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Wedding Photography: Mark Federighi Photography | Venue: Salvage One in Chicago, Illinois | Event Planning, Styling + Floral Design: The Eventful Life | Wedding Stationery: The Eventful Life

Chicago Wedding at Salvage One from Studio Finch

The worst kept secret in SMP Illinois history? We love Salvage One weddings. That’s okay, though… we don’t mind the entire world knowing. Because when a sweet Salvage One soiree crosses our paths, it’s a guaranteed day of non-stop lovely. Particularly when it’s two-day cultural affair boasting beautiful blooms from Asrai Garden, a pair of crazy for each other sweeties and two seriously stunning celebrations in honor of l.o.v.e. See all of the pretty captured by Studio Finch in the full gallery.

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Rock Island Engagement Session from Ashley Biess Photography

From Studio Finch… Molly and Anand wanted to celebrate both of their cultures coming together. Their weekend was a blending of ceremonies and blessings at Shree Sqaminarayan Temple and at Old St. Patrick’s Church.

Molly and Anand got engaged after dating for six years and Molly was really looking forward to finally tying the knot. They’re both from the midwest, Anand is from Chicago and Molly from Wisconsin, but they met in San Francisco.

Molly wanted to make her focus on family for their wedding, with memory of Molly’s mom – there were many beautiful speeches with family.

Molly also wanted simple, timeless florals pastel features mixed in with bright and vivid indian themes.

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Wedding Photography: Studio Finch | Getting Ready Hotel (Day 1): Hyatt Place Itasca in Itasca, Illinois | Indian Ceremony Venue: Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Itasca, Illinois | Getting Ready Hotel (Day 2): Hotel Allegro in Chicago, Illinois | American Ceremony Venue: Old St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago, Illinois | Reception Venue: Salvage One | Floral Design: Asrai Garden | DJ: Toast & Jam | Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel | Bride’s Shoes: Capparros | Makeup: Bela Shah (847.359.5358)

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Wedding Dresses

Amy Kuschel

2014

2013

The PEACE & LOVE Collection 2015

DECO to DISCO Collection 2016

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We’ve seen our fair share of creative engagement sessions here at SMP… everything from rooms filled to the brim with balloons to drop-dead gorgeous locales to crazy gorgeous themes. And when it comes to these two sweeties, it’s the appearance of their college alma mater that has our hearts pitter pattering. Because a happy frolic through the very place they first met and fell in love is kind of like the best thing ever. As are the breathtaking photos captured by the ever-talented Ashley Biess. See it all in the full gallery. It’s amazing.

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Chicago Botanic Garden Wedding from Olivia Leigh Photographie

From Ashley Biess Photography… Hannah and Mike made the trip back to their alma mater, Augustana College, for this sweet engagement session. We walked around the beautiful campus, reliving the moments from when they first met and started dating. The couple brought along their adorable pup, Chili, who donned a stylish bow-tie around his neck, special for the occasion. After exploring the iconic archways, buildings and staircases of the college, we ventured to the railroad tracks and downtown area of the city. My favorite find of the day was the “Have a Happy Day” sign that perfectly complimented the couple’s bright and cheerful personalities.

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Wedding Photography: Ashley Biess Photography | Location: Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois

I think we’ve all dreamt of celebrating our nuptials in a dreamy garden-like setting. I mean, let’s face it, gardens make for one crazy gorgeous place to kick off your newly married status. And when that setting happens to be the Chicago Botanic Garden planned to perfection by LK Events, it’s a whole new level of dreamy. One that plays perfect host to mesmerizing florals from Fleur Couture, beyond stunning details (hello burlap pillows) and a whole lot of lovely captured beautifully by Olivia Leigh Photographie. See it all in the full gallery.

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Garden Weddings

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Rustic Vintage

From Olivia Leigh Photographie… Greg and Laura met in law school and were engaged on the coast of Georgia. They held a gorgeous, relaxed wedding outside of Chicago, at a Catholic church in Evanston and a reception at the stunning Chicago Botanic Garden. A cocktail hour was held in the stunning English Walled Garden, with beautiful floral and detail by Fleur Couture and LK Events, including custom moss monogram letters and vintage Chicago postcards as the “guestbook.” A fun and celebratory reception followed in a breezy pavillion. Guests sipped on champagne while enjoying seating areas with custom burlap word pillows in seating arrangements under italian wedding lights, and enjoyed the beautiful pond nearby. Later in the evening, Greg and his friends serenaded Laura, a bit of a college tradition. It was a stunning day that, more than anything, showcased the incredible connection and love between Greg and Laura and their incredibly close group of friends and family.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Jenny Yoo

Spring 2014 Maternity

2016 Bridesmaid Collection

2016 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2017 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

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Fall 2016 Separates Collection

Spring 2017 Lingerie Collection

Spring 2017 Separates Collection

Spring 2017 Bridesmaids Collection

Spring 2018 Bridal Collection

Spring 2018 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

Spring 2018 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2018 Bridesmaid Collection

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Chicago Engagement Session from Ashley Biess Photography

When it comes to amazing e-session backdrops, Chicago really knows how it’s done. Think gorgeous sandy beaches, a breathtaking city skyline and parks with towering trees and acres of lush green grass and you are on the right track. So, traveling to the Windy City for your e-session? Makes more than perfect sense. Especially when it also happens to be the place you were engaged AND your favorite city. That’s what we call engagement session magic and you can see every last love-filled moment captured by Ashley Biess in the full gallery.

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Intercontinental Chicago Wedding from Orange2

From Ashley Biess Photography… Amy and Al flew in from Omaha, Nebraska to celebrate their one year engagement anniversary in their favorite city: Chicago. Last April, Al took Amy by surprise with his Windy City proposal. For their engagement photos, we took in the sights and visited some of the couple’s favorite spots; including the Chicago Theater, the State Street Bridge, and the Water Tower. We ended the session over at the Oak Street Beach, just as the city lights began to glimmer in the distance. Adding in a little surf and sand into the session was a perfect preview for their January, 2014 Puerto Vallarta wedding.

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Photography: Ashley Biess Photography | Location: Chicago Theater + The State Street Bridge + Water Tower Place in Chicago, Illinois

The prettiest of color palettes, the gorgeous Intercontinental Chicago and one stunning Bride and Groom? It doesn’t get better than that, and after one look at the pretty captured by Orange2 you’ll find it certainly doesn’t get much more beautiful. It’s the story of two high school sweethearts taking on the next chapter of their life in the most gorgeous way, and you can see all the layers of gorgeous right here.

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Chicago Germania Place Wedding from Nakai Photography

From Orange2… Michelle and Kevin were such a joy to work with. These high school sweethearts planned an amazing wedding day, one we will never forget! Michelle and Kevin tied the knot at St. Rita of Cascia, where Kevin attended high school and minutes away from where Michelle grew up. After the ceremony we headed downtown for some pictures with their lively wedding party. The celebration continued in the Renaissance Ballroom at InterContinental Hotel, an Orange2 favorite!

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You Chicago couples blow me away on a regular basis. I mean, not only are your weddings seriously chic and beyond breathtaking (they sooo are), but you always, always manage to incorporate the sweetest details into each and every aspect of your big day. Take for example this darling duo, whose gorgeous Germania Place affair featured fab florals from Forget Me Knodt (complete with Thanksgiving-esque Sage and Rosemary), Scrabble tiles (an ode to their proposal) and a miniature orange tree (a symbol of love and marriage). It’s a day of one meaningful moment after another and you can see it all captured in beautiful images by Nakai Photography right here.

And we’re not done yet. Feast your eyes on this gorgeous film from Chris + Oliver. It’s amazing.

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Chicago Winery Inspiration Session from Robyn Rachel Photography

From Forget Me Knodt… Jennie and Auggie are truly a special couple. All along, they were just such sweet people, from our first meeting at Letizia’s, all the way through their gorgeous, love-filled wedding day, with a ceremony at the amazing Rockefeller Chapel, and reception at Germania Place.

They’re both doctors in training, (Auggie’s an optical surgeon and hates “dots,” so I had to avoid berries of any kind! ha!) but they’re also two of the most creative people I know! Auggie made his own huge Scrabble game to propose to Jennie – the A & J tiles were on display at the wedding. Their collective goofiness and love of life was just so contagious! Their wedding was over Thanksgiving weekend, and Auggie asked me to use herbs like Sage and Rosemary as the greenery, in honor of the culinary occasion. He was so excited about the delicious smell when I pinned his boutonniere!

Jennie wanted a tree for them to water at the ceremony, along with the unity candle, which I thought was so cool! I got them a miniature orange tree, because orange blossoms were the official symbol of love and marriage back in my grandparents’ days.

Together, they assembled a team of super vendors that I was totally blown away to be a part of: the brilliant Kenny Nakai of Nakai Photography behind the camera, Lauren Housely of Ryan Alexander Events, Inc.. planning the whole affair, Livia Caporale and Sonia Roselli working their magic on hair and makeup, Toast & Jam , Inc. spinning tunes that inspired a “Gangnam Style” flash mob, and Christopher J Sotelo (plus Oliver, of Chris + Oliver fame) capturing it all on video masterfully, as only they can. I can’t wait to see the video, and I know it’s going to make me cry because I truly came to love this couple!

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BHLDN

Bridal 2016

Bridal 2019

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You know what’s better than a good old fashioned photo shoot? A good old fashioned photo shoot featuring vibrant hues, a fab City Winery setting and a rustic meets glam vibe that is all kinds of crazy amazing. So, this beautiful inspiration session captured by Robyn Rachel Photography? Stunning. As are the gorgeous florals from A Stem Above, that yummy (+ darling) cake from Amy Beck Cake Design and the oh-so-chic fashions from Belle Vie Bridal and Bella Bridesmaid. See it all in the full gallery.

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Weddings in Wineries

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Rustic

From Robyn Rachel Photography… For this styled shoot we envisioned a fashion forward couple planning a chic Spring wedding in Chicago. The city itself is so urban and raw, so to find a venue with such a cool winery feel is the best of both worlds. A Stem Above created a perfect balance of feminine bright spring colors including coral, yellow and raspberry with unique gold accents. The brightness of the floral paired beautifully with the masculine distressed wine barrels. Amy Beck Cake created a unique and sophisticated, yet fun cake that added to the overall vision.

We knew from the beginning that we wanted to partner high fashion styling of the bride, groom and bridal party with softer elements. The model bride wore a Couture dress from Belle Vie Bridal and her headpiece was absolutely stunning and although may not be practical to wear all wedding day, it does make for absolutely beautiful images. The bridesmaids dressed fit perfectly into the color scheme and we once again added gold accents to create a more glamorous feel.

The juxtaposition between the fashion forward styling and rustic winery-feel, balanced perfectly to create some fun urban vineyard chic images.

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Wedding Photography: Robyn Rachel Photography | Wedding Venue: City Winery in Chicago, Illinois | Floral Design: A Stem Above | Wedding Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design | Wedding Invitations: Pink Custom Design | Wedding Dress + Jewelry: Belle Vie Bridal | Bridemaids’ Attire + Jewelry: Bella Bridesmaid | Groom’s Attire: Formally Modern Tuxedos | Hair: Tina Sclafani from Magnificent Brides | Makeup: Krystyn Johnson from Bridal Beauty Chicago

Chicago Engagement Session from Becca Heuer Photography

Oh, Winter. You are one of my all-time favorite seasons. Snow-covered streets, hot cocoa sippin’, cozy nights curled up next to the fireplace… you’re downright magical. Which is why I happen to be oh-so-obessed with this engagement session captured by Becca Heuer Photography, which is like the perfect combo of breathtaking wintery goodness and a duo who could not be more in love. (They’re adorable.) Join me in the gallery for sooo much more.

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Chicago Salvage One Wedding from Anna Guziak Photography

From Becca Heuer Photography… Erin and Luke are getting married this August in Watervliet, Michigan’s Millcreek Barn. Since they aren’t getting married in Chicago, they wanted to take some engagement photos around their Logan Square neighborhood. When they mentioned this, I knew just where to go so we went straight to the murals and parks that give the neighborhood so much texture!

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Wedding Photography: Becca Heuer Photography | Location: Logan Square Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois

There is absolutely no doubt that Salvage One is one amazing place to say I do. So amazing in fact, this gorgeous Bride knew even before she had a ring on her finger that it was THE place to tie the knot. Lucky for her, her amazing Groom not only popped the question, but he also booked the venue before getting down on one knee. How much do you love that? Totally a keeper. Anna Guziak Photography captured the day in serious style, and you can catch it all right here.

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Chicago Wedding at The Publican from Artisan Events

From the Bride… If I’m going to be honest, I’ll admit that I began scheming for our big day even before Mike popped the question. I had discovered Salvage One through a wedding blog and took it upon myself to secretly begin the process of checking availability. Much to my dismay, I was told there was a two year wait to book this venue on a Saturday. I was bummed (and soon told Mike so) as I reluctantly dropped the mission.

Fast forward to about ten months later, when Mike proposed AND let me know that he had booked Salvage One for what would become our winter wedding date! I was elated! My mom and I quickly formed a fabulous little wedding planning duo, checking in with Mike as often as necessary. (As long as a good band was hired and the bar well-stocked, he was agreeable to every other decision made.)

Our wedding ceremony took place at Holy Family Catholic Church, the church attached to my high school. This was especially appropriate, as Mike and I are high school sweethearts. An already beautiful church (one of only a few buildings to survive the Chicago Fire) was made even more so by an abundance of Christmas decorations – one of the many great perks of a winter wedding!

As mentioned, the reception was held at Salvage One. Fleur Inc. owner Kelly Uss, along with day-of-coordinator Amy Stockbridge, effortlessly created an ambiance of warmth and romance that actually took our breath away. A combination of gorgeous textured florals and glowing candles set the mood. We chose cranberry mojitos as our signature drink, and our guests dined on scrumptious beef short ribs and chicken mole (Mike and I both love Mexican food!). For dessert, a fabulous white chocolate marble cake with a hint of peppermint was complemented by a fully stocked candy buffet – a particularly big hit with the kids, but enjoyed by most adult guests as well. Our wonderful family and friends danced the night away to the sounds of Orchestra 33. My absolute favorite part of the day was when my entire family (40+ people) surprised Mike and me by performing a flash mob dance. We were shocked and delighted, and our guests are still raving about what fun it was to watch! The whole day felt magical. We are forever grateful to the oh-so-talented Anna Guziak for capturing all the special moments. She and her husband are simply delightful and were a complete joy to work with. Together, they took more than 1000 snaps without stealing a moment of our day!
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Jim Hjelm

Fall 2015

Spring 2016 Collection

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Lulakate

2015 Classic Bridesmaids

2015 Luxe/Crepe Bridesmaids

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BHLDN

Bridal 2016

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You know how I knew that this wedding was awesome? Well, besides the fact that it was held at the amazing Publican and features some seriously gorgeous details? It was the look on the dapper groom’s face in every single photo captured by Artisan Events. A look that says “I am marrying the love of my life and I seriously could not be happier.” The moment I laid my eyes on the joy he was so obviously feeling, I was certain I was going to love every last minute. And you know what? I was right. Click here for all of the pretty.

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Classic Weddings Romantic

From Artisan Events… Marta and Matt’s Chicago wedding was overflowing with bold color and thoughtful details. Rich earth tones and pops of yellow come together in the rustic centerpieces set on farmhouse style tables–the perfect fit for the simple farmhouse fare served up at the The Publican, one of the couple’s favorite restaurants in Chicago. From the invitations designed by a dear friend of the couple to the jars of potted rillettes given as a favor to the guests–every last detail helped make this event intimate and memorable.

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Wedding Photography: Artisan Events | Wedding Venue: The Publican in Chicago, Illinois | Wedding Coordination: Katie Goggin from Designer Event Chicago | Floral Design: K.La Designs | DJ: Toast & Jam

Sycamore Blumen Gardens Wedding from Kristin La Voie Photography

Anyone that knows me knows that I am obsessed with colorful weddings. Pink, blue, orange or purple… if it’s vibrant and beautiful, I’m in 100 percent. So when I first spotted the dazzling hues in this gorgeous Blumen Gardens affair, let’s just say my smile widened. From ear to ear. Because when you pair pops of pink and purple, exposed brick backdrops and some fab DIY details, it’s a guaranteed day of love-filled happy. See it all captured by Kristin La Voie right here.

And a beautiful film from Robert Cawthorne Wedding Films for even more special moments…

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DIY Inspired Vintage

From Kristin La Voie Photography… Chelsea and Dave chose the perfect location at Blumen Gardens for their intimate, slightly vintage, slightly DIY wedding. Two photographers, the couple chose perfect details to represent themselves with vintage cameras as centerpieces, custom labeled root beers, photos framed throughout the room, and lots of desserts and flowers. The most adorable children I’ve laid eyes on, Constance and Conley, acted as flower girl and ring bearer for their ecstatic parents. The day was filled with tons of love, lots of laughter, and a whole lot of pretty!

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Lincoln Park Wedding at Maxim’s from Studio Finch

I’m kind of obsessed with this Lincoln Park wedding. And by “kind of obsessed,” I mean I really, really am. Because not only is it one of the sweetest days you’ll ever lay your eyes upon, it’s one of those weddings that just exudes love. A love that is literally pouring out of every nook and cranny. And when you combine a plethora of drop-dead gorgeous details (hello amazing Asrai Garden florals) with all of that l.o.v.e, it makes for one seriously amazing Monday. See every joy-filled moment captured by Studio Finch in the full gallery.

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Chicago Engagement Session from Studio Finch

From the Bride… The theme came naturally once we found Maxims! Modeled after the famous Maxims in Paris, by the Bertrand Goldberg and his wife Nancy, the venue has amazing history. It is completely decked out in Art nouveau details and original prints so we worked off of that. We loved working with Asrai Garden to incorporate fruit and create “still lifes” with our florals. We had the ceremony in the park since it was walking distance for guests and allowed us to be outdoors for part of the day.

We wanted our wedding to first and foremost be a fantastic party where everyone had a great time. Good food, music, and dancing were a huge priority! We also wanted to support local artists and businesses and were able to work with a lot of our talented friends in town. The vision also extended throughout the weekend since we had a lot of people traveling from out of town – we had a rehearsal dinner party for everyone on Friday and cooked brunch on Sunday morning to round it out! We somehow had the superhuman energy to pull it all off without a wedding planner and we were beyond happy with how everything came together.

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Love stories are the best. That first meeting, that first date, that first look across across the table when you just know something special is taking place… I could seriously listen to tales of “how we met” all the livelong day. And this dapper duo? Well, their first date story is awesome. An hour turned into ten kind of awesome that most of us only dream about. (Seriously.) And their e-session captured by Studio Finch? Well, it’s amazing, too. See it all in the full gallery.

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Chicago History Museum Wedding from Gerber + Scarpelli Photography

From Studio Finch… Owen and Matt wanted their engagement session to be a reflection of their everyday during this time in their lives. We started off in their neighborhood, at The Cozy Noodle, where they went on one of their first dates. From there, we went to Montrose Harbor, an amazing place to go jogging by the lake.

From the Groom… Matt and I met through Match.com (oooh, the internet), I don’t remember who contacted who first, but Matt says it was him. We sent a few cute emails to each other, and then agreed to meet for coffee a few days later. I remember it was completely empty except for us. And usually that is a little awkward, but we didn’t really mind. Matt remembers that “i was stretched across the booth like I owned the place.” That does sound like me. We hit it off right away, and the conversation flowed naturally. Neither of us really wanted the date to end, so we agreed to keep it going, and we went for a walk around the neighborhood. It was July, so it was actually nice enough to walk around. I remember walking down inner Lake Shore Drive, and then eventually over to Halsted, and we ended up going into Halsted’s to get something to eat. I wish I could remember what we talked about.

We chatted and chatted, and then went back to his place, this is where it gets interesting. We put in a movie. It was the movie “Go” from 1999. I remember thinking “I thought I was the only person who liked this movie.”

We wanted our engagement pictures to reflect this period in our lives–the city, the neighborhood we live in, the places we liked to eat, the little house we moved into.

Matt is more crafty, so really he made the little DIY bits for the engagement photos. We chose our colors together (pine green, teal, and gold). And the end of the day it turned out to be a nice reflection of the both of us!

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Wedding Photography: Studio Finch | Locations: Cozy Noodle + Montrose Harbor both in Chicago, Illinois | Shoes: Converse | Vest: Express | Sweater: Banana Republic

New Year’s Eve. One of my favorite days of the year. It’s fun, fabulous and, if you ask me, the perfect way to celebrate a wedding. Which is why I may or may not have let out a little squeal of delight when I laid my eyes on this stunning Chicago History Museum affair. (Truth: I totally did.) Because not only is this wedding a fun-filled January 31st celebration, it’s a serious lesson in all-out glamour and sophistication, with some elegance 101 thrown in for good measure. See it in amazing images captured by Gerber + Scarpelli Photography right here.

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Chicago Cafe Brauer Wedding from Gerber + Scarpelli Photography

From Gerber… It all started when Griffin surprised Lauren by showing up at her parent’s house Christmas evening to pop the question. Once she said yes, they decided on a New Year’s Eve wedding. Their next year included planning, lots of crafts, and the incorporation of countless personal details into their big day. Both Lauren and Griffin were raised in the midwest, but now live in Austin Texas. They wanted their wedding to be a mix of Texas, where they met and fell in love, and their Yankee upbringing. With a ton of glam thrown in for good measure.

Lauren and her bridesmaids got ready at downtown Chicago’s Waldorf Astoria. While there, she gave her groom a special gift: a leather bound book called “Letters to Lauren.” She had saved all the love notes Griffin had ever wrote her and turned them into a beautiful keepsake. After getting ready, the bridesmaids put on their custom faux-fur shawls (gifts from the bride) for some photos outside before making their way to the Chicago History Museum for the ceremony and reception.

The ceremony and reception were executed beautifully; Darcey Gerber’s planning and all the DIY elements made it a fantastic affair. The bride and her artistic mother handmade the glitter animal escort card holders, all the table numbers, the stars down the aisle, the tassels on the bars, the tassels around the cake, the head table display, and the backdrop for the photo booth. Whew! The reception seating was both communal and intimate, with a mix of harvest tables and rounds.

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Two things that make me happy? Gerber + Scarpelli Photography and Cafe Brauer weddings. When I see one (or both) of those names pop up on my computer screen, I know it’s going to be a very good day. (Emphasis on very.) So when I first spotted this gorgeous traditional soiree, I swear to you, an all caps JOY consumed my body. And I have the aforementioned lovelies, beautiful blooms from The Flower Firm and a whole lot of pretty planned by Blossom Eventz to thank. Did I mention it was going to be a very good day?!? Join me in the gallery for more.

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