Illinois Weddings

Whether you’re engaged or a well-seasoned wedding lover, there are certain weddings you see that just get engrained in your mind. There’s that certain something that makes it so special and so magnificent that you can’t help comparing all other weddings to it and you continue to use it as inspiration for your big day or just for some mid-morning eye candy. For me, all of the moments captured through the lens of Emilia Jane Photography of this elegant wedding at the breathtaking Assumption Catholic Church and University Club of Chicago sit well within this category of unforgettable weddings. So prepare your inspiration boards and notebooks and dive into the gallery right here.

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From the Bride… Our wedding was everything I could have hoped for and more. They say that there is always something that goes wrong, but I was either lucky enough not to notice it or the day was as perfect as it seemed. When we started planning our wedding, it was a whirlwind. We knew we wanted it to be in Chicago, our hometown, and that we wanted all of our friends and family to know how much the city means to us. We made Chicago a focus by using antique postcards of the city as our save-the-date cards and by using different locations throughout the city as our table names. Another theme of our wedding was the fleur de lis — I have always found it a beautiful symbol, especially since I studied abroad in Florence. We carried the theme throughout our invitation suite, place cards and stationery.

One of the most special things we did in the wedding was our guest book. We enjoy wine (who doesn’t?), and I collect the corks of the bottles we have drunk at special occasions. We had our guests sign these corks as a guest book, and my husband is going to use them to make a table that will always serve as a reminder of our family and friends and our special day. Our favorite memory is our first dance. We took lessons beforehand, and while we may not have looked fantastic, we felt like professionals. It was one part of the wedding where it really just felt like the two of us alone in the room, totally soaking up the moment.

The best piece of advice I received, and what I would tell any future bride, is don’t forget to spend a moment just the two of you before you go into the reception. That is really what the day is all about, and it will fly by, so it is incredibly special to have that particular memory of just enjoying everything that has and will go on during the day.

Wedding Photography: Emilia Jane Photography / Ceremony: Assumption Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois / Reception: University Club of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Toni Lenzi of Simply Flowers Design Studio / Band: Front of House via Arlen Music Productions / Wedding Dress: Marisa via Macy’s / Hair + Makeup: Sonia Roselli / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Men’s Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

After all the presents have been opened and the holiday meals and irresistible sweets have been eaten and our bellies are finally full, now is the time we get to relish in all the holiday majesty that just happened. Take in all of the memories and laughter and glittery goodness that just made these holidays so spectacular. And Sarah Postma Photography has captured some of the sweetest of memories from these two of their Christmas engagement in these images along the Chicago Riverwalk and in the beautifully decorated Trump Hotel Chicago. You can see it all right here in the gallery.

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From Sarah Postma Photography… With the last few bits of fall color overlapping the twinkling lights of holiday decor, we strolled through downtown Chicago for Ellie and Jack’s engagement session. I just loved their calm, cool demeanor and their comfort level with each other in front of the camera! Not to mention the combination of Ellie’s stylish winter boots, pink Burberry scarf, and Jack’s effortless smile that just showed his admiration for her oh so well. What began as a typical engagement session turned out to become one of my favorite Christmas-themed shoots!

Photography: Sarah Postma Photography / Locations: Trump Hotel Chicago + Chicago Riverwalk, Both in Chicago, Illinois / Scarf: Burberry

In the season where everything seems to twinkle and shine with the glimmer of hope and love and peace, engagement sessions like this one from Cristina G Photography come across our paths and light up our souls with glee. In the brisk air of winter and beautifully set among the shimmering lights of Chicago, these two adorable sweethearts show us how true love can really warm your heart. And you can see the whole session right here in the gallery.

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From Cristina G Photography… City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style… In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas. Sound familiar? :) This time of year is always so magical, and I honestly cannot think of a better time to get engaged than right before Christmas. Just imagine it… it’s the start of many, many holidays to come that you will spend together as one. And a whole lot of sparkle and bling coming from your left hand to wow family and friends with!

The best way to celebrate your new engagement is with a photo session to forever remember this moment by. And if you are in Chicago, there is no better place to capture the holiday spirit than the Magnificent Mile. I met Mallory and Matt late in the afternoon and spent a few hours enjoying the mild December weather and taking in the beauty of all the lights. They talked, laughed, kissed and walked hand-in-hand, beaming with excitement until nightfall. The twinkling lights made for the most amazing nighttime images.

Photography: Cristina G Photography / Location: Chicago, Illinois

I can’t think of a more romantic way to spend the evening of your wedding than at a planetarium. I’m so in love with this idea of dining, drinking, and dancing under a screen of stars and planets. It seriously has me all giddy. Not to mention that gorgeous Vera Wang gown and those sparkly Jimmy Choos. J. Winter Photography captured all the gorgeous details of this amazing wedding and you can see it all right here.

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From J. Winter Photography… Shortly after Brooke said “yes” to her long-time beau’s proposal, the couple learned that John had landed a job with the Foreign Service at USAID. His first assigned position? Cairo, Egypt! Brooke had always loved travel and was thrilled at the chance to accompany John on his trot across the globe. This exciting opportunity inspired their stunning, travel-themed wedding at the Adler Planetarium.

The wedding morning was relaxed and began with hair styling by Gina Scalpone of Beauty on Call and makeup by Andie Cumber in Brooke’s suite at Hyatt McCormick Place. With the help of her best friends, Brooke slipped into her stunning Vera Wang gown and her crystal-coated Jimmy Choos while Jenn Winter photographed. The weather had been beautiful all day, however just as the pre-ceremony photos were about to begin, the wind picked up.  The outdoor ceremony plans changed quickly as the ceremony décor toppled and began to roll down the lakeshore! Luckily, Brooke and John’s coordinator, Shannon Gonzalez of Five Grain Events, along with the talented Food for Thought and Event Creative teams, were able to execute Plan B without issue. Event Creative brought the outdoors in with topiaries framing the ceremony space. The room glowed amber as Brooke and John said “I Do!” in a sweet ceremony officiated by John’s aunt.

The cocktail hour was held in the Welcome Gallery, which glowed with dynamic lighting patterns and a photo slideshow of the happy couple. As guests made their way into the reception, they found their luggage tag escort cards waiting for them next to the map-covered luminaries. The beautiful view of the lake and the city welcomed the guests into the reception. Jesse at Event Creative brainstormed with Brooke and her mother to come up with the mono-floral arrangements with map and globe accents to go along with the world travel theme. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner by Food for Thought and heartfelt toasts by friends and family. Instead of a guest book, Brooke and John asked each guest to fill out predictions and place them in a time capsule to be opened and read upon the occasion of their 10-year anniversary. As the sun set over the lake, the subtle glow of the hanging candles created an enchanted scene. The dance floor filled as the Underwater People played all the hit dance tunes and some fun ’80s songs as well.  ShutterBooth Chicago provided copious numbers of hats, glasses and masks to enhance the photo booth experience Brooke and John had arranged for their guests. The fairytale ending of fireworks over the lake was the cherry on top of this decadent event!

Wedding Photography: J. Winter Photography / Wedding Venue: Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design + Decor: Event Creative / Event Coordination: Five Grain Events / Catering: Food for Thought / Wedding Cake: Bittersweet Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Magnificent Milestones / Band: Underwater People / Photo Booth: ShutterBooth / Accommodations: Hyatt McCormick Place / Transportation: Swift Shuttle / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Gina Scalpone of Beauty on Call / Makeup: Andie Cumber / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid

We’re super excited this morning because we’ve got a seriously stunning and super romantic wedding to share with you. Sent into us by the talented Delack Media Group, this Trump International beauty is what modern wedding dreams are made of. If you love twinkling candlelights and gorgeous flowers, you’re going to love these images from Life on Prints Photography. See the entire wedding right here.

Here’s the must watch, super romantic film from Delack Media Group:

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Delack Media Group… Erin and Michael’s wedding was breathtakingly beautiful and very unique. The couple got ready for their big day at Trump International Hotel before exchanging vows at St. James Chapel. The bride wore a gorgeous lace gown and carried a bouquet of blush and cream-colored roses. The look was complemented by a simple veil and champagne-colored sash. The evening continued at the Trump International Hotel for an amazingly glamorous reception room designed by Kehoe. Every detail was impeccable. The guests walked in to see a one-of-a-kind escort table with floating flowers and lights all around. Candles adorned every inch of the reception space, giving it a very romantic feeling. Guests danced the night away to the music of Greenlight.

Wedding Photography: Life on Prints Photography / Ceremony: Saint James Chapel in Chicago, Illinois / Reception: Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago in Chicago, Illinois / Coordination: Five Grain Events / Design: Kehoe Designs / Wedding Cinematography: Delack Media Group / Band: Greenlight / Transportation: Bentley Gold Coast / Wedding Dress: Christos / Hair: AJ Schulz of Your Stylist AJ + Danielle Keller of Dual Attraction / Makeup: Sheri Cox

I’m just going to go ahead and say it – I love this couple. Big time. They are obviously adorable, but it’s their let’s dance in the rain attitude that is making me grin from ear to ear this morning. I mean, how fabulous do they look even after soaked to the bone?  It’s a gallery full of happy from Allori Photography, and one you most certainly should check out. See it here.

 Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Bride… Although many people have the ability to work in the city they grew up in, we unfortunately do not. Our decision to become United States Border Patrol agents has taken us to the southern, desert region of California. As much as we have grown to love California and have made it our adopted home, it can never replace the love and memories of Chicago we created and shared together. California’s majestic views of the ocean, beach, mountains, and desert would have created beautiful backgrounds for any engagement session, but they represent new memories and not the old ones that reflect times we played, laughed, enjoyed and ran around the city. Whether we had somewhere to go or no time at all, we would hop on the Orange Line in the “L” system or grab our car and escape into the city. Nighttime or daytime, the city’s old and new creations — skyscrapers, Millennium Park, Grant Park, and Navy Pier — always instilled new life into us. We do not have the ability to enjoy Chicago as we once did, but our engagement session allowed us to once again to partake in a city we truly miss and cherish. We thank Eric for creating new memories and photos that we can add to what we already have from the early days and years of our relationship.

Photography: Allori Photography / Location: Chicago, Illinois

Now, I’m not usually one for crashing parties, but if there was ever a chance I could’ve gotten myself into this stunner, I just might have snuck my way in. I’d give my right arm to have seen the beautiful sunlight rest its rays on this super attractive wedding party all beautifully captured by Jaqueline Barkley Photography, or sat beneath the magnificent chandeliers of The Drury Lane Theatre as these lovebirds said I Do, or even danced the night away to the old school jazzy tunes with this Bride and Groom. There is so much to covet in this wedding from Elegant Event Lighting and it’s all right here in the gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Jacqueline Barkley Photography… Shannon and Tom where married at Drury Lane Oakbrook. Tom’s grandfather was the original owner, and it has remained in the family ever since, so it makes such a lovely, personal place to be married. Shannon looked amazing in her one-shoulder gown, and of course, all of the guys were outfitted with TOMS shoes. They are such a fun couple and truly created such an easygoing, loving atmosphere for their entire day. I enjoyed being able to share in their wedding day.

Wedding Photography: Jacqueline Barkley Photography / Second Photographer: Kelly Allison Photography / Wedding Venue: Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago, Illinois / Event Design: Elegant Event Lighting / Floral Design: Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts / Wedding Invitations: Paper Source / Wedding Dress: Amsale / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade

This personal, witty + whimsical fête held at the Chicago History Museum is seriously pulling at my heartstrings this morning. Months of planning still gave way to some unplanned bumps (lots of rain and a broken down bus!) and an unexpected loss, but the bride + groom made the absolute best of the situation by focusing on celebrating their love for each other! Kristina Carter of Vrai caputred the day beautifully and you can see it all right here.

And be sure to check out the guests’ awesome dance skills and touching speeches in the hightlight video from Michelle Wodzinski Photo and Film:

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We wanted a seriously stylish wedding that didn’t take itself too seriously. Something glamorous, elegant and classy — but not without a little personality. So in contrast to a chic color scheme, fancy décor and the grandiose backdrop of the Chicago History Museum, we included personal touches like rabbit-themed cake pops for place cards, a Kleenex holder on our programs quoting Snoop Dogg (“Don’t cry. Dry your eye.”), and bride and groom chair signs with unconventional titles (“Big” and “Little”). Our first dance? A piano version of Skrillex’s “Cinema.” Even our personal vows were infused with humor; with references to Home Alone, centipedes, blackjack and Ex-Lax, they were anything but ordinary.

Though painstakingly planned, our wedding day still managed to surprise. Three days prior, my father unexpectedly passed away. Then on the day of, a months-long drought gave way to a downpour. Even the darn bus broke down a few hours before, forcing us to make quite the entrance via cab in the rain! But that’s life. And as our photographer so beautifully documented, it happened at our wedding. What we lacked in luck, we made up in love. And at the end of the big, crazy day, it was a reminder of our strength and resilience as a couple, and confirmation that our marriage would persevere long after the whirlwind of a single wedding day.

Wedding Photography: Kristina Carter of Vrai / Wedding Venue: Chicago History Museum in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Ashland Addison Florist / Officiant: Rev. Anne Styx of The Rev for Whatev / Wedding Cinematography: Michelle Wodzinski Photo and Film / Catering: Jewell Events Catering / Cake Pop Place Cards: Cocomori / Wedding Invitations: Designed by the Bride + Printed by Werner Printing / Calligraphy: BPinvites / Ceremony Musicians: Bel Canto Musicians / DJ: Windy City Mix / Photo Booth: MJ Photo Booth / Guest Book: SuzyShoppe / Chair Signs: wedology / Table Numbers: APetiteFete / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier “Aspen” via Ultimate Bride / Alterations: Bridal Alterations by Ruth / Bride’s Earrings: Erickson Beamon “Duchess” / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade “Sawyer” / Bride’s Rings: Fey & Co. / Hair: The Bridal Beauty Salon / Makeup: Carley Martin / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Wtoo / Tuxedo Rental: Black Tie Formalwear / Groom’s Ring: Kay Jewelers

There’s something so peaceful and gorgeous about being out and about early in the morning before anyone else is. It’s totally magic and yet I can’t really put my finger on what exactly it is, but these amazing images from Clary Photo are helping me get a little closer to figuring it all out. The fog, the golden light, and the super-duper in love couple all add up to one fabulous e-session and you can see even more right here. 

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Clary Photo… Mary and Brandon wanted their session to be light and easy, taking place in wide open fields. We planned their engagement session early in the morning when the fog was just lifting from the night off the pond. This made everything gorgeous and unreal, reminiscent of watercolors.

Photography: Clary Photo

This is one of those weddings I wish I’d been invited to. The emotion-filled images from Stinky Feet Photography show an event full of love, laughter and plain old fun along with some serious pretty from the amazing A New Leaf. From the bride’s Melissa Sweet stunner to some of the cutest bridal party pics I ever did see, there is so much more in the full gallery! 

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… When we got engaged, we were already planning to move to Chicago for our residencies, so the hunt for venues in Chicago began online. When we saw A New Leaf, we knew it was perfect. What could be more romantic than getting married at a local flower shop!?

We tried to do as much as possible ourselves, which proved to be difficult during intern year! Fortunately, we had lots of help. My mom sewed our cake topper birds, designed and printed our invitations on our home computer and hand-drew a map of Chicago for our guests. I was busy collecting vintage milk glass cake stands for our dessert table, searching for gray paper straws and hand-punching tissue paper confetti in our colors. To incorporate our family history in the wedding, we used my mother-in-law’s family candelabra for our unity candles and displayed family wedding photos on our welcome table in little silver frames. For our guests, we put together welcome bags with Chicago paraphernalia including metro maps, brochures for key activities, Chicago popcorn and, of course, local beer. Driving around Chicago with my parents delivering the bags to local hotels turned out to be one of my favorite memories as the wedding approached. For the cocktails, we chose drinks we had enjoyed during our year in Chicago. We were allowed to provide our own alcohol to the venue, so we decided to make all the mixers ourselves — a decision that could have been a mistake in retrospect, as my husband spent the morning of our wedding squeezing 25 pounds of limes and making liters of strawberry and blackberry puree. My husband was also in charge of constructing a homemade photo booth. After many trips to the Home Depot plumbing department, he made a photo-booth pipe structure and a photo-taking system using his Mac, Apple monitor and Canon camera. My mom sewed a surrounding enclosure, and it turned out to be the most fun part of the whole wedding!

Julie, our photographer, was such an amazing sport, hunting down balloons for our first look, squatting on stools to get the perfect shots and, most of all, bringing a fun and creative energy to the whole day! In the end, it was our perfect wedding, filled with exactly the people and details we imagined!

Wedding Photography: Julie Montgomery of Stinky Feet Photography / Wedding Venue + Floral Design: A New Leaf in Chicago, Illinois / Catering + Bartending: Connie’s Catering / Cake Topper: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / DJ: Gibson Speech / Signs, Photo Booth Props + Fingerprint Guest Book: Etsy / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bride’s Ring: The Bride’s Grandmother’s Wedding Ring / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew

This adorable e-session proves that you don’t need much in way of props for one heck of a gorgeous photo shoot with the love of your life. A pretty setting, some seriously fabulous outfits, a bunch of flowers and a couple of cookies will do wonders for you. Just ask Stacy Able Photography who snapped up all these beautiful images and I bet she’ll tell you the same. Click here for even more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Bride… Jerome and I were introduced by my sister when I first moved to Chicago for college. Over the next few years, we would run into one another here and there, but we didn’t keep in contact. Three years ago, we bumped into each other at a street festival and Jerome asked to take me on a date. While Jerome would continue to cleverly ask me out a few times, once his (now our) French Bulldog, Barkley, got involved I couldn’t resist and said yes. We had our first date at The Violet Hour and have been inseparable ever since.

We chose Promontory Point for the first location of our shoot because of the southern view of the Chicago skyline, as well as the autumnal colors of the trees.  We had a great time climbing up and down the rocks on the lake shore and making the most of the unseasonably warm day. Our second location was the scene of our first date. The Violet Hour provided a nice contrast to the outdoors, as their French-inspired salon highlighted our modern, minimalistic style. 

Photography + Macarons: Stacy Able Photography / Location: Promontory Point + The Violet Hour, Both in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Addison Ashland Florist / Bride’s Shoes: Tory Burch / Makeup: Orlando Barsallo / Groom’s Shoes: Wolverine 1000 Mile / Groom’s Sunglasses: Ray-Ban / Groom’s Tie: CO-OP via Barneys

When this bride + groom decided to take their wedding a bit off the beaten path, the result was pure, nontraditional perfection. Highlighting their love for the (amazing) Chicago food-scene, they chose the gorgeous restaurant Sepia for their big day, and with the help of Estera Events and Kehoe Designs, created a sophisticated and relaxed celebration of love. Cristina G Photography captured the day beautifully and you can see it all right here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Having dinner out is one of our favorite things to do together as a couple. We fell in love in Chicago’s great restaurants, so when it came time to choose a location for our wedding, we loved the idea of getting married in one of them! We knew that we wanted the day to feature delicious food and drink in an atmosphere that oozed sophistication without feeling impersonal. Enter Sepia. The instant we walked in, we were sold. We’d had the good fortune of dining at Sepia previously and knew the food was unparalleled, and the warm, modern atmosphere of its private dining space was to die for. 

We wanted the day to feel fun, relaxed, and nontraditional. For the florals, we wanted an organic feel with greens and plums to balance Sepia’s metallic and wood tones. The experts at Kehoe Designs executed this vision beautifully, from my stunning succulent-based bouquet to the trees brought in to flank the altar. For our cake, Sepia’s pastry chef made the most amazing croquembouche we have ever seen! Our wonderful coordinator, Hilary Schwartz, and her team at Estera Events added so many special touches to the day; it was their brilliant idea to feature a cookbook as our guestbook and herbs as favors for guests. 

All in all, the day was just what we wanted and felt exactly like us. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make it possible, to our guests for celebrating such an important occasion with us, and to our amazing photographer Cristina G, who captured so many of the day’s special moments.

Wedding Photography: Cristina G Photography / Reception: Sepia in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Coordination: Hilary Schwatz of Estera Events / Floral Design: Kehoe Designs / Wedding Cake: The Pastry Chef at Sepia / Wedding Dress: BHLDN (Crepe De Chine Column Gown) / Bride’s Green Stone Bracelet + Earrings: BHLDN / Bride’s Shoes: Corso Como / Hair + Makeup: Sandra of Michael Anthony Salon & Spa (State Street) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Their Choice of Black Dress / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss

I am beside myself with style envy. There I said it. I am full on envious of this couple’s cohesive, chic style which unfolded beautifully on their best day ever. It’s a day that came to life in a stunning fashion thanks to Katie Kett Photography, and it just happens to be the perfect balance of traditional and contemporary…with the perfect dose of this duo’s personality sprinkled throughout. Top it all off with some breathtaking florals from The Flower Firm, and goodness – how could you not be a wee bit envious? See it all here.

From the Bride… I’ve worked in advertising for years and am exposed to any and every type of style and design – so taking the same approach I would to any professional endeavor – I didn’t want just a wedding; I wanted a full-blown conceptual masterpiece. Let’s also not overlook the fact that my now-husband is a seasoned event planner with eclectic taste and knowledge of the industry’s hidden gems in Chicago. If that’s not a perk, I don’t know what is. 

Like our relationship, planning our September 2012 wedding couldn’t have been more of a partnership. But not just between Adam and I – between all those who helped bring our vision of a bright, edgy and urban wedding to life. While I dove into the details head first, we also enlisted friends to do the photography, help create our invitations and signage, and even to cater the event. Everyone who contributed knew Adam and I on a personal level – making things all the more meaningful. As Adam helped choose the seasonal ingredients for the food, I collaborated on the jewel-tone pop-art-style esthetic that translated across all our floral and décor.

Adam and I are quite different, but we both place a lot of value in two things: creativity and making others feel included. As was illustrated in all aspects of the evening, from our intimate ceremony with thoughtful narration of each tradition for our non-Jewish guests, to the throwback 80’s electronic playlist that let our eccentric, goofy sides shine. Looking back, I’d like to think our guests remember our wedding as a true reflection of the fun, stylish and quirky qualities that make us who we are. We threw a chic, candle-lit, family-style dinner party for 150 of our nearest and dearest – and let’s not forget what is now referred to as an “epic” dance party. To sum up the night – we welcomed guests with a sign that read “Welcome to our wedding. Let’s do this thing.” – and boy did we ever.

Wedding Photography: Katie Kett Photography / Venue: Room 1520 in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Planning: Caroline Melia of Paramount Events / Floral Design + Lighting + Decor: The Flower Firm / Officiant: Rabbi Brant Rosen / Wedding Catering: Paramount Events / Stationery: Greg Calvert  / Music: Noah Casser of Style Matters / Wedding Dress: San Patrick / Bride’s 2nd Dress: BCBG Max Azria / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Ivy & Aster and Carol Hannah / Hair & Makeup: Krystyn Johnson + Samara Toby of Bridal Beauty Chicago / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Groom’s Tie: John Varvatos / Rings: New York Jewelers

Apple orchards were made for engagement sessions.  Well, technically they were made for growing apples, but they also happen to be the perfect place to capture that pre-wedding glow.  Take for example this seriously stunning Rockford shoot, which features acres upon acres of stunning apple trees, plus two sweethearts that couldn’t be more in love.  It’s a light-filled love fest all captured beautifully by Lauren Guilford Photography and we are seriously smitten with every last moment.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Lauren Guilford Photography… This couple met in Chicago and briefly dated (as in two or three dates). Because Brian was living in Wisconsin and Elisabeth had to go back to California to finish up her last semester in college, they didn’t get to spend too much time together. But even after just a couple of in-person dates and chatting over the phone, they were head over heels for each other and were determined to make it work. They Skyped as much as they could and spent many hours on the phone. When Elisabeth was done with  school in December, she moved back to Chicago but they still had the distance of six hours, so they split their time visiting each other (Chicago and Madison). When they took a trip to NYC in June, Brian proposed in Central Park.

When it came time for their engagement pictures, they knew they needed to include both a city/urban feel, as well as a natural landscape to portray their relationship best. They both have love for literature and music, so those were must have elements as well! These images were taken in the downtown area of Rockford, Illinois and a local apple orchard. It was such a fun shoot and really spoke of how their love grew into what it is today.

All of these images are film — Elisabeth is a photographer as well who just ADORES light, and we both felt that film would best capture the soul of their relationship and the light we chose to work with!

Photography: Lauren Guilford Photography (Based in California) / Location: Rockford, Illinois

Some backyards were just meant to host weddings. Case in point, this gorgeous 16 acre property complete with a lake and a home that the groom just so happened to have built. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get more romantic than that. And to top it all off, this crafty couple DIYed almost everything you see in these pretty images from Keren Sarai Photography. See the rest right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… For our wedding, we were going for a rustic, shabby chic feel that would be simple, intimate and fun. The setting, a friend’s private estate perched on 16 acres and a lake, was a dream backdrop to achieve our vision. The venue held particularly special meaning to us as my husband built the home. Combining his handiness and my craftiness, we were able to DIY nearly every decoration, including centerpieces made out of reclaimed barn wood, chalkboard and directional signs, burlap table runners and raffia-wrapped mason jars. We also incorporated many details from my husband’s home country of New Zealand. Our table names were named after New Zealand places we have visited together, we incorporated ferns and monkey tails in the boutonnieres and centerpieces, and New Zealand Pohutukawa trees graced our invitations, welcome bags and programs. Our hard work paid off 1,000%. It couldn’t have been a more perfect or romantic day!

Wedding Photography: Keren Sarai Photography / Second Shooter: Erica Hang / Wedding Venue: The Home of a Friend in Barrington, Illinois / Event Planning: Allie House of Wedding Now / Floral Design: Peggy Garvin of Garvin Gardens / Wedding Cinematography: Mike Hendzel of Hendzel Productions / Catering: Chef By Request / Wedding Cake: By the Dozen Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Be U Brides / Wedding Dress: Watters via A L’Amour / Hair: Desi Perna / Makeup: Rachael Domanus / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Men’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank

I’ve fallen completely in love with Gallery 1028 and this pretty, little gem sent into us by Ashley Biess Photography. The twinkling lights, suspended frames and that sweetheart table are all just so fabulous, I can’t decided which detail I love the most. And don’t even get me started on those perfectly fluffy florals! If you’re a huge fan of this wedding like me, there’s only one thing to do: head straight to the full gallery for even more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We wanted our wedding day to be filled with fun, laughter and the people we love most. It turned out to be exactly that! Early in our planning, we decided to have a very small, intimate church ceremony for our immediate family members the Thursday night before our “big day.” It turned out beautifully and was the perfect way to begin our wedding celebrations. On Saturday, we kicked it up a notch with a vow renewal ceremony and reception with 200 of our closest friends and family members at Gallery 1028. A family friend presided over both of our ceremonies. We did our marriage prep with him, and the personal connection he put into both evenings was extremely special to us. Everything about both evenings was absolutely perfect!

One of our favorite moments of the weekend was walking into Gallery 1028 for the first time on Saturday afternoon. To see our vision and the culmination of over a year of planning come together in real life was amazing. We couldn’t believe how beautiful everything looked! Throughout the planning process, we loved putting the small details together — our sweets table, family wedding photos, bridal party accessories and small nods to my dad, who passed away suddenly early in our engagement but surely was present throughout our entire weekend of celebrating.

Our longer engagement (14 months) gave us the opportunity to work with both big Chicago companies that require booking long in advance, and smaller, home-based companies and vendors. We loved working with the smaller companies especially. Everyone was so friendly, willing to help and excited for us! Our best advice to couples planning now is to take your time! Give yourself enough time to plan and search for vendors who can give you exactly what you want within your budget — those people are out there if you look hard enough! Also, don’t be afraid to DIY — even with our busy schedules, we were able to bring a lot of homemade, personal touches to our day. Finally, soak in as much of your big day as possible. Take time to step back and feel the love!

Wedding Photography: Ashley Biess Photography / Wedding Venue: Gallery 1028 in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Cornelia McNamara Flowers / Decorator: PJ Acosta of Studio AG / Catering + Pies: Calihan Catering / Wedding Paper Goods: Anna Michelle Cards / DJ: Style Matters DJs / Table + Chair Rental: Hall’s Rentals / Candy Table Vessels: World Market / Candy Table Candy: Candy Warehouse / Candy Table Bags: SomersetMarket / Candy Bag Stamp: StampOutOnline / Vintage China Rental: Plate Vintage Crockery / Vintage Decor: Re:find Joy / Accommodations: Hotel Felix / Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani via The Dress by Nicole / Bride’s Belt + Veil: The Dress by Nicole / Bride’s Earrings: Nadri via Nordstrom / Bride’s Shoes: Ivanka Trump “Natalya” in Gold / Bride’s Hairpiece: Amoretto /Bride’s Garter: LyaLyaCreations / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Pearl Bridesmaids’ Belt: MyWanderingEye / Bridesmaids’ Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Groomsmen’s Suits: Alfani RED via Macy’s / Groomsmen’s Ties: BlackBrown 1826 via Lord & Taylor

This Chicago couple is soooo CUTE.  Like in an all caps, seriously can’t get enough of their smiling faces kind of way.  And their breathtaking engagement session?  Well, it’s about as adorable as it gets with one image after another of love-filled frolicking around some of their favorite Windy City hot spots, aka, a Fall-inspired masterpiece of e-session bliss.  Dabble Me This captured every last moment beautifully and it’s all making for one gorgeous gallery.  Join me there for more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Dabble Me This… Have you ever met two people that were right for each other? Matt and Ana are just that! They complement each other in every way and are so adorable together. Matt and Ana both live in Chicago and LOVE the city! So naturally, we started with some of their favorite spots. You are simply going to love the soft beautiful details from this shoot! It kills me how natural the two of them were in front of the camera!

Photography: Dabble Me This / Locations: Millennium Park, Chicago Theater, Chicago River Walk, Michigan Avenue Bridge + and North Pond in Lincoln Park, All in Chicago, Illinois / Bride’s Ring: Tacori / Bride’s Shoes: Adrienne Vittadini

There’s only one way to describe this next wedding and that is FUN. It’s got so much whimsy and charm, you can’t help but smile from ear to ear. From the amazing stationery adorned with their mottos, Best Day Ever and Let’s Do This to the all white tables and fabulous dessert spread, this wedding gets an A in craftiness. Stoffer Photography snapped up all the pretty and you can see even more right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Rob and I dated for 10 years prior to getting engaged, and we were so thrilled to finally plan our wedding. Right away, we knew we wanted a wedding in Chicago in the fall, and we determined that the venue, food, music and entertainment were the most important aspects of our wedding. It was also really important to us that all of those aspects reflected who we were as a couple. We chose Architectural Artifacts, an amazing antiques warehouse with a large event space, for our ceremony and reception. We fell in love with the quirky and vintage feel, built-in decor, the fact that they had ping pong — very important to us as avid ping pongers — and the space itself was just perfectly laid-out for us and our needs. Soon after booking our venue, we began looking at caterers. We were lucky that the venue allowed us to select from a large list of caterers and we ended up selecting Hearty Boys, whose specialty is upscale southern cuisine. We loved their southern comfort vibe and were able to create our dream menu including chicken and waffle skewers and late night sweet potato tots.

Next up was dress shopping, which actually ended up changing a lot of our plans. I had thought I would be in lace and that our wedding would have a rustic vibe, but I found a silk Winnie Couture gown that I fell in love with that took us in a more vintage glam direction. We decided on silver, gold, blush and ivory for our colors. Next, we figured out our save the dates and invites. Our close friend, who owns Dolce Designs, created the perfect design for each of our paper pieces. We decided on a vintage typewriter for our guestbook and connected the typewriter theme into all of our paper pieces. We decided that our theme for the day would be “Best Day Ever” because we truly felt that it was going to be our best day ever! We incorporated that theme into our save the dates, invites, bunting, flags and chalkboard sign. We collected mercury glass for our centerpieces and vintage frames for our signs and photo area. Rob created our R&J glittered marquee letters, and we made bunting for our sweets table, over the ceremony spot and on our sweetheart table. We chose not to have a bridal party, so we made two bulletin boards for our best friends to show our love. We put together several photo albums of us and our loved ones from over the past 10 years. We also put together framed photos of us — one from each year we dated and added some of our favorite love quotes in our typewriter font. We made glitter frames for our seating info. We picked out our favorite craft beers and sodas for our favors and stamped tags that said “Love&Hugs” and “Thank You” and tied them with ivory and gold yarn. We had a photo booth with costumes that got a lot of use. Later in the night, I had a surprise for Rob — a Klezmer band to teach us some traditional Jewish wedding dances. It was such a great moment and so much fun! It was the best day we could ask for.

Our favorite part of the planning process was putting together our playlist — we chose not to have a DJ and so we wanted to make sure that our iPod playlist could keep the dancing going all night. We got so many compliments, and we were so happy with how it turned out. My favorite part of the day was exchanging our personal vows in front of all of our loved ones. Advice for other couples: take the time to figure out what would make it your best day ever!

Wedding Photography: Stoffer Photography / Wedding Venue: Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Dilly Lily / Catering: Hearty Boys / Wedding Invitations: Dolce Designs / Photo Booth: The Traveling Photo Booth / Wedding Dress: Winnie Couture / Invitations: Dolce Designs

As someone who is a self-proclaimed non-DIYer (my crafting skills are most definitely lacking), it never fails to amaze me just how talented all of you SMPers truly are.  It’s the reason I find my jaw dropping on a daily basis – and this Greenville wedding has me gasping big time.  A true labor of love crafted by the bride and groom (+ a team of downright talented family and friends), it’s moment after moment of seriously amazing, vintage-inspired details with a St. Germain kick.  Add in a gallery of beautiful images captured by Our Labor Of Love and saying “I Do” never looked so good.  See it all here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… It’s funny how one little thing can lead you down a rabbit hole in the process of planning a wedding, but that’s exactly what happened with me and a bottle of St. Germain. Not the liqueur itself, per se, but the brand’s beyond-compare packaging design. My lifelong best friend (who was also my matron of honor and is now my sister-in-law) always has a bottle of St. Germain in her home bar, so I’ve admired the gorgeous design for years. And finally, one day early in my own wedding planning process, it finally dawned on me: I wanted a celebration that looked like a bottle of St. Germain. From there, with the help of sites like SMP and Pinterest, it was all too easy to find more inspiration than I could handle! And while I don’t consider myself a particularly trendy person, the effects that Downton Abbey, Boardwalk Empire and Baz Luhrmann’s approaching remake of The Great Gatsby have had on pop culture did make that 1920’s glam tone easier to attain than expected.

That said, our bank account looks nothing like that of a privileged Fitzgerald protagonist, so hiring a wedding coordinator was out of the question, and we had to cut corners in the classiest ways we could think of. And since my husband and I both grew up on very rural farms, planning a “Great Gatsby meets the Great Outdoors”-inspired party wasn’t really in anyone’s wheelhouse. But we have phenomenally talented friends and family who kept reminding us that “it takes a village,” so we took them up on it! My graphic designer best friend helped me design the invitations, and we hand-cut the paper and paid a small studio fee to letterpress them ourselves. My dad, who’s both an artist and an avid hunter, made all our wayfinding signs, a whole host of tree stump cake stands and two antler chandeliers and also contributed hundreds of gorgeous turkey and pheasant feathers for the arrangements and bouquets. My mom, mother-in-law and wedding party helped with DIY projects such as the metallic crepe photo backdrop and mixing our pre-made cocktails, and our extended family and family friends baked scores of desserts — everything from bourbon pumpkin caramel cheesecake to ginger sweet potato cake with brown sugar buttercream. I even managed to pull off a lavender honey goat cheese cheesecake myself.

We had the wedding and reception on my family’s land, and instead of working with a florist, we saved hundreds of dollars by making the bouquets, boutonnieres and table arrangements out of wheat from my family’s fields. I collected most of the gold/copper/bronze/mercury glass decorations from thrift stores and used free things like naturally beautiful buckeyes, acorns and hickory nuts as fillers. And I got hundreds of free wine corks from a very kind wine shop owner (sometimes all you have to do is ask nicely!) and used them to make giant garlands, which we then combined with twinkle lights. As the SMP experts will tell you, DIY doesn’t always end up being the most time-efficient or cheapest route to your dream wedding, but it definitely makes it special. It was amazing to feel like our wedding day wasn’t just a celebration of us, but a showcase for the talents of all our nearest and dearest. I’d do it all over again!

Wedding Photography: Kendrick Brinson + David Walter Banks of Our Labor Of Love / Wedding Venue: “Uncle Keith’s Pond” (The Bride’s Family Campground) near Greenville, Illinois / Event Planning + Decor: DIY / Floral Design: DIY / Hors d’Oeuvres + Dinner Catering: Amy Costa of Gasperoni Italian Foods + Marcoot Jersey Creamery / Desserts: The Bride, Friends, Family + Jo Mama’s Signature Sweets / Wedding Invitations: The Bride + Audra Hubbell Graphic Design / Printing: Spudnik Press Cooperative / Band: Soulard Blues Band / Rentals: Signature Event Rental / Wedding Dress: Badgley Mischka via Saks Fifth Avenue / Bride’s Shoes: Miss L Fire / Bridesmaid Dresses: Their Choice / Groom’s Suit: Alfani via Macy’s / Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds / Groomsmen Attire: Their Choice

There is so much emotion involved in a wedding, and no one is better at capturing that raw emotion than Jeffrey and Julia Woods. They are able to relate to the couple so wonderfully well that their happiness simply shines out of every single image the talented duo takes. It’s total magic, if you ask me. Click here to see more of this gorgeous downtown Chicago soiree!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

August 18, 2012 began with the beautiful sight of Chicago’s Air and Water Show. As I watched the Blue Angels fly past my Drake Hotel window, I knew that this was the perfect day for a downtown wedding. Brad and I met in college while we were both working at Lou Malnati’s pizzeria in Lincoln Park. Five years later, he popped the question at one of our favorite downtown restaurants. I couldn’t have been more surprised as I watched him get down on one knee and hold up a beautiful engagement ring!

We started planning right away and immediately knew that we wanted a classic summer downtown wedding. As we searched for the perfect venue, nothing seemed better than the beauty of Holy Name Cathedral and the classic elegance of the Drake Hotel. Before we knew it, our big day had arrived!

As I walked down the aisle, all I could think about was how excited I was to finally be marrying the love of my life, and my best friend. After our ceremony, we rode around downtown in a classic Rolls Royce to take pictures. Being in the middle of Michigan Avenue in my wedding gown with so many people around felt like a dream!

When Brad and I arrived back at the Drake and got our first peek at the Gold Coast Room, we were in awe. The room was absolutely stunning, and it literally took our breath away! The rest of the night went off without a hitch. We were surrounded by family, friends, love, and laughter. We danced the night away to the incredible Ken Arlen orchestra and finished the night off with some Lou Malnati’s pizza. Our wedding day was everything we’d hoped it would be and more. We couldn’t have asked for a better florist, venue, band, or photographers. They certainly made our wedding day a day to remember.

Photography: Jeffrey and Julia Woods / Ceremony: Holy Name Cathedral / Reception: The Drake Hotel / Flowers: Yanni Design Studio / Wedding Dress: San Patrick / Veil: Jennifer Leigh / Shoes: Angela Nuran, from The Left Bank Jewelry & Bridal Finery / Groom’s Suit: Formally Modern Tuxedo / Groomsman: Formally Modern Tuxedo / Wedding Planner: Kristina Taheri Special Events  / Bridesmaid Dresses: Lazaro / Band: Ken Arlen Orchestra / Video: Poetic Productions / Invites and Menus: Be U Brides