Illinois Weddings

It’s no surprise that we love us a traditional, ballroom wedding around these parts. And when they are fun, colorful, and photographed by Cristina G Photography, well, that just makes us love them even more! We’re loving the bold blue bridesmaid dresses and how they pop against the backdrop of vibrant florals and how they complement the oh-so-pretty touches of gold. Click here for even more!

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From Cristina of Cristina G Photography… The bride hoped for a fresh take on a late fall wedding — a burst of color and a multitude of flowers in pink, orange, blue, and creamy whites in an elegant but contemporary loft venue in Arlington Heights. She wanted it to look like a downtown Chicago wedding in the heart of the northwest suburbs. Hand-crafted fresh flower six-foot tall topiaries in all the colors of her bouquet made up the altar for the beautiful exposed wood beam loft ceremony. The place cards and invitations were a DIY project the bride undertook with the help of her bridesmaids. The place card holders featured round white birch bases, freshly-picked pine cones and a pop of color from a tiny red paper leaf — the perfect handcrafted support for the elegant and simple off-white cards. The elegant dress was an ivory organza tufted ball gown by Lazaro with a sweetheart neckline, sheer jewel-encrusted bodice with platinum silk satin ribbon at the waist and chapel train.

Wedding Photography: Cristina G Photography / Wedding Venue + Rentals: Metropolis Ballroom in Arlington Heights, Illinois / Flowers: Edward’s Florist / Wedding Coordination: Michael Raymond of Metropolis Ballroom / Catering, Cake + Cupcakes: Metropolis Ballroom / Wedding Dress: Lazaro (Style 3063) via Bella Bianca / Bride’s Shoes: Betsey Johnson / Hair: Katie Prendergast of Frank Gironda Salon / Makeup: Vanessa’s Art of Beauty / DJ: Music By Design / Photo Booth: Chicagoland Photobooth / Hotel: Renaissance Schaumburg (847-303-4100) / Bridesmaid Dresses: House of Brides / Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Invitations + Place Cards: DIY by the Bride + Bridesmaids

When you live in Chicago and your favorite food in the whole world is pizza and your favorite pizza joint is serving heart-shaped pies for Valentine’s Day then you absolutely have to snag the opportunity to make an adorable date with your wedding photographer.  This cute-as-can-be couple served up a piping hot dish of sweetness during their charming engagement session with Cristina G Photography at Giordano’s followed by a romantic stroll.  See the entire delightful date in the full gallery!

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From Cristina of Cristina G Photography… This engagement session should have probably been titled “For the Love of Pizza!” Bob and Ashley are a true Chicago couple tying the knot a little over a month from now at the beautiful Westin Hotel in Lombard, Illinois. Their first engagement session, which provided them with cute save-the-date images, was captured by Ashley’s mom right after they got engaged, and she did an amazing job with Ashley’s new camera! Fast forward to a few months later, and the opportunity presented itself for a new engagement session — one with their wedding photographer. Inspired by an article about Giordano’s Pizza Valentine’s Day sensation, the heart-shaped stuffed pizza, Cristina G of Cristina G Photography decided to gift Ashley and Bob an early wedding present of a Valentine’s Day date engagement session in downtown Chicago to try the famous Giordano’s deep dish pizza they know and love, but in a heart shape! Bob was excited beyond words — rumor has it that his favorite thing in the whole wide world is pizza!

So we headed out downtown, and with the help of the wonderful people at Giordano’s, we put together a spread for them that is bound to be remembered forever! The soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Aikens had a great time at their romantic heart-shaped pizza dinner, followed by a brisk evening walk in the beautiful 45 degree January weather — something we have quite possibly never seen before in the windy city!

Photography: Cristina G Photography / Location: Giordano’s in Chicago, Illinois / Heart-Shaped Pizza Dinner: A Gift from Giordano’s

Oh.  My.  Goodness.  Have you ever seen a more beautiful gown?!?  Elegant, sophisticated and all kinds of fabulous, this Monique Lhuillier creation is absolute PERFECTION.  To say I am in love with this dazzling dress would be an understatement… which really comes as no surprise, since every.last.detail of this gorgeous Chicago soiree has completely captured my heart.  From the fabulous stylings of the oh-so-talented Birch Design Studio to dazzling images by David Wittig Photography, I can’t seem to get enough.  I’ll definitely be spending my Monday wrapped up in all of this beauty… and you should do the same.  Join me in the gallery for more!

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From Marina of Birch Design Studio… The design concept for Amanda and Colin’s wedding was a fresh twist on classic patterns in vibrant colours, inspired by a selection of photographs they loved featuring garden trellises, striped textiles, chinoiserie porcelains. These patterns inspired their paper goods, which juxtaposed a variety of crisp patterns in blue and green to create a fresh take on the coordinated invitation suite. We translated this into the décor for their wedding by mixing and matching tailored napkins in bold patterns at each table. On a larger scale, we used oversized stretched canvases featuring these same patterns to punctuate the white walls of the Art Institute. The tailored white dinner tables showcased vivid purples, greens and blues to tie this modern twist on a classic approach to mixing patterns. Even Amanda’s spectacularly timeless wedding gown was juxtaposed with vibrant blue peep-toe heels as a nod to her own chic style. It was such a pleasure to create a wedding for Amanda and Colin that spoke to their personal style, and I feel in the end, their wedding truly was a reflection of their unique personalities: clever, modern, fun, and bold, yet also elegant and sophisticated. 

Wedding Photography: David Wittig Photography / Wedding Ceremony: Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Reception: The Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois / Event Design, Planning + Production: Marine Birch of Birch Design Studio / Flowers: Renee Price of Kehoe Designs / Wedding Cinematography: I Do Films / Wedding Invitations: Suitor / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Custom Linens: Private Label Linens / Hair: Robyn Tornabeni Productions / Makeup: Rosie Scianna / Lighting, Fabric Panels + Production: Frost / Entertainment: Entourage from Arlen Music

I absolutely love seeing weddings like this one where the bride is so full of pure joy that she’s literally glowing. You really can’t help but smile along with her as you take in all the love and pretty little details that make her wedding, and each wedding for that matter, special and unique. Theresa Scarbrough Photography was on hand to capture all the love and joy and of course, the details! Click here for even more.

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From Theresa of Theresa Scarbrough Photography… I wanted to share with you Beata and Charles’ Chicago urban chic wedding from the fall of 2011. They are such a fun and sweet couple and I hope you enjoy looking over their images! Beata had her dress embellished with jewels on one side of the waist and matched it with the same jewels in her earrings and necklace matching with the glitter heels from Kate Spade. Charles wore his Army uniform. They were married on October 29th, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois, at St. Hyacinth Basilica. Portraits were taken around downtown and the reception was at the quaint Fulton’s on the River.

Wedding Photography: Theresa Scarbrough Photography / Ceremony: St. Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago, Illinois / Reception: Fulton’s on the River / Flowers: New Six Corners Flowers in Chicago, Illinois / Officiant: Rev. Francis Róg CR / Wedding Cinematography: Jeff Manimbo / DJ: Corey Sanford of Music Masters Entertainment, Inc. / Cake Topper: Milk Tea / Wedding Cake + Mini Pastries: Rolf’s Patisserie (Now Closed) / Red Velvet Cake Balls: The Bleeding Heart Bakery / Wedding Programs: Shine Invitations / Menus + Seat Assignments: DIY by Bride / Photobooth: Smilebooth / Makeup: Kelly Letto of Bobbi Brown / Getting Ready Location: dana Hotel and Spa / Bridal Party Gifts: Anthropologie / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Dress Applique + Hair Piece: Belle Vie Bridal Couture / Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Various Amsale Dresses in Eggplant / Sketch Pin Design + Save-the-Dates: Kelly Murray / Sketch Pins: Pure Buttons

A sweet, personalized wedding ceremony never fails to make me smile, so it pretty much goes without saying that this gorgeous Chicago affair by David Wittig Photography has me grinning from ear to ear. Yep, it’s just one heartwarming moment after another with this gorgeous duo, including handwritten vows, a fabulous wine ceremony and their two adorable pups serving as ring bearers.  SO cute. Even better, the love these two share is literally jumping out of my computer screen… and filling my heart with happy.  Trust me, you don’t miss a moment of sweetness… click here for more.

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From the Bride… Spencer and I truly had a wonderful wedding in Chicago. It was amazing to be surrounded by our friends and family as we became husband and wife. Planning our wedding was an incredible amount of work, but so worth it! To see everything come together on our big day was simply amazing.

We started off the day getting ready with our wedding parties at Hotel Sax. It was such a great morning. My maid of honor, Erin, went above and beyond thinking of so many fun pre-wedding details. She made fun girly wedding CDs, had our champagne labeled with our picture and wedding date and even made sure I had a “Mrs. Brydon” hanger. After we were all ready, Spencer and I shared our first look. David and Nancy selected the ultra-modern fourth floor at Hotel Sax; it made for a perfect backdrop. I loved seeing our wedding party all ready — they looked fantastic! Our color palette was vintage blue and gray with yellow accents. The yellow was a beautiful pop of color for our July wedding. The flowers we selected were a nice blend of playful, whimsical, while still being truly classic. All the details looked gorgeous against the backdrop of The Chicago History Museum where we held our ceremony and reception. My absolute favorite part of our big day was our wedding ceremony and WOW, the emotions were flowing. Spencer and I wanted our ceremony to be about our commitment to each other. After much thought, we asked our great friend Derek to marry us. We went through the process (easy!) of getting him ordained. Spencer and I worked together, picking out what we liked from different ceremonies to create something that fit exactly what we were looking for. Derek has known us throughout our relationship and truly was able to speak about us as a couple and the commitment we were making. We chose to include a wine ceremony blending the bitter and the sweet in life. Spencer’s sister read, we wrote our own vows, and our pups, Biscuit and Bailey, stared as ring bearer and flower girl.

We enjoyed pulling together a few DIY projects with the help of our friends and family. Rocks with “A&S” and “07.16.11” stamped on them held down the programs. Erin made an amazing card box that had unbelievable detail and was so well done. We made our table numbers, incorporating our engagement pictures and parts of our invitations. We also surprised all of our Miami University friends with our band selection, The Paul Otten Band. This was the band we all sang along with until the wee hours of the morning at our favorite college bar. The Piano Man helped make the night exceptional! All the details came together to create the wedding we loved!
We are so thankful to all the vendors who put so much time and thought into our wedding day. We are incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family that helped make everything possible. Thank you all — we love you so much! Cheers to a great party kicking off a wonderful life together!

Wedding Photography: David Wittig Photography / Wedding Venue: Chicago History Museum / Wedding Flowers: The Flower Firm / Catering: Berghoff Catering / Bakery: Swirlz Cupcakes / Ceremony + Cocktail Music: Parkwest Strings / Reception Music: The Paul Otten Band / Wedding Dress: Wedding Belles / Hair: Kara Widhalm + Melissa Burgess of The Cutting Edge  / Makeup: Vanessa Morales of Nightingale Beauty / Groom’s Suit: Harleys for Men / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groomsmen’s Suits: JoS. A. Bank / Rings: Tiffany & Co. / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Erin Gallagher Jewelry / Wedding Menus + Programs: Wedding Paper Divas / Transportation: Chicago Trolley Co. / Hotel: Hotel Sax Chicago / Ceremony Puppy Logistics: Urban Out Sitters / Stamped Rocks: DIY / Card Box: DIY by the Maid of Honor

Wow… what a Monday.  Not only is this amazing Chicago wedding literally bursting with lovely pink hues and uber-gorgeous details that are guaranteed to make you swoon (including one beyond breathtaking heirloom veil), but every last amazing moment was lovingly planned by the oh-so-stunning bride, who just so happens to be the talented lady behind Sweet Pea Wedding Studio.  Add to that a gallery filled to the brim with lovely images by Vrai Photography and some beautiful blooms by Avant Gardenia and I think we have ourselves the perfect start to the work week.  Click here for more.

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From the Bride… Being a wedding planner myself (I own Sweet Pea Studio in Chicago), it was really important to me to make sure my wedding was a reflection of me and my groom. From personal touches in the details to nods to our family and heritage, we really wanted to wedding to scream “Ian & Kristin.” To start, we had the exact same wedding venues as Ian’s grandparents did 60 years prior — same church, same reception. And I was really proud to be wearing “The Veil.” It was first purchased in 1920 in Belgium and given to Ian’s great grandmother by her husband-to-be. The veil, made of “Bruges lace,” was dipped in tea to get the ecru color. Since then, Ian’s grandmother, mother, sister, aunts and cousins have worn it on their wedding day. I was the 12th woman to proudly wear it down the aisle, and at each wedding, a “veil photo” is taken where everyone there who has worn it stands behind the bride, holding the veil. We had our rehearsal dinner at an Italian restaurant (my family is Italian), a bagpiper to pipe us out of the church (Ian is Scottish), and we had the Chicago Cubs Dixieland Band play during cocktail hour (my late great uncle was Phil Cavarretta, a famous Chicago Cubs baseball player back in the 1940s). Our wedding reception was held in the ballroom at the Woman’s Athletic Club on Michigan Ave, where Ian’s mother is a member. The building has landmark status in the city and has a gorgeous, 1920s feel to it.

When it came to bringing our personal style to life in a ballroom setting, it was a challenge to include what Ian likes too. I’m into ballet, pink, ruffles and flowers, and growing up I always just wanted my wedding to be like Shelby’s in “Steel Magnolias” (i.e., blush and bashful). Ian is into fishing, nature and animals … which really has nothing to do with pink. I wanted to somehow combine our styles into one cohesive look and feel so it wasn’t just about me. So, we mixed lots of outdoor textures with soft pink florals. The floral plan included pheasant feathers in one of the centerpiece designs, and all the boutonnieres were pheasant feathers and monkey tail ferns. Our tables were named after African animals (we honeymooned in South Africa), and the names were slid into mini tree stump holders from Etsy. Ian and his groomsmen wore camouflage socks, and he even changed into a camouflage bow tie after dinner, which was so Ian. My dress made me feel like the ballerina I used to be, especially with the pink tulle crinoline I wore underneath. We absolutely love gummy bears, so we put our own spin on the candy bar idea with a gummy bar. And for a nod to Chicago, the city we love and adore, we had Frango mints in our hotel welcome bags and served our favorite deep dish pizza (Lou Malnati’s, of course) as a late night snack.

One of my favorite elements was our DIY save-the-dates. I found these rustic, wooden pencils which just seemed so perfectly us (I’m also a writer). My sister spent hours putting them together with me, and while it was a lot of work, I was so happy with the result. The save-the-dates really inspired me and set the tone for the rest of the wedding! We have so many favorite memories of the day, but one of our favorites was just after the ceremony when we had our “royal” moment. The church has this little balcony that overlooks the courtyard, so rather than coming out the front of the church like most couples do, we came out on a balcony, kissed and waved, just like Will & Kate! Overall, our day was everything we wanted: it was all about us. We had the most amazing vendors and could not have pulled off this day without them!

Wedding Photography: Molly Grace of Vrai Photography / Wedding Planning: Sweet Pea Wedding Studio (The Bride’s Company) / Flowers: Avant Gardenia / Wedding Ceremony: St. Chrysostom’s Church in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Reception: Woman’s Athletic Club in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Cinematography: Optrix Weddings / Wedding Dress: Christos via Belle Vie Bridal Couture / Bride’s Pink Crinoline: Loca Loves Pirate / Bride’s Belt: Weddings 826 / Bride’s Shoes: Ivanka Trump / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaid / Jewelry: Left Bank Jewelry / Veil: Vintage Family Heirloom / Day-Of Coordination: An Event Less Ordinary / Cocktail Band: Chicago Cubs Dixieland Band / Reception Band: Final Say / Photo Booth: Red Eye Photo Booth / Wedding Invitations: Yellow Bird / Wedding Save-the-Dates: DIY / Hair: Blush Salon & Spa / Makeup: Primp / Late-Night Pizza: Lou Malnati’s / Tree Stumps Place Card Holders + Large Tree Stump with Wedding Date: This Fine Day

This Chicago wedding by Steve Koo Photography is proof that you don’t have to be uber-crafty to have a beautiful (semi)DIY wedding and that a DIY wedding can be absolutely elegant and beautiful.  This self-proclaimed non-crafty bride personalized her wedding in the loveliest of ways by adding small handcrafted details like the ceremony programs, guest book and cake pops.  Of course, being a wedding coordinator doesn’t hurt either and all of her expertise and creativity definitely paid off.  See it all in the full gallery!

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From the bride… The day could not have been more perfect. I pictured myself over-the-top emotional and full of tears, but instead I was beaming with excitement and joy every second. From getting ready with all my best friends and family to ending the night dancing away I was constantly happy! I currently am a wedding coordinator for Honey Bee Weddings, so knowing what goes into making a day run smoothly, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to relax. However, I was surprisingly calm and loved watching all the details fall into place. I also had the best team of vendors including Honey Bee Weddings, who coordinated my wedding. A few highlights of the morning were having a wonderful glam team making me feel like a celebrity, my BEAUTIFUL bouquet and putting on the dress (later I added a gorgeous hand-made sash!). Then, seeing Kyle for the first time was so surreal yet calming. We had been waiting for this moment for a long time (dated for 11 years) and having the moment come true was magical. We kept looking at each other saying, “Can you believe it’s here?”

Kyle and I knew from the beginning we wanted our wedding to feature our love of food and wine, yet not be stuffy and make our guests feel like they were at party. We hit the jackpot with Spiaggia because its food is exquisite and the décor went perfectly with my black, silver and white theme. It was also my goal to add as many personal details as possible. I don’t think of myself as crafty, but after hours of online research, I realized how much I could create by turning my wedding into semi-DIY. My favorite projects would have to be the programs, wine bottle “guest book,” tissue pouches and  homemade cake-pops for our favors.          

Overall, I felt like the wedding truly represented Kyle and I as a couple and celebrated our love for each other.  And to make it even better, our guests seemed to have a blast! It was the perfect day!

Wedding Photography: Steve Koo Photography / Flowers: Tina and Dollie / Event Design + Planning: Honey Bee Weddings / Wedding Venue: Spiaggia / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Enzo Angiolini via Nordstrom / Bride’s Bracelet: Macy’s / Hair: Livia Caporale / Makeup: Sonia Roselli / Wedding Cake: Sarah’s Candies and Pastries / DJ: DJ Erik

How does one meld classic stylings with an air of modern fabulousness? Simply take a note from the book of this Chicago wedding held at the Chicago History Museum. One amazing venue, a plethora of elegant florals by Botanicals, Inc., a perfectly in love Bride and Groom – it’s all alive and kickin in this gem. And who’s the only photography maven that could capture it so beautifully? Why that would be Jen Huang Photography of course. Her pictures melt our hearts and they’re about to melt yours. Just wait until you see the full gallery!

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From Jen of Jen Huang Photography… Melissa and Jeff, college sweethearts, were married at the Chicago History Museum, which is full of soaring ceilings and impressive architecture. Their colors, red and navy, were bold and bright; beautifully set against the Stickley furniture and details of the ballroom. The intimate wedding started off with a beautiful outdoor ceremony with the Museum behind them and continued into the light-filled ballroom where guests were seated at long tables set with Stickley chairs. Melissa and Jeff danced all night, surrounded with their close friends and families.

Wedding Photography: Jen Huang Photography /  Wedding Venue: The Chicago History Museum / Wedding Flowers: Botanicals, Inc. / Catering: Food for Thought / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Band: Ron Bedal Orchestra / Cake: Flour Cake and Pastry / Wedding Gown: Boutique Victoria / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Sung

We have a darling of a DIY wedding to kick off this lovely Illinois week!  Hand-wrapped twine vases and handcrafted birdseed favors make this one sweet-as-can-be lovebird-themed winter wedding.  Add an adorable BHLDN dress on the cutest of brides and you have a swoon-worthy soiree.  Hannah Persson Photo captured every charming little detail and you can find them all in the full gallery!

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From Hannah of Hannah Persson Photo… A wintery lovebird-themed wedding at the magical Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, Illinois. This venue is becoming increasingly popular due to its hour drive from Chicago and its very reasonably priced accommodations — not to mention its quirky and fun edifices. It truly is a secret garden — there are so many nooks and crannies, and they let you wander anywhere you want for prime and unique picture-taking. The details stole the day. The table centerpieces were handcrafted. Before the wedding, the bride had a party, inviting all of her friends over to join in and help with the wedding craft-making. Each vase was wrapped in twine, and individual sticks were cut and glued onto each candle holder. The cupcake toppers were handmade to look like the bride and the groom. For the table favors, the bride fashioned birdseed into hearts using starch and water. On the backs of the cute scrap paper on the tables, the guests were instructed to give wedding advice that the bride would then string together as her guest book. The cupcakes were of all sorts and varieties — carrot, chocolate  and white — and were made by a friend. The bride’s dress was purchased from BHLDN. The bridesmaids each purchased their own navy dresses, adding to the whimsical feel of the day. The flowers in the bridesmaids’ hair were made by a friend of the bride, who has a shop on Etsy. The photo booth was provided by Blumen Gardens. It was simply an adorable little overhang, and the bride picked her own props for it. All in all, it was a perfect day.

Wedding Photography: Hannah Persson Photo / Flowers: DIY by the Bride / Ceremony: Sycamore Baptist Church / Reception + Photo Booth: Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, Illinois / Wedding Event Design + Decor: DIY by the Bride and Friends / Wedding Dress: BHLDN / Flowers in Bridesmaids’ Hair: SoulSpeak

We are rounding out this oh so pretty week on SMP Illinois with this personality-filled party by Anticipation Events. And may I say, I am digging this couple’s dapper style! I’ll admit it – I just can’t get enough of bow tie wearing grooms! But the style doesn’t stop there – oh no, take my word for it when I say Jeremy Lawson Photography filled the full gallery with enough pretty to keep you busy all day!

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From Elizabeth at Anticipation Events… Stephanie and Brian were married in August at Byron Colby Barn, which is just outside of Chicago but feels like a completely different world. They were such a fun couple to work with because their wedding was a reflection of their personalities and unique style. Stephanie rocked an amazing dress and some killer heels, and Brian’s personality shone though with his hat, bow tie and Chucks. They trooped through the fields surrounding the barn with Jeremy Lawson to have their first look and got some fantastic pictures. While they were out, they stumbled across this horse who agreed that Stephanie looked good enough to eat.  Luckily, Stephanie has quick reflexes.

Anticipation Events organized the bridal party, and Stephanie’s brother escorted the lovely bride down the aisle. Linda, a close family friend of Stephanie’s, presided over the ceremony, and when she pronounced them man and wife, all of the guests shook ribbon wands that Stephanie and her family made. Naturally, Brian could not resist a giant fist-pump at the end of the aisle.

Fabulous details from the party include the spectacular backdrop for the ceremony that Brian and Stephanie built, painted and assembled. Anticipation Events spent the day decorating the barn: hanging massive amounts of paper flowers, ribbons and café lights that we strung from the beams of the barn to encase the dance floor. Stephanie collected vintage doilies that we fashioned into table runners and blue mason jars that Nancy Rolison Designs filled with gorgeous wildflowers. Brian painted a tree stump that they used in place of a guest book and had all of the guests sign, and they incorporated pictures of them as kids as well as burlap banners to complete the wild, cozy feel of the barn.

Wedding Photography: Jeremy Lawson Photography / Wedding Planning + Styling: Anticipation Events / Flowers: Nancy Rolison Designs / Wedding Venue: Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake, Illinois / DJ: Stax O Wax / Catering: Catered Productions / Wedding Gown: David’s Bridal / Shoes: Irregular Choice “Can’t Touch This” / Jewelry: Eliot Danori (Available at Macy’s) / Ribbon Wands, Ceremony Backdrop, Tree Stump: DIY

We’re totally loving the bits of vintage chic mixed with a dash of whimsy that give this floral filled fete such a unique look. The ladies at Bliss Weddings and Events truly outdid themselves with the design and planning and we can’t get enough of the ribbon-tied balloons and pretty mercury glass candlesticks. Each and every detail was snapped to perfection by Jeffrey and Julia Woods and if you want to see more, just click right here.

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From the bride… I have dreamed of my wedding day since I was a little girl; and I can say without hesitation that it was the most beautiful day of my life! September 17, 2011 began with as an unseasonably warm, sunny Chicago day, which kick started the festivities and eased my anxiety for our garden wedding. I was surrounded by my best friends and my mother, laughing and enjoying the primping process and each other! As my mom helped me into my dress and veil, I knew that this moment had become a reality, and I couldn’t wait to see my groom.

I met my fiancé Anthony in high school. I was a timid 14-year-old, and he was an overly-confident and very talkative upperclassman. We would cross paths socially for the next ten-plus years until finally the stars aligned, and we began to date! We were virtually inseparable and once our girls (Violet the basset hound and Whiskey the basenji mix) became friends, we knew that our lives were moving forward … together. Anthony proposed to me at Culver Academies where we first met, and I had no idea! I have never been so surprised in my entire life; it was a magical day that I will remember forever. The wedding planning was such a joy; I loved every minute of it! We wanted to incorporate elements that had personal meaning and represented us as a couple. Our wedding truly came together with the details, details, details! My father is from Turkey, so it was important for us to add in some Turkish trinkets and flair to honor my heritage. We had evil eyes tied to the programs, a lavender good luck toss to bless us as a couple, and of course some lamb skewers!!

We were married under a stunning pergola laden with roses and dahlias. My husband’s aunt acted as our officiant, and we decided to recite our own vows. I forgot about the rows of guests as I stood before Anthony — it was a moment that just became about us. And with a blink of an eye, we were cocktailing and celebrating our marriage with our lovely guests! As we entered the tent, we felt like we were in a dream. The smell of herbs and flowers set the tone, along with the vintage china, cut crystal and mismatched estate silverware. Every detail complemented the others, and the overall picture was pure perfection! Garlands of tissue paper flowers and cafe lights created a whimsical canopy over the dance floor, which was beyond gorgeous. The evening was filled with laughter, jazz and bubbling champagne. It was the most perfect day, surrounded by our family and friends, and I wouldn’t have changed one thing!

Wedding Photography: Jeffrey and Julia Woods / Flowers: Cornelia McNamara / Event Planning: Renny Penderson of Bliss Weddings and Events / Venue: Galleria Marchetti / Cake: Bittersweet / Wedding Dress + Ceremony Veil: Palazzo / Small Pouf Veil: Sara Gabriel / Shoes: Kate Spade / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Groomsmen Khakis + Navy Sport Coats: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Dresses: Lula Kate / Bridesmaid Shoes: Nina / DJ: Beep Media / Hair + Makeup: Gina and Agata of Beauty on Call

I’m just gonna go ahead and say it: I love every single inch of this wedding. From the super cool industrial-like venue to the sweet vintage touches, this wedding is absolutely the coolest. Each and every detail was captured perfectly by our friends at Untamed Heart Photography, including the cutest moment between the the flower girl and ring bearer. I mean really, does it get any cuter? There’s tons more to see in the full gallery, so click here and get ready to swoon!

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From Michelle of Untamed Heart Photography… Keely and Michael have been together since their freshmen year in high school. They are two of the most amazing people I have ever met.  Before the ceremony, we met up for portraits in the quaint little towns of Elsa and Grafton, Illinois. They were both the perfect backdrop for the wedding party. It just so happened that the Nina and the Santa Maria were docked at the reception venue when we got there, and they were kind enough to let us aboard for some photographs. How many people can say they did that on their wedding day? All of the bridesmaid dresses were custom made in complimentary fabrics and colors. Flowers were purchased wholesale at Baisch and Skinner with the exception of the bouquets, which were designed by a local florist.

Photography: Untamed Heart Photography / Planning + Design: DIY by the bride & her mother / Ceremony: Calvary Baptist Church / Reception + Catering: The Loading Dock / Invitations: Sherrie Hickman / Dress: Jasmine Bridal / Shoes: Paradox London / Bridesmaids Dresses: Custom-made by Sharon Rothe, a family friend / Officiant: Julie Gvillo / Cake: Duke Bakery / Other Desserts: Groom’s mother and sister / Bridal Party Flowers: Jeffrey’s Flowers by Design (618-259-6292) / Centerpiece Arrangements: DIY, Flowers purchased from Baisch & Skinner / Hair: Derek Trent of Vintage Hair Salon (618-462-1800) / Makeup: Holly Speakes of Procolour Cosmetics / Ceremony Music: Audri & Aaron / Reception Music: Dirty Muggs / Groom’s Suit: Michael Kors / Transportation: Champagne Limousine / Bride’s Quarters: The River House / Groom’s Quarters: Guest House at The Loading Dock

Chicago is the most perfect place to get married. You have Lake Michigan for your casual, barefoot nuptials. You could have a funky loft space for an eclectic soiree. Or you can have the city views and ridiculous glamour for a stunning affair like this one, captured by Riverbend Studio. Engaging Events by Ali aided in creating a dream wedding that definitely feels a little Kennedy-esque, which is always okay in our book! Make sure to visit the full image gallery for even more.

From the beginning stages of the planning process, Ken was involved in every part of the planning process. Our three most important aspects that we kept in mind throughout the process were family, friends and romance! The gorgeous St. James Chapel and Trump Tower Chicago locations allowed us to maximize the amount of time we spent with our guests but also take in the beautiful photo opportunities of downtown Chicago.

My dress choice was a total surprise to myself. I had pictured more of a traditional satin top lace bottom dress but immediately fell in love with the contemporary vintage style of Lazaro. When I tried the dress on everyone in the dressing room came immediately over to me to oo and aw and admire the dress. I knew that was the one! It was such an amazing dress that even during photos when it got all muddy, by the time we got to the church, it had dried and all the mud fell off!!

The dress helped set the theme of the wedding — contemporary vintage. Ken described the vision to the florist and they hit the nail on the head with the floral scheme. The flowers were probably my favorite detail of the wedding and I will always remember the unbelievable smell of gardenias in my bouquet!

Everyone says it is good luck if it rains on your wedding day. I always thought this was just something everyone said to make you feel better. Boy was I wrong! I could not have imaged a more perfect day, rain and all. The umbrellas were amazing props and captured some romantic photos being snuggled up under the umbrellas! Had it not been raining, we would not have taken photos under the Trump Riverwalk — where we captured some phenomenal photos reminiscent of the Kennedy’s (or so says Ken!). Some of my all time favorites!

Larry King Orchestra set the tone for the reception and everyone had such a great time. Besides the gorgeous venue, the top two compliments following the wedding were the band and the food. Larry King even timed the memorial day fireworks viewable from the reception to the Katy Perry song firework!

I loved the toasts too…the uniqueness and creativeness of my father’s which laid the foundation to the video, the history toast from the best man, the best wishes from Ken’s father to the most eloquent and heartfelt speech from the maid of honor!

Photography: Riverbend Studio / Event Planning & Design: Engaging Events by Ali / Cinematography: Xpress Video Productions / Flowers: The Flower Firm / Orchestra: Larry King Orchestra / Lighting: Frost Lighting / Ceremony Location: St. James Chapel / Reception Location: Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago / Invitations: William Arthur from Yellow Bird Stationery / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Dress: Lazaro / Wedding Rings and Engagement Rings: Tacori / Linens: BBJ Linens / Bridesmaid Dresses: Coren Moore – Bella Bridesmaid, Chicago

We’ve got the perfect modern wedding to kick off your weekend sent into us by the fabulous You Me Photography. We’re loving all the pretty details and bright pops of color that play so well off the crisp and clean color palette. And I must say that the Hotel Sax Chicago looks like one fabulous venue. Click here for all the rest!

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From Julia of You Me Photography… I had a great time photographing Chris and Jennifer’s wedding day. Chicago can be tricky when it comes to its weather, especially in the fall/winter months, but not on October 29th. It was a great day, a great couple to work with, and we took beautiful pictures. We got to experience the great location of Crimson’s Lounge, a beautiful place to take pictures. It has a famous wall called “the paparazzi wall” and you could get to see some of the pictures here. They had a private, family-oriented ceremony and reception at the beautiful Hotel Sax. There are beautiful views from the Master Suite that I got to capture while there.

Photography: You Me Photography / Venue + Catering: Hotel Sax Chicago / Event Planning + Design: Hotel Sax Chicago/ Florist: Pistil and Vine / Wedding Gown: San Patrick “Epico” / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Wedding Cake: Take the Cake / DJ: Toast and Jam / Hair: Streets of London Salon / Makeup: Sonia Roselli

We are all family folks here at SMP, so when we get to see two beautiful sisters tie the knot – we immediately crank out the oohs and awwws. We saw the first sweetheart of a sister say yes in this stylish soiree, and now it’s time for us to swoon over sister #2. These girls sure know how to do Chicago chic in their own lovely way! Anticipation Events and Michael Rastall Photography were constants in both of these gorgeous girls’ big days, ensuring this family had two gorgeous weddings under their party-throwing belts! See it all here!

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From Elizabeth of Anticipation Events… Katie & Jeff were married at the Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. They’ve been together since high school so their friends and family were ready to party! Their wedding date was 9.10.11, which was a fantastic date to get married and even more special for these two because it is Katie’s parents’ wedding anniversary too! I am particularly tied to this crew as I had the pleasure of helping Katie’s sister Elizabeth with her wedding to Mike last year.  It was so fun to see the whole family again.  

Katie really wanted to highlight the ornate architecture of the Hard Rock and incorporate a little of our own vintage “Rock & Roll” theme.  One of the major style elements Katie wanted to do was transform the Hard Rock’s conference room into a beautiful space to get married. Massive numbers of candles, floral masterpieces by Forget Me Knodt Designs and ribbon and paper flowers adorned the aisle. Katie and Jeff were married right in front of an enormous floral backdrop I created that went from the ceiling to the floor. It included paper, satin and grosgrain ribbons along with dozens of strands of flowers made from tissue paper, deconstructed faux flowers and coffee filters. I hit the jackpot one day at my local thrift store and scored a bunch of old 45’s. I built a structure out of PVC to hang the place cards from and each couple received a hand-painted record with their name and table number on it. We used light pink, ivory, silver and gold and strung them from black ribbon via clothespins. Some vintage sheet music punched into heart shapes made excellent confetti for Katie & Jeff’s guests to throw at them on their way back down the aisle. Katie found a spectacular pink suitcase we used as a card box along with some signage I made from more 45’s and ribbon for the cards, cake and the new Mr. & Mrs. I scoured thrift shops to find enough vintage silver platters to create their table numbers. I painted each one with chalkboard paint and voila! Janessa created two different centerpieces for the dinner tables, and Katie ordered personalized Jones soda bottles for each guest. Personalized Jones soda is pretty awesome, but not as awesome as personalized Jones soda when it’s also your new last name! Katie looked ridiculously amazing in her dress and their crowd partied all night long. Michael Rastall was there to catch it all on camera and as always, his work is mind-blowing.  

Photography: Michael Rastall Photography / Planning + Styling: Anticipation Events / Venue: Hard Rock Hotel Chicago / Florals: Forget Me Knodt / DJ: Alexander of Cage & Aquarium Productions / Cake: Swedish Bakery / Ceremony Musicians: Panache Entertainment / Photobooth: Chicagoland Photobooth / Cake Topper: Tilly Biedron / Groom’s Custom Fingerprint Wedding Band: Fabuluster / Invitations: Invited Ink / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Bride’s Jewelry: Nadri / Bride’s Dress: Tara Keely (Fall 2010) via Wedding Belles

Sometimes it doesn’t get much better than simple, sweet and sophisticated.  This Kildeer wedding by Limani Designs brings the joyous traditions and serene designs of a Greek wedding to the midwest.  Creamy florals mixed with romantic candlelight and delicate details plus the prettiest of personal touches.  Bella Pictures captured each and every beautiful ballroom moment and you can find them all in the full gallery!

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We are so thrilled to be able to share the film from Bella Pictures too…

From the bride… Both Peter and I are of Greek descent, so we immediately knew that our wedding was going to be large, filled with family and friends. The ceremony took place at our childhood church, Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Palatine, Illinois, and keeping up with Orthodox tradition, our wedding crowns were bought in Greece and had the shape of an olive branch wreath.

After the ceremony, we celebrated in the beautiful main ballroom of the Concorde Banquets in Kildeer, Illinois. Although our wedding took place in the suburbs of Chicago, we still wanted a touch of Greece. Guests first caught a glimpse of the theme when the cloth-covered book invites arrived several weeks before the wedding. Filled with silver pages and a yellow satin bookmark, the theme of an olive branch was found on each page. The olive theme continued in the hall as guests found their table numbers with three large opened books surrounded by old photographs of our parents’ and grandparents’ weddings in olive branch frames.

Guests entered the ballroom and were greeted by 10 olive trees, each over three feet, that were created by our florist and placed on the outer tables. The banquet-style table layout kept conversations going and were a nice reminder of Greek summer celebrations. The tables were filled with plenty of candles that created a nice glow in the room. Mercury glass vases of various shapes and sizes filled with butter yellow roses, white hydrangeas and a pop of lemon and eucalyptus leaves  created a very romantic and vintage feeling. Alongside the candles and flowers were grey, cloth-covered books that added height and depth to the floral arrangements. This was the same cloth used for the wedding invites.

Our love of books carried over to the dessert area where we had three white bookcases filled with homemade desserts and vintage books. Between the two dessert bookcases we had a Jordan almond bar. Jordan almonds called koufeta in Greek are a traditional candy for Greek weddings. The koufeta bar was a play on the classic candy bar and was filled with sweet flavors such as lemon, honey, chocolate and strawberry. Placed on top of the bookcases were some items that represent both the bride and the groom. Each guest also received a small natural burlap bag filled with Jordan almonds, which are given for good luck. The burlap bags reminded us of the large burlap sacks used during the olive harvest. Some of our highlights from that day included the church service, which was steeped in tradition, and dancing with our guests until late in the night. We loved having family come in from Greece and other parts of the country to celebrate with us that day, and we couldn’t get enough of our eight flower girls who almost stole the show.

First Photographer: Joseph Kang from Bella Pictures / Second Photographer: Dave Suarez from Bella Pictures / Videographer: Valdas Sinkevicius from Bella Pictures / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Custom Removable Skirt for Wedding Dress: Kaylee Zastrow Designs / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bride’s Jewelry: Earrings borrowed from Patty Kopitas, cousin of the groom / Wedding Bands: Karla Lewis / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bari Jay via House of Brides / Flower Girls’ Dresses: Crewcuts from J.Crew / Flower Girls’ Shoes: Next / Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Suits: J.Crew / Ties: Burberry via Bloomingdales / Ring Bearers’ Suits: Crewcuts from J.Crew / Ties: Gucci / Flowers: Northern Greenhouses / Church Decor: Soula Iliopoulos, friend of the bride’s mother / Ceremony Venue: Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church / Reception Venue: Concorde Banquets / Event Planning: Limani Designs, owned by bride / Wedding Day Coordinator: Brian Figueroa of Limani Designs / Hair: Nikki Bappert, friend of the bride / Makeup: Esther Sifuentes (esther.sifuentes@gmail.com)

If you are just tuning in with us from your long weekend then you are in for a sweet treat.  This Chicago wedding by Olivia Leigh Photographie is the perfect, bright and cheery pick-me-up to get you work ready.  The Art Institute of Chicago provided the perfect clean and modern setting for all the classic and pretty decor that these high-school sweet hearts created for their big day.  Keep that long weekend feeling going a little longer by spending some time in the full gallery!

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From Olivia of Olivia Leigh Photographie… This wedding was a delightful little fall celebration. Alex and Katy are high school sweethearts and just had the sweetest energy between them all day! They were married downtown at Holy Name, a stunning Chicago church, and had a reception to follow at the Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago. In between the ceremony and reception, the wedding party all enjoyed a few drinks at a local pub, The Gage, which was a fun breather! Tables were places that held meaning for their relationship, including favorite restaurants, sports venues and, of course, a high school chemistry class where their love first blossomed. Alex wrote the clever descriptions for each table and the front had a beautiful custom illustration. The clean and simple decor echoed the lines of Terzo Piano, the modern restaurant at the museum where they were married, with greys and yellows serving as the key colors for this celebration. It was a stunning day, and such a beautiful wedding that really ticked all the boxes while still being understated.

Photographer: Olivia Leigh Photographie / Coordinator: Clementine Custom Events / Church: Holy Name Cathedral / Reception Venue + Catering: Terzo Piano in The Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago / Invitations + Printed Materials: Atheneum Creative / Cake: TipsyCake / Hair: Corinne Scheitler at Salon Buzz / Makeup: Sarah Betancourt / Dress: Alvina Valenta via Ultimate Bride / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung via Elegancia Bridal / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Accessories: The Left Bank / Flowers: Dan Murphy of Pastis Design (708-358-0074)

Even if you don’t have today off for the holiday, you are about to take a little vacation by way of this chic Chicago wedding captured by Simply Jessie Photography. It’s just that good. It’s sweep-you-off-your-feet good. Jaw-droppingly gorgeous gown good. Contemporary yet classic good. Pretty color palette good. Beautiful Bride and dapper Groom good. Actually it’s better than good – it’s perfection. So believe me when I say all the moments you spend pursuing through the pretty of this post, those moments will most certainly feel like a the loveliest of vacas. Click here for more!

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From the Bride… Sean and I met in 2006 through a mutual friend and within just a few short months, we both knew this was it. We came from similar backgrounds, shared similar life goals and values, and easily felt at home with each other. After four years of growing together, we got engaged on August 2, 2010 at the top of the John Hancock building. In what was like a made-for-tv proposal, Sean asked me to marry him looking over the Chicago skyline with a crowd of bystanders cheering in the background. Sweet words exchanged, tears shed, and many champagne toasts made, we set out on nine months of busy, exciting planning. Our vision for the wedding was two-fold: we wanted to share our love for design and details, while also celebrating the importance of family in our lives.

My dress was one of my personal favorite details of the wedding. I found it at Macy’s on State Street; it was designed by Lazaro. I knew from the start that I wanted a “wow” dress, something beautiful, both unique and modern, but still classic and traditional. It was one of the first dresses I tried on, and after only one other day of dress shopping, I knew it was the one. When I tried it on with my maid of honor and my mom, we all were brought to tears. My cousin told me it was something our Grandma would have loved (she was definitely a glamour girl), and that sealed the deal. Along with my dress on the wedding day, I wore earrings given to me by my dad as a surprise two nights before the wedding.

We chose the Museum of Contemporary Art for our reception site with ease. It was a spot we enjoyed together on one of our first dates, and it fully encompassed our mutual love of modern art. We chose charcoal grey and lemon yellow as our colors, with accents of white. The colors represented the feel we were hoping for: yellow as bright, warm, vibrant, and happy, and grey as strong, cool, clean, and modern. We also did signature cocktails for guests as an option at the bar marked with little circular signs. Mine was the Flirtini because I love anything with champagne, and Sean’s was a John Daly (an Arnold Palmer with vodka), his favorite summer “pool drink”. For favors we did a candy bar because both Sean and I love to eat candy. We offered thirteen different types of candy, all our and our parents’ favorites. Guests were sent home with their own hand picked assortment of candy in paper bags stamped with “Sweet Dreams” in grey.

Photography: Simply Jessie Photography / Invitations + Paper Elements: Courtney Callahan Paper (groom’s sister) / Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago / Church + Reception Flowers: Vale of Enna / Personal Flowers: Deborah Coffey of Lilypops (deborah_coffey@hotmail.com, groom’s sister) / Cake: Sweets Perfection / Wedding Day-Of Coordinator: Bambi Rodgers of BCR Events / Wedding Video: Poetic Productions / Photobooth: Shutter Booth / Band: Bradley Young Orchestra / Makeup: Susan Hood of Makeup by S.H.E. / Hair: Pamela Moore (pamelam74@yahoo.com) + Alyssa Kamruddin (alyssakamruddin@yahoo.com) / Brides’s Dress: Lazaro via Macy’s / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka via Nordstrom / Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss via Saks Fifth Avenue / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale

Prepare yourselves for the Grandaddy of inspiration (emphasis on Grand) captured by averyhouse who partnered up with Bliss Weddings & Events for an all you can dream of Engagement party extravaganza. We want to throw on our Wellies and cozy on up to the fire for some S’mores roasting and golden apple bobbing. Doesn’t that sound fab? It’s taking the token bonfire to a whole new level of cozy cool. We’re talking a muddling bar (pure genius), a S’mores roasting station as well as a tablescape that stopped us dead. in. our. tracks. There is many a great idea tucked away in the details of this inspiration shoot that are ripe for the picking. Whether you want an engagement bash just like this one or see some great details that you want to incorporate into your upcoming wedding, it’s all easily translated into each and every wedding related fête. Be sure to stop by the gallery for so much more.

Click here for the FULL party!

From Stevi of averyhouse… With the idea of producing a fanciful collection of parties that follow the progression of wedding-related celebrations a couple encounters throughout their engagement, Renny Pedersen and Kara Superfine of Bliss Weddings and Events are taking readers on a year-long journey with our dreamy faux couple, Charlotte and William, joining them from fabulous féte to féte.

We start with the engagement party, thrown by the couple’s best friends. After getting engaged at the tail end of summer, this casual party was hosted on a chilly autumn day in the newly unveiled Pullman Barn on the grounds of the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Guests were greeted with a cocktail hour set with an autumnal muddling bar, allowing guests to chose their liqueur and unique enhancements. When guests were welcomed to the intimate dinner held inside the barn, they found their seats with the aid of labeled gift baskets, doubling as place cards. The backside of the cards detailed the featured items For a Lazy Sunday Morning. With items such as strong coffee, fresh scones, apple-honey butter, a thermos of cider and a luxurious throw to snuggle up with — guests knew the party would last until the wee hours and this collection of goodies would be most appreciated the next day. After dinner, guests were encouraged to roam the grounds of the barn. Whimsical activities such as apple croquet, bobbing in bubbly, and mad libs tuckered guests out. Only then did guests find a cozy respite around the firepit with blankets and pillows paired with a gourmet sweet and savory s’mores, cordials and cider bar. After a wonderful evening of celebration, Charlotte and William were full of heartfelt thanks to all of their dearest friends and family for the perfect start to their year of festivities.

Photography: averyhouse / Concept + Design: Bliss Weddings & Events / Venue: The Pullman Barn at Chicago Botanic Gardens / Floral Design: Cornelia of Cornelia McNamara / Paper Goods: Cheree Berry Paper

If I was flying into Chicago tomorrow, my very first stop would be Salvage One.  This urban garden oasis has most definitely made its way to the top of my favorite venues list… and it’s sweet, eclectic weddings like this one by Angela Renee Photography that have me so completely obsessed.  Boasting a charming color palette of pink and peach and a “modern vintage meets carnival” theme, I’ve spent my Monday morning falling madly in love with every last swoon-worthy detail.  And with the gorgeous bride’s dedicated family DIY-ing all of the lovely, there’s entire gallery worth of special moments still to be seen.  Join me there for more.

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From the Bride… I wasn’t the girl who grew up dreaming about her wedding day, so once I started planning all I knew is that I wanted our day to be unique to Todd and I as a couple. Not too formal, a bit unexpected and a whole lot of fun. What we landed up with was a wedding I called “modern-vintage with a carnival twist.” Imagine telling that to people. “Well it’s a subtle carnival twist, of course.”

I come from a very creative, talented family and almost everything you see in these pictures was a labor of love. My sister designed our invitations and all of the paper elements, including our cute little bride and groom characters.  My mom made the flower belt on my dress, our candle centerpieces and the hand-painted card box. I asked my dad to make our cake topper, and he surprised us with an entire set of hand-made toppers that resemble our entire wedding party!

Salvage One in Chicago is an amazing venue all on its own, so we just included our own personal touches wherever we could. Star Wars cuff links for the guys, a string duo playing Queen and the Beatles, a cake buffet that included the most delicious french toast-flavored cake ever, a hot pink photobooth and vows we wrote ourselves. By making it so personal, the ceremony and our “first look” beforehand became my favorite part of the entire day–though coming in as a close second was the end-of-the-night dance party I wish never had to end!

Wedding Photography: Angela Renee Photography / Videographer: JR Bangit, Friend of the Bride / Getting Ready Photos: The Wit / Wedding Venue: Salvage One / Wedding Coordinator: Amy Stockbridge of Salvage One / Officiant: Rev. Tom Perrucci / Print Design: Lauren Okura, Graphic Designer and Sister of the Bride / Floral Design: Gratitude-Heart-Garden / DJ: Ralph Darden, a.k.a. Major Taylor of Style Matters / Makeup: Krystyn Johnson from Bridal Beauty Chicago / Hair: Samara Toby from Bridal Beauty Chicago / Caterer: Maison Cuisine / Cakes: Sweet Mandy B’s / Dress: Pronovias via Dimitras / Belt: DIY by Mother of the Bride / Earrings: Nadri via Nordstrom / Hair Comb: ChantalEveleen / Cufflinks: Crimsonking / Shoes: Top Shop / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Striped Orange and Gray Straws: HeyYoYo / Flower Hairpins in Bridesmaids’ Hair: ProjectU