Illinois Weddings

Saturday has finally arrived and before you start turning into a weekend warrior, we simply MUST introduce you to the talents behind SQN Events. We know you will be best of friends, and we couldn’t wait to make the connection. But you don’t even have to take our word – oh no, stop by their site to see all their talent for yourselves…you’ll be BFF in no time.

Welcome SQN Events! We couldn’t be more thrilled to have you join the SMP Illinois family! xoxo

This quirky, colorful wedding is totally brightening my morning today. It may be cloudy and cool where I am, but this backyard beauty is providing all the sunshine I need. The couple is adorable, the flowers are fresh and totally vibrant and Studio Rebekah Photography captured all the meaningful moments gorgeously. Head over to the full gallery for even more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride & Groom… Before starting a new life together as a married couple, we had gotten a head start after getting jobs in Chicago and found a little apartment in the Logan Square neighborhood. As a young couple, each of us from small towns in Illinois, we had known for some time at this point that we would want to get married, and we had talked about how we would be able to make a wedding possible. We knew we wanted a very modest wedding, from the venues to the food, but wanted it to feel welcoming in a way that had come to reflect our relationship. We knew that this would not be possible without the help of family and friends, and their fingerprints were all over our wedding. Our engagement started our wedding planning on a snowy January night in Chicago. After a dinner downtown that almost didn’t happen because of the blowing snow, we returned to our quiet little apartment, and Lacey was proposed to in her pajamas. The ring is a vintage setting from Marlene Harris Collection in Pennsylvania, and the diamond is the same one that her father presented to her late mother at their engagement. In many ways, the traits of the engagement ring would drive much of the design of the wedding ahead: vintage with a very personal touch.

Cost was an extremely critical factor in how we moved forward. For the wedding ceremony venue, we selected the Historic Iroquois County Courthouse in Watseka, Illinois, the town where the bride was raised. Today, the courthouse is more of a historical museum than anything and serves as a gathering place for community events. The old courtroom on the top floor had many of the characteristics that we were looking to capture, including an old elegance that we were trying to reproduce with many of the elements of the wedding. One of our best mutual friends served as officiate upon our request, and we were able to seat our closest family and friends in a very private and intimate ceremony. The museum also provided plenty of great opportunities for pictures as well, and our photographer Rebekah Albaugh of Studio Rebekah was able to capture many of the elements of the venue that we found so endearing.

The wedding was followed by a poolside cocktail hour at Lacey’s childhood home. Further into the back yard, a white tent illuminated by paper lanterns held the reception to follow. The table settings contained handmade place settings and blue mason jars, which were discovered in a family member’s basement and cleaned up to provide a charming touch to the centerpieces constructed by The Flower Shak in Watseka. For the food, we wanted to showcase the care and love that Lacey’s grandmother puts into all of her food. As a caterer for nearly 50 years, Beulah has provided thousands of meals to people of the community, and she was at her best in preparing our favorite dishes to share with our family and friends. The conclusion of dinner led way to a night of dancing and laughs. We are incredibly thankful for the help and support of family and friends that worked so hard to make our day one we will never forget.

Wedding Photography: Rebekah Albaugh of Studio Rebekah Photography / Second Shooter: Bethany Burt / Ceremony: Iroquois County Historic Museum Courthouse in Watseka, Illinois / The Bride’s Family Home in Watseka, Illinois / Floral Design: Flower Shak / Bouquet Charm: Enchanted Glass / Boutonnieres + Bride’s Shoe Clips: Pomp & Plumage / Catering: Beulah Reed, Grandmother of the Bride / Wedding Cake: London Walder, Sister of the Bride / Tent: Sunrise Tents / Wedding Dress: Enzoani / Bride’s Hair Flower + Earrings: MillieICARO / Engagement Ring: Marlene Harris Collection / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Men’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank / Bow Ties: The Tie Bar / Men’s Shoes: Converse

Heartwarming.  I seriously can’t describe this stunning day any other way.  From the at-home setting to the gorgeous DIY details to the MORE than moving vows these two lovebirds exchanged, every last glorious moment has warmed my heart in every.which.way.  And when you combine all of this backyard perfection with a bundle of brilliant images captured by Jacki Warren Photography, groomsmen donning cute-as-can-be green cardis and a beyond fabulous film from Alea Lovely… well. It’s just a “cozy on up for a whole lot of sweetness” kind of day.  See it all here.

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And a breathtaking film from the ever-fabulous Alea Lovely to wrap up the day…

From the Bride… Jake and I had a dream of what our perfect wedding would look like long before we were even engaged. When my parents built their dream home in the country in Illinois, we knew that was the perfect location for the unique, intimate and relaxed wedding we had always wanted. After convincing my parents — and it did take some convincing — we began planning. We had two main goals for our wedding. One, that each person who attended our wedding felt like they were not just spectators, but that they played a special part in our day and ultimately in our marriage. Two, that our love for each other was evident in every detail of the day. My most favorite part of the wedding was walking down the aisle to the whole congregation singing a song that Jake wrote for me. The emotions I was already feeling were only intensified by hearing our loved ones sing such beautiful words to me. We also laid a stone on everyone’s seat and during our unity ceremony we had everyone write their initials on the stone and say a prayer over it. We then walked up and down the aisle and were able to greet everyone as we collected their stone to place in a lantern with our unity candle. We have the lantern and stones with all the names on them displayed in our home as a reminder of how much we are loved. It was also important to us to use our family and friends’ talents and gifts to help bring our day together. My aunt and cousin did my hair and makeup, my sister-in-law and our friends sang the songs, my cousin designed our invitations, and our sisters and aunts made all the delicious desserts for our dessert table.

The decorations and color palate were kept simple enough so the natural surroundings stood out, but they were special enough to be remembered. Our family horses and the surrounding cornfields made for the perfect backdrop. For the centerpieces, we used wood that my uncle cut from a tree on his farm, soybeans as a nod to the local farms, and a mismatched collection of glassware and bird salt and pepper shakers that we collected from thrift stores and yard sales throughout our engagement. Each table was also set with mismatched thrift store plates. We were also lucky enough to serve an assortment of beer from our favorite local brewery, Brickstone Brewery. And everyone had such a wonderful time dancing the night away.

The wedding exceeded our dreams, and it was truly the perfect day. The weather was perfect, my parents were great hosts, and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. We often reflect on the day and feel so lucky that there wasn’t a single thing that we would have changed. We are so blessed to have the amazing video from Alea Lovely that did an unbelievable job of capturing all the beauty and emotions of our wedding.

Wedding Photography: Jacki Warren Photography / Wedding Venue: The Bride’s Parents’ Home in Bourbonnais, Illinois / Floral Design: The Flower Girl / Decor Design: Brock Morris / Wedding Cinematography: Alea Lovely / Wedding Invitations: A Cousin of the Bride / Wedding Cake: Nana’s Cakery / Desserts: The Sisters + Aunts of the Bride & Groom / Music: Friends + the Groom’s Sister / DJ: Jim Cerone / Tent + Chairs: Herriot’s / Lighting: J Bros. Productions / Buggy Rental: Jim & Becky’s Horse & Carriage Service / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals / Bride’s  Jewelry: Fay Cullin / Bride’s Hair Piece: Target / Bride’s Hair: Linda Menard (The Bride’s Aunt) / Makeup: Jenna Menard (A Cousin of the Bride) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Anthropologie / Groom’s Suit: Caravelli / Groom’s Hat: Banana Republic / Groomsmen’s Attire: Banana Republic

A breathtaking Windy City backdrop, a bundle of brightly colored balloons and style for miles and miles – I’m swooning just thinking about this gorgeous e-shoot captured by Vienna Glenn Photography.  From the casual, at-home session (cute pup included!) to the sweet jaunt on the Navy Pier, it’s just one magical, love-filled moment after another.  And the stunning couple filling every last image with their smiling faces?!?  Simply LOVELY.  See it all here.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Bride-to-Be… We really wanted to capture our personalities in the session. By mixing style with location, we tried to accomplish that. My inspirations definitely came from two very different sources. One of those was the floor-to-ceiling windows in our new apartment. I love window light in photographs and just knew that they would photograph beautifully. I chose a sheer maxi skirt that would show light through and add a little flounce to the shots, as well as bare feet to create a relaxed feel. The second inspiration was a Harper’s Bazaar editorial with Mila Kunis. It was taken on a carousel and had a somewhat whimsical, circus feel to it. We decided to head down to Navy Pier on an unusually warm day in March, where we realized that it was the off-season and the carousel was closed! I mean, covered in a tarp and not even feasible to sneak on it, closed. However, with a great photographer nothing will ruin a vision! We worked with what we had, and I think we got even better images for it! Those particular outfits were chosen with COLOR in mind. It’s hard to get most men to wear a lot of color, so I sneaked in that bright tie for a compromise. Neither of us had gotten our photos taken since we were seniors in high school, and I have to admit they weren’t the best images I’ve ever seen, so we were definitely nervous about how the day would go. We were pleasantly surprised though and ended up having a fabulous time. It made me very excited and ready for the wedding!

Photography: Vienna Glenn Photography / Locations: Navy Pier + The Couple’s Apartment, Both in Chicago, Illinois

This Illinois couple has the kind of relationship that I think we all strive to find and keep forever.  A magical, fairytale story so full of love that I feel honored just to be able to witness their joyous celebration through these images by Studio Rebekah Photography. The happiness that glows from the faces of this bride and groom is quite infectious and brightens up every moment of their beautiful day just as much as the sweet details they incorporated into it.  See them all in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… Every little girl has a dream of a fairy-tale she hopes to make their own. I have realized that my fairy-tale with Nate was nothing I could have planned out and it ended up being better than anything I had wished for. We first met in 2008; he was a single professional who could hear, and I was a recent college graduate with a hearing loss. We caught each other’s eyes a few times, and later in the evening went out with mutual friends for a few drinks. He asked me to dance, and of course I accepted. Nate didn’t know any sign language in the beginning, and so communication was a barrier we had to learn to embrace. I am able to lip read, and he was very accommodating to make sure he was always facing me when he spoke. Over the next few weeks we texted each other and learned as much as we could about one another. We met up a few times over the next couple months, and each time our attraction for each other grew. I realized then that I wasn’t just attracted to this man, but I truly was thankful and appreciative for him. The amount of time he took and the extra effort it was for us to communicate was never unnoticed. He took time to learn some sign language on his own, and begin to use this to help in our communication. Although it was something we both had to learn to adjust to, it never stood in the way of us getting to know each other. Where there is a will, there is a way. Where there is the driving force of love, nothing was going to stop us.

In September 2009, we started seeing each other more, and our bi-lingual relationship blossomed. When Nate proposed on November 28, 2011, I knew that I wasn’t dreaming any longer. He was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. The days and weeks of wedding planning weren’t as stressful as some believe them to be. There were days when we became overwhelmed, and then we stepped back and took a deep breath. We realized that this was just a ceremony and that it was a declaration of our love for each other. We tried to be calm, and enjoy the wedding planning amidst all the business and scheduled appointments. Our Reverend, Kent Olney, was hearing and also knew sign language. This was very important to me because this is my language. He was able to make this day extra special for me by including the one thing that often stands in the way of proper communication. He was able to fully speak and express every aspect of the ceremony to both hearing and non-hearing guests. It was the greatest gift on my wedding day, being able to sign our vows. It was a moment I will never forget, and it brings a smile to my face. When Reverend Olney pronounced us as husband and wife in sign language in front of our loved ones, it was the moment I have been waiting for my entire life. It was a moment I will forever cherish.

Our friends and family all say that our wedding was one of a kind, with signed and spoken vows. The inspiration for our wedding was the theme “Give Love.” We included a sparkle ornament on each centerpiece at the reception. We wanted to “give love” back to our friends and family who we felt made our special day possible. The décor was created by David Cook and my mother, as they understood my vision. It meant the world to me. It was always my dream to have him help my mother design the décor for my wedding. David Cook designed all of the bridal party bouquets and boutonnieres. He used fresh, white roses, adding natural greens and plenty of silver sparkle.  The setting of the wedding was nature inspired with the river as a backdrop under a pristine, white tent. When I walked down the aisle that was scattered with the petals from 500 fresh, white roses; it was then when my fairy-tale moment began. The photographer, Rebekah Albaugh of Studio Rebekah, captured the most remarkable shots from our special day. She is a very talented and artistic photographer. She is able to transform a typical view into a magical scene with a dreamy backdrop. She uses all of the elements available to complete the design and picture she has in her head. The angles, lighting, positioning of each individual was thought out creating true perfection.  She took some amazing pictures of us signing our vows to each other; one picture is of me signing the word “love” and my husband, Nate, signing the word “forever.” A picture is truly worth 1,000 words!

Wedding Photography: Studio Rebekah Photography / Second Shooter: Bethany Burt / Wedding Venue: Kankakee Country Club in Kankakee, Illinois / Event Planning, Floral + Event Design: David Cook / Lanterns: Z Gallerie + Pier One Imports / Glassware + Additional Lanterns: Pottery Barn / DJ: DJ Smiley / Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair + Makeup: DIY / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bari Jay / Tuxedos: Seno Formal Wear

Visiting the Windy City ranks hip atop my list of “things I seriously NEED to do” – and this cute as can be engagement session has me thoroughly convinced that frolicking around downtown Chicago is something that just can’t wait.  A darling duo, sunny blue skies, a Millennium Park lounge session and a sweet stop at Macy’s (where these two lovebirds first met!) all makes for one seriously adorable e-shoot, don’t you think?!?  Thankfully, You Me Photography captured every last ounce of magic and the gallery is filled to the brim with a whole lot of L.O.V.E.  Join me there for more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Julia of You Me Photography… It was the beautiful Easter Sunday morning when I had the chance to capture the love that this adorable couple share. They met a few years ago at a Macy’s store at the perfume counter, and that is where they wanted me to start their engagement session. The are truly made for each other and made me feel great in their presence. We had a blast walking through Millennium Park and shooting on those beautiful streets of downtown Chicago and getting the vibes that only Michigan Avenue can give. Looking forward to be a part of their wedding day this coming October!

Photography: You Me Photography / Locations: Macy’s on State Street + Millennium Park + Michigan Avenue (All in Chicago, Illinois)

A little bit traditional, a little bit contemporary and a whole lot of AMAZING, this Chicago soiree is all about bringing the fabulous to our Wednesday morning.  I’m talking a stunning Allerton Hotel setting, seriously stellar DIY details (yes, DIY!) and a plethora of stop-you-in-your-tracks gorgeous images by JPP Studios.  Add to all of that pretty a sophisticated Nicole Miller gown and bundles of beautiful textures and patterns galore and well.  You’re about to fall head over heels in LOVE.  See it all here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… My husband Matt and I live in New York City, but I grew up in Indiana and Matt grew up in New Jersey. So when it came to finding a location for the wedding, we had to find the perfect compromise. Chicago was it — it was only an hour from where I grew up, it was easy for people to fly into, and it still had the city feel we were used to from living in NYC. We hosted our guests for our ceremony and reception at The Allerton Hotel on October 22, 2011. The location was just off Michigan Avenue (which was ideal for our visitors), the décor was beautiful yet unique, and the view of the city from the ceremony/reception room on the 23rd floor was breathtaking.

When it came to the overall theme and tone of the wedding, the only thing we knew was that we wanted it to have some personality. Classic, but fun. And after working in the wedding industry for over three years at that point, I was always most inspired by the interesting details, so I knew my wedding had to have that. We started with a palette of neutrals – grays, whites, creams, blushes and a touch of black. Rather than a punch of color, we decided to liven up the décor and details with a few simple patterns. Matt and I found some we loved at a local stationery store (a floral burst, stripes, polka dots) and we used those to tie everything together – from the paper products (including tissue packets we made for the ceremony!) and fabrics (bouquets, tablecloths, etc.) to the cake design, cocktail straws and everything in between. We also tried to take some of the “normal” wedding stuff and put a new spin on it. For example, rather than seating cards or one large seating chart, we bought nine different frames in various shapes, sizes and styles and framed all of our seating arrangements to make a pretty display. Instead of a traditional guest book, we bought 10 bottles of wine (one for each of our first 10 anniversaries) which our guests signed. In lieu of a tiered wedding cake, we decided on three cake flavors – s’mores, tres leches, and caramel apple – and twelve cakes (yes, twelve), each featuring a design that played off our patterns. For our first dance, we surprised our guests with a special one that was half a slow dance and the other half a choreographed fast dance. And since we didn’t have an “exit” from our ceremony (we walked straight into the cocktail hour), we did a confetti toss during our last song.

But at the end of the day what really brought it all together were two things.  Our fabulous vendors. We’re convinced we had the best of the best. Our officiants made our ceremony so perfect and memorable that our guests still can’t stop talking about how special and amazing it was. Our cake baker made a showstopper of a cake display. Our day-of coordinator was a dream come true who kept everything running smoothly. Our photographer captured each and every special moment beautifully. Our band ROCKED and kept the dance floor packed all night. Etc. Etc. Etc.  AND our loving family and friends. Enough said.

Wedding Photography: JPP Studios / Wedding Venue: The Allerton Hotel in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Kristina Lynn Floral / Day-Of Coordination: Melissa Star Event Design / Officiants: Rabbi Michael Sternfield + Fr. Richard Jakubik / Wedding Cinematography: Lexoria Wedding Films / Wedding Cake: Bombon Cake Gallery / Lighting + Chuppah: Elegant Event Lighting / Chairs: Tablescapes Party Rentals / Band: Green Thirteen / Transportation: Windy City Trolley / Wedding Gown: Nicole Miller / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Hair: Adrianne of Maxine Salon / Makeup: Justine Spooner / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate / Tuxedos: Jos. A. Bank

One of the hardest parts of planning my own wedding was deciding on a color palette. I’m a total color lover through and through. So why I didn’t think of blanketing my wedding with the whole color spectrum; I don’t know. It seems like a complete no brainer and one that this wedding executed impeccably. With florals and decor by Botanicals, Inc along with planning by Designer Event Chicago, the River East Art Center turned into a color savvy party complete with cutest (and I’m sure scrumptious) mini hotdog treats. It doesn’t get much more Chicago than that! See all the festivities captured by Artisan Events in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… I have a hard time articulating how August 27, 2011 went — most adjectives just don’t suffice. My husband Adam and I just refer to it as the “Best Day Ever. ” That seems like the closest description, although it still falls miles short. We wanted the day to be fun, social and jovial — like a rooftop get-together or block party (but in heels) with a nod to our favorite city and hometown, Chicago. 

Our fabulous wedding planner, Katie Goggin from Designer Event Chicago, understood our vision and quickly recruited the ultimate team of vendors, as well as the stunning River East Art Center. The Entertaining Company whipped up Chicago-style party appetizers with an upscale twist, followed by a delicious meal. Roeser’s Bakery customized cupcakes and topped our cupcake tower with the Chicago landscape from our invitations.  Botanicals gathered bright flowers and fruits for that “just picked from a farmers market” vibe, and Gold Coast All Stars packed the dance floor every second of the evening covering everything from Motown to Kanye. We chose Artesian Events for our photography because we were looking for an editorial feel to our photos — one that perfectly captured the energy and love in the room. Tina did an incredible job grabbing fabulous moments throughout the night, keeping our wedding party focused and snapping those small, yet incredibly important, details.

I know Adam and I will have lots of fabulous days.  However, this one, I feel, will always remain the best day ever, and it’s because of the irreplaceable team that helped bring it together.

Wedding Photography: Artisan Events / Wedding Venue: River East Art Center in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Planning: Katie Goggin of Designer Event Chicago / Floral Design + Decor: Botanicals, Inc. / Catering: Entertaining Company / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: Roeser’s Bakery / Band: Gold Coast All Stars

The best piece of wedding advice I have ever heard is to throw out the rules. Write your wedding like you write your story – fabulous, personal, and with you at the center. When this Chicago couple could not land on the perfect wedding venue, they simply decided to hold the big event at their favorite restaurant and LOLA Event Productions was up to the task of making it perfect. When the stunning bride couldn’t find her dream dress off the rack, she turned to Dame Couture to custom design the perfect gown. And when contemplating how to capture it all, this smart couple picked Jeremy Lawson Photography. A decision we can all thank them for once visiting the gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Like most couples, we wanted to have a wedding that truly represented who we are while still incorporating the traditions that are important to each other and our families. After evaluating all the standard “Chicago Wedding” locations, we knew that we would have to look at some non-traditional wedding venues for our reception.  One night, we went to our favorite local restaurant in Evanston, and we realized that we had to have our reception at the restaurant. Heather and the team at Union Pizzeria were more than accommodating, and we managed to have the “fun” wedding reception we had dreamed of! Our reception had the atmosphere of a party. We choose not to have a formal dinner but rather open seating with food served throughout the entire night. Josh and the Empty Pockets rocked the night away playing non-standard wedding music, but allowing our guests to bust a move on the beautiful dance floor of SPACE.

The women of Dame Couture, also located in Evanston, made me the most beautiful dress I could have ever imagined. When I was unable to find the exact dress I was looking for in the stores, I approached Holly at Dame Couture and without even seeing a picture of what I was looking for, she sketched my dream dress. Crizen Hasegawa very patiently did makeup and hair for the entire wedding party and made us all look absolutely radiant. Our main objective with our makeup and hair was to ensure that we kept our individual styles without looking too “overdone.” Andrea Allen provided floral arrangements that accentuated the beauty of the chapel but still had an aspect of “funk.” In addition, the subtle decor she placed through the reception venue allowed us to have the romantic feeling we were looking for, without taking away from the beauty of both Alice Millar Chapel and Union Pizzeria. LOLA Events was my absolute savior. Kristy  and her team made sure that I had nothing to worry about and made the entire day seamless. I felt as though I was working with someone that I had known for years, even though we just met that month! It was a relief to have someone you trust, ensuring the success of your wedding day. And finally — Jeremy Lawson! Really, his pictures speak for themselves. I can’t imagine anyone else shooting our wedding.

Wedding Photography: Jeremy Lawson Photography / Ceremony: Alice Millar Chapel at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois / Reception: Union Pizzeria + SPACE in Evanston, Illinois / Floral Design: Andrea Allen / Event Planning: LOLA Event Productions / Wedding Invitations: Lovely Paperie / Band: Josh and the Empty Pockets / Accommodations: Hilton Orrington/Evanston / Custom Wedding Dress: Dame Couture / Shoes: TOMS / Makeup: Crizen Hasegawa Hair & Makeup

The love story behind this wedding is what sealed the deal for us.  At first glance, it was all the gorgeous details crafted by Alice’s Garden and The Ideal Day, all the layers of ombre on that impeccable cake by Amy Beck Cake Design, all the sparkle from those Kate Spade shoes and the perfect documentation of the day captured by Jess Barfield Photography that pulled us in, hook. line and sinker. But then we read the Bride’s story. It’s love realized at the age of eleven. ELEVEN! It doesn’t get much sweeter than that. Read it and weep and then check out the gallery for so much more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Our love story is not like most — I mean who really finds their soul mate when they’re 11 years old? That is why I have always said that Russ was not only a gift from God, but a gift from my mother. Shortly after she passed away, a charming boy walked into my life and brought my smile back. So when we got engaged after over a decade of being each others’ better half there was a sigh of “it’s about time” from our friends and family!

When nailing down our wedding style, there were a couple of things we knew were doing to be difficult. How would we incorporate our love for the city of Chicago, where we grew up, with our love for the state of Texas, where we went to college? How do you mix big city style with country style? And that’s when we found Gallery 1028. It was everything we could have imagined in a venue. It was city chic, but its unfinished wood floors and ceilings gave us the rustic Texas feel we were looking for as well. It was a space that we could transform into whatever we wanted — we loved the blank canvas feel of the space.

We wanted our wedding to feel intimate and romantic, not just for Russ and me, but for our guests as well. That’s how we came to settle on a winter wedding. Nothing says romance like snuggling up close with your loved one in a candlelit room on a dark, cold night. To make our big day feel intimate, we turned to our friends, family and vendors for help. Our invitations, place cards and programs were handmade by my best friend’s mother, our officiant was a close family friend, and our photographer, Jess Barfield, went to college with us. Our wonderful florist, Scarlet Petal, pinned a photo of my mother on her wedding day to my bouquet so she could be with me on the biggest day of my life. It was these small touches that made our day feel like our own. In the years to come when Russ and I look back, I don’t know if we will be able to remember what we ate or what flowers were in my bouquet, but what we will never forget was the feeling in the room that night. There was so much love and happiness. One thing I know for sure was my mother was with us all on that day — we saw her in our smiles, heard her in our stories and felt her in our hearts.

Wedding Photography: Jess Barfield Photography / Wedding Venue: Gallery 1028 in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Scarlet Petal / Event Design: Alice’s Garden / Event Planning: Laura Patterson of The Ideal Day / Wedding Invitations: Charmant Invitations / Catering: Calihan Catering / Cake + Cupcakes: Amy Beck Cake Design / DJ: Fig Media / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bride’s Hair Piece: Peacock Pixys / Hair: Marek Hartwig Bridal Stylist / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo / Bridesmaid’s Shawls: Classy Wedding / Men’s Suits: Tommy Hilfiger / Men’s Ties: Brooks Brothers

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Jenny Yoo

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Each and every shot from this lovely collection of images by Studio Rebekah Photography shows a story filled with romance.  The Champaign wedding is perfectly ethereal in every single way from the elegant ceremony to the country club reception that glows with luxurious details.  Crisp, clean and classic is the name of the game for this sweet pair and the result couldn’t be more magical. See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… It was so important to Nate and me that everything about our wedding be so authentic and personal. The first vendor that we hired was our photographer, Studio Rebekah. We are not much for posing for pictures, and it was important to us that our photographer be able to capture the “real” moments of our wedding day. Rebekah was able to do just that. She was so easy to work with and helped make us feel comfortable in front of the camera. To help bring our wedding to life, we turned to Big City Brides and Alice’s Garden. I had always envisioned such a romantic and ethereal day but am also very into modern and clean lines. PJ Acosta, from Alice’s Garden, was able to help us bring both of those visions to life. We included a modern gallery art wall installation to pay tribute to the families and marriages we had come from. Our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding pictures lined a beautifully draped white hallway.

We chose silver, gold and ivory as our wedding colors. I have always loved mixed metals, and it made perfect sense for those to be our wedding colors. The bridesmaids wore gold, strapless dresses from Bella Bridesmaid with their own silver sandals, and they each carried their own specific bouquet of white flowers. The table linens were all gold with gold chiavari chairs. Silver vases and crystals accented all the tables, including beautiful white candelabras holding bountiful arrangements of various white flowers and tons of candlelight to give the romantic feel that we had wanted. Our wedding invitations were gold and ivory and included an “R” monogram that we used throughout our wedding décor, from the ring bearer pillows to the menus to the dance floor. Our dance floor area was in a separate room from the dinner reception. Alice’s Garden was able to help us create a beautiful and modern dance floor. The room was draped all in white, with a white dance floor that included our “R” monogram and white lounge furniture placed around the room. With soft purple up-lighting, the room was indescribably perfect and helped us achieve the modern dance club feel we wanted. The night ended with a surprise fireworks display secretly planned by my mother-in-law … perfect!

From Rebekah of Studio Rebekah Photography… I met with Courtney and Nate about a year and a half before their actual wedding date. I was very excited to see how this gorgeous swanky Chicago couple planned to bring their love for city flair down to their home in rural central Illinois. We decided to shoot their engagement photos in the fall in the city. We had a blast walking through Lincoln Park and shooting on those architecturally gorgeous bridges in Chicago. Even though the two love birds had been together since youth, I could tell they were still seriously enamored with one another. That made capturing their wedding day all the more special. Their venue transformed under the brilliance of Alice’s Garden. The day ran perfectly smooth under the flawless direction of the coordinators of Big City Bride! It’ll be a wedding I will never forget, however, for the brilliant surprise fireworks display that brought tears to the couples eyes at the end of the night.

Wedding Photography: Studio Rebekah Photography / Ceremony: St. Matthew Catholic Church in Champaign, Illinois / Reception: The Champaign Country Club in Champaign, Illinois / Floral + Event Design: Alice’s Garden / Event Planning: Big City Bride / Wedding Invitations: Magnificent Milestones / Wedding Cake + Desserts: The Cake Artist Studio / Wedding Cinematography: Grandpa Dreamworks / Wedding Gown: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Simple Silhouettes via Bella Bridesmaid / Engagement Ring: Jan Dee Custom Jewelry / Wedding Bands: Geneva Seal

This Chicago wedding by Artisan Events, Inc. had me doing double takes.  I could have sworn I was looking at an elegant, European royal wedding ceremony.  The bride is timeless in her Melissa Sweet gown and Gilded Shadows veil and the traditional ceremony is exquisite.  Only when we step out and see the skyscraper-lined view from their reception at theWit Hotel are we transported back to the present for a gorgeous, organically modern celebration!  See it all in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… Kevin and I met in Brussels, Belgium, and immediately fell in love. After six years of dating and a private and personal engagement, we began the wedding process. It was very important to me to have a cohesive wedding motif that was representative of our backgrounds and our relationship, without being overkill or kitschy. Kevin is from Belgium, the birthplace of the Art Nouveau movement of the early 20th century, which was inspired by the blending of nature and man. I, on the other hand, am a native Chicagoan with a love of sophistication and modern art. After some thought, we decided that our motto for the wedding would be “Modern Art Nouveau” in order to reflect Kevin’s nationality, but still keeping our wedding young, fun, unique, and personal. With this theme in mind and an overall goal for our guests to just have fun at our wedding, we kept many details under wraps until the big day. 

Our ceremony took place at our local parish, St. Michael’s in Old Town, and was presided by my childhood priest, who just so happens to be a fluent French speaker. This enabled us to have a completely bilingual mass because Kevin and many of our guests are French-speaking. We even said our vows in French! We hand-selected the musicians and songs, which included my processional into the mass to our favorite song, “The Wind” by Cat Stevens. After the ceremony, guests were transported by coach bus to theWit Hotel — a swanky, cool boutique hotel in the Loop. We chose theWit to showcase our fun-loving personalities and the city of Chicago, which our guests viewed from the top of the roof on the 27th floor. We had over 30 Belgians in town for the wedding, so it really showed off Chicago’s beauty and also provided our Chicago-based guests another view of our great city.  After cocktails, guests descended into the dimly-lit ballroom, which showcased floral centerpieces designed by Richard Remiard Event Design and lighting by Chicago Lighting Design. Richard Remiard Event Design hand-picked modern, lucite tables, which were topped with not only guests’ place cards, but gorgeous green and white flowers and water features of varying heights. Our table centerpieces were another representation of our theme: three variations of the centerpieces were very green and romantic but still organic and natural, and each centerpieces had a very modern, clean edge to tie. The evening was filled with little details, including a custom invitation suite from Be U Brides, personalized DIY menus, table numbers, etc., and even a replica of the famous Mannekin Pis fountain in Belgium as a surprise to Kevin! 

Keeping our wedding motif in mind, my attire consisted of a Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston gown, Kate Spade “Charm” pumps, little white gloves that my mom gave me the day of the wedding, and last but definitely not least, a custom veil created by Kristen for Gilded Shadows that was ordered and purchased through Etsy. My gown was a traditional lace dress, but was modernized with an organaza top layer and illusion straps. It was complemented with a matching, organza sash and silver, antique beading. The chapel-length veil completed the look in that it was an early 20th century “Juliet Cap” with matching silver beaded fascinators, a style which was common during the Art Nouveau period in Europe. I think I really captured our Modern Art Nouveau idea by having a vintage-style dress and veil with modern flair to it. 

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: Artisan Events, Inc. / Ceremony: St. Michael in Old Town Parish in Chicago, Illinois / Reception: theWit Hotel in Chicago, Illinois / Floral + Event Design: Richard Remiard Event Design / Wedding Invitations: Be U Brides / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Veil: Gilded Shadows / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade “Charm”

You know we love, love, LOVE a traditional ballroom affair here on SMP – and, oh my goodness, is this Chicago soiree all kinds of fabulous.  The glorious Cafe Brauer setting (hello gorgeous!), dazzling florals and lighting by Ashland Addison Florist Company and stunning images captured by Amanda Hein Photography are almost too perfect for words.  And with dazzling detail after dazzling detail planned by the talented team at Bliss Weddings and Events, we haven’t stopped smiling yet.  Click here for more.

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From the Bride… When Greg and I got engaged, we knew we had to have our wedding and celebration at Cafe Brauer. I’d been by it a hundred times as we lived downtown, and I couldn’t believe the setting. It was an intimate/isolated spot in the beautiful Lincoln Park, and we dreamed of filling the gorgeous ballroom with our family and friends to witness our vows and celebrate our marriage. I had seen pictures of  the space with the gorgeous wood floors, Tiffany glass and the prairie stone architecture, and I knew we needed to check it out. I went to see it with my parents, and we couldn’t resist the little oasis in the city in such a peaceful, romantic setting, with an incredible view of the Chicago skyline. Greg even said before we got engaged, he knew that’s where we’d get married. We truly are so happy we chose Cafe Brauer and couldn’t imagine a better place to begin our lives together. Our officiant was the same one who married my parents over 30 years ago, and he actually grew up with Greg’s parents. We were so happy with the intimate ceremony he performed, and he is very dear to our hearts. Our vendors were amazing, and all helped us have the most perfect wedding day. A huge thank you to everyone!

Wedding Photography: Amanda Hein Photography / Wedding Venue: Cafe Brauer at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Coordination: Kara Superfine of Bliss Weddings and Events / Floral Design + Lighting: Ashland Addison Florist Company / Catering + Linens: Food for Thought / Wedding Cake: Luscious Layers Bakery / Officiant: Father Al Johnson / Music: TVK Orchestra / Accommodations: The Whitehall Hotel / Transportation: Windy City Limousine / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Brooch on Back of Wedding Dress: From the Groom’s Grandmother / Bride’s Shoes: Bourne / Bridesmaids Dresses: LulaKate “Gina” (With Party Skirt — Color: Wine) via Bella Bridesmaid / Bridesmaids’ Shoes: Nina / Makeup: Jen and Roz of Beauty on Call / Hair: Beauty on Call + Emily, A Family Friend / Men’s Attire: Black Tie Formalwear

I love that this bride incorporated a little Texas flair into her Illinois nuptials!  She brought the elegant, rustic vibe we love so much from the lone star state and perfectly blended it with the midwest vineyard setting.  The result is sweet, romantic and oh-so-much fun!  And I love that this cutie couple donned their wedding day digs one more time for an awesome day after session with the groom’s Camaro all shot by Pam Cooley Photography!  See it all in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… Matt and I really wanted to include “us” in our wedding. Because I am from Dallas, Texas, and he was born and raised in central Illinois, we had a difficult time deciding Texas vs. Illinois. Until we say the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard — then we knew! Originally our plan for our September wedding was to have the wedding outside and reception inside, but the weather had other plans. The day ended up being a light drizzly ALL day, but thanks to my amazing wedding planner, the transition was seamless. I wanted to include a little bit of rustic Texas chic in my wedding planning, which is where the cowboy boots for the bridesmaids and me came from, along with the burlap table coverings! I also wanted to include as many homemade items as I could so that our wedding day would mimic our home as well, something that was important to us. My florist thought that I was crazy when I came to her saying I wanted lots of lantern, flowers, candles and fun. But that is what I got! We were also fortunate to be able to get a photo booth for our guest to enjoy! As a result of the rainy day we were unable to use Matt’s ’69 Camaro as our getaway car, so our wonderful photographer let us do a “dress session” upon returning from our honeymoon — a piece of advice for brides-to-be: do the after session. The photos after the wedding were so much fun! Plus who wouldn’t want to put their dress back on?

Wedding Photography: Pam Cooley Photography / Wedding Venue: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard in Mackinaw, Illinois / Floral + Event Design: Beth Maxwell of McKinley Park Events / Event Planning: Lisa Ragan of Happily Ever After Weddings / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Wedding Cake: That’s a Cake? / Photo Booth: Scott Schilling Photography / Wedding Dress: Watters

There’s nothing quite like a stunning Salvage One soiree to kick off the weekend in style – and when that stunning soiree also happens to be filled to the brim with vibrant purple and green hues, sweet vintage meets rustic details and the world’s most adorable bride and groom, well… we just can’t get enough.  All planned to absolute perfection by Anticipation Events and captured brilliantly by Olivia Leigh Photographie, it’s going to be a super fabulous Friday, indeed.  Click here for more.

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And one last dose of pretty from Studio 272 before you head off into your weekend…

From Olivia of Olivia Leigh Photographie… To give you a very brief overview, Diana and Mike were married in July in Chicago at Salvage One, an awesome vintage furniture and salvage store on the west side of the city. Diana and Mike met at Second City here in Chicago, a fact that would not surprise anyone after meeting this hilarious couple! They are such a fun couple who love to laugh and make jokes. Diana even started off her vows with a Dr. Dre quote.  Beyond the humor, however, lay a very deep connection between them, which rose to the surface on this day. It ended up being a perfect day mixed with whimsy and laughter, as well as romance and emotion.

Diana looked gorgeous in her Reem Acra gown, sprinkled with crystals, while Mike looked dapper in his suit. They gave each other gifts before the ceremony — Mike gave Diana a vintage jewelry box that had her in tears, and Diana gave Mike a custom drawing of them. They did a first look on one of the magnificent and well-known bridges over the Chicago River, and we took pictures around town, at their venue, and in a favorite restaurant. They were married outside in Salvage One’s quirky courtyard, where the ceremony incorporated elements of Diana’s Mexican heritage with readings in Spanish and English and a Mexico lasso tradition.

Escort cards were macarons that Mike hand-wrote all the labels for, and mason jars and rustic blooms provided the perfect decor for the celebration. A stunning cake took center stage with a tone-on-tone design that was just gorgeous!

Wedding Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie / Wedding Venue: Salvage One in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Planning: Anticipation Events / Cinematography: Joel of Studio 272 / Catering: Blue Plate Catering / Photo Booth: The Magnolia Photo Booth Co. / DJ: Style Matters DJs / Wedding Dress: Reem Acra / Hair: Dennis Bartolomei Salon / Makeup: Sonia Roselli / Accommodations: Hotel Palomar

Rustic and romance go hand and hand like peanut butter and jelly.  This team of talented wedding vendors, headed by the phenomenal Kristin La Voie Photography, showcased this ultimate pairing in the prettiest of ways from the lovely lace invitations right down to the hand-stamped, silverware pockets.  There are so many elegant details sure to inspire your own barn chic bash!  See it all in the full gallery!

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From Kristin of Kristin La Voie Photography… I was inspired to create a rustic, elegant shoot, infused with beautifully handcrafted details down to the silverware pockets. It was important to me to use all small businesses to showcase their talents, which many couples may not think of while planning their big affair. The tiniest details can really make a wedding that much more spectacular, like the custom ring pillow that can be used as a Christmas ornament long after the wedding or the intricate invitations with beading and details never before seen. These little things all come together to create an original and awe-inspiring event to really showcase each couple’s uniqueness.

Having taken place Valentine’s Day weekend on an extremely windy and chilly day, my hope was to document the idea of an intimate outdoor reception that could take place at a family farm, forest preserve or backyard. Many times, couples struggle in thinking of new, fresh ideas to make their wedding their own when really they don’t need to look very far. A great location may be just outside their window. As an added bonus, by supporting these small businesses, couples could certainly expect to not only get a great deal, but also completely customize everything to tell their own personal story.

Photography, Styling + Coordination: Kristin La Voie Photography / Venue: LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles, Illinois / Floral Design: FlowersFlowers / Wedding Cake: Dazzling Delights / Cookies + Cupcakes: Over the Top Cupcakes and Sweets / Invitation, Menu, Place Card + Table Card: TamTam Design / Bride & Groom Signs, Coasters, Cake Topper, Table Sign Holder + Chalkboard: This Fine Day / Banner, Silverware Pockets + Ring Pillow: Blue Pearls / Guest Book: O Romeo Bridal / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal “Michelangelo” / Garter Set + Bracelet: The Chica Boutique / Hair Piece: Mad Props / Hair: Dee C. Kae Hair Artistry / Makeup: Vanessa’s Art of Beauty / Suit: Express / Bow Tie: Tux and Tulle

Salvage One is one of the coolest little spots in Chicago. A melding of hip urban loft meets grandma’s attic filled with vintage gems that all come together for such a lovely marrying spot. Saying I Do under a sea of twinkling chandeliers; there’s nothing quite like it. And with a little help from floral genius Pollen and beautiful images by Shane Welch Photography, this Chicago wedding has shot to the top of our favorites list. See more of the day right here.

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From the Couple… We wanted our day to feel like old-fashioned romance with very distinctive elements that were special to us and our lives together. Because our wedding was at Salvage One, an antique warehouse in Chicago, the space did a lot of the work for us. However, the special touches we added made the day distinctively ours and not just another wedding at Salvage One. To begin, we picked Christina’s favorite singer, Billie Holiday, and walked down the dimly lit aisle to three of her songs. A jazz trio that Jared grew up listening to played as guests arrived and for the cocktail hour. During the ceremony, a special Native American Hopi wedding vase was used as part of a unity ritual. We were gifted the vase early in our engagement when we visited a Hopi reservation for a story Jared did about Native Americans.

Our miniature programs were created on kraft paper, tri-folded and tied with string. We included our silhouettes and our wedding party member’s silhouettes as well. We also used our silhouettes in our wedding invitations and on our escort card table. Escort cards were made with kraft paper, in the shape of antique-looking price tags and attached to old bow ties and scarves – things we both enjoy collecting, and things our guests enjoyed wearing throughout the evening. We also created useful place cards that doubled as favors — boxes wrapped in seam binding with a tiny seckel pear and homemade caramels inside, topped with a note that read, “the perfect pair.” 

Pollen, our florist, did incredible work on the table tops. In addition to fruits and vegetables, she allowed us to incorporate antlers we collected from living in Wyoming and cotton we picked up living in New Mexico. Entering the reception with a mariachi band was one of the highlights of the night. The mariachi dance routine we did with our bridal party was a great way to kick off the reception with a bang! Instead of serving cake, we decided to go only with pie. We also decided to serve the pie, and to use the pie service as our receiving line so we had a chance to serve and talk to our guests at the same time. The pies were delicious, and we were able to use old stoves at Salvage One to create a super-cute serving station.

Wedding Photography: Shane Welch Photography / Wedding Venue: Salvage One in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Pollen / Day-Of Coordination: Lucia Bayt / Catering: Food For Thought / DJ: Style Matters / Wedding Dress: Watters

I’m a little bit at a loss for words when it comes to this breathtaking Chicago affair by Kina Wicks Photography, because, well, it’s just.that.good.  One part traditional, one part funky cool and all parts amazing, it’s everything you dream your wedding to be – sophisticated, awe-inspiring and beautiful in every.which.way.  Held at the oh-so-chic Rumba and featuring some drop-dead gorgeous purple hues, we’re in for an entire weekend of LOVELY.  Click here for more.

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From Kina of Kina Wicks Photography… Maria and Miguel are both Chicago natives and every location for their day held very personal significance to them. The Drake Hotel, where they got ready and had their first look and pictures is where Miguel’s father has worked for many years, and they both were in love with the architecture and chandeliers throughout the hotel. The Rumba supper club, where the ceremony and reception were held, is where they met and both work. The Rumba supper club is full of Latin inspiration, and we danced to a traditional Latin band for most of the night. The supper club has a very “rat pack” feel. 

Wedding Photography: Kina Wicks Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Rumba in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Maria Parks (219-616-8415) / Officiant: Robert Ehlert / Wedding Cinematography: Eugene Bush of E-Tre Productions / Wedding Cake: Creative Cakes / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Mix No. 6 / Bride’s Hair: Stephanie Alegria / Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Accommodations + First Look: The Drake Hotel

I heart Salvage One in Chicago big time.  It is an urban wonderland with so many cool nooks and crannies just waiting for a photographer like Rebekah Albaugh of Studio Rebekah Photography to come along and capture all its vintage, industrial goodness.  This super sweet wedding brings with it a wild at heart beauty perfect for the space and is packed full of personal details that will make you swoon.  See them all in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… We met at White Sox game the summer of 2007. I was training for the Chicago marathon and volunteered to sell raffle tickets to help raise money for my training group (CARA). Patrick was a friend of the volunteer coordinator, in town for the weekend. It was love at first sight.

I had been in Manchester, England, for a friend’s wedding the week before, when I landed PK picked me up from the airport. I half-expected him to propose then, but he didn’t. We got home, watched two episodes of The Office, and then I went to unpack. I brought him the gift I bought him which was a bike jersey with a map of London. As I continued unpacking, I heard him yell from the living room, “Oh, I got you something too.” I am a huge David Bowie fan — Ziggy Stardust is my favorite record. PK and I collect vinyl records, but Ziggy Stardust was always so expensive I never bought it for myself. When I heard him yell, I also heard the opening chords to “5 Years,” which is the first song on that album, and I was so excited, realizing he had purchased it for me. I ran into the living room where the record was playing. I grabbed the album cover and started crying I was so excited, then he said, “Aren’t you going to look at the record?” So I peeked at the record player, and there was an original, 1920s engagement ring spinning along with the record. I turned around and he was on one knee. I got down on the floor with him, and he proposed.

Everyone danced the whole time at the wedding. The venue manager told my dad she had never seen everyone dance like that before. We owe so much to our awesome DJ Kate. When “Rebellion (Lies)” by Arcade Fire came on, my whole family squeezed into one giant group hug and sang every word with PK and I right in the middle. That was pretty amazing. The funniest wedding memory was when a bat got into the event space. He was just flying around, minding his own business and enjoying the scenery. People were chasing him with a net trying to get him out. They were afraid to tell me about him, but I kind of enjoyed it. We named him Mort. He was pretty cute. I loved so many of our details. Our personally written vows. Each table being named after a brewery that had meaning to us. Our music. The flowers were also the hardest vendor to find — I just couldn’t find someone who got what I was trying to describe. I spent ten minutes with Beth at Larkspur and I knew she was right. The day of the wedding, she impressed me beyond any expectations I had. They were so gorgeous I couldn’t throw most of them away! As far as advice to other brides, do what you want to do. Every bride has such different taste — that doesn’t mean it‘s wrong. Having an offbeat, unique wedding is just as special as a chapel-length train and sit-down dinner. Oh, and choose your favorite colors. You are going to see them a lot. Interview vendors, but don’t always just go with the ones with the most impressive resumes — it’s really important you like who you are working with. And get ready early! A little downtime to enjoy the space is awesome. Because once stuff starts happening, it doesn’t stop. EVER. Oh, and lastly, don’t accidentally get a bad tan line the week before your wedding. Whoops.

Photography: Rebekah Albaugh of Studio Rebekah Photography / Wedding Venue: Salvage One in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Planning: Studio Rebekah Photography / Floral Design: Larkspur / Day-of Coordinator: Amy Stockbridge / Catering: D’Absolute Catering / DJ:  Kate of Toast & Jam / Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Goose Island Brewery / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Macy’s / Engagement Ring: Vintage / Bride’s Bracelet: Borrowed from her Mother / Hair: Gordon of Ambra Salon & European Spa / Bridesmaids’s Dresses: Various via J.Crew / Men’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse / Men’s Shoes: Vans / Men’s Ties: Etsy

FlowersFlowers is serving up some of the sweetest succulents I ever did see in this personality-filled wedding captured by Rejoy Photography. They are just the perfect compliment to this adorable duo’s big day, because something about succulents just screams style – and this couple has style for miles. Add the fact that they incorporated their sweet pups into the theme of the day, and you are left with a wedding blogger that has a serious crush on this stylish soiree! See it all here!

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From Joanne of FlowersFlowers… Charleen and Brian came to me in the spring knowing that they wanted succulents and craspedia in their wedding flowers. They’d seen photos in magazines and online, and they were certain, so that’s what we designed for their gorgeous gray and yellow wedding. They were a couple heads over heels in love, and the photographs capture this gorgeous couple in love on their wedding day, including a song sung by the bride for her new husband.

From the Bride… My favorite part of the planning process has got to be finding my wedding gown. It was my very first time stepping into a bridal shop and my very first bridal appointment. I had not expected to find my dress so quickly, but like they say, when you put it on, you just know. The magical and fun thing about finding my dress wasn’t the champagne after saying “yes to the dress” but that my sisters and I got to meet Lazaro, the designer of my dress! Not only did we get to meet him, but we also got to hug him, and being the sweetheart that he is, he drew us sketches of MY wedding gown!

Our theme was based around our two rescued pitbulls, Koko and Nabisco. Brian and I have such a deep love for our dogs and the breed itself that we decided to incorporate them into our wedding theme, along with the colors gray and yellow. We fashioned the favors, favor labels, invitations, and programs with pitbull silhouettes and I drew a seal with our dogs, which I printed on the front envelope flap of our wedding invitations. Some key words I focused on when planning the wedding were natural, playful, personal, romantic, timeless, outdoor, rustic and vintage. A few things that make our wedding unique: our dogs were our ring bearer and flower girl, my dad and I sang a song I composed instead of doing a father/daughter dance, I sang a dedication to my husband during the reception, everyone playing bag toss during cocktail hour (we had this specifically made for our wedding — the bags were yellow and gray) and our sweets table full of Filipino and Italian desserts (Brian’s Italian and I’m Filipina). My mom also wore a modern version of a Mestiza/Filipiniana dress, similar to what my grandmother wore on my parents’ wedding day, and Brian and I sat at our family table instead of a head table. My favorite parts of the wedding were the personalized details — seeing all of the hard work that my family put in. Another favorite was my song to Brian. This meant a lot to me because this is actually how I met him. I was his sister’s wedding singer five years ago, so it was only appropriate to dedicate the first of many to my darling husband on our wedding day. The words in this song really hit close to home, “We ain’t got nothing without love, and darling, you have enough for the both of us.” I’m a hopeless romantic and luckily enough for me, so is he. I honestly could not have been more blessed. My top favorite memory of the day was seeing how excited Brian was. I always thought of the bride being more excited, but he was SO ready to get the day started and to finally get married. It was just really endearing.

Wedding Photography: Rejoy Photography / Wedding Venue: Fountain Blue in Des Plaines, Illinois / Floral Design: FlowersFlowers / Décor + Design: The Bride’s Sister Carmine / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: DIY by the Bride + Her Family / Wedding Cake: Central Continental Bakery / Dog Candle Favors: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / Father + Daughter Duet Song: Composed by the Bride / Slideshows: The Bride’s Sister Celeste / Rings: dimend SCAASI / Band: I55 Showband, The Bride’s Father’s Band / DJ: Stax O Wax DJ Productions / Photo Booth: GlitterGuts / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Bella Bianca / Bride’s Earrings: lilaBjewelrydesigns / Bride’s Shoes: Guess / Hairpiece: DIY by the Bride’s Sister Carmine / Hair: Anne Bautista, A Friend / Makeup: Cynthia Chea, A Friend / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: DIY by a Family Friend / Dresses for Bride’s Mother, Sisters + Aunt: Designed by the Bride’s Sister Carmine + Made by a Family Friend / Men’s Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse / Dog Bow Tie + Dog Flower Accessory: Pecan Pie Puppies