Illinois Weddings

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!

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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

City weddings just swoop me up and take me hostage every time. Particularly when they result in images as fabulous as these. I am in love. In love with her bouquet, in love with her gorgeously sophisticated, yet classic, yet fabulous dress with ruffling down the back, and I am in love with each detail she tucked in each nook and cranny. There is a full gallery of things to be in love with in this city chic celebration, so be sure to take some time to devour each image today!

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From Chicago History Museum…For a detail obsessed event planner bride and her creative artist mom, hand crafted, thoughtful elements were everywhere you looked at this modern shabby chic affair! Loving all things white, ruffly, and frilly, this bride wanted a very romantic, soft, and timeless day inspired by feminine white ruffles, doilies, mercury glass, and peonies. This classic, charming, fairy tale wedding was absolutely beautiful. The bride is a Chicago native and the groom is from the north suburbs, so they knew a city wedding was right up their alley. The couple fell in love with the gorgeous Chicago History Museum- grand yet simple, elegant, and all about the place they call home. (Also a spot where the bride took an off campus class in the 7th grade!) It was the perfect place to host their dreamy urban wedding.

Katie and Chris had their first meeting at the stunning Elysian Hotel and then headed around town for some fun city shots with their wedding party at some of their favorite Chicago Spots– The Chicago Theater, The Wrigley Building, LaSalle Street Bridge, and North Avenue Beach– before heading to The Chicago History Museum for the ceremony and reception.

Katie and Chris surprised their guests with a romantic candle-lit first dance outside on Uihlein Plaza where they danced to ‘You N Me’ by Chicago. A sweets table included the couples favorite minis- cupcakes from Crumbs, ice cream cones, and sour cherry tarts, as well as unique wedding cake flavors like hazelnut with mocha mousse, vanilla cake with passion fruit and chocolate cake with pistachio crème brule. Dancing in the Chicago Room completed the night as guests danced until they just couldn’t dance any longer!

Flowers: Elizabeth Wray Design / Event Planning: So Dressed Up / Ceremony + Reception Location: Chicago History Museum / Catering: Berghoff Catering / Wedding Cake: Sarah’s Pastries and Candies / DJ: Megan Taylor of Fig Media / Photobooth: Shutterbooth / Cake Topper: Concarta / Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Cristine / Ceremony Music: Harpist, Penny Currier / Day Of Paper + Projects: Linda Jackson Branded by Love / Custom Engraved Wedding Signage: Prestige Engraving / Forks: Lorelei Rose / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Belt + Veil: Bella Bianca / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Hairpieces: Weddings 826 / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / MOB Dress: Sue Wong / Hair: Elizabeth Petro / Make-up: Susan Hood Evans

Apparently mixing modern stylings with rustic elegance equals an event that is downright ba-na-nas. I am not surprised a bit that Birch Design Studio is the talent behind this beyond gorgeous affair. Not.one.little.bit. There is so much to to ga ga over I don’t know where to begin. The window frame ceremony backdrop will have me swooning until the sun comes up again. The couple’s eye for design and ability to bring both of their cultures in seamlessly is remarkable. Oh and the shoes. Let’s not forget about the choos. Heavenly. If you haven’t already entered the e-mazing Loeffler Randall shoe giveaway on SMP New York Weddings today, I have a feeling you’ll be bee-lining it on over there after gawking over this shoe swoon fest. And don’t forget pretties – there is even more in the full gallery of images!

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From the Bride…James and I were married on June 18, 2011.  It was important to us to have a wedding that not only reflected our love for each other, but also honored our families, our different cultural backgrounds, and our personal style.  James grew up in Scotland and my family is from Thailand, and for the longest time we could not decide what type of venue would best highlight that diverse history. We entertained the idea of a destination wedding in Scotland, but decided that it would exclude too many of our family and friends.  We then searched for farms, barns, and vineyards that would offer a rustic, intimate, and comfortable setting for the wedding we had in mind. Eventually, we decided the best thing to do was to bring touches of Thailand and the Scottish countryside to Chicago, the city where we met and the place that we know and love as our home. The result was a day that brought all those worlds together and paid tribute to our bond over a love of food, friends, family, and travel.

Since James works in the restaurant industry and I own a clothing boutique, we’ve both organized a lot of events over the years and have had the privilege of working with some of the most talented photographers, designers, caterers, and event planners around the city. Having such an amazing pool of creative people to choose from made selecting wedding vendors a total breeze.  Before opening my store, Roslyn, I worked as a merchant for J. Crew and in order to give a nod to my history in fashion, I had my bridesmaids wear dresses from both places. Three of the girls wore dresses by J. Crew and three wore custom designs by Elise Bergman, a designer I carry at my store, all in different silhouettes and tones of grey silks.  Pen / Carlson and The NEW View documented our joyous occasion through photographs and film while Catherine at Birch Design Studio and Jessica at Botanicals worked tirelessly to help realize my vision for décor and florals. Outside our venue, guests were welcomed by a bagpiper playing traditional Scottish songs.  Inside, rustic and country-inspired details were set alongside the refined, industrial backdrop of Gallery 1028. Reclaimed wood decor was accented with organic flowers, delicate fabrics, votive candles, and paper goods in varying shades of crème, tea green, and pale grey.  Old farm windows sourced from Wisconsin just for us hung in staggered layers and served as the backdrop for the ceremony, which included poetry readings and a traditional Scottish handfasting ritual.

During the cocktail hour, guest sipped on Bellhaven and Singha, beers from Scotland and Thailand, and enjoyed cocktails out of mason jars with grey and green barber straws. They were invited to take pictures in the traveling photobooth and use the two vintage typewriters to leave us messages, which we later plan to bind into a leather guestbook.   After dinner, a Thai dancer performed a traditional dance in celebration of our new marriage.  We danced with each other and our family and friends long into the night and the evening was topped off with a delicious and chatter-inducing Nutella-filled cake.  Guests were sent off with film strips from the photobooth and canvas tote bag favors that were custom designed and hand screen-printed with graphics of some of our favorite major Chicago landmarks.  Included in these landmarks are two of our personal Chicago favorites: my boutique, Roslyn, and the floral design created on our invitation suite to represent Gallery 1028.  While I loved seeing my vision of the wedding and its details brought to life, what was more important was spending time with our friends and family from around the world.  Bpen kuhn tee chahn ja mai mee wahn luhm!  (Thai for “It was a night I’ll never forget!”)

Wedding Photography: Pen / Carlson / Wedding Cinematography: the NEW view / Floral Design: Botanicals / Event Design + Planning: Birch Design Studio / Band: The Party Faithful / Wedding Cake: Take the Cake / Ceremony + Reception Location: Gallery 1028 / Catering: Calihan Catering / Photobooth: Magnolia Photo Booth / Invitations: Linseed Projects / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew + Elise Bergman via Roslyn / Accessories: Michelle Rahn + Trabert & Hoeffer

I just love me a good, ol’ farm wedding. Maybe because I had one myself, but there’s just something so fun about a wedding that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with hay bales for seating, a simple white dress, and lots and lots of DIY details. Oh, and a groom rocking a bow-tie, I love that too! Rojo Foto Design was there to capture all the DIY details like the super cute handmade candle favors. Click here for even more!

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From Rojo Foto Design: Katie and Scott wanted a beautifully simple wedding ceremony in a quiet allee of trees and a reception equally as laid back. St. James Farm was the perfect location. Miles of white fences outline this once equestrian center and the brick and bright yellow barns offer a charming backdrop for guests as they walked around before and after the ceremony. With just the two of them standing before their officiants, and the supportive family members and friends sitting on rows of hay bales, Katie and Scott were married on a beautiful July afternoon.

Knowing that this was going to be a small family and close friends event, Katie and Scott planned their reception at their favorite “modern comfort food” cafe (Honey Cafe) in neighboring suburb Glen Ellyn. With a three piece jazz band providing the music, the air was filled with laughter and chatter as people gathered around tables and played board games and card games together.

When it was time to make their exit, the couple walked through a flurry of paper airplanes and headed off to their Bali honeymoon! …the perfect end to the relaxing and memorable day that Katie and Scott wanted.

Ceremony: St. James Farm / Reception and Catering: Honey Cafe / Bouquet and Boutonniere: Asrai Garden / Flowers: Friends and Family of Bride / Wedding Dress: BHLDN / Photographer: rojo foto design / Music: Kevin Brown / Engagement Ring and Groom’s Band: Ivan Sagel / Bride’s Band:  Bario-Neal Jewelry / Candy Buffet: Bride’s Mom and Sister

These sweet as can be Chicago nuptials by Alaina Bos Photography, Inc. are just what I needed to start my Monday off right.  With an urban country theme and one of the happiest brides I have ever seen, I’ve been smiling all morning over all of the lovely.  LOLA Event Productions is the genius behind the charming details and from the chalkboard seating chart to those lovely yellow blooms, I am completely smitten.  Yes, I do believe it’s going to be a very good week here on Style Me Pretty Illinois.  Join me in the gallery for all of the pretty!

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From the Bride… We knew we wanted to get married at Cafe Brauer. We never went venue shopping. I just knew that Cafe Brauer was the most beautiful place I’d ever seen. I had an extraordinary amount of help from Lauren Carter of LOLA Event Productions on ideas, decor, and flowers. She was incredible!  We came up with some fun DIY projects and I had a few of my own that I wanted to do.

Eric works in finance and wanted to see how awesome of an event we could put together without spending an unreasonable amount of money.  We were fortunate enough to call on friends in the industry for help, as well as do some DIY projects. Using wedding tips from our vendors, we were able to save money on things like flowers by choosing flowers that were in season.

Wedding Photography: Alaina Bos Photography, Inc. / Event Design, Planning + Flowers: LOLA Event Productions / Location: Cafe Brauer / Wedding Invitations: With Grace / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Wedding Dress: Demetrios / Jewelry: Nordstrom + Bride’s Grandmother / Bridesmaid Dresses: Demetrios / Linens: BBJ Linens / Programs, Favor Cards, Menu Cards: DIY + Kevin & Amanda (Fonts) / Make-up: Terry Rayson / Hair: Dana Farrington of Hush Salon / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: Sweet Mandy B’s

There is just something about an engagement session that never grows old. The love is almost palpable, the smiles huge and the cute outfits come in multiples. What’s not to adore? Kate Miller Photography shot this gorgeous couple in their native land of Illinois, right outside of Chicago and the greenery runs a plenty as do all of the breathtaking images. See it all here!

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From Kate Miller Photography…This Illinois engagement session was so much fun to shoot! Braving a warm, mosquito filled evening we set out with Adam and Elizabeth into a greater Chicago Land Forrest preserve. Making photographic use of the dock/boats, field, and green floored wooded area as well as some of the many paths. Adam and Elizabeth were initially worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera but after a while they really loosened up and you can feel the affection they have for one another and also the great amounts of laughter they share!

To me this the best part of living in the midwest and particularly Chicago area. Access to the urban as well as the outdoors. Engagement sessions are such a great chance to spend time with your photographers, getting to know how you all work as a team on a day when there are no details to worry about. Also you get the chance to have some beautiful photos for use in your wedding or maybe just because its always nice to have quality photographs where you are not wearing a suit and gown! If you have the chance to have an engagement session just say yes! You will not regret it…

Photography: Kate Miller Photography

I seriously need to be friends with this lovely Chicago bride and groom, because they. are. awesome.  They took a simple slogan, “friends, food and music,” and turned it into one of the most amazing days that I have ever seen.  I kid you not, I have literally been blown away by the fabulousness that is this wedding.  From a Beatles cover band (I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing I think that is) to a circus marching band (ditto), this was one fun and uber-gorgeous soiree.  Nika Vaughan was responsible for the bride’s glamorous look (stunning) and we have J Wiley Photography to thank for every brilliant image.  Trust me, you don’t want to miss a single minute.  See it all here!

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From the Bride… Carlos and I began planning our May 2011 wedding from a place of wanting to give the world to each other, and like many others, we had limited resources to do so.  In having the initial conversations, we decided that the most important thing for us was to simply have a day where we could be around all of our favorite people and for all of us to have a memorable time together.  We wanted our loved ones to see the city as we see it, to share the foods that we enjoy, and more importantly, to feel the comfort around their new extended circle in celebrating this important day with us.  But we would be fooling ourselves if I left out that I wanted to have gorgeous makeup, Carlos wanted to be GQ-esque from head to toe, and we both wanted our day to be captured in amazing pictures to cherish in the days to come.

So, how do we balance the more meaningful aspects of a wedding with the relatively “little” things?  With perspective, prioritizing, and with remembering that while it is an important milestone – in the end, it is essentially one big awesome theme party (with the theme being our union).  In my experience, all that a good party needs is a little bit of planning (maybe a little bit of unpredictability), and a whole lot of friends, food, and music.  In my case: our family and close friends were our party crowd, tapas and amazing desserts were our food choice, and a marching circus band procession and our Beatles cover band (My wedding surprise gift to my husband – yay!) were our music.  “Friends, food, and music” sounds deceptively simple, but I stand by that.

Wedding Photography: J Wiley Photography / Make-up: Nika Vaughan / Hair: May Mey Seto (Sister of the Bride) / Bouquets: DIY / Boutonnieres: Marcel Florist and Garden / Event Design + Planning: The Bride + Groom / Day of Wedding Coordinator: Allie House of Wedding Now / Reception Music: The Cavern Beat / Wedding March: Environmental Encroachment / Ceremony + Cocktail Music: iPod Playlist / Ceremony Location: Mars Gallery / Reception Location + Catering: Cafe Iberico / Invitations: e.m. papers + Alphagraphics in Chicago (printing) / Bride’s Shoes: Poetic License via Nordstrom Rack / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Veil: A Joyful Occasion / Jewelry: Nadri via Bloomingdales / Bridesmaid Dresses: Ideeli / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Photo Booth: Magnolia Photobooth / Cocktail Catering: Vanille Patisserie / Wedding Cake: Bittersweet Pastry Shop + Cafe / Officiant: Rev. Anne Styx

Goooood morning Illinois! I have something fun to share with you lovelies today. It shouldn’t be a bit of a surprise that we love all things Etsy over here at SMP. It’s such a fun place to put those extra special touches on your fabulous fête. While I was pulling together this oh so fun round up for the darlings at Etsy, I kept coming across Illinois inspired details or fabulous Illinois vendors, and I just had to share them with you – it just wouldn’t be right if I kept them to myself. Here are a few of my favorites…

Cufflinks: qacreate’s / Notecard: Steel Petal Press / Invitations: Baumbirdy / Illinois Map: delovelyArts / Chicago Heart Map: Lucius Art / Coasters: Moontree Press

Do you have any favorite Etsy finds? Specifically Illinois vendors or Illinois related? Do share!

This wedding has put a big, fat smile on my face and I’m pretty sure that it’s sticking around for the day, heck, maybe even the week. It’s happy, whimsical, and colorful, and I’m totally head over heels in love with it. This artistic bride did a little (or a lot) of everything from the save the dates to the place cards to the napkins that were dyed and screen printed and doubled as favors for the guests. My favorites have got to be the cute little monster that “eats cards” and the drawing of the bride and groom’s cat that adorned each and every table. Lucky for us, Soda Fountain Photography was there to capture all the DIY details and as always, there’s so much more in the gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…I wanted our wedding to be whimsically elegant and fun for us and everyone involved. As an artist, it was important for me to bring my style and vision into the event as much as possible. I started with a drawing I did of some stylized flowers and fun insects. The flowers were loosely based on Gerbera Daisies, which are my favorite. I included insects like ladybugs, long-legged spiders and a cute creation of my own called a “bunny bee.” This visual theme was used throughout our wedding, from the invitations to the décor.  The color scheme was based off of Gerbera reds, oranges, and pinks, with light blue as an accent.

It was also important for us to keep costs down whenever possible. If there was something that I could do myself, I did it. I designed the Save The Date cards, the invites and the programs using my flower and insect illustrations. They were bright, colorful and hopefully a little funny too. I dyed napkins using the pale blue accent color, and then I screen-printed the flower and insect theme on them with white ink. The napkins also served as our gift to the guests.  I found it easy to use this theme for accessories too.  Using the same shade of blue, I dyed silk ties for the groom and groomsmen that matched the blouses of the bridesmaids. I also made a series of silk hankies with a screen-printed flower pattern for the bridesmaids and a special one for my groom to wear. Our place cards included a variety of insect illustrations with speech bubbles that listed the names of our guests and their designated table numbers.  We wanted our cat Steinway to be a part of our big day, so each table included a drawing of him with a corresponding table number. My aunt is a retired florist, and her expertise was very valuable. We were able to buy our flowers wholesale.  A  few of my family members then helped to wire and place the daisies in vases that I had spray-painted white.

I was so sure that I wanted a wiggle-style dress that I never tried on any traditional wedding gowns. My mother offered me her wedding gown to use. Dame Couture worked with me to take my mother’s wedding dress and rework it into exactly what I wanted.  It ended up being really beautiful, and I couldn’t have planned it better if I had picked out the fabric myself. Dame worked with me so much to make it fit perfectly, and they were nothing but fun and supportive to be around.

The best part of our wedding was seeing our friends and family come together and make our big day so special. Our best friend served as our officiant, and her husband made sure that everything stayed on track.

Wedding Photography: Soda Fountain Photography / Ceremony + Reception Location: Women’s Club of Evanston / Wedding Dress: Dame Couture

I can’t imagine it’s possible to love these Chicago nuptials any more than I already do.  With the breathtaking urban garden setting of The Ivy Room at Tree Studios, all of the vibrant yellow blooms by Scarlet Petal (including one of my faves, tulips) and a magical candlelit reception, I think the more appropriate term would be “completely enamored.”  Yes, I am most definitely head over heels, so it’s a very good thing we have all of the stunning images by Amanda Hein Photography to spend the day with.  A very good thing.  Join me in the gallery for every last moment!

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From The Ivy Room at Tree Studios… Ariel and Nick hosted an elegant, urban affair at The Ivy Room. Lush Spring floral, romantic lighting and incredible food made the evening unforgettable- not to mention an amazing Vera Wang dress on an amazingly beautiful bride. This couple made the most of both the lush courtyard garden setting and the downtown Chicago location by incorporating elements of both in the decor. The lush floral and soft shadows of leaves on the walls brought the outside in and tables were marked with chic black and white photos of Chicago neighborhoods.

Wedding Photography: Amanda Hein Photography / Floral Design: Scarlet Petal / Lighting: FROST / Catering: Food For Thought / Wedding Cake: take the cake / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: The Ivy Room at Tree Studios / Bride’s Gown: Vera Wang

Is it just me or could this gorgeous bride-to-be double for Zooey Deschanel?  It’s no wonder that the pretty fashionista caught her London-dwelling fiance’s eye all the way from Chicago when they met via LOOKBOOK.  Alea Lovely‘s photographs of their amusement park engagement session definitely live up to her name.  They are sweet, fun, playful and full of romance.  See even more of this beautiful couple in the full gallery!

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From Alea Lovely…Rachel and Gareth met through a fashion site called ” Look book”. He was a Fashion Photographer from England and she was a model from Chicago. After much time admiring her style he emailed her and the short story is they fell in love, applied for the long fiance visa process and Gareth moved to Chicago to marry his love. Because of the unique visa situation the were required to get married soon after his arrival and these are their engagement photos.

They love Chicago where they live and thought Navy Pier would be the perfect place to play up their personalities. We started off on a small boat that would take us to the pier. Arriving at the pier we set off to find cotton candy. They both love cotton candy so that was a simple but important detail about them.

Photography: Alea Lovely / Stylist: Rachel Marie Jones

This adorable couple didn’t let a little rain and snow ruin their big day or their amazing shoe choices. Instead they braved the elements with their nearest and dearest and did it in total SMP fashion, if I do say so myself. Two Birds Photography was there capturing all the special moments and details including the super sweet and intimate moments between the bride and groom down by the river. See even more of this snowy day here in the gallery.

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From the Bride…Richard and I knew when we got engaged that we wanted our wedding to reflect us, our relationship and just a wedding unlike any other. We pulled inspiration from the city that saw us through our entire relationship and tied in Chicago any way we could.  Etsy helped me find those special touches from our placecards to street sign table names because I’m definitely not crafty.  Richard designed our playbill programs.  They had everything from head shots of us, our attendants, readers and ushers as well as made up titles of plays or musicals they had been in previously.   We wanted to have a nod to Richard’s home state of Michigan as well, so our cookie favors reflected our favorite baseball teams, the Cubs and Tigers.  Both of us are avid readers, so we collected hardcover books to use in our centerpieces.  I was also set on having fun napkins so when we found some that said “Be Our Guest,” I knew that we needed to have those.  It was just the setting we wanted for our guests.

Chicago was just a beautiful backdrop for our wedding.  Even though it snowed and was pretty cold, we went down by the river with our photographer to take pictures where we sat talking on the first day we met.  I’m so glad we captured those moments because it was really one of my favorite parts of the day.  Our reception was held at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago which is one of my favorite buildings in Chicago, the Carbide and Carbon Building.  It was absolutely surreal to dance the night away and celebrate in such a beautiful place.

Wedding Photography: Two Birds Photography / Flowers: Fairy Godmothers / Event Planning: Nicole Hance of Niche White / Ceremony Location: St. Clement Catholic Church / Reception Location: Hard Rock Hotel Chicago / Invitations: Felice Design / DJ: Toast & Jam, Kate and Rachel / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Wedding Dress: LJM Bridal / Reception Dress: Betsey Johnson / Hair + Make-up: Visage Joli / Hair Accessory: Untamed Petals / Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy / Groom’s Suit: Kenneth Cole / Photobooth: Magnolia Photobooth / Placecards: Paper Stories / Signature Drink + Photobooth Signs: Baumbirdy

On your Wedding Day, putting your best face forward is usually on the bride-to-be wish list but unfortunately a makeup artist isn’t always in the budget. Well today, Sonia Roselli, makeup artist extraordinaire, is sharing her tricks of the trade. This look is dubbed “Beauty in Bloom” and would be oh so perfect for a garden soiree or outdoor wedding. So get your DIY caps on ladies and take notes. A fresh, gorgeous face is right at your fingertips.

Hair + Make-up: Sonia Roselli / Floral Headband: Laura Hubka / Model: Noelle Lynn / Cosmetics: Sonia Roselli Cosmetics

We just love us some modern weddings around these parts, especially when they look like this next wedding by Laurie Peacock and Botanicals. The orange and yellow accents totally have us swooning over here and those oh-so-perfect Phillipe Stark ghost chairs? Amazing. And we can’t forget the bride in her beyond beautiful vintage yet contemporary dress with make-up and long-as-can-be lashes by the super talented Nika Vaughan. Totally gorgeous. See the whole, modern fête here in the gallery.

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From Nika Vaughan…This was a July 2011 Modern Loft wedding shot at Room 1520 in Chicago, IL by Laurie Peacock.  The bride, Paige, is a super laid back girl, and gladly let her mom, Sandy, and awesome event coordinator Alexzandra Higgins organize a night they knew she would love.  The details for the wedding were picked to suit Paige’s bend towards things that are a touch vintage, but with a very contemporary feel.  Sandy and Alexzandra sourced the details from a wide range of vendors, splurging on the stuff they knew the couple would especially love, as well as finding amazing deals on sites like Etsy and stores like Filene’s Basement.  Corey, the groom, actually made his cuff links from hardware pieces, and Paige was dying to see him in his Hugo Boss suit at their first look before the ceremony.

On the day of the wedding, the bride’s one makeup request was for some really awesome lashes.  Both her dress and her hairstyle were vintage inspired, but with a more modern twist.  Her dress was actually two pieces that fit her like a glove.  The gorgeous purse was found on a whim at Filene’s Basement (for 19.99!), while the mother of the bride managed to hunt down the perfect blue gray flower girl dresses for both the girls–but each from a completely different company.    The flower girls wore wired flowers in their hair from Chicago Botanicals.

Catering: Food Evolution / Florals + Decor: Botanicals, an HMR Design Group Company / Rentals: Tablescapes / Hair: Suzy of Hairspray Revolution / Make-up: Nika Vaughan / Venue: Room 1520 / Wedding Planner: Alexzandra Higgins/Atomic Jaguar / Band: Devil Dogs / DJ: Pete Huels / Wedding Photography: Laurie Peacock / Wedding Dress: Ultimate Bride Chicago / Bride’s Shoes: Nine West / Bride’s Bracelet + Earrings: Bloomingdales / Veil + Hair Brooch: Etsy / Purse: Filene’s Basement / Grooms’s Suit: Hugo Boss via Formerly Modern Tuxedo / Grooms’s Cuff Links: The Groom / Flower Girl Dresses: David’s Bridal + Nordstrom

There is totally a reason the word “Chic” is in the word “Chicago” and I’m pretty sure this winter wedding just proved why. David Wittig Photography send this stunner our way, so we definitely owe a big thank you to him. The couples wedding style is killer – set in the middle of a bunch of amazing antiques at Chicago’s famous Salvage One, they were somehow able to make their wedding feel contemporary amongst all those romantic, vintage details. That, I must say, is serious wedded talent. You won’t want to miss the gallery for more of this affair to remember!

It was the first BIG snow of December 2007 and we both found ourselves in a cozy neighborhood bar. There is something magical about the first snow of the year and that night it was a magical, indeed! December became a special month for us, as two years later Oren proposed on a Thursday morning, in December and we decided to marry the following December on the “Eve of the Eve”.

We discovered Salvage One, a vintage resale furniture shop, for its charm and uniqueness. We decided to have both the ceremony and reception at Salvage One, which allowed for us to have continuity throughout the evening. We wanted it to feel intimate so we utilized the venue’s unique collection of chandeliers and simple candles to create warmth. The chandelier became a theme we used with our stationary and programs. We used minimal décor. White candles, simple white floral and amber up-lighting to create a glow.

Photography: David Wittig Photography / Venue: Salvage One / Catering & Day of Coordination: Entertaining Company / Entertainment: Rendezvous / Floral & Event Design: Event Creative / Invitations: Courtney Callahan / Cake: Sarah’s Candies / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Groom’s Tuxedo: Ralph Lauren Black Label / Rings: The Goldsmith Ltd. / Veil: Palazzo / Custom Hair Piece: Lori London

Everyone knows by now that I’m a sucker for barn weddings. I can’t help it. I had my own just about a year ago and loved every little inch of that old, wooden structure. So you won’t be surprised to know that this next DIY wedding, captured by Hannah Persson Photo, has me falling in love all over again. This wedding truly was a labor of love and everyone pitched in to make the day special and unique for this adorable couple. Click here to see even more.

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From Hannah Persson Photo: This is perhaps the most successful DIY wedding that I have ever seen. From the homemade cake bites and cupcakes to the hand-painted signs designating kids games and the photobooth area, every one was simple and unique. The barn in Streamwood, Il, lent a small-town country charm to an otherwise suburban area just outside Chicago. The tent that held the reception was borrowed from a local church. The jars of honey given to the guests as favors had hand-written inscriptions, and the honey was purchased from a local bee keeper. The beautiful fabric flowers that graced the middle of the tent were handmade by a sister of the bride. All of the signage was DIY. The photobooth backdrop was hand-painted by a friend of the bride. Underneath the tent, they laid out blankets and quilts for people to play all sorts of board games on. It was truly a community event, as everyone seemed to have taken part in some aspect of the day, and it went off without a hitch.

Photography: Hannah Persson Photo / Event Design and Planning: DIY / Ceremony and Reception Location: Hoosier Grove Barn / Invitations: DIY / Bride and Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew

If this Chicago wedding by Simply Jessie doesn’t make you ga-ga for garden parties, we might need to have a little talk. Just take a little gander at the lovely bride’s bouquet by Fleur Inc.…go ahead, take a look…if you weren’t convinced before that we are getting this Monday morning off to the prettiest of garden party starts, that bouquet should bring you back to the right side of the fence. Then there is the fact the groom designed the cutest invites I ever did see incorporating the couple’s love for critters – which, in my book, makes this little rainy day fête beyond adorable. Wanna take a guess where I’ll be for most of that day today? Yep, in the full gallery of gorgeous garden party images.

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From the Bride…Justin and I wanted to have a laid back, magical vintage garden party wedding. We chose our venue because it’s a beautiful nature center and we knew we’d be surrounded by lush trees, green grass, open sky, and…critters! We both have a huge love of animals (it’s what brought us together, when I was helping him with his sick cat), and right from the start we knew animals would play a big role in our wedding (although we couldn’t  bring our cats up to the Grove to join us). Our save the date was a stop motion video starring a painted fox and other animal friends, and Justin designed the invitations to feature two foxes in love. We used small porcelain and ceramic animals for the wedding cake toppers, and vintage animal illustrations as our table markers.

The day of our wedding brought thunderstorms, black skies, and torrential rain! For a little while I kept holding out hope that our ceremony and reception could still be happen outdoors as planned, but we eventually gave up as the rain kept pouring.  We were so lucky to have our amazing friends and family help us get everything ready– there was a table of family photos and vintage animal postcards (in lieu of a guestbook); Jones soda bottles with baby, kid, and engagement pics; a wheatgrass place card holder; poms hanging from the second floor bannister; ribbon wands and numerous other items to set up. We literally could not have set up the ceremony and decorations without our friends and family!

But it was our amazing floral designer, Kelly Marie Uss of Fleur, who transformed the pretty 1920’s house that is the Redfield Estate into the garden party we had wanted.  She transformed the setting into a paradise! As she set up the flowers and centerpieces and beautiful mercury glass urns that flanked the  altar, we were blown away. It was beyond anything we could have imagined, lush and gorgeous and sweet and so perfectly spring. I nearly cried when I saw my bouquet, with passion flower, peonies, tulips, anemones, lilac, tweedia, ranunculus, garden roses, muscari, and more. She used mercury glass votives and urns, milk glass, and blue mason jars filled with votives to give the ceremony and reception a soft glow and beautifully vintage vibe.

The rain stopped just in time for guests to go outside for cocktails and enjoy the gorgeous sunset, and we had an amazing night, filled with so much love and happiness.

Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Redfield Estate at the Grove / Floral Design: Fleur Inc. / Wedding Photography: Simply Jessie / Wedding Cakes: Alliance Bakery + Molly’s Cupcakes / Wedding Dress: Giselle by Elizabeth Dye / Bride’s Shoes: Poetic License / Wedding Invitations: The Groom + Letterform (printing)

Oh.  My.  Goodness.  Let’s talk about glamour for a moment, shall we?  These Chicago nuptials by Laura Meyer Photography are overflowing with so much elegance, so much style and so much gorgeousness, they are the absolute epitome of glamour.  From those classic black bridesmaid dresses to the stunning, stunning location, this is one stylish soiree.  And will you get a look at the bride’s FABULOUS necklace?  I think I need one.  Oh yes, get ready to spend your Friday all wrapped up in some glamour.  It’s going to be awesome.  Join me in the full gallery for even more!

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From the Bride… The Windy City has always been the home base of our relationship. Erik and I got to know each other during our commute from the city out to the suburbs for work. We spent much of our dating days checking out the best Chicago has to offer. So when we became engaged, we knew a downtown wedding was the fitting way to highlight our four year relationship. The vision of our day was simple – timelessly modern. I knew I wanted the classic look of a black and white wedding with clean white and green flowers and the antique feel of gold accents.  I love the modern edges we used to introduce our personalities: chunky bridal party jewelry, polka dot ties, sunglasses for the groomsmen, and a reception “costume change” for me!

The ceremony location was an easy choice as the historic Holy Name Cathedral is right in our neighborhood. Not only is this stunning church a Chicago landmark, it is also where my parents were married 36 years ago. When searching for a reception venue, it was important to find a room that carried on the same level of striking detail and history that came along with the Cathedral. The Crystal Ballroom at the Chicago Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel did not disappoint! The ballroom has the original antique detailed ceiling, huge chandeliers, and yes – that is a light up dance floor! As for history – the funky bridal suite was Hugh Hefner’s personal room when the hotel was formally the Playboy Hotel in the 1970’s. Even with two grand venues, the day still felt intimate, fun and “like us”.

So what’s with the red towels? Those are a nod to the timing of our engagement! We are two sports fans in a huge sports town, so it is only fitting that we were engaged the week the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010. We thought it was a fun homage to our engagement story to enter the reception to “Chelsea Dagger” – the infamous song the Hawks play after every goal. On a whim, we reached out to the Chicago Blackhawks organization to tell them our story – and they graciously gave us the red rally towels to add the finishing touch to our big entrance!

Wedding Photography: Laura Meyer Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location: Holy Name Cathedral / Wedding Reception Location: Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel / Wedding Cinematography: Delack Media Group / Floral Design: Kloeckner Preferred Flowers / Wedding Cake: Sarah’s Pastries & Candies / Music: DJ Chicago / Trolley: Windy City Trolley / Wedding Dress: San Patrick / Bride’s Belt: Material from Soutache / Bride’s Veil: Jennifer Leigh / Bridesmaid Dresses: Melissa Sweet / Bridesmaid Necklaces: J.Crew / Groomsmen Ties: Ralph Lauren / Hair: Asha Salon / Make-up: Starlight