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Pink and Turquoise Chicago Skyline Wedding

I get weak at the knees when it comes to stationery and paper goods, so when I saw all of the fabulous little details scattered about this colorful wedding, my heart beat a bit quicker. But then I found out that the talented bride created it all herself, and well, I’m bowing down to her. Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema captured it all and you too can join in the fun with every burst of color.

From Ann & Kam Photography & CinemaWe are so excited to share this beautiful summer wedding. This wedding is close to our hearts because the groom is my brother and the bride is now my sister-in-law! Maggie and Rob were together for almost 10 years before they got married, so we have long felt like Maggie was a member of the family. Rob and Maggie share a love of music, and had members of both families perform at the ceremony!

Maggie is a graphic designer, and her eye for color and design was all over her wedding. Maggie designed all of her printed materials, pulling together the beautiful colors of the wedding and a strong sense of style. Believe it or not, Maggie’s aunts created the beautiful florals, including the bouquets and centerpieces. We could not stop gushing over the amazing giant pink peonies!

Maggie’s dress was an amazing design by Hayley Paige – it was so unique and looked perfect with her vintage-styled hair and makeup by Antje Kastner and Mollie Gloss!

Finally, Maggie and Rob had some unique struggles while planning their wedding. Just a few months before the wedding, their venue fell through, and they had to scramble to find a new space on a popular day in Chicago. Maggie kept her cool, though, and found an even more stunning setting for the ceremony on the rooftop of the Hellenic Museum. There are few places in Chicago with this amazing skyline view! The reception was held at Chez, which is a brand new event space right in downtown Chicago. Everybody agreed that the new spaces were even more perfect than the original!

Photography: Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema | Event Coordination: Citygirl Weddings | Wedding Gown: JLM Couture, Inc | Ceremony Venue: National Hellenic Museum | Reception Venue: Chez Chicago | Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung | Caterer: D'Absolute Catering | Makeup: Mollie Gloss | Hair: Antje Kastner's Studio | DJ: Style Matters DJs | Lighting/Drapery: Art of Imagination

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Whimsical Chicago Wedding at Galleria Marchetti

If I could pick any decade for a party, I wouldn’t have to think twice. The 1920s had my kind of style and Jay Gatsby has my heart. So when this wedding combined classic 1920s touches with whimsy and glamour, I was sucked right in. Soirée Weddings & Events brought the couple’s fantastic vision to life and Cristina G caught every roaring detail. So kick up your shoes and join me in the full gallery here.

Colors
Settings
Tented
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Vintage

From Soirée Weddings & Events… Aileen and Kevin had a specific vision in mind when we first met with them. Aileen envisioned a classic elegance and vintage romance. 

We looked at many venues in Chicago, but there was always one that stood out. At each venue we looked at, they kept comparing them all to this “one.” It was newly renovated tented space, Galleria Marchetti. A lush English garden tucked away in the middle of Chicago’s skyscrapers and L trains, the whimsical grounds offered the perfect setting for Aileen and Kevin’s nuptials. So finally after looking at several other venues, I said asked the question they were both thinking “Why are we looking at anything else? Nothing is going to compare to Galleria Marchetti, right?”.

They went home to discuss it, and later that night I got the green light from them. “Let the fun begin!” The garden and tent’s new oversized orb-like crystal chandeliers were what hinged much of the design. We wanted their guests to feel like they were transported into the pages of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, escorted to a lavish party suitable for the company of Daisy, Jay, Nick and Jordan. We wanted the guests to have that feeling, without going overboard or being literal with the theme. 

The bride then found the perfect gown. A simple sweetheart strapless gown, with an attachable peplum that she added for the reception. The Bride had her heart set on a vintage car. A vintage Bentley picked up the couple after their first look and chauffeured them around Chicago for photos before dropping them off to Galleria Marchetti for the ceremony.

Aileen loved picking out the flowers. A former Cali girl, she admired all the natural floral scents that graced her California home. She very much wanted to bring some of those flowers and scents into her wedding day. We knew that flowering Jasmine Vine must be represented in her bouquet – a little piece of Cali and a piece of her heart. Aileen’s Irish roots also played a big role as well. We wanted to honor her heritage and also her grandmother who couldn’t come to the US for the wedding; what better way than with gorgeous monochromatic centerpieces made up of lush green Bells of Ireland? They were hosted in a metallic trumpet vase and served as the lovely elevated floral arrangements that complimented the height of the tent.

Kevin loves magic and magic tricks, so the couple sourced some vintage playing cards – which happen to be Chicago World’s Fair souvenirs that donned images of Chicago landmarks – to use as the place cards. The mother of the bride hand wrote each guests name on a playing card; the card number indicated what table number they were seated at, and the color (red or black) indicated their meal choice. So clever! A sign directed guests to “Pick a Card, Any Card – Just make sure it has your name on it. Go to the table that matches your number and set the card down by your glass. Your meal will magically appear!” It also served as fun keepsake for the guests. The guest book was a collection of vintage Chicago postcards; guests were asked to write out a card for the bride and groom and drop in inside a wire birdcage. 

The couple had many talented friends, many of which were musicians. They had their friends take part in the wedding by playing music through the cocktail reception. They also thoughtfully curated the music for the wedding by creating a playlist of not only their favorites for the ceremony, first dances and parents dances, but they had a playlist that took their guests though each decade. Starting with the 20’s and finishing the night with music from the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s and today. Another friend emceed the event while one of the groomsmen DJ’d the later part of the evening.

The day turned into night, the dance floor was packed and Aileen and Kevin hugged all their guests as they left. “The best night of their lives” was written all over their faces, and it was. One of our favorite weddings with one of our favorite couples!

From The Bride… Despite sharing our junior high school years living less than one mile apart in Colorado Springs, we didn’t meet until college, at the University of Colorado in Boulder. When fate decided we were ready, we met and became fast friends, sharing many hours onstage performing in various Colorado-based West African bands; most notably the University of Colorado’s West African Highlife Ensemble. I was an amazing dancer, and Kevin did his best to figure out the tricky trumpet parts.

Romance wasn’t in the cards until after college, when we both ended up in Chicago. I was busy getting my Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology and Kevin messing with pop-psychology as a Madmen-in-training at Leo Burnett. During our late 20s our deep friendship evolved into something more, and the “L” word (i.e. “Love”) was in play just before I embarked on my California adventure to complete my internship and post-doctoral studies at the West LA VA Hospital and UCLA, respectively. Just four short (i.e. LONG!) years later (FOUR YEARS OF LONG DISTANCE!) we reunited back in Chicago, and were soon to be engaged!

Photography: Cristina G Photography | Wedding Planner: Soiree Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Vale Of Enna | Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design | Stationery: Nellie & Co | Ceremony Venue: Galleria Marchetti | Reception Venue: Galleria Marchetti | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nordstrom | Hair & Makeup: Kate Johnson Artistry | Transportation: M&M Limousine

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Elegant Murphy Auditorium Wedding

Kristin La Voie‘s excitement about this sweet Chicagoan soiree is infectious, and her imagery is enchanting to say the least. Soft peaches and lavenders paired with succulents and lovely bow details give this day a darling feel, while the shiny bright smiles give it a gorgeous glow. See it all right here in the full gallery!

From Kristin La Voie PhotographyThis wedding is just bananas. I am still so giddy after photographing such an amazing day with these two cutie patooties! Emily & Andy started the day just right; sharing a special first look inside the Grant Statue tunnel at Lincoln Park’s south pond. This was seriously the cutest first look in KLP history, with the beaming Andy seeing his bride for the first time. His reaction was priceless. My chipmunk cheeks are sore from smiling so much. It was a gorgeous day (that’s an understatement- it was perfect, let’s be real) and everything was absolutely stunning. I was thrilled to photograph my first wedding at the Murphy Auditorium, which is now sitting pretty on my “Chicago’s best wedding venues” list. The balcony was the best spot to capture such epic photos (and I NEVER say “epic”!). I mean, look at their first dance?! It just doesn’t get any better, and I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful, sweeter couple to share it all with.

Photography: Kristin La Voie Photography | Florist: Meetinghouse | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Ceremony Venue: The Murphy Auditorium | Reception Venue: The Murphy Auditorium | Shoes: Kate Spade | Caterer: Food For Thought | Makeup: Makeup By Aga | Hair: Done Up Chicago | DJ: Style Matters DJs | Tuxedo: Formally Modern Tuxedo | Bridal Boutique: Bella Bianca

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Modern Chicago Loft Wedding

Filled with plenty of wow factors, this designer bride and her college sweetheart planned a perfectly branded wedding. Every grand detail captured by Joan & Jon from the logo to the paper goods and even a marquee sign (to name a few) is reflective of their unique day and will leave you fascinated. Toast & Jam carried the celebration into the night and you can partake in the party right here.

From Joan & JonWe are so excited to share this amazing one of a kind Branded wedding. Yes Branded. The bride is a designer and completed branded her day. What was also so sweet about their story is that Kari is a southern girl from Kentucky who found her soul mate who was born and raised in Chicago.

Mike and Kari were married in an unforgettable candlelit ceremony at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago Illinois. Talk about a stunning celebration! Kari is a designer and she branded her entire wedding day. Their wedding even had it’s own logo which Kari designed. She also created and printed all the paper goods. Kari’s father made the huge Mike & Kari marquee sign that hung in the entrance of the gallery. Their wedding had so many wow factors.

From The Bride…Mike and I wanted our wedding to really reflect our personalities and style. We asked ourselves at the beginning “what do we want this wedding to be?” And our answer was always…we want a day for our friends and family to have fun with us and celebrate our love. Throughout the entire planning process, we tried to combine our styles and create unique details that just made us smile. The day couldn’t have turned out more perfectly. Although we both put our heart and soul into the wedding, and there were many sleepless nights designing each small detail to reflect our wedding “brand”, the day wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing families and our insanely amazing vendors! We both feel truly blessed to have so many wonderful people help create the best day of our lives.

It started with a big, southern “Hiiii”. Mike was born and raised in Chicago. Kari was born and raised in a tiny town in Kentucky. In 2005, they met at the University of Kentucky. While Mike played hockey…Kari watched him play (he had no idea who she was). However, once the next semester began, they had a class together (Professional Ethics to be exact). Kari, thinking he knew who she was because of the growing popularity of a website called “the facebook”, stops him after their first night class together. “Hiiiiiiiii Mike!”. Long (and embarrassing) story short – he had NO clue who she was. The next class, however, he sat down next to her and the rest…as they say….is history.

Photography: BellowBlue | Coordination: Sarah Meece | Wedding Gown: Mori Lee | Cake: Creative Cakes | Ceremony Venue: Zhou B Art Center | Catering: Food For Thought | Hair: Samara Toby | Lighting: Mk Lighting Design | DJ: Toast and Jam | Grooms Attire: Topshop | Groomsmen's Attire: H&M | First Look: Drumbar Rooftop Bar | Floral Design & Table Styling: Ashland Addison Floral & Event Decor | Getting Ready Location: Raffaello Hotel | Jewelry ( Brides Bracelet): Christy Southern Wire | Make-up Artist: Ashley Chaney Smith & Sarah Shepperson

Multicultural Chicago Art Museum Wedding

From the moment that Hello Darling bouquet popped up on my screen, I knew we were in for something good. I’m talking a wedding set at the Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago and infused with cultural flair from start to finish. Anne Book Signature Style layered the day with classic-yet-totally-cool design, and Olivia Leigh Photographie? Well, she didn’t miss a beat. More right here!

From the planner, Anne Book of Anne Book Signature StyleAiasha and I met only twice prior to her arriving back in the U.S./Chicago one month prior to her wedding. The entire design was done together over international calls and Skype. The first time we met in August of 2012 Aiasha had an entirely different vision of blues and more of a natural look in her mind as well. By January of 2013 she had changed her mind to wanting a different feel of soft oyster, warm soft gold, and creamy whites mixed with elements that were more natural such as herbs, berries, wood and bistro lighting. All of this needed to make sense at The Museum of Contemporary Art which is, of course, contemporary. 

In order to bring together all of the different ideas in a cohesive manner that reflected the venue, we designed a lookbook complete with palette, design elements, fonts, calligraphers, menu, floorplan options, floral inspiration, basically everything. In addition to the overall design, it was important to include personalized touches throughout the entire event. For Aiasha and Charles’ wedding, a few of those touches included: Playing up the museum’s outdoor garden area by designing custom sips and picnic plates featuring food and drink from their home countries, hosting a traditional Henna ceremony for the bride and bridesmaids the evening prior, displaying an array of international sweets for all the guests to enjoy, and so much more.

Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie | Planner: Anne Book Signature Style | Cake: TipsyCakes Chicago | Stationery: Alexa Pulitzer | Stationery: Magnificent Milestones | Ceremony Venue: Bond Chapel | Reception Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering | Makeup: Juli Valdez | Hair: Sonia Roselli | Calligraphy: Stacey Shapiro | Floral & Event Styling: Hello Darling Event Design | Music: Toast and Jam | Rentals: Tablescapes Event Rentals

Romantic Morton Arboretum Wedding

There’s no doubt that as a bride-in-planning myself, I search the depths of Pinterest and of course, our very own galleries for unique little touches. But the weddings I come back to time and again are simple and sweet, with subtle pieces of pretty that will sneakily steal your heart, like this affair from Jacqui Cole. Little pink bows on silverware, a basic but beautiful naked cake and effortless white florals… all together, it makes for a lovely day.

From Jacqui ColeMy absolute favorite weddings to capture are when the couples stay true to themselves. It’s so easy to get caught up scrolling through Pinterest and clinging to the current wedding trends. Although they are great forms of inspiration, the key is to stick to the wedding elements that you genuinely love and take it from there!

Keri and Connor did just this.From the ‘Roth’ vineyard wine bottles to the timeless details it was just the perfect wedding for them. The men’s navy suits tied in with their blush/navy/tan color theme. It certainly added a unique touch and perfectly complemented the garden wedding. Keri chose her rose gold wedding band to go with her platinum engagement ring. When I asked her where she got the idea she simply said she saw it at the jewelers and just loved it! Her Jimmy Choo flats were absolutely stunning! Keri was able to party the night away without relinquishing style :)

Personal touches throughout the wedding day are so important. Keri had her mothers wedding dress lace wrapped around her bouquet as her ‘something old’ and she wore her Grandmothers ring as her ‘something blue’. As the new Mr and Mrs Roth, each reception table had ‘Roth’ vineyard wine bottles, filled with babies breath and ivory roses. Such a simple, yet elegant centerpiece. Their naked-cake was the focal point of the room! Neither Keri or Connor like cake icing so this wedding-trend fell perfectly into their hands!

Above all the entire wedding day was filled with so much love and emotion. The rain swept over and the clouds parted just before the garden ceremony took place. It was such a joy to capture an incredible couple becoming husband and wife after 10 years together. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Roth!

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: The Cakery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Makeup And Hair: Juan Jose Herrera (Mario Tricoci) | DJ: Just Press Play Productions | Men's Attire: Tommy Hilfiger | Arboretum: Morton Arboretum

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Classic Chicago Black Tie Wedding at Rivers Restaurant

If I could pick my favorite type of wedding, it would be an intimate, yet elegant dinner party under twinkling lights. One where conversation flowed right along with the wine and each guest felt like the most important person there. So I think it’s safe to say I’m basically obsessed with this chic, Chicago soiree from Azuree Wiitala. Every detail was curated with love, and the result was beyond.


From The Bride…When my husband Tim and I moved to a city we’d never set foot in last September, we’d already been engaged for 8 months. We hadn’t thought about our wedding at all and hadn’t even talked about a date.

Then we fell in love with Chicago.

We wanted to share our new home, along with it’s rich history & awe inspiring architecture, with our friends and family from our respective hometowns. Only three of our guests were from the area. All the others flew in from Long Island, Boston, Toronto and Vancouver to share the day with us. We kept referring to it as a destination wedding in our backyard. To showcase the tradition & history of the city we decided to say ‘I do’ at the second oldest church in Chicago, which is nestled in Little Italy. From there, guests moved east and settled in for the night on a patio on the River. With boats going by and lights from the nearby city buildings, it was a perfect representation of summer in the heart Chicago.

Everything we did was inspired by italian elegance & simplicity with unique DIY touches. I planned everything myself, designed, ordered and put together all the florals, as well as designed the centerpieces, and all the decorative details. My veil was handmade by my Mom. One of my favorite details of the day was the dripping wax effect created as the candles melted down. I think it proved to us that the truly beautiful moments in life aren’t something you can plan for. I think it’s safe to say 100+ more people fell in love with Chicago on Aug 2nd.

Photography: Azuree Wiitala | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Elizabeth And James | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Catholic Church: Holy Family Church | Donuts: Glazed And Infused | Restaurant: Rivers Restaurant

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Monet’s Water Lily Bridal Inspiration

Inspired by some of Monet’s loveliest work, this beautiful collection of images from Katie Kett are a work of art themselves. With beautiful blooms from Life In Bloom Chicago, stunning stationery from Made Divine, and delicious sweets from A Baker’s Tale – every perfectly curated detail styled by La Belle Fleur Events defines lovely, and you can see just what I mean right here.


From Ashley La Fleur of La Belle Fleur Events On my tenth Christmas, my mom gifted me a book called Linnea in Monet’s Gardens. It was about a little girl who traveled to Giverny, France to visit Monet’s home and his gardens. I was completely enthralled with the book, and would look at it most days of the week hoping one day to visit there. Then, for my twentieth birthday, my mom gifted me a trip to France with a day tour of Monet’s home and gardens, and it’s to this day, one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. His gardens are even more beautiful in person, and his living room is filled with his paintings, a lot of which have never been seen. Throughout the years, Monet’s work has played a huge part in my design aesthetic, and I knew I wanted to design a shoot around one of his paintings.

I decided to use one of his water lily paintings that mostly incorporated blues, greens and a touch of pink. This painting in particular, has weeping willow branches on the sides, and I was interested in incorporating something hanging into the design.

For florals, I decided to work with Rachel of Life in Bloom because her romantic work was perfect for the overall feel. We discussed a hanging floral piece to give you the feeling that you’re actually in the gardens, and walking through the weeping willows. Small touches such as roses in the bowls were to give a nod to the water lilies that are in the Japanese Gardens, and the amaranthus that hung from the bouquet tied into the weeping willow trees.

For linens, I decided to work with Jessica from Bramble Workshop. I actually found her from Style Me Pretty! When I saw her work, I knew I had to have her on this shoot. I love that she custom made all her work, and that she was actually going to hand dye all the linens. It really made me feel like she was creating a work of art.

For stationary, I worked with Crystal at Made Divine. She always creates the most beautiful work, and I know her love of art would be the perfect addition to this shoot. One of my absolute favorite touches of this shoot is that the invitation holder is actually made out of canvas.

Lastly, Kpoene from Mignonette Bridal provided the beautiful dresses for the shoot. I loved the soft colors and the ethereal feel of them. I wanted the ladies to feel feminine, and I think every girl dreams of embracing her inner child and dancing around in a a lovely dress with lots of tulle!

Every vendor came together to really bring life and love to this shoot. I am so grateful to them for providing their talents and their love, and, of course, a very special thanks to my dear friend Katie for capturing it beyond compare.

Photography: Katie Kett Photography | Floral Design: Life In Bloom | Stationery: Made Divine | Venue: Room 1520 | Blue Tufted Chair: Rent Vintage Chicago | Bridal Dresses & Accessories: Mignonette Bridal | Buffet Table: Shadow Box Dreams Vintage Rentals | Cake Stands: re:find Joy | Cakes & Macarons: A Baker's Tale | Creative Director, Planner & Styling: La Belle Fleur Events | Linens: Bramble Workshop | Makeup & Hair Styling: Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists | Place Settings: Vintage Place Settings | Tables, Chair, & Flatware: Halls Rental | Water Color Signage: Layers Of Loveliness

Modern Chicago Wedding at Public Hotel

One of the best things about cities are the hidden gems, which is exactly what these two Groom’s discovered at Public Chicago. High above the skyline they transported their guests into a quirky and modern affair featuring extraordinary views and minimalistic blooms by  Stems Chicago. Check out the stunning details captured by Annie Parish Photography in the gallery!

From the Grooms… A friend of ours had suggested the Public Hotel Chicago when we were considering venues for our wedding reception. We knew we wanted to have an intimate event with only 30 or so guests. We kept referring to it as a dinner party for our closest friends, instead of our wedding reception. We were drawn to the modern, minimalist style of the hotel because it mirrored our own tastes, and when we saw the terrace outside the Ava Room with its expansive view of the downtown Chicago skyline and peeks of Lake Michigan between the buildings, we were sold. It was the first and only property we toured, and we signed the contract immediately.

We continued the minimalist look with white table linens and flower arrangements in shades of whites, creams, and pale greens. Graceful pieces of driftwood helped to visually ground the table. Pops of color came from the place cards we made that featured whimsical robots with guests’ names displayed on monitors in their chests. We had hoped our guests would want to keep them as souvenirs of the night so the cards had fun personal touches. For example, one of our friends had broken a leg in a biking accident, so her robot wore a cast.

As with all weddings, the day was a blur as we hurried to get dressed, manage last minute details, and have our photos taken with Annie Parish. Neither of us is particularly comfortable in front of the camera, but she was able to capture some really incredible moments from the night… including when we had to quickly scramble to move the event inside because a storm blew in from the lake right as we began our speeches. The wind was so strong that a bouquet of flowers flew out of the vase in front of us, rolled down the length of the table, and went over the railing.

The storm only lasted about thirty minutes, and we easily recovered with a champagne toast and dinner inside. The patio was dried off and ready to go for a night of dancing under the stars.

The evening was incredibly special because our closest friends from around the country — and two came all the way from Dubai! — made the trip to add their happiness to ours. It’s very rare to have all of your best friends gathered together at the same time, so it was amazing, humbling, and made for an all-around unforgettable party.

Photography: Annie Parish Photography | Floral Design: Stems, inc. | Cake: Alliance Bakery | Groom's Attire: Dsquared2 | Venue: Public Hotel | Groom's Shoes: Allen Edmonds | Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Groom's Tie: Burberry | Wedding Rings: Cartier

Rustic French Country Wedding in Chicago at Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft

We’ve seen a lot of stunning Chicago weddings come across our screens, but this beauty from Cristina G Photography really stands out. It has that classic city elegance we love about the fêtes that come from Chicago mixed with some lovely rustic details just to shake things up a bit. Add in some picture perfect florals from A Stem Above, and ladies and gents, we have a winner on our hands. See it all here.


From Cristina G PhotographyA rustic chic wedding with beautiful skyline views of the city, farm tables and all white flowers. An elegant Monique Lhuillier dress, navy blue Jenny Yoo bridesmaids dresses, Jimmy Choo heels and a whole lot of pretty! It is a wedding that will inspire you to put your dancing shoes on, hire a great band and have a New York style reception! It has definitely convinced me that New York style receptions are the most fun you could have at a wedding!

Laura and Mike’s wedding was elegant and simple, yet sophisticated and chic. Their exposed brick with wood beams venue matched the rustic theme perfectly. It was quiet and a little ways away from downtown Chicago, but offered unparalleled views of the city skyline.

The guests made their way in just before the clouds gathered over the city and the rain started to fall. Inside the room, beautiful French Country chairs and white freshly picked flowers lined the candlelit aisle. After a short, but heartfelt ceremony cocktail hour awaited with a full bar and miniature passed hors d’oeuvres.

The dinner reception welcomed guests directly onto the dance floor. The lively band made sure no one stayed seated for too long in between courses. A New York style reception is probably the best entertainment you could offer your guests at a wedding! Sprinkled with a few toasts and the couple’s formal dances, the guests danced the night away alongside the newlyweds!

Photography: Cristina G Photography | Wedding Planner: BCR Events | Floral Design: A Stem Above | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Ceremony Venue: Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft | Reception Venue: Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Blue Plate | Band: Rendezvous | Paper Goods: Magnificent Milestones

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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Romantic Outdoor Wedding at Bull Valley Golf Club

For these two college friends turned lifelong loves, a day surrounded by the beauty and romance of Bull Valley Golf Club sounded about as perfect as could be. And it was made even more so by a layer of peonies and other pink pretties by Twisted Stem and a day captured so beautifully by Jacqui Cole Photography. Check out the full gallery for even more!

From Jacqui Cole Photography… Lauren and Tyler really created their wedding day around their own personalities. The entire day was full of emotion! From their first look, the moments before walking down the aisle to the small glances they stole at each other during speeches. Every moment was such a joy to capture! Lauren and Tyler have this visible connection where they always seems to be on the same wavelength, just knowing what the other is thinking . They are two of the sweetest, down to earth and goofy people I know! It was so amazing to be able to document the start of their lives together and so incredibly happy that these two wonderful people are now husband and wife!

From The Bride…Tyler and I met in high school (but we weren’t high school sweethearts!). His group of friends and my girlfriends all became friends. While we never had any interest in each other at that time, our group of mutual friends allowed us to stay in touch into college. I was throwing a party at the end of sophomore year at my apartment when our friend, Tony, asked if he could bring Tyler. I said yes and, well – the rest is history! We were inseparable.

How we picked Bull Valley is a funny story. When we talked about getting married, neither of us ever thought we would do the “traditional big wedding.” We always imagined a destination wedding with a small group of family and friends – or even going to the courthouse. However, I grew up just a few miles from Bull Valley Golf Club and my dad (a huge golfer) had always loved it so we decided to take a look. The result? We were blown away. Everything about Bull Valley is absolutely breathtaking. They were in the process of completely revamping the outdoor patio and we knew it would be absolutely wonderful. We didn’t look anywhere else and booked it on the spot!

Choosing our colors was easy (pink/black/silver). It was a spring wedding and I love pink! There are so many ways to make it tasteful for a formal event. Tyler wasn’t thrilled at first, so we ended up using pink more as an accent rather than a main color to keep it boy-friendly (flowers, ties, etc). My favorite part of the day has to be the first look photo session. Having that moment alone before the ceremony for me and Tyler to see each other was incredible. I think he would agree. We could both react naturally and have no distractions from a crowd. Not to mention it made for some stellar photos! He looked so dapper!

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Floral Design: Twisted Stem | Wedding Dress: Volle's Bridal Boutique | Cake: Oak Mill Bakery | Shoes: Kate Spade | Hair And Makeup: Blush Salon Spa | DJ: Music In Motion | Venue: Bull Valley Golf Club

Garden Wedding in Monticello, IL at Allerton Park

Inspired by a Liberty of London print, this Bride and her talented team of vendors created a vision of wedding filled to the brim with style and elegance. The gorgeous images from Wright Photographs paint the prettiest of pictures of their perfect day, and it’s all waiting for you here

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Park

From The Bride…The story of our love is one of travel, distance, and… shall we say “savoring the flavors of life”. After a romantic proposal under the nighttime stars on the shores of Lake Sara, and 6 years of dating, we began planning our wedding. Our love of travel has brought us to many beautiful and romantic places that have left imprints on our hearts. It was important to us that through our wedding, we told the story of our love through atmosphere, food, and drink. Though our dream was to return to an estate in the French countryside for our wedding, our large and in turn, relatively immobile, families gave us new inspiration to bring our travels to them. As an artist and a maker, I knew the journey could be captured in careful, refined details.

Both my husband and I are native to the state of Illinois, him to central Illinois and I to Chicago. After investigating many venues in both locations we chose Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello, Illinois. The park is an old estate surrounded by beautiful European-inspired gardens, carved sculptures, thick woods, and lush cornfields – a unique mix of our favorite locations. Our ceremony took place in the Sunken Garden on a cloudless September afternoon. To bring the aroma of France, and to allow the natural beauty of the garden to shine, we kept the space simple; only supplementing it at the beginning and end of the aisle with blue ceramic urns full of fragrant rosemary, lavender, and thyme and by lining the aisle and stairs with white petals. We hand selected the music and songs with our band, who doubled as an acoustic three piece orchestra, as well as worked with our officiant, J. Sain, to design the perfect spiritual ceremony. After the ceremony, guests walked through the gardens to the Koi Pond Terrace outside the mansion where the staff was waiting with trays of sparkling drinks and hors d’ouerves inspired by our travels. After cocktails, guests descended into the oak-gilded 19th century mansion, filled with evening sun. As they passed the impassable dessert table filled with a variety of treats like bite-sized s’mores cupcakes, passionfruit macaroons, and bacon brownie bites from Cream & Flutter, they entered the main gallery. Dinner tables were set with pristine white tablecloths, navy blue napkins, and stunning garden-inspired floral arrangements by Fleurish in a mix of glass vases and handmade wooden boxes Ian and I created from French wine crates. A stickler for clean, simple design, and the endless pursuit of “timeless” I supplemented the tables with menus, table numbers, and placecards of my own design alongside mercury glass and other eclectic votives filled with candles and more flowers.

While we never officially decided on wedding colors, a Liberty of London floral print became the cornerstone that brought our palette of blues, pale greens, and touch of sparkle together. We sought old world elegance in our attire. Ian and his groomsmen wore midnight blue suits from Macy’s and bowties in the Liberty of London print made by the talented hands of Andrea at Pomp and Ceremony. My bridesmaids wore Amsale crinkle chiffon dresses in slate, accessorized by silver and gold hydrangea earrings (which I made especially for them!) and white freshwater pearls. My attired consisted of a San Patrick traditional lace gown, birdcage veil, Julianne Hough for Sole Society wedges, and an antique silk clutch embroidered with Czech glass beads given to me for this special occasion by an aunt. To add a final old world touch to the ensemble, I wore the diamond studded Victorian inspired earrings Ian gave me the night before as a wedding gift.

The end result was a night to remember – filled with so many special memories. Wright Photographs did an amazing job capturing the fun of the night, grandeur of the mansion, and many of the details we created to make the day truly ours.

Photography: Wright Photographs | Floral Design: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Bride's Shoes: Ryan Seacrest Distinction | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Band: Underwater People | Officiant: Marrying Reverend | Bridal Gown: Wolsfelt's Bridal | Bridal Veil: Gilded Shadows | Bride's Earrings: Miadora | Bridesmaids' Jewelry: Anne Fiala | Ceremony & Reception: Allerton Park | Ceremony Cards: Anne Fiala | Dad's Bowties: J.Crew | Dessert: Cream And Flutter | Groom & Groomsmen Bowties: Pomp & Ceremony | Groom's Shoes: Paul Green | Groom's Socks: Macy's | Men's Wear: Macy's | Table Decor & Planters: Anne Fiala | Vendor: Liberty of London | Wedding Rings: Anne Fiala

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Spring Garden Engagement Session

The beautiful grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden made it the perfect setting for this adorable engagement session. Shot by Kina Wicks, the sweet couple has an entire gallery of great shots, and you can see how their love was captured perfectly here.


From Kina WicksRandi & Curt wanted to have color in their session even though we had a pretty rough winter and everything was still brown in March. Because of this, we settled on Chicago Botanic Garden as the perfect location due to the color in the gardens year round and the beauty of the grounds. We were blessed with the most lovely Spring day to accompany the gardens… the first sunny day of the Spring!

Photography: Kina Wicks | Session: Chicago Botanic Garden

1920’s Inspired Country Club Wedding

This Gatsby inspired wedding was true vintage glam, from the feathered florals by Town and Country Gardens, to that sparkling and oh-so fabulous hairpiece worn by the beautiful bride. Set at Royal Fox Country Club, the pretty affair had pin-worthy style, and you can check out all the day’s details in a gallery by Kristin La Voie Photography.

From Kristin La Voie PhotographyIf there’s one thing you need to know about these two people, it’s this: they are seriously sweet and seriously fun. Just being around them puts me at ease since they are so laid back, chill, and fun to hang out with! Let’s not forget to mention Lauren is absolutely STUNNING. Oh, and Cooper… check out his hair!!! I mean, don’t you just want to touch it?! These two Californians had the perfect day for a gorgeous summer wedding at the Royal Fox Country Club. I could not contain my excitement photographing them, either. Serious magic was happening before my eyes. And the details? Oh, were they perfection. Gatsby inspired details included feathers in the flowers and centerpieces, old family photos and trinkets, a giant moon for the guests to sit on in their photo booth, and Lauren’s majorly stunning ensemble (with a hair piece I can only now dream about). The entire day was simply breathtaking, and the only downside is that I cannot hang out with them more often!

Photography: Kristin La Voie Photography | Floral Design: Town And Country Gardens | Invitations: The Paper Source | Ceremony Venue: Royal Fox Country Club | Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Makeup: Style Onsite | Hair: Style Onsite | DJ: Music By Design | Dress Boutique: House of Brides

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1920’s Inspired DIY Backyard Wedding

I love the way this gorgeous bride describes finding the dress (you must to read it below), and I think her calm but firm attitude in dress shopping must have carried over into what was a seemingly perfect wedding day. It’s beautiful and put together in a way only someone with a clear vision can do. She brought in Yazy Jo to capture the day, yet another wonderful decision, and I have no doubt the images will be a family heirloom for generations to come.


From the Bride… After my mom meeting Jason in the Portland airport, things unfolded beautifully. We went to a vintage jewelry shop in Portland called Gilt, and picked out a 1929 diamond and gold ring for me. 3 months later he got down on one knee at one of our favorite restaurants called Noble Rot. We had one of our first dates there and felt it was a very special place to go for dinner on my birthday. I said yes immediately and we celebrated with our families on east coast time through tearful phone calls and excited texting.

The next day I flew to NYC for fashion week, and found my dress in a Martha Stewart Bridal Magazine that I read on the flight over. It caught my eye, as I had never thought about a wedding dress before. This was timeless, beautiful and sexy. Something I thought Jason would love to marry me in.

I googled the dress and found the style at a bridal shop in NYC that I was able to visit on my trip. It was an experience like any other; I put the dress on and said, “Yes this is the one, time for margaritas!” Just like Jason, the decision was quick and absolute, like adding cream to your coffee. Simple. But yet if you did anything else it would be extremely complex.

As we planned for the wedding, we wanted to bring in as many friends and family that could support in participating their craft while putting together a very special day. My brother in law owns a restaurant that we knew would be an amazing place to celebrate at, my sister is a floral designer, my good friend designs weddings and a mutual friend wanted to marry us. Jason designed and printed all of the stationery, a good friend made the desserts, and my sister and her husband paid for the pork that was served at the meal. It was an amazing collaboration that came together seamlessly at the end.

We also took the opportunity to send a care package to Jason’s Army unit that was deploying to Afghanistan in lieu of favors. We made cards for each guest that had pictures of the unit, and the address to where one could send a letter of thanks or a care package of cookies to the brave soldiers over seas. After we made the announcement of what we had done, Jason received a standing ovation of thanks from the 230 guests. It moved him to tears, as it was a memory I will never forget.

The wedding was so special for us all, and brought our family and friends together over our love. I would not have done it any other way.

Photography: yazy jo | Wedding Venue: Millrose

Vintage Chic Backyard Summer Soirée

Sweet as can be and charming as all get out, this backyard wedding captured by Gina Cristine Photography couldn’t be more lovely if it tried. Overflowing with darling DIY details and loads of smiles, this gallery is not only pretty but packed with personality, leaving me head over heels for every image.


From The Bride… Wedding planning began shortly after our engagement, and like most brides, was a job I was excited to take on. Deciding where to have our wedding was one of the most difficult parts of the planning process for Jason and I. I always envisioned a beautiful outdoor summer wedding in a natural garden-like setting, with trees, flowers, and greenery as our backdrop. Finding a place that offered that to us that was close to Chicago and could also accommodate our 150+ guests was not an easy feat. One day, after a conversation with my mom, it dawned on me that my aunt and uncle’s home in a nearby suburb could be the location I had been imagining. Their yard was large enough to accommodate our needs, plus it provided us with the tree-lined, nature-soaked backdrop that I needed to make my vision come alive—it couldn’t have been more ideal. After just a little convincing, my wonderful aunt and uncle were kind enough to let us take over their home and yard in order to make our wedding dreams a reality. We will always be grateful to them for giving us the most perfect wedding venue we could have ever imagined.

Jason and I are a pretty laid back, fun-loving couple, so we did our best to make our wedding reflect this side of us. We did not want anything too over-the top. Everything from the photo booth to the bonfire at the end of the night, it was all very much “us.” We really wanted our guests to feel like they were at a family party, but with the beauty and elegance a wedding should have and our individual personalities shining through.

We were on a somewhat tight budget and knew we had to utilize a good portion of it for our tent and caterer, so we incorporated a lot of DIY ideas (thanks to Pinterest & SMP!) and utilized local thrift shops for a most of our décor. I am drawn toward rustic and vintage looks so I knew I wanted to incorporate both of those styles into our wedding. The centerpiece of our ceremony was a handmade arch Jason made out of birch trees he cut down himself in his parents yard. On our wedding day, we simply tied on some colorful Larkspur flowers with twine to create the most perfect rustic backdrop for our ceremony. It was absolutely beautiful, and knowing my soon to be husband had built it, made it that much more special to me. It was one of my favorite additions to our wedding and I love seeing it in the background of so many of our photos. My thrift store finds included an eclectic mix of vintage vases used as centerpieces, old picture frames that we re-purposed into chalkboard menus and seating card holders, and mason jars that we turned into hanging flower vases that adorned the aisle. After the wedding, I was even able to resell most of these items, which helped out even more with keeping our spending to a minimum.

Taking on so many tasks ourselves and trying to keep within our budget required a ton of help from family and friends— we would not have been able to pull it all off without them! Aside from the bouquets and boutonnieres, we bought all of our flowers from an awesome local wholesale flower shop and created the centerpieces and accenting floral décor ourselves. My bridesmaids, my aunt, and some other helpful family members each took on jobs decorating on the morning of the wedding while I was getting ready in the house, allowing me to relax and take it all in. The support and generosity received from our nearest and dearest did not end there. We had a close friend of the family, who is a Pastor, officiate our ceremony; Jason’s mom made our lovely wedding cake; and our invitations and programs were created by and gifted to us by two of my good friends who also stood up as bridesmaids. It meant so much to us to have our loved-ones involved in so many aspects of our special day!

In addition to all of the projects we took on ourselves, we hired some of the best local vendors that helped our day to be as amazing as it was. We used Heybecks, a nearby meat market, as our caterer, and that was one of the best decisions we made. The food was outstanding and the help and service we received was beyond expectations. To this day, we are still receiving compliments on our menu! Our tent was spectacular—Blue Peak Tents did an outstanding job. The lighting they provided created an Italian café-like atmosphere with ball lights strung throughout the tent and colorful Chinese lanterns over the dance floor. It was truly magical. And capturing all of these details and creating memories that will last us forever, were our awesome photographers Gina and Tom from Gina Cristine Photography— they did not miss a beat!

Everything came together as planned and made our wedding day all we had hoped for it to be and more. Even the unpredictable Chicago weather cooperated, and we were blessed with a pristine August day—75 degrees and sunny! Our day was a true labor of love by all involved and it was the perfect setting for the beginning of our life together as husband and wife.

Photography: Gina Cristine | Flowers: Steve's Flower Market | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Shoes: Grace | Bridesmaids Dresses: Ryan Seacrest Distinction | Bridesmaids Dresses: Ann Taylor Loft | Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: Heybecks Meat Market | Venue: Private Residence | Flower Girl Dresses: Color Angles Boutique | Hair/Makeup: Krave Salon | Invitations And Programs: Owl And Bunny | Jr. Bridesmaids Dresses: Ryan Seacrest Distinction | Rentals: Blue Peak Tents | Veil: David's Bridal

Lincoln Park Summertime Engagement

We can’t help but swoon over an e-sesh that features so many thoughtful details. The stunning couple, the sweeping scenery, an adorable pup, and don’t forget about that ring! Thanks to Britta Hundertmark’s captures, this couple now has a gorgeous set of photos to add to their ever-growing list of memories together. Take peek for yourself.

From the Bride… Michael and I met in 2009 in Cancun, Mexico while we were both on spring break. While there, mutual friends introduced us. That led to us staying up all night talking and watching the sunrise. When we returned to school, Michael asked me to attend his spring formal. We had a blast, continued to have fun dates and eventually started dating! He even stuck by my side through my crazy year as Miss Nebraska USA! In 2012, after graduating from the University of Nebraska, we both moved to Chicago, where we lived for the past 2 years. Since then, we are now back in Nebraska so Michael can attend dental school!

Proposal: Traveling is one of the many things we love to do together, so when we planned a trip to Mackinac Island, MI over Memorial Day weekend, we were both ecstatic to explore a new place together. Mackinac is unique because there are no cars on the island, so you get around by bike or horse and buggies while there! (We celebrated our 5-year anniversary in April, so of course the entire time I was thinking that this beautiful place would be the perfect place to get engaged. It was so magical!)

After checking into the the historic and beautiful Grand Hotel, we biked the entire perimeter of the island. Later that evening we had a 5-course dinner planned at our hotel. Being the avid picture taker that I am, we took some photos on the porch with the breathtaking views before dinner. (Fun fact, the Grand Hotel has the record for the world’s longest porch!) There were professional photographers on the porch, so Michael went to ask them to take our photo. As they were snapping a few, Michael said, “Lets take a goofy photo.” I didn’t think anything of it, because, like I said, we had taken a ton of photos, so I thought he just wanted to change it up. At that moment he proceeded to get down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I barely remember it, but all I know is that I was overjoyed with happiness! When we finally took in our surroundings, we noticed that everyone inside was smiling and clapping for us! We then had our amazing dinner, celebrating with champagne, just the two of us. After dinner, we couldn’t contain our excitement anymore, so we enjoyed coffee in the foyer while we told our family and friends the exciting news. We had two days left on Mackinac (one being my birthday), and they were both so wonderful to spend together as a newly engaged couple.

Engagement Session: Every location we chose to capture our engagement photos was a special place to us. First, since we are both homebodies at times and seem to spend a lot of time in our apartment (especially during the cold winter months) either hanging out watching movies or hosting parties, we wanted to capture a few photos in our home with our pup. Next, since we love going on walks, we wanted to capture some photos at North Pond. We always say it’s our little secret, because it’s never overcrowded with people and it’s tucked away from the street and is surrounded by trees! It’s so quaint and romantic and we love going on walks around the pond. Lastly, we wanted to capture some photos by the water. Being on Lake Michigan makes Chicago such a special city, and since we lived in the Lakeview neighborhood, we spent a lot of time by the water either biking along the lakeshore path, running or going to the beach in the summer. We often went to the beachfront in the evenings to unwind from the hustle and bustle of city living. When it came to photography, we were immediately drawn to the magical and airy feel that Britta’s photography has. Her work is timeless and just simply beautiful. Once we met her energetic/fun personality, we were sold! She truly made our engagement session so special. When it came to our outfits, we knew we wanted them to be timeless with a subtle touch of elegance. We chose classic colors and luxe fabrics/textures with lace, chiffon and pearls. Now, since we have moved from Chicago, we look back on these photos with even more happiness, reminded of all of our favorite memories in our favorite city!

Wedding Plans: Although Michael and I both love the city, we have a special place in our hearts for the country since we grew up there. We’ve decided a countryside wedding was how we wanted to celebrate our special day. There’s something so beautiful and relaxing about being surrounded by the outdoors and only hearing the humming of birds and the breeze in the trees. We’re having our ceremony and reception at a beautiful estate in Nebraska, where our nearest and dearest will celebrate under a white tent. We want all aspects of our wedding to be elegant, timeless and bespoke with shades of white and ivory, gold and all white flowers with greenery galore. August 8, 2015 can’t come soon enough!

Photography: Britta Hundertmark | Shoes: Michael Kors | Jewelry: J.Crew | Blush Dress: Alice And Olivia | Film Developer: At Your Side Planning | Navy Sweater: All Saints | White Dress: For Love And Lemons

Chic Chicago Wedding at the Greenhouse Loft

I love, love, love Olivia Leigh Photographie. Why you ask? She never fails to send us weddings that make our heart beat a little faster, and this chic Chicago wedding beautifully planned by Estera Events at the Green House Loft is the most stunning example. Her images left this couple with a gallery of images they will cherish forever, and you can cherish them too right here


From Estera EventsWhen I first met Lauren over a cup of coffee, we immediately connected. She was so warm and friendly, and mostly, excited to marry Jeff. After talking about her vision for the day, she casually mentioned she would be wearing a gold wedding dress and I think I actually squealed! The entire day was a dream. Lauren, her sweet sister Nicole and her beautiful mom all got ready at The Waldorf Astoria. Lauren and Jeff did their first look under the holiday tree in the courtyard of the hotel and were married at St. Hedwigs. Snow started to fall just as the ceremony ended, and guests exited the church with sparklers in hand while Lauren & Jeff ran to their getaway car. The reception was at Greenhouse Loft – an amazingly beautiful event venue in Chicago with enormous picture windows. With over 250 candles, a majority dipped in gold, the entire room glowed. The cake was flecked in gold leaf and a light snow fell outside the picture windows the entire evening. It was such an amazingly magical day and we were more than thrilled to be part of it!

Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie | Event Design: Estera Events | Florist: Asrai Garden | Cake: Bittersweet | Reception: Greenhouse Loft | Catering: Pure Kitchen Catering | Hair + Make Up: Samara Toby

Bohemian Chic Chicago Wedding

When you get right down to it, this is the kind of wildly beautiful yet deeply personal wedding we preach here on SMP. From the gorgeous blush and gold stylings by Kelly Lenard to the Bride’s late mother’s photograph sewn into her BHLDN dress, it’s everything an “I do” should be and we’re got a front row seat. Lauren Balingit captured the moments, and you can get started in the gallery right here.

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From The Bride…On June 7th 2014 I married my Prince Charming, Mike, in the suburbs of Chicago, and my fairytale wedding came true. It was a sunny day, filled with our best friends and family celebrating the commitment we made to each other. I was lucky enough to hire Lauren Balingit, a film photographer, to capture all of the day’s beautiful moments, and her fiancé, Alex Balingit formerly of 27 Entertainment.

The décor was a combination of gold, blush and pale blue, along with pieces of my favorite childhood memories. The nostalgic smells of lavender from family trips to France, several Disney elements, blue birds, and my favorite flower, lily of the valley. I remember picking the lilies in my Grandmother’s garden in Indiana with my Mom. Both my Mom and Grandma, sadly, could not be present on our special day. My Mom was close to my heart though as my Aunt Cyndy sewed a picture of her in my dress. Also, for our recessional we asked our friends and family to sprinkle us with the blue bird confetti (that my aunts and cousins individually hand-punched!) to honor my Mom’s beautiful spirit. Blue birds also adorned our wedding cake, tying a bow of ribbon with their beaks, similarly to how Cinderella’s dress was sewn together.

I felt like a true princess wearing the wedding gown I chose from BHLDN Chicago, designed by the incredible Catherine Deane. My lovely veil was vintage-inspired as well from the bridal boutique Meringue, also in Chicago. I wore the timeless Sakura halo created by Cécile Boccara from France, which further incorporated the delicate pearls that embellished my dress. I carried a vintage Whiting & Davis gold mesh bag, and my earrings were by Nadri that my Mike had given me for our one-year anniversary. The morning of our wedding day, he surprised me with a gold monogram necklace incorporating my new initials, LOM. It was an honor to wear it as part of my wedding ensemble.

The incredibly talented wedding stylist, Kelly Lenard from Intertwine, is whom I give all the credit for our wedding décor. She communicated with me for months to bring all of my scattered ideas to tasteful fruition and beauty. I asked Kelly to incorporate as much gold into the day as possible. She misted metallic gold paint onto baby’s breath, eucalyptus leaves and seeds, to enhance our whimsical theme. She even surprised me the day of the wedding with the most stunning bright pink peonies that complimented my bridesmaid’s dresses perfectly! Also, as a tribute to the amazing Irish family I was marrying into, Bells of Ireland adorned the pews of the church aisle. My husband Mike and I used the cork collection filled with the memories we had shared and written on, to use for place card holders at our reception.

Two days after our wedding I was beyond excited to get dressed up again, but this time having the magnificent city of Chicago for a backdrop. Kelly Lenard created a stunning secondary bouquet for me, incorporating more vibrant colors and large garden roses, and a gorgeous floral crown. Lauren Balingit photographed us as we frolicked around our favorite city and strolled along the crystal blue water. After the shoot, Mike and I visited our favorite Irish Pub in the city, The Celtic Crossing for a pint of the black stuff. It was the perfect way to end our wedding weekend!

Photography: Lauren Balingit | Floral Design: Kelly Lenard | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Toni Patisserie | Church: Ascension Catholic Church | Makeup: Alyssa Lalagos | Hair: Robert Jeffrey | Suits: Men's Wearhouse | Country Club: Butterfield Country Club | Video: 27 Entertainment

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Elegant Country Club Wedding with a Pop of Coral

A country club wedding in shades of coral is pretty much a safe bet for stunning, and this next little lovefest was no exception. Bridesmaids dressed by Twobirds and florals from Carriage Flowers, it was packaged perfectly and bursting with beautiful details. M Lindsay Photography captured all the lovely, and you can check out the full gallery here.


From M Lindsay PhotographyAna + Jordan put together a perfect summer country club wedding. Combining the perfect colors with chic attire and modern elements made this wedding unique and beautiful….wait until you see the groom’s tux! Navy, coral, and silver details came together to bring a fun pop of color. A little bit about the wedding: From my first meeting with these two, to the engagement session, I felt like these two are the kind of people that I could be friends with. Apart from being a gorgeous couple, they have such a great way about them and a deep love for each other that is very apparent. Plus, they have impeccable style–I mean can we talk about Jordan’s blue custom tux with matching tuxedo slippers and Ana’s stunning lace dress and Valentino heels? The day was filled with emotion, especially from the bride. Beautiful toasts, great food and an energetic dance floor made for a great party too!

Photography: M Lindsay Photography | Floral Design: Carriage Flowers | Wedding Gown: Weddings 826 | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | Bridesmaids' Dresses: twobirds Bridesmaid | DJ: Fig Weddings | Bow Tie: The Tie Bar | Groomsmen's Ties: The Tie Bar | Groomsmen Attire: Tommy Hilfiger | Venue: Park Ridge Country Club | Groom's Loafer: To Boot NY | Groom's Shirt: Hugo Boss | Groomsmen's Shirts: Hugo Boss | Groomsmen's Shoes: ASOS | Guestbook: WeddingTreeGuestbook

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