Illinois Weddings

If this wedding doesn’t make you wanna jump up and down (while shouting hooray) and smile from ear to ear, you may wanna check your pulse! It’s fun, charming, whimsical and I so wish I was on this oh-so-cool guest list. It’s everything that I imagine an outdoor, summer wedding in Chicago to be like and reminds me of old movies where neighborhoods closed down for annual block parties and BBQs. There are so many gorgeous images from Soda Fountain Photography that is was beyond fun putting together these image boards to share with all of you. Yes, this is quite possibly the best job ever. Designed totally by the bride, this wedding is the ultimate example of whimsical elegance. Click here for even more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…We woke up that morning to the threat of thunderstorms and a very very grey sky. The wedding was all set to be outside in the garden at Honky Tonk and now we were facing the possibility of moving it indoors. We did most of the flowers ourselves the morning of while we were waiting for the clouds to clear, which helped us keep our thoughts on the possibility of sunshine. By noon the clouds had parted and we were able to get everything set up outdoors with the help of many of our friends. We absolutely could not have pulled it off without the help of everyone, family and friends that are family. The day turned out to be perfect. Hot, but perfect.

When it was time to walk down the aisle Michael surprised me with playing an Iron & Wine song that we listened to like crazy when we first started dating, which of course made me cry immediately. Our ceremony was based loosely on the Quaker ceremony, in which they say that it takes a community to marry a couple. Our close friend Ian acted as our officiant, who spoke on the topic of Love. We had my Dad, Michael’s sister and our dear friend Nanci as speakers who talked on the topics of Life, Family and Friendship, after which we said our vows. We cried and laughed and kissed and it all happened so fast. Afterwards we were able to eat some delicious BBQ and dance the night away to the sounds of the Golden Horse Ranch Band, it really couldn’t have been better! I also want to be sure to say that my bestest friend, Alexandra Graves, made this day possible. She, without a doubt, was the best maid of honor any girl could ever hope to have on her wedding day.

Pre-Wedding Fun Location: Tastee Freez / Catering, Ceremony + Reception Location: Honky Tonk BBQ Garden / Wedding Photography: Mysi & Craig of Soda Fountain Photography / Bride’s Shoes: Cydwoq / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Nail Polish: Essie / Jewelry: Heirloom / BBQ Apron: Mother-of-the-groom / Rings: Laura Prieto-Velasco + The Bride and Groom / Event Design: The Bride (General Assembly Design) + Friend, Alex / Flowers + Centerpieces: DIY / Bouquet, Bouts + Corsages: Asrai Garden / Music: Golden Horse Ranch Band / Beer: Two Brothers Brewing Co. / Pie Pops: Cheap Tart Bakery / Pies: Friend, Marissa Benedic

As soon as I saw these images, I thought, this couple is almost too cute for words. And then I read the description of their dating history and engagement from Cassandra Eldridge Photography and it somehow made them even cuter. It’s always a good thing when your friends with the love of your life before you realize, that well, they are the love of your life! These cuties met in chemistry class in college and their love just blossomed from there. I personally can’t wait to see their wedding images…hint, hint! See even more here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Cassandra Eldridge Photography…It was the first day of chemistry class at the University of Illinois.  Both freshman preparing for the unexpected, but never did either one of them expect to find the kind of chemistry that would lead them to a solid foundation of friendship, organically turning into a solid foundation of love. And in case you didn’t know, this type of chemistry is undeniable. I mean… you can’t deny science. Stephanie and Lior became fast friends and spent the first year getting to know each other among group hangouts. By their sophomore year, over the mutual agreement that someone (not naming names) had two left feet while tango dancing, a moment struck. Somewhere in between the trips and nervous energy, the questionable dance moves and gittery conversation, it was clear that something in their hearts had shifted.  Boy liked girl, and girl liked boy. The chemistry, was bubbling.

Stephanie had taken a trip down south to visit her brother in Texas, and Lior knew that this was the perfect time.  He knew that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and he wanted the rest of his life to start as soon as possible.  He immediately called Stephanie’s siblings to help him bring the ultimate proposal to life. White twinkle lights, tables filled to the brim with photos of their dating history, alongside love letters that hold proof that this moment, the moment when Lior will ask Stephanie to be his wife, had been a master plan long before he hung those pretty white lights.

She walks through the front door, day dreaming about unwinding from her trip. Feeling relaxed and settling back into her routine that consists of family, leisure and of course, her love.  She takes one step down into the basement where she sleeps.  Another step, and her ears catch a tune. Music? She opens up her eyes a little wider. Christmas lights? Another step, and her heart starts to pound through her chest. Something’s happening. Another step, and she’s face to face with the reality that within the next few minutes, everything is about to change. Walking from table to table, skimming the letters and giving the photos of their love story a once-over, Stephanie’s anxious heartbeats led her directly to a closed-door.  A door she knew was the entry to a new life. A life with Lior.  A life that held purpose and trust. Laughter and familiarity. And an undeniable chemistry.

Photography: Cassandra Eldridge Photography

Bridesmaids decked out in a sea of neutral are fast becoming the hot wedding accessory. We’ve seen it time after time and it never disappoints. Dawn E. Roscoe photographed this beauty of a case in point and it’s rocking a deliciously soft, muted palette, fab DIY details all crafted by REALLY TALENTED loved ones and a couple that clearly knows how to have a great time. They met in a dive bar after all which is exactly where I met my husband. Go Team Dive Bar! Settle in for a host of pretty details and perfect moments straight from Room 1520 in Chicago and be sure to pop on over to the gallery for a whole lot more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Both Bryan and I are Michigan transplants to Chicago, and we met at a dive bar where Bryan hosted a Motown music night.  Soon after we had our first date – a sunset sail on our little boat in Lake Michigan, and we knew that we wanted to spend our summers sailing together.  Bryan purposed on a weekend trip to Portland Maine filled with Lobster Rolls and as much of the Atlantic as we could soak up.  The engagement ring was made out of jewelry from both our grandmothers and mothers.

Marrying the old and the new was the inspiration for our wedding day. We didn’t have a theme or colors we loved. We both like mixing urban elements with the outdoors.  We just went with soft romantic colors that I typically favor and all things important: food, family, friends and fun.

We chose to get married at a loft in an industrial party of the city, and our friends and family pulled their talents together to create a memorable day.  My aunt and uncle catered the food that is always present at family celebrations, my mom and sisters made the place setting from old post-cards we thirfted together and wrapped the bombonieres (Italian wedding favors) in old-timey Italian maps.  Friends designed my dress from vintage French lace, spun the records, designed and printed menus, coasters and so on.  Our cousins sung at the ceremony and a great friend (and now ordained minister) married us.  Like the rings, we kept the old and maintained some important traditions while putting our new touch into the details and out came a spectacular that truly represented our lives together.

Preparation: Hotel Allegro / Ceremony + Reception Location: Room 1520 / Wedding Photography: Dawn E. Roscoe Photography / Assistant Photographer: Kelly Shaw / Caterer, Florist + Decor: Aunt of the Bride / Wedding Cakes: Sweet Cakes Bakery / Wedding Dress: Friend of the Bride / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Make-up + Hair: Friend of the Bride / Jewelry: Family Heirlooms / Brooch: Thrift Store

A whole lot of fabulous awaits you this lovely Tuesday morning, all courtesy of this outrageously gorgeous and uber-chic Chicago soiree by the awesome that is LK Events.  And with vibrant fuchsia florals by Blumen Design, a masterpiece of a wedding cake created by Amy Beck Cake Design and some adorable yellow bridesmaid dresses, I am loving every minute of it.  Not to mention one of the most beautiful weddings gowns I have ever seen, as rocked by the oh-so-stunning and super sweet bride.  Yes, I am most definitely obsessed with all things this wedding, so I’ll be spending my morning, noon and night in the gallery, wrapped up in all of these stunning images by Vrai Photography.  Join me, won’t you?

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Jonathan and I both have modern elegant taste and wanted our wedding to be a reflection of who we are as a couple.  Our first big decision to set the stage was the location.  While we saw many stunning options in Chicago, once we set foot in the Adler Planetarium we just knew this had to be it.  It has the best view of the Chicago skyline you could ever dream of, and since that’s the city we met and live together in, we wanted everyone to love Chicago as much as we did. The view coupled with “wine lover” accents made for a perfect event for us.  Our colors were light yellow and black with hot pink floral accents.

We are both die hard Steelers fans, and Jon got a kick out of telling everyone that was our theme!  We accented with hot pink because I’m a super girly girl, and he actually sported a pink tie, so it worked out! All of our floral were orchids, mostly hot pink and some yellow accents in the vases of the centerpieces, on black linens, with yellow napkins and a stunning pink up lighting.

Walking down the aisle, all I saw was a sea of people and Jon standing there looking as proud, polished and put together as I’ve ever seen him.  Once my father gave me to him, we snuck a little kiss (so not by the books, but oh so natural) before we began the service.  Such a Kristi and Jon move.  I loved it.  After a 30 minute personal, funny, and modern ceremony (which of course referenced our love of wine and the Steelers) we were pronounced husband and wife, I turned around to the crowd and gave everyone two thumbs up which got quite the reaction.

We couldn’t have wished for a better wedding for us.  We were blessed with family willing to foot the bill of the wedding of our dreams, and they said it was worth every penny after such a perfect event.  But the real magic was that everyone there could see and feel the love in the room between Jonathan and I.  All any bride needs for their perfect wedding is obvious love between one another, and to add pieces of their joint lives into the evening.  Happy planning!!!

Wedding Photography: Vrai Photography / Event Planner: LK Events / Wedding Ceremony Location: United Methodist Church Chicago Temple / Wedding Reception Location: Adler Planetarium / Wedding Videography: R.E.M. Video and Photography / Floral Design: Blumen Design / Catering: Food For Thought / DJ: DJ Chicago / Lighting: Spin Light Design / Wedding Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design / Hair + Make-up: Chicago Bridal Hair and Makeup / Jewelry (Rings, Watch, Necklace): Laskers Jewelers / Wedding Dress: Saison Blanche Couture / Groom’s Custom Tux: Richard Bennett / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bridal and Formal, Inc. / Groomsmen Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse / Table Numbers: DIY / Wine Labels: Etsy

Well SMP Illinois – you did not disappoint when it came to inspiring us with your beautiful boards! I must say, it is so incredibly fun to go through and see what makes you all tick! Just because we have a winner today, doesn’t mean you have to stop building and inspiring though – oh no! Keep on building and tagging your boards Inspire Me Pretty Illinois, and your board will be in the running for next time! OK, enough of the chatter – you want to know who the winner is! Well a big, hearty SMP congratulations to Chicago Chic for her green meets urban meet fabulous fête! Do you love, or do you LOVE?

Until next time! xoxo, A. Blaire

Good Morning, LBBers! I hope you are thoroughly enjoying your Saturday thus far. I’ve got something to share with you, and I will guarantee that you will be enjoying your Saturday a lot more after watching it. A fantastic highlight film from Loudbyte Cinematography, filled with so much emotion, you will not be able to stop yourself from grinning ear to ear – and possibly even shedding a tear or two. The couple was separated by oceans and land, but was finally able to come together to wed on a romantic, rainy Illinois day. Click here for the full image gallery!

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106,000 Miles….A Wedding Trailer from Loudbyte Cinematography on Vimeo.

From Loudbyte Cinematography … 106,000 Miles is a wedding trailer starring Angela + Phil. As is the custom in many chinese weddings, the groom must go through many challenges or ‘door games’ before he gets to see the bride. The door games are hilarious! Phil had to do push-ups while speaking Cantonese!

From the bride … Rewind. September 26, 2006.  It is a beautiful Saturday afternoon and we are off to our first date to the Chicago Botanical Gardens.  Phil, like the laid-back guy he is, rolls up in his car wearing a polo and jeans.  I, like the high-maintenance girl I am, click-clock to his car in my high pale pink heels and a summer dress.  Our story didn’t seem likely but it soon became full of love and mutual respect.  Fast forward.  May 28, 2011.  It is a wet and rainy day but probably one of the best days of our lives because today is the day we say “I do.”  After traveling over 106,000 miles for each other from Chicago to San Francisco and then separating again for 10 months for my visa, we finally made it.

Ceremony & Reception: Eaglewood Resort & Spa /Wedding Coordinator: Sweetchic Events / Cake: Lutz Cafe / DJ: Spin Productions / Shoes: Nina / Florist: Vale of Enna Flowers / Groom’s Watch: Mont Blanc / Cinematography: Loudbyte Cinematography

There are approximately three billion things that I love about this intimate Highland Park affair by Orange 2 Photography, so I think it’s safe to say that I am officially obsessed.  For starters, I absolutely adore weddings at home, especially when the home is affectionately called “Our Pleasant Place” by the bride and groom.  Yep, seriously love that.  And when you add to all of that backyard loveliness the fabulous florals by Botanicals, the crazy awesome heart-shaped tree sign and a wedding dress that is all caps AMAZING, this soiree just took a quick jump to the top of my all-time favorites list.  It’s pretty much a guarantee that I’ll be spending my afternoon (and weekend) in the gallery with every last bit of pretty, so join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… I knew that I did not want a conventional wedding, with ordinary details. This wedding needed to represent me, and us, it needed to stand for something more than just a passing night that looked the same as the wedding the week before. We don’t love to dance, a hotel setting never felt right, and at my wedding, I didn’t want to be introduced to anyone for the first time. We threw the rule book away, and my mom and I set the stage for what would be the most dreamy day of my life. Scott was not involved in the planning, he left the decisions up to us.

Decision number one, the wedding would take place at our new home, which we fondly refer to as Our Pleasant Place. I started the search for my dress. Le Salon Bridal Boutique made my wedding dress dreams come true. I fell in love with the Spanish designer, Rosa Clara and they were one of the only boutiques in the country who carried her line. Le Salon specializes in creating a unique individualized, unrivaled experience for the bride who is looking for her dress to say something more, and my Rosa Clara gown did just that.

Our day of wedding coordinator, Alyssa Stark, was seamless in her choreography. The event went beyond smoothly, in large part due to her quiet confidence and her abundant knowledge of how to make a perfectly flowing wedding. Scott’s mom, created the Scottie and Tracey heart sign that was used as a backdrop for pictures. My mom and I did the rest, which involved an exorbitant amount of cleaning and yard work, stamping “happily ever after” bags for homemade chocolate chip cookies, stringing twinkle lights in the tents, filling mason jars with lights which added to the ambiance, decorating the front entry tree with Japanese lanterns, creating the music for the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and after party, and all the other odds and ends. And of course my mom and I can take full credit for the vision, which was influenced by our love of vintage, our free spirits, and our desire to be true to ourselves. It was without a doubt the wedding of my dreams.

Wedding Photography: Orange 2 Photography / Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara via Le Salon Bridal Boutique / Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering / Floral Design: Botanicals / Wedding Invitations: Elizabeth Grace / Tent: Party Time Productions / Valet: Red Top Valet / Rabbi: Solel / Wedding Cake: Jewel-Osco

Do you ever see photos from a wedding, and just feel the energy, the love, the excitement radiating off of them? That is exactly the feeling I’m getting from this Naperville wedding from Melissa Hayes Photography. I always say Indian weddings have got to be amazing to be a part of, and the images you’re about to see have just proven that fact. The couple chose such brilliant, vibrant colors, therefore achieving such a fun and exciting ambience that flies right out of the computer screen. Don’t forget about the gallery for even more!

From Melissa Hayes Photography …  The bride and groom, Nazihah and Saif, had their ceremony at a Mosque in Naperville.  The Mehndi was held earlier in the week.  Recalling their engagement session back in the winter and watching Nazihah transform into a goddess-like  bride was amazing to witness.  Their heartfelt ceremony was filled with words of wisdom and guidance to each of them on respect, love, and cherishing one another for every single moment.

A photo session with just family and bridal party immediately followed nearby.  Families and friends made their way to the reception at Ashyana in Naperville later that evening.  The guests felts as though they had transcended into a mid summer’s night dream with a light blue sky and nature accents of branches and an array of delicate blossoms. Karuti, the event coordinator for Ashyana did such fabulous work turning the bride’s vision into reality.

Nazihah and Saif looked as though they had stepped out of a fairytale and were absolutely breathtaking.  The vivid colors and gorgeous patterns were a photographer’s wish come true.  With both the families being long time friends, and Nazihah and Saif knowing each other since childhood, you could feel how emotional it was for everyone.  As the bride and groom made their exit, everyone immediately followed to give them their final best wishes before their departure.  Fireworks were ignited as they drove off in their car adorned with flowers.  It truly was a dream for us to document their wedding and we wish them all the best!

Photography: Melissa Hayes Photography / Cinematography: Oak Street Films / Event Design: Karuti with Ashyana Banquets / Hair Stylist: Roz Morris / Makeup Artist: Sana Ghani / Catering: Masood Ali Catering & Ashyana Banquets

Be-still my antique loving heart! This eclectic wedding was held at Salvage One, an antique and salvage store on the west side of Chicago and I’ve never in my life even thought about a wedding at an antique store but now I’m totally obsessed with the idea. It’s utterly brilliant! Olivia Leigh Photographie was on hand for the day to capture all the fun and pretty details including a traditional Brazilian square dance and a beautiful handmade piñata that guests got to take a swing at. Another totally brilliant idea. I could go on and on, but I’ll stop so you can gaze at the many gorgeous images waiting for you in the gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Olivia Leigh Photographie…Keila and Dan are a truly amazing couple that both grew up in the Chicagoland area, met via online dating while they were both in grad school in the city, and then decided to move to Houston so Keila could pursue her career (pediatric cardiologist).

Both got ready at hotels on the north side, where friends and family enjoyed spending the morning reading their NY Times announcement (quite the coup for a Chicago couple, but so deserving for this incredible and self-made couple!). The ceremony was held at Bond Chapel at the University of Chicago, where Keila had studied. Not content with the usual set up of the church, they had the groomsmen turn around half of the pews so they could hold the ceremony in the round and have all their guests be able to see them. Keila is Mexican and Brazilian, and in honor of her heritage, Dan’s sister, a trained opera singer, sang the Brazilian standard Aguas do Marco for a portion of the processional. Other friends sang other processional songs, including Pride & Joy by Marvin Gaye, and then I Was Made to Love Her, by Stevie Wonder, for Keila’s entrance. Dan had known since they were engaged that he wanted Keila to walk down to that song, and it was truly a magical moment, filling the room with joy and laughter rather than just reverence.

After the ceremony, Keila and Dan were chauffeured around the city for photos by her uncle who owns an incredible vintage German car, which was so fun. Following the photos, we returned to their reception site, Salvage One, an antique and salvage store on the west side of Chicago. Here, guests sipped cocktails and Brazilian drinks amongst old doorknobs, street signs, and unique statues, and also ate fresh popcorn out of vintage-style popcorn boxes. The reception room was comprised of tables sourced from the store, creating a cool mismatched vintage look. Table assignments were on hand-lettered and typed signs strung by twine onto a mirror, named after their favourite coffee shops.

Guests moved out to the courtyard, where Keila’s uncle led all of the guests in a traditional Brazilian square dance. This was another unique and incredible moment, as pretty much no one had any idea what they were doing, but it completely broke the ice and was such a memorable part of the day. Upstairs, a lovely buffet was served and guests also partook in a Brazilian dessert table, filled with special sweets arranged by Keila’s aunts. Touching toasts were given on a stage, and before dancing occurred, a pinata that they had spent so long creating was hoisted to the ceiling, and guests were able to take a swing, based on how long they had been married. Another really unique and incredible moment! Such fun. After that, lovely parent dances took place, followed by Dan and Keila “wowing” the crowd with an incredible swing dance for their first dance. It was truly such an incredible day!

Wedding Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie / Wedding Cinematography: Studio 272 / Ceremony: Bond Chapel at the University of Chicago / Reception: Salvage One / DJ: Toast & Jam / Catering: J&L Catering

This fun Chicago fete by Dawn E. Roscoe Photography is the perfect example of how you can start out with a theme or idea and, by infusing your own personality into it, create something totally awesome and unique!  This creative couple began their wedding plans with a farmer’s market theme in mind but by adding a twist they created a bright, colorful, modern celebration.  Every details is full of merriment and whimsy!  See them all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…With Matt and I both being foodies, I immediately had a vision of a farmer’s market wedding: something a bit rustic, spring-like, colorful and full of life! I chose a multitude of colors: yellow, green, grey, peach, ivory and white. I didn’t want a color scheme that was too simple and wanted the yellow and orange/peach to stand out, as it’s Matt and my favorite colors. Lots of stripes, handmade custom details and something completely us. Through the planning process, I realized the farmer’s market was a good starting point, but I didn’t want barrels of fruits & veggies at the wedding. A few fruit crates, lemons, limes & clementines added whimsy and color and was just enough. Our florist was a total gem and immediately got the look I was going for.  I picked things that I found and liked; vintage french mason jars, a gorgeous Smith Corona typewriter, wine corks from a local re-purposed furniture store, a colorful cake and some beautiful rustic yellow frames from Etsy to incorporate into the wedding. We did the menus, hand-painted signs, table numbers and place cards ourselves which turned out to be very easy and fun to do.

All in all, the details and wedding plan worked because I had Matthew by my side. He was he best partner I could’ve asked for and helped me along the way. Not did he execute projects, but being there for me when I got stressed out. Torrential weather conspired against us the day of the wedding and flooded our reception space. Our florist, venue and planner moved everything, and although it changed the flow of the evening…it taught us a lesson, you can’t plan for everything! Our photos are proof that the day was all about the love we have for each other (and that we had an incredible photographer!) Planning is wedding is unexplainable to someone unless you’ve done it. Don’t stress about the details, but follow your gut and make it completely you. Focus on the love you have between you and your future spouse because nothing else matters.

From Dawn E. Roscoe Photography…Due to the inclement Chicago weather during the wedding day, the couple wanted to do an After The Day shoot to capture some additional couple pictures around the venue where they were married. Our locations were all neighborhood spots that were special to the couple including a local ice cream shop (Margie’s), a wonderful artifacts warehouse (Architectural Artifacts) and a beautiful local garden right near Chicago’s Metra train line. Marni and Matt dressed up once again for the shoot, and were all smiles once again!

Preparation: Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart / Ceremony + Reception Location + Catering: Ravenswood Event Center / Wedding Photography: Dawn E. Roscoe Photography / Wedding Planner: Sweet Pea Wedding Studio / Floral Design: Beth Tarrant of Anna Held Florist / Wedding Cake: Swedish Bakery / Jam Jar Labels: GersonCurse / Wedding Dress: Watters / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bari Jay Bridesmaids / Hair: Christin Stevens, Art & Science Salon Chicago / Make-up: Rachel Gore, R&K Chicago Bride / Band: Upbeat Band / Jewelry: Edera Jewelry / Bride’s Shoes: Shoes of Prey / Hair Accessory: Nova of Love

This Chicago wedding by Jess + Nate Studios is such a great example of a fun, fall wedding.  There is an earthy, urban vibe that works really well in the industrial yet romantic setting.  There is so much character and personality shining through from the palette of creams, browns and yellows to all the lush, interesting textures that were incorporated into the decor.  See all the details in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…From the time Aaron and I were engaged we knew we wanted a venue with character. When we saw Cafe Brauer for the first time it took our breath away. From the old brick to the iron details and stained glass windows, this venue was bursting with personality. It wasn’t long before we met Bambi Caicedo Rogers who guided us through the planning process and helped us find some amazing vendors. We knew from the start that we wanted to ask Jessica and Nate Johnston (photography) and Lee Thomas (videography) to come from Michigan to capture our special day. They had worked with family members in the past and we knew no one could tell our story better than them. Kehoe Designs designed our floral and lighting including a custom-made Gobo that incorporated our design from the invitations and cake. Calihan Catering put together a fantastic meal (including both Latin and Asian flavors- our favorites!) finished off by mini ice cream cones at that end of the night!

More than anything, we wanted our wedding weekend to be reflective of us and our personalities. Our rehearsal dinner was held at Wrigley Field which was a surprise for Aaron who has always been a long time Cubs fan. My uncle officiated our wedding ceremony and added that touch of humor and charm we were hoping for. Both being music lovers, we were thrilled when Bambi introduced us to Tony and Avi who are an amazing guitar/percussion duo. Our music throughout the ceremony, including the song I walked down the aisle to and the unity candle music, was all Led Zeppelin. Aaron and I have always loved photo booths and so we had one out during the reception with various costume accessories for fun. At the end of the night, we all took a bus into the city to continue the festivities. To end a perfect weekend, we arranged for brunch with our family and friends at our all time favorite brunch spot- Shaw’s Crab House.

Wedding Photography: Jess + Nate Studios / Wedding Cinematography: Lee Thomas Films / Event Design + Planning: BCR Events / Ceremony + Reception Location: Cafe Brauer / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier

The other local blog lovers in New York, Australia and Georgia have had their chance at inspiring us pretty with their board building skills, and now it’s your turn Illinois! We are borderline obsessed with our Inspiration Board Builder, and we look for just about any chance we can to play around with all the pretty images on SMP. It never hurts to day dream a bit right? So day dream we shall, and today I’m dreaming of an eclectic Chicago chic wedding (go with me on this one…) with loads of style and lots of spunk. Think modern meets whimsy meets a classic good time. What do you think? Well it’s your turn to show me your dream Illinois wedding – just whip up a pretty little board (or whip up five pretty little boards – we don’t judge) using our Inspiration Board Builder, TAG your board Inspire Me Pretty ILLINOIS, and we’ll pick a winner next week!

So what do you think of eclectic Chicago chic? What does your Illinois affair look like? I want to see! So be sure to use the new board builder and TAG your board Inspire Me Pretty ILLINOIS so we can easily find your masterpiece.  I’ll announce the winner next week!

There’s just something about a traditional wedding, with the grand dress and the ballroom reception, that sends my heart all a flutter.  And this Chicago stunner by Artisan Events, Inc. is the kind of soiree that sends my heart racing AND leaves me completely speechless.  It’s true.  From the beautiful ceremony and reception locations to the fabulous florals and lighting by Kehoe Designs to those sweet as can be flower girls, these nuptials are as fairytale-esque as they come.  All planned to complete perfection by Bliss Weddings and Events, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars that we have an entire afternoon to bask in all of this gorgeous.  Join me in the gallery for all of the pretty!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… Because we did most of our planning from abroad, I relied heavily on my wedding planner Renny from Bliss Weddings and Events.  We made important decisions from the reception venue to the band to the photographer strictly from looking at their websites.  Our full trust was given to Renny and boy did she nail it.  We absolutely loved all of our vendors.

The style of our wedding was a romantic, grand, old elegance feel with a touch of our world travels.  I enjoy soft colors and romantic flowers like peonies, along with soft draping and uplighting to attain that elegant feel.  Cornflower blue with hints of soft pink coupled with shades of ivory and champagne was the color scheme.

Because we met and fell in love in Chicago, we both knew we wanted an urban wedding.  An outdoor element was also desired.  That proved to be difficult to find in such a large city.  Ultimately we decided to have our ceremony within Millennium Park’s Wrigley Square.  I was a bit apprehensive about this ceremony venue knowing it would draw large crowds and be very noisy.  It ended up being one of my favorite parts.  From the moment we saw pictures of the Chicago Cultural Center, we knew it would be our reception venue.  After waiting patiently, a weekend in June opened up!  It was the perfect location and fit my elegant wedding vision perfectly.  The Tiffany Dome, which is the largest in the world, really made an impression.

Kehoe Events couldn’t have applied my vision for our reception any better.  The Chicago Cultural Center dripped with romance.  Candles everywhere, mirrors on tables that made a beautiful reflection and an abundance of flowers that finished off the look.  It took my breath away.  The cake was not only beautiful but also tasty.  Our guests raved about the food from Blue Plate Catering.  Hors d’oeuvres were samples of some of our favorite foods from India, SE Asia and Argentina among others.  Indigo rocked having had our guests on the dance floor until the clock struck midnight.  Our photographer, Amanda Sudimack and company from Artisan Events and our videographer, I do Films were both a joy to work with and they captured all the special moments from our Big Day.

A very unique and touching moment was a tribute to my mother.  Wanting to get her a special gift as an outward sign of what she means to me, a song writer was hired to write an original song for my mom.  Jeff Meegan wrote the most amazing song for her and even performed it at our wedding.  My mom was speechless and there was hardly a dry eye in the room.

It was truly our dream wedding.

Wedding Photography: Amanda Sudimack of Artisan Events, Inc. / Wedding Planning: Renny Pedersen of Bliss Weddings and Events / Wedding Ceremony Location: Wrigley Square – Millenium Park / Wedding Reception Location: Chicago Cultural Center / Hair & Makeup: Beauty on Call / Wedding Cake: take the cake / Floral Design & Lighting: Kehoe Designs / Catering: Blue Plate / Band: Indigo / Videography: I Do Films / Paper Goods: Cheree Berry Paper

I am officially in love with this couple’s ceremony location – The Rookery. OK, maybe I am in love with everything. The Monique Lhuillier dress, the custom jewelry by Erin Gallagher, all of the gorgeous images by Becky Hill Photography – can you blame me for the little love affair I am having this morning? I’m going to continue my gushing in the full gallery of images, and I highly advise you join me in there!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…I’m not an overly traditional person however my husband and his family are. Our goal was to find a unique venue that was elegant yet has distinct character and reflected a bit of who we are and our personal style. With my husband’s love and appreciation of history and architecture combined with my eclectic, retro-vintage taste The Rookery was not only an easy and thrilling decision to make. Once we selected the venue it was easy to figure out all the details by spending time on Style Me Pretty’s website.  I came across a “vintage elegance” inspiration board and decided right away that’s what I wanted because of us and our venue.  It was a visit to my favorite retail store, Anthropolgie, when I decided what my décor was to look like.  I wanted an eclectic mish-mash of vintage pieces that added to the character of our wedding day.

My florist Alison, from Stems, was amazing and did a wonderful job of brining my vision to life.  I chose to have a color pallet opposed to one or two distinct colors.  For me, the most fitting colors for our vintage theme included colors like ivory, taupe, champagne, sage, silver, pewter, bronze and gold with a splash teal.  She made the most incredibly beautiful and fragrant bouquets which include Cattleya orchids, dahlias gardenias, garden roses, mini calla lilies, succulents blossoms and peacock feathers!

I fell in love Monique Lhuillier’s lace dresses from the first moment I tried them on.  My all lace, deep V, sheath fitting dress was coupled perfectly with a bird-cage veil both from Ultimate Bride in Chicago.  I accomplished the exact look I was going for and it fit The Rookery perfectly!  My bridesmaids were in beautiful pewter colored dress made of a romantic, flowing crinkle chiffon.  They looked gorgeous and elegant and the color was the perfect backdrop for their lovely flowers. I couldn’t wait to accessorize all of our dresses with the most stunning jewelry from my favorite jeweler, Erin Gallagher.  I wore custom-made earrings were gold with white topaz, with small pearls and a rose quartz stone at the end.  I wore a beautiful pearl necklace that complimented both my earrings and my dress.  The custom-made silver and white topaz statement earrings that were a perfect for their dresses and added just the right amount of sparkle for the occasion.

Our photographer Becky Hill captured our wedding and the sentiment of the day brilliantly.  Her pictures are stunning and remind us daily of how wonderful our day truly was. Overall we would describe our day as more than perfect.  It was truly enchanting.  We worked with the most talented vendors and artists and without them our day would not have been.

Jewelry: Erin Gallagher – Custom Jewelry Boutique / Wedding Photography: Becky Hill Photography / Flowers: Stems / Event Design + Planning: DIY / Ceremony + Reception Location: The Rookery / Invitations: DIY / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Catering: Jewell Events Catering / Drapes: Start With Imagination

I have been totally swept right off my feet by this gorgeous wedding from Jen Lynne Photography.  I adore the wild centerpieces and florals and the sweet, natural details that fit so perfectly within the walls of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.  It is one part organic, one part elegance and all romance through and through.  The rich, jewel-tones and gray palette are right on target for a perfect autumn celebration. Check it all out in the full gallery!

Click here to see the full gallery of images!

From the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum… For Jen and Alex, the only thing more romantic than falling in love in high school Shakespeare class may have been their wedding day. Jen and Alex’s wedding started with the inspiration of an eclectic mix of vintage elements that were reminiscent of a French market and whimsical, wild flowers.  Tucked away in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, the couple selected the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum as the venue to showcase their inspiration.

The spring showers only enhanced the romantic details of Jen and Alex’s wedding day. Nature was brought indoors as the couple wed under a stunning chuppah created by Cornelia McNamara, set against a wall of windows in the Museum’s Lobby framing both Lincoln Park’s North Pond and the Museum’s Courtyard that was full of new spring blooms.

Walls of glass windows lined with candles illuminated the rain droplets, creating a one-of-a-kind romantic glow for the couple’s reception in the Nature Museum’s South Gallery. One of the favorite details of the reception were the two French Country inspired Etegeres from Tablescapes that LOLA set together and fashioned as a dessert station filled with sweets from Blue Plate and cupcakes from Sweet Mandy B’s. The Etegeres provided a layered feeling for the sweet station with different levels of shelving and drawers that were pulled out and filled with multi colored Sevres dessert plates, also from Tablescapes. Another favorite touch was mismatched vintage Heirloom flatware from Tablescapes that were wrapped with hemstitch napkins and bundled with raffia.

Guests were able to write wishes to the couple at a DIY post card table that LOLA set together, adorned with vintage photographs from the couple’s parents’ and grandparents’ wedding days. The postcards will be mailed throughout Jen & Alex’s first year as newlyweds, bringing to mind the details – and the romance – of their wedding day.

Wedding Photography: Jen Lynne Photography with Yazy Raclawski / Wedding Flowers: Cornelia McNamara / Event Consultant: Lauren Carter, LOLA Event Productions / Wedding Venue: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum / Catering: Blue Plate Catering / Linens: BBJ Linen / Special Event Rentals: Tablescapes / Ceremony Musicians: Mary Monica Music / Reception DJ: Chris Somera, Mary Monica Music / Cupcakes: Sweet Mandy B’s / Hotel: The Elysian Hotel

I’ve fallen head over heels for these Chicago nuptials by Victoria Sprung Photography and have been rendered a little bit speechless in the process, one gorgeous image at a time.  With a soiree that’s one part traditional and one part urban chic, every single detail is jaw-dropping fabulous.  The candlelit reception at Salvage One, that ah.ma.zing bouquet and those mismatched bridesmaid dresses… I love it all.  And I won’t forget that stunning, stunning gown, which has been worn by both the bride’s mother and grandmother AND is one of the most beautiful gowns that I have ever seen.  Swoon.  I’ll be spending my afternoon in the gallery, soaking in all of this pretty.  I suggest you join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… Our wedding was all about honoring traditions and sharing our love of Chicago, especially the neighborhood of West Town/Ukrainian Village, with our family and friends.  It was also very important to incorporate the talents of our loved ones in every way possible.  Our ceremony took place at Holy Innocents Catholic Church, where my husband’s mother attended mass as a child.  The decoration and imagery in the church celebrated her Polish heritage.  My father, a musician, arranged the music for the ceremony, which was a combination of early American spirituals and classical piece by American composers.  I wore a dress that was worn by four women in my family, including my mother and grandmother.

Our reception took place at Salvage One, a venue that houses salvaged architectural artifacts and art objects.  As an art history teacher, I was taken with the idea of being surrounded by the history and beauty of these objects while celebrating our promised future together.  We chose a menu that combined many of our favorite flavors; Southern barbecue, Tex-Mex, and classic American fare.  The band, Jimmy V and the Uptown Five, is a group of my husband’s college friends who play rock with a major soul vibe.  They were fabulous.  It was a spectacular evening… everything we had imagined and more.

Wedding Photography: Victoria Sprung Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location: Holy Innocents Catholic Church / Wedding Reception Venue: Salvage One / Bride’s Dress: Vintage / Catering: Chuck’s BBQ / Entertainment: Jimmy V and the Uptown Five

There is just something about pretty maids all lined up in a row wearing grey and yellow – it’s a palette that makes my heart pitter-patter. It’s even more darling when those lovely ladies are rocking yellow shoes. Swoon. Add a couple that couldn’t be cuter and a pooch that is just pinch-able and you get a full gallery of greatness by Photos by Vitella!

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From the Bride…High School + College sweethearts Andrew & Amber Nolan were married on June 18, 2011 at Amber’s childhood church in Hampshire, Illinois.  The groom proposed with Amber’s great-great grandmother’s 100+ year old wedding diamond.  For the past 6 years the couple has resided in bustling downtown Chicago working to build their careers, so when deciding a wedding location they were torn.  “We love our city, but our roots are back home in the country,” notes Amber.  The month of June was selected because that is when peonies are in season.  The bride wanted to remember her beloved Grandmother by using light pink peonies in her bouquet.  She has fond memories of picking them each June in her grandmother’s backyard.  The wedding colors were gray, yellow and white to fit the theme of an old-fashioned affair.  The boys wore formal tuxedos with a bow tie and the girls wore casual gray dresses from J.Crew.

Flowers were meant to look old–like they would at a wedding in the mid 1900’s.  A family friend loaned their yellow 1953 Ford car to use for a photo backdrop in the bride’s parents yard.  The wedding programs described why each person standing in the bridal party was a part of the bride + groom’s lives.  The back reminded guests that the reason the bride was carrying peony bouquet and the handkerchief wrapped around the bouquet was sewn by her great grandmother.  The groom’s cake was a surprise mold of the couples beloved puggle, Jack.  It was draped in the Groom’s alma mater’s colors and adorned with golf balls, tees.  The bride’s father made each wooden table number out of barn-wood from the bride’s grandfather’s barn wood.

In lieu of table favors, the bride and groom made a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois in my memory of the bride’s young cousin who passed away early in life.  Lastly, pictures of the bride and groom’s great grandparents, grandparents, parents wedding were displayed dating back to the 1800’s.  The last dance of the evening was “Back Where I Come From” by Kenny Chesney.

Wedding Photography: Photos by Vitella / Wedding Cinematography: Perspective Video / Orchestra: TKV Orchestra / Flowers: Town and Country Gardens / Day of Event Coordinator: La’Di Events / Ceremony Location: St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church / Reception Location: Boulder Ridge Country Club / Invitations + All Paper Products: I DO invitations by Michelle / Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones / Wedding Cake: Cakes by Dea / Groom’s Cake: Cake Confections / Table Runners: Nicki Bateson / Mr. + Mrs. Sign: True Connection / Table Numbers: Father of the Bride

It is always a pleasure to come across a wedding that is not only incredibly beautiful but also put together on a limited budget. And this backyard affair proves that sacrificing style isn’t necessary in the least. In fact, stylish details are positively bursting from each and every image captured by Erica Barraca. The Bride rolled up her sleeves, delved into a little DIY and managed to put together one heck of a wedding and she’s letting you in on some of her secrets behind this soirée below. See the full wedding here!

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From the Bride…My husband and I met at the University of Illinois in Champaign – he a law student and I a fifth year senior.  We ended up settling in Springfield, Illinois where my husband would practice law with his father.  On Christmas Day 2009, and after 4 years of dating, he proposed in Lake Forest in front of my entire family.  We decided to get married up in those suburbs of Chicago where I had grown up.  We were on a budget and on a mission.  For months on end, I scoured the internet (and Style Me Pretty in particular!) for inspiration.  We refused to sacrifice quality and break the bank.  Growing up, I had always dreamed of getting married at our family friend’s home.  They were beyond gracious in opening up their home to fulfill my dream over Memorial Day weekend 2011.  Aside from saying “I Do”, all Jonathan and I cared about was having a great party with delicious food.  We had been to so many weddings that followed a stuffy order.  Instead, we opted for a cocktail hour and stations so our guests could mingle and we could enjoy ourselves equally.  My mother took it upon herself to be the event planner extraordinaire and oversaw everything during the ceremony and reception.

One of the DIY projects I was most pleased with was the centerpieces.  The florist who designed the bouquets and boutonnieres sold us hydrangeas at wholesale that we put in large glass vases with river rocks and twigs.  My aunts (who assembled these beauties) took the leftover leaves from the hydrangeas and put them inside the vases that the bridesmaids bouquets went in to that adorned some of the cocktail tables.  I also recycled the bouquets of peonies that were used the evening before at the rehearsal dinner.  I turned to A Printable Press for the invitation designs and assembled them myself at home.  My husband put his graphic design skills to work and designed our programs.  Another little known secret is that my veil was picked up at JoAnn Fabric a couple of days before the big day when my original veil arrived from etsy as far smaller than the picture had lead me to believe.  Aside from that one snafu, etsy proved to be an extremely valuable resource as I ordered my bridesmaid’s gifts (ornate pashminas), a watercolor map enclosed with the invitations, bridal headband, and moss letters from vendors on the website…all of which I was extremely pleased with.  My sister popped in to a toy store the week of the wedding and surprised me with a Playmobil cake topper…we had played with these toys growing up and I was distraught that I had yet to find something to go on top of our cake.  All of our vendors were absolutely fabulous as our DJ, David Olivares, kept everyone on the dance floor the entire evening and the photographer, Erica Barraca, captured our day in a way that was truly special.  Our caterer, Maria with FoodLove, prepared the delicious spread of food and our wedding cake.  Knowing we could trust all of these vendors, our friends, and family allowed Jonathan and I to truly enjoy ourselves and celebrate the beginning of our journey.

Photography: Erica Barraca / Flowers: Lake Forest Flowers / Invitations: A Printable Press / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Dress: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Jeweler: A.B. Lauer (Springfield, IL) / Music: David Olivares, djrebel_d@hotmail.com / Caterer: FoodLove

Two high school sweethearts get married near the lake where they would travel together during the first blissful years of their romance.  Could it get more charming than that?  Oh wait.  How about beautiful garden flower arrangements, sweet pastel-hued parasols and buckets of lovely little DIY details?  This celebration near Apple Canyon Lake by Primavera Studios has charm tucked into and each and every corner and then some!  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…The moment we started planning our wedding, Brian and I knew one thing for sure: We had to have our wedding near Apple Canyon Lake, IL (2.5 hours west of Chicago).  My grandfather built my family’s lake house on Apple Canyon Lake in the early 1970s.  I’ve spent every summer of my life at the lake and since Brian and I started dating in high school, Brian has been traveling there with me the past ten years.  Needless to say, the lake holds a very special place in both our hearts. We found Oak Hill Farm (just ten minutes away from the lake) a few months after our engagement and instantly fell in love.  Everything from the 1860s chapel, the country store, a one-room schoolhouse (very fitting considering I’m a second grade teacher), to the original hay barn transformed into a home (where our officiant lives), the grounds were beyond perfect.  It had the rustic, country vibe Brian and I were looking for, not to mention endless ways to use our DIY creativity.

July 3, 2011 marked the day of our wedding and it began with a pre-ceremony cocktail hour, which we called the Welcome Hour.  Brian and I were very picky with the fact that we did not want to see each other before the wedding but also didn’t want to miss out on the cocktail hour or reception due to taking pictures.  Therefore, in lieu of a receiving line, we used the Welcome Hour as the time to greet and mingle with guests.  I wore a purple dress and visited with guests for the first half hour.  During the second half hour I went into the barn house (original hay barn) to change into my wedding gown and Brian socialized with the guests. My girlfriend and I painted messages on old barn wood to greet guests.  We served bottled water, lemonade, beer, and Sangria made by the local Galena Cellars Vineyard.  My mom’s girlfriends made finger foods such as cucumber sandwiches for guests to nibble on.  I used the one-room schoolhouse as an opportunity to share information about Brian and I with guests.  Scattered on desks we placed apples with a fact about Brian and I.  I also had a “photo booth” area where a girlfriend took photos of guests with props. After the ceremony she then transferred all these images onto a slideshow that then played during the cocktail hour and dinner at the reception.  Guests just loved seeing themselves in photos taken that day on display!

After the welcome hour came our most memorable part of the day, the outdoor ceremony.  It was held right below the barn house, in front of a pond, with a backdrop of lush, green trees.  Parasols and fan programs were provided to keep guests cool in the July heat.  We exchanged rings where Brian chose to wear his Grandfather’s wedding ring rather than purchasing his own.  Instead of combining sand, we mixed a red and white wine for our unity ceremony.  Both being wine lovers, we poured a white and red wine together and each took a sip from the glass.

Wedding Photography: Primavera Studios / Wedding Cinematography: The NEW View / Flowers: Garden Party Florist / Event Design + Planning: The Bride / Ceremony Venue: Oak Hill Farm / Reception Venue: Eagle Ridge Resort / Invitations: I Do Invitations by Michelle / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman/ Welcome Hour Dress: Ciarla Bride / Bridesmaid Dresses: Thread / Wedding Gown: Angelina Couture / Groom’s Suit: Tom James

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Well if that is the case then this wedding film shot by Rising Moon Films must be worth a million – maybe even a trillion because it is just that good. Filled with all those special moments that seem to fly by on the big day before you have a chance to catch your breath. But with a lovely film like this, the Bride and Groom get to relive each and every fabulous second and we are right there with them. Grab a comfy seat, kick up those heels and take a little time to enjoy this Illinois beauty.

From Rising Moon Films…Jason and Diana were married at the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Peter, with the reception at Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort in Rockford, Illinois. We loved all the little touches that made their wedding day unique and special, from the bridesmaid’s umbrellas, to the custom photo “guest book” tree, to all the vibrant yellow and red touches that celebrated Diana’s Chinese heritage.

Wedding Cinematography: Rising Moon Films / Ceremony Location: Cathedral of Saint Peter / Reception Location: Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort / Floral: Event Floral / Wedding Cake: Patricia’s Patisserie / Make-up: Grace Lin