Illinois Weddings

Ten years is a big milestone in any relationship, and this adorable couple marked theirs with an engagement ring! Their engagement photos, taken by Katherine Salvatori Photography, capture their understandable joy, and you can see all of the fun (and the bride-to-be’s gorgeous ring!) in the full gallery!

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From Katherine Salvatori Photography… Sarah and Steve celebrated their 10-year anniversary this year, marking a decade of love with an engagement. These high school sweethearts currently live in the heart of downtown Chicago, and they wanted their engagement session to embody their love of the city and their home. North Avenue beach was the perfect location for them with its skyline view, lake, people, and the business of the city. They are so much fun and easy-going, and we had a blast working together. I’m so excited when I am able to work with couples truly in love like Sarah and Steve are. I can’t wait for their wedding day!

Photography: Katherine Salvatori Photography / Location: Chicago, Illinois

Talk about an all star team. Jeremy Lawson Photography and his camera, Engaging Events by Ali and their creative minds, Exquisite Designs, Inc. and the greenest thumbs out there… Even Toast and Jam to keep the party going late into the evening. If ever a wedding was destined to be pure perfection, this was it. Add so much love into the mixture and you’ve got a gallery that is worth a peek or three. Click here for more!

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From Engaging Events by Ali … Megan and David’s wedding was about celebrating! Celebrating in a lovely ceremony preformed by a good family friend and celebrating by dancing the night away. There was a Scotch and Bubbly Bar at cocktail hour and a lovely seated dinner with full bar and dancing to Toast and Jam DJs. The wedding took place at Room 1520, a cool lofty space in the West Loop area of Chicago. 

Photography: Jeremy Lawson Photography / Flowers: Exquisite Designs, Alexandra Jusino / Event Planning & Design: Engaging Events by Ali and Exquisite Designs / Venue: Room 1520 / Invitations: Clementine Ink / Draping: Art of Imagination / Catering: Food Evolution / DJ: Toast and Jam

I feel like if I went to this wedding, I’d still be talking about it to this day. You know how some weddings are just totally fabulous and the bride and groom think of absolutely everything? Well, this is one of those weddings. From the 16 piece swing band to the vintage arcade games, this wedding must have been off the charts fun! Pen/Carlson captured it all and you can click here for even more.

Don’t miss their fab wedding film from I Do Films!

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From the Bride… My favorite DIY project was the creation of our custom postcards, which we created in lieu of a guest book. Marc and I are huge movie lovers, so instead of doing a typical guestbook, we decided to do postcards. But we decided to print a different image on EACH postcard — each one a screen grab from a moment of love in all our favorite films. We pre-addressed each postcard to our home and stamped them. Then we had suitcases filled with postcards and pens, and beautiful signs explaining what to do. We even found an antique mail sorting panel to put the cards in once written. At the end of the event, my mom collected the postcards and sent them to us in small chunks after we got back from our honeymoon. It was a great way to keep remembering the event over a longer period of time and made the joy of the wedding last that much longer. Plus, it was fun to see what movies each of our friends and family picked!

We had to move our ceremony inside at the last minute due to a SEVERE storm that came all of a sudden, but we made it work and still beautiful. Our good friend Doug married us atop the stairs at Architectural Artifacts while the crowd sat patiently below drinking delicious infused ice waters handed out upon arrival and fanning themselves with ivory fans to combat the Chicago August heat and humidity. With the help of my event planner and designer, Erin Patrick (now with Todd Events), Marc and I used our vision to borrow from the MANY antiques the venue has to offer (and will lend to you for your event!) to create vignettes with an eclectic and vintage look that was uniquely ours for the night. Lots of illumination kept the venue warm and sparkling like it would have done in the ’20s, and instead of over the top flower arrangements, we used many many clusters of unique flowers in a variety of beautiful crystal and metal vases. White lace patterned ginger jars graced our sweetheart table to separate ourselves from the crowd — as did antique white dining chairs. And every table was laded up with floating candles, candelabras, and candles atop candlesticks that danced and flickered around the room, bringing it to life, and reflecting in the many pieces of metal, glass and crystal decorating the room. We continued this theme of “collections” in flowers, and displays, and even to the cakes. Instead of having one massive cake, I decided to have a “collection of cakes.” Seven beautiful cakes were displayed on a vintage cart – each one beautiful in it’s own regard, but linking back to each other in color, ribbons, lace, cameos and rhinestones – so that they reflected both my dress and the invitations that originally kicked off the event designs. I worked closely with Amy Beck to make these come to life, and keep a theme so that they all felt of the same family. The rest of the food, was equally impressive, as Food Evolution brought to us an amazing four-course meal, in addition to signature cocktail and regular cocktails at the cocktail hour with heavy apps, and they ended the night with a large variety of late night snacks.

For the start of the reception, into the first few hours of dancing, we had an amazing 16-piece swing band play. Then for the second half of the night, we had a DJ come on to really take the crowd to the next level and really just DANCE the night away. For those who didn’t like to dance, we made to sure have an alternate entertainment. We rented six vintage arcade games that were located just off the dance floor, so everyone could still hear the music and see each other, but not necessarily dance. It was a great way to keep people entertained, and it was especially fun to see older aunts and uncles let their child side out and compete against each other again. All in all, it was an amazing event that we are very proud of. We worked really hard to put it together, and it was totally worth it. We could not have been luckier to have such an amazing wedding and are so thankful to all those who helped make it happen for us! Please see the list of credits below, and ask them to make your event just as amazing – as I could not be more grateful to them for making my dreams come true!

Wedding Photography: Pen/Carlson / Wedding Venue: Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Illinois / Event Planning: Erin Patrick McDonald / Wedding Cinematography: I Do Films / Catering: Food Evolution / Wedding Cakes: Amy Beck Cake Design / Cake Topper: Lollipop Workshop / Invitations + Branding: Camden Richards of Liminal Press + Bindery / Band: Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra / DJ: Style Matters DJs / Decor: Formerly EP2 Productions / Favors: Garrett’s Popcorn / Accommodations: Hotel Allegro / Vintage Games: Chicago Pinball / Transportation: Aries Charter Transportation Inc. / Welcome Bags, Dancing Shoes, Tags,  Signage, Post Card Guest Book, Seating Cards, Favor Labels, Ring Holder Book, Cake Station Signs, Welcome Bag Ornaments + Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: DIY by the Bride / Weekend Brochures: DIY by the Bride & Groom / Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander Signature via Bride & Gift Bridal Store / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Jewelry: Custom + Family Heirlooms / Bride’s Veil: The Left Bank Bridal Finery / Hair: Renee Feldman / Makeup: Darcy Lynn McGrath (DarcyLynnMcGrath@gmail.com) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: BHLDN / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Cuttlefish Jewelry (Owned by the Bride) / Robes: Sandmaidens Sleepwear / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Groom’s Shoes: Bass via Amazon / Groomsmen’s Suits: Wilke Rodriguez via Men’s Wearhouse

You know you have a keeper when he proposes to you on his birthday instead of going out and partying with the boys. Now that’s romantic! Brosnan Photographic captured this adorable couple as they revisited the very place where he popped the question and you can see all their lovely images right here in the full gallery.

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From Brosnan Photographic… The Lily Pond at Lincoln Park in Chicago was the perfect spot for Felicia and Anthony’s engagement shoot. It was a relaxing spot for Felicia when she lived in the city. Anthony proposed to Felicia on his birthday at the top of a parking garage where they used to go up to the top to look out at the city skyline. Now abandoned and shut down, we were determined to commemorate the moment with a few last photos for them to cherish, so we sneaked up to the top.

Photography: Brosnan Photographic / Location: The Lily Pond at Lincoln Park in Chicago, Illinois

This next couple proves that the love of your life may be living right around the corner from you, and that you’re bound to run into each other at some point! I love this couple’s story and their whirlwind romance that ended in this spectacular fete captured by Olivia Leigh Photographie. It’s like a real life fairy tale and you can live happily ever after right here in the gallery.

Check out this fabulous film from Leap Weddings:

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From the Bride… Ted and I met in May 2010, and we were immediately smitten with each other! Coincidentally, we both lived on Oak Street, and that is where Ted proposed to me in December 2011, underneath the lighted gazebo across from The Drake Hotel. Since we wanted a summer wedding, planning began pronto! Choosing the historic Drake Hotel for our reception was simple; my family and I have always enjoyed the ambiance of The Drake. Ted and I love the rich and storied history of the hotel, and its neoclassical, opulent décor fit perfectly with our vision of an elegant, classic and glamorous wedding. Truly the icing on the cake was residing in the absolutely decadent Princess Diana Suite for the wedding weekend. What a perfect space for me to prepare for the big day, surrounded by my mom and my best friends!

Ted and I made a conscious effort to live each moment in every part of the day and to make time for private moments together. We had talked about making sure we were by each others’ sides the entire night. During Ted’s toast, he presented me with Chinese finger cuffs to ensure we stayed together … and they were pink and navy! We have a multitude of amazing memories of our wedding day. We will never forget seeing each other for the first time, taking pictures on the beach and streets of Chicago with tons of people yelling “Congratulations!”  and dancing with our families and friends! Ted and I were blessed with an idyllic day, a glorious event celebrating the beginning of our lives together, surrounded by loving family and friends. Our ceremony was held at Saint James Chapel, a breathtaking chapel dedicated in 1918 and modeled after Sainte Chapelle in Paris. Our floral designer, Cornelia McNamara, arranged great poufs of sugary pink, Dutch hydrangea and fragrant O’Hara garden roses with boughs of gilded magnolia and feathery apricot eremeris lilies in vintage chic gold urns to flank our exchange of vows. We could not have found a more romantic setting for our ceremony. As a nod to Ted’s love of sailing, the cocktail hour had a nautical feel. The hour commenced in the Venetian, a room that gave the guest a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. Dazzling arrangements of blue hydrangea, cobalt blue delphinium and masses of navy blue viburnum berries adorned the tables, and the vases were covered in sailing rope. Our engagement photos, taken on a sailboat on Lake Michigan, complemented the nautical charm of the space.

I selected pink and navy for our wedding colors, as they handsomely reflected who Ted and I are individually and as a couple. I have very feminine tastes and have always loved pink; navy, a masculine color, symbolized Ted’s strong and calm nature. Together, the colors illustrated our classic style. We used stunning pops of gold throughout, from the cake to the gilded magnolia leaves that formed our new monogram above the head table. The lower centerpieces were arranged in gorgeous, cut-crystal vessels, which added another layer of flash and glamour to the already stunning room. Cornelia used masses of garden roses and dahlias in every shade of pink, set off by gold “camel” roses and gilded foliage. The taller centerpieces were long-stemmed garden roses and dinner plate dahlias with golden magnolia branches arranged in antique birdbaths. She also surprised us with two bougainvillea topiaries with trailing vines covered in hot pink blooms, which framed us for the few moments were able to sit!  The table numbers were street names of Chicago, personally meaningful to us.

Wedding Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie / Ceremony: Saint James Chapel in Chicago, Illinois / Reception: The Drake Hotel in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Planning: Renny Pederson of Bliss Weddings & Events / Floral Design: Cornelia McNamara Flowers / Wedding Cinematography: Leap Weddings / Wedding Cake: Sarah’s Bakery / Band: Don Cagen Orchestra / Wedding Dress: Enzoani / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Accessories: The Left Bank Bridal Finery / Hair: Ashley Condron / Makeup: Rachel Reiman / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Sung

I love that this Bride asked herself when choosing a location, how can you say no to a T-rex in your reception space? That’s right, lovelies, this wedding of two history buffs at The Field Museum came with elephants and a dinosaur on the guest list and it just might be the fantastic wedding of your dreams. The prettiest purples and greens in every detail by LK Events and Dessy bridesmaids dresses will knock you right off your feet and you can see it all from Amanda Hein Photography in the gallery right here.

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From the Bride… We wanted to get married at a venue that spoke to our love of history. So when we walked into The Field Museum for the first time, we knew no matter how many other venues we saw, this was the one we wanted to get married in.  The white marble and the ionic columns reminded us of our time in Rome, and how can you say no to a T-Rex in your reception space?

We had planned to have the ceremony and cocktail hour outside on the museum’s terrace, but the day dawned a little chilly, so we moved the ceremony inside. What a great decision! Our guests faced the south dome of the museum, and the bridal party was able to make a grand entrance down the staircase. At the reception, guests were able to watch the action on the dance floor from the comfort of two lounge areas full of beautiful French Regency style furniture and enjoy mini Chicago hotdogs and milkshakes as late-night snacks.

We are so thankful for the wonderful team we had working with us. All of our vendors made the planning process easy, and the final product was incredible! Our band kept the crowd on their feet all night long (our guests would have stayed until the wee hours of the morning if they had the choice!), and Food For Thought and Cake did an amazing job with dinner and dessert. Our photographer, Amanda Hein, captured every magical moment of the night, and we are so happy we can relive all those moments whenever we look at her amazing photos. Jesse Deckard of Event Creative went above and beyond with incredible floral designs that just made every table pop with color. And none of this would have been possible without the wonderful and incredibly capable Lauren Knuepfer of LK Events, who was working behind the scenes at every turn. We had such a great time — we wish we could make our wedding an annual event!

Wedding Photography: Amanda Hein Photography / Wedding Venue: The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Planning: Lauren Knuepfer of LK Events / Floral Design + Decor: Jesse Deckard of Event Creative / Catering: Food For Thought / Wedding Cake: Cake / Wedding Invitations: Kara Underwood of Magnificent Milestones / Programs + Menus: Stace Cadet Designs / Band: Deja Vu / Transportation: V.I.P. Valet Services / Wedding Dress: VWIDON / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dessy / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss

I so wish I had the calm, cool and collected nature that this bride had on her wedding day. She was super laid back yet totally involved in the planning. She was so cool in fact, that she created the gorgeous centerpieces just hours before strolling down the aisle! Anticipation Events coordinated this pretty gem while Olivia Leigh Photographie captured all the pretty and you can click here for even more.

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From Anticipation Events… When I met Anni and Ross, we just clicked. They were just. so. chill. As we were talking, I asked if they were taking a honeymoon after the wedding, and they said yes, they were going to Palm Springs. Without thinking, I said, “Oh, are you staying at the Ace Hotel?” The answer was yes, which I am sure creeped them both out a little bit, but I just knew. They are exactly cool enough to stay there and fit right in. Aimee coordinated their big day, and as you can tell from the amazing pictures by Olivia Leigh Photographie, it was gorgeous. Anni told me she was going to do her own flowers, and I could just tell she was a bride who could handle it (and create blog-worthy, creations no less). She and Ross got up the morning of the wedding and motored over to the farmers’ market to pick out some stems. An effortless topknot and a fierce red lip, and Anni was ready. With a few styling touches from BHLDN, Goose Island brews and a beautiful day for an outdoor ceremony, all the pieces of the puzzle came together for a perfect day, and Style Matters brought the dance party home. Anni and Ross are some of the most kind, calm and lovely people you will ever meet, and Anticipation Events was honored to be a part of their big day. The best news is that Anni was in the process of starting her own photography company called Anni Cee Photographie, and she is currently rocking it all over the city. I can’t wait until we get to do our first wedding together as vendors!

Wedding Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie / Wedding Venue: Salvage One in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Day Coordination: Anticipation Events / Flowers: DIY by the Bride & Bridesmaids with Flowers from the Farmers’ Market / Officiant: Bruce Falk / Catering: Food for Thought / Wedding Cake: Sweet Mandy B’s / DJ: Style Matters DJs / Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Hair + Makeup: Salon Soca / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Their Choice (Mostly Zara + Nordstrom) / Men’s Suits: Formally Modern Tuxedo / Groom’s Tie: J.Crew

For those of you who love cozying up and sharing a cup of joe with your beloved, get your pretty little eyes ready for this engagement session from Jill Tiongco Photography. It’s filled with oodles of love and all the splendor of Fall and when these two sweethearts have a special place in their history at Starbucks, we get to see some of the most darling of photographs complete with that iconic coffee cup. Trust me, you’re not going to want to miss your coffee break this morning, so you can spend it all in the gallery right here.

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From the Bride-to-Be… Mark and I chose to do our engagement pictures in downtown Wheaton, Illinois. Wheaton is where I bought my first condo and where Mark and I will call home once we are married. Wheaton is also where we spend a lot of time trying out new restaurants, exploring the downtown area and going for walks. We got engaged May 25, 2012, at Lake Lawn Lodge in Wisconsin, a place where I vacation with my family every year. We wanted our pictures in the fall because we both love all there is to love about the season — the colorful leaves, cool crisp weather and football. :) We also chose to take some pictures at Starbucks, which holds a special place in our hearts. We met at work, and part of our daily routine throughout the work week would be to swing by Starbucks together to get our favorite drinks (a skinny vanilla for me and a three Splenda vanilla latte for Mark). Mark and I will be married on May 3, 2013. We cannot wait!

Photography: Jill Tiongco Photography / Location: Wheaton, Illinois / LOVE Sign: Lazy Caterpillar / White Winter Jacket: Express / Hair: Jillian of Jillian’s Salon in Elmhurst (630-453-3083)

It takes a talent, patience + tons of creativity to turn a blank slate like Prairie Production into a warm, inviting ceremony + reception venue, and this bride + groom made it happen-on a tight budget, nonetheless! With bold pink + purple florals from Fasan Florist and a menu designed by the groom and brought to life by Honest Foods Catering, this industrial-chic soirée is one for the books. See the rest of the gorgeous images from Carasco Photography in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… We were married on Friday, July 13, 2012 (yes, Friday the 13th) at Prairie Production, a photo studio located in Chicago’s West Loop/Meatpacking area. Tony (my groom) and I have been together since college and have since lived together in San Francisco, New York, and now Chicago, where I was born and raised. We are by nature city kids and wanted the reception to feel much like a chic, classy and elegant cocktail party.

We started the day at the Public Hotel, one of my favorite places in the city. It’s a stunning hotel with such a chic, hip feel. I knew that not only would we love prepping there, but also that the pictures would be great as well. Much like the wedding venue, the hotel is very modern, yet comfortable. When the thunder storm (with full on lightening and sideways rain) came plowing through as we were about to leave the hotel for pictures on the lake, I knew it would be all right because the space was so beautiful. As for the wedding, we knew from the second we saw the high ceilings, natural light and indoor/outdoor space that Prairie Production was the place to hold the ceremony and reception. As expected, this was a completely raw space, from the linens down to the bathroom hand soap, which left us tons of room for creativity but also some challenges for budget. We decided to sick with mercury glass, a ton of candles and bright pink and purple for flowers. The choice to have the ceremony at the venue and not a church came as a shock to our Catholic families, but in retrospect it was one of the most intimate weddings most had attended before. My cousins did all the music, which was an amazingly personal touch. The bridal party walked down to a gorgeous version of the Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and Tony and I walked out to The Cure’s “Friday I’m in Love.” My cousin also sang an Adele song during the ceremony that left no one with a dry eye. We wrote our vows and ring exchanges — both very personal, but we were so happy we went for them.

Tony is a chef, so the food was a key element to the reception, but we really wanted to maintain the cocktail party feel. We did passed appetizers and a buffet with open seating. We found a caterer that let Tony design the menu, which again added an incredible personal touch. Of course, the pastry chef at his restaurant made us a beautiful cake as a present — with champagne infused frosting to die for. Looking back, I am proud to say how much we were able to do on the budget we maintained. From choosing the fonts and design of the invites to the many trips to garden stores for mercury glass and the many music rehearsals with my makeshift wedding band, the night turned out exactly how we wanted, and we wouldn’t change a thing.

Wedding Photography: Carasco Photography / Wedding Venue: Prairie Production in Chicago, Illinois / Design + Planning: DIY by the Bride / Floral Design: Maggie of Fasan Florist / Catering: Honest Foods Catering / Wedding Invitations: Morgan Ingersol, A Friend of the Bride / Wedding Dress: Watters + Extensive Alterations by Mrs. Etta D’Amico / Bride’s Shoes: Vintage / Hair: Jordan Kellam, A Cousin of Bride / Makeup: Ei On You Makeup

You’ll need to cozy up with the full gallery of this backyard beauty captured by Gina Cristine Photography, because steal-worthy details can be found in every nook and cranny. Just when you think you’ve seen them all, low and behold another can’t miss personal touch from this thoughtful couple will be waiting there ready to inspire. And we just happen to love that. It’s a love story that ends in the prettiest of outdoor fêtes and it’s all sitting pretty right here.

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From the Bride… Our paths first crossed in high school during my senior year and Jim’s junior year. Jim and I were aware of each other but more so acquaintances than anything. Years down the road when college brought Jim to Odgen, Utah and a work opportunity had brought me to Charlottesville, VA, we both came home to celebrate the holiday season with our families. We ended up going to a mutual friend’s going away party and starting talking and never lost contact. Our love of travel is really what brought us together, we were both ready for an adventure and decided we would meet in Europe 5 months after our encounter at the going away party, this would be a true testament to our budding relationship. Despite not really knowing each other very well and building a relationship over the phone, we had an amazing two weeks traveling thru Europe. After the trip Jim ended up moving back to Chicago and I followed about 5 months later.

A few years later, Jim proposed at one of the highest points in our county and the wedding planning began! We knew we wanted a wedding to reflect both of our personalities, to make it as personal as possible and we wanted to reflect our adventurous relationship. Our dream was to also have an outdoor wedding but with living in the midwest you can never predict what the weather will be. The location of the wedding was very important to us as we wanted everything about our wedding to have meaning. Jim’s parents were kind enough to allow us to use their home/yard for the festivities. Jim’s first love is nature. His first project and where his love began was working in their yard in the summers he would return from college. He spent many years clearing unwanted trees and shrubs from the yard making it into the beautiful setting it is now.

Next on the list were the wedding invitations, we choose the tandem bike to reflect our playful spirits and adventurous ways. The colors and fabrics we choose were to compliment the natural setting along with creating a vibrant ambiance to celebrate our special day. From the welcome table, to the ceremony, to cocktail hour and following into dinner and dancing, we wanted to include personal touches all through out to reflect our personality. We included vintage hankies for tears of joy, our tree planting ceremony, my mom’s chandeliers hanging in the tree and a door used from my great-grandmother’s barn as a menu sign. We tried to incorporate old and new items that had meaning for us and bringing the two families together. Family and friends helped tremendously as the weather this year was blistering hot. We could have not pulled it off without their support!

Wedding Photography: Gina Cristine Photography / Wedding Venue: Groom’s Family’s Home in Barrington, Illinois  / Floral Design: TULIP / Wedding Catering: Moveable Feast Geneva / Music: Vance Kelly and the Backstreet Blues Band / Fabric: Amy Butler / Cake Toppers: Cotton Bird Designs / Photo Props: PropMama / Burlap Banners: funky shiQue / Paper Poms: PomLove / Wedding Dress: Sonara by Watters / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Hairpiece: Project U / Groom’s Suit + Groomsmen’s Attire: J.Crew / Wooden Cuff Links: Melissa Stumbo Designs / Groom + Groomsmen’s Ties: MeAndMatilda / Ring Pillow: Giggle Room / Dog’s Bowtie: SillyBuddy

If I were to tell you this seriously stylish wedding was actually held in a basement, you probably wouldn’t believe me. I barely believe me. Granted it’s the super stylish abode of Architectural Artifacts Inc., but I just love seeing couples think outside of the venue box. Particularly when it results in a wedding so fabulous I want it to be mine. Stoffer Photography was there to catch all the vintage loveliness, and through their images tell the beautiful story of two high school sweethearts tying the knot in a way that’s 100% them. It’s safe to say that tale definitely ends in a happy ending. See it all here.

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From Maura of Stoffer Photography… A lovely antique Chicago wedding, this indoor basement, tucked quietly away in the bustling city, doubles as a showroom for treasured antiques during by day and an extremely elegant wedding scene by night! The overflowing rooms filled with vintage paraphernalia was simply breathtaking and classic paired with David and Catherine’s DIY style. I especially adored all of the flower arrangements put together by Catherine and her family. I mean, check out her bouquet!

From the Bride… Marrying my high school beau after seven years of dating was beyond thrilling as we celebrated our lovely vintage wedding day. For my wedding theme I was really excited about bringing vintage/antique elements into our space. My sister and friend had inspiration that matched my ideas perfectly. I was able to combine a lot of DIY projects along with searching through thrift shops to complete the look. I was able to collect pieces around Architectural Artifacts and incorporate them in any way to add to the decor. My friend/coordinator was a genius by piecing it all together as she did. My dress was purchased from a consignment store. It was a vintage piece that I had a seamstress revamp, and my shoes were from Nordstrom Rack and designed by Vera Wang. My veil/halo were purchased from Etsy. Earrings from BHLDN, Blue Ring is and heirloom, and my engagement ring is a 1915’s antique.

Wedding Photography: Stoffer Photography / Wedding Venue: Architectural Artifacts Inc. in Chicago, IL / Wedding Design + Styling : DIY by the Bride, Family + Friends / Floral Design: DIY by Bride’s Family / Wedding Catering : Uncle Bub’s BBQ and Catering / Wedding Dress: Vintage Dress via Consignment Store / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang via Nordstrom Rack / Bride’s Veil + Halo: Etsy / Bride’s Earrings: BHLDN / Bride’s Rings: Heirloom (Blue Ring) + 1915’s Antique (Engagement Ring)

There’s only one way to describe this wedding: glamorous. Absolutely glamorous. Planned to perfection by Shannon Gail Weddings and Events, it features an amazing gold cake from Bittersweet, adorable flower girls, and a drop-dead gorgeous bride who looks like she was pulled straight out of a vintage movie. The couple even brought in Maggie Speaks to do a live performance of “All That Jazz” from Chicago! I can’t possibly describe all of the gorgeousness, so be sure to check out the full gallery!

Can’t get enough? You can watch the whole day unfold in the amazing highlight film from I Do Films:

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From Shannon Gail Weddings and Events… Emily and Wayne’s wedding day had all of the grandeur of the ritziest Chicago affair, while also maintaining a very intimate, comfortable environment that felt extremely personal to the couple. With Emily’s family roots in the South, her parents living in London, and Wayne’s family born and raised in Chicago, it was very important to the couple to not only represent the different stages of their lives in their wedding but also to give the event a very classic Chicago vibe that would really welcome the out-of-town guests to their current hometown. The attire was beautiful, from Emily’s amazing gown and vintage shoes to her mom’s custom Chanel suit and all of the ladies adorned with gorgeous fascinators; it truly felt royal. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed personal tours of Chicago on the city’s vintage red trolleys. From there, guests were taken to the iconic Gold Coast Ballroom at The Drake Hotel, located in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. With over 10 crystal chandeliers and beautifully ornate pillars, this room epitomizes old world Chicago charm. We chose a very formal, classic color palette of navy, ivory and gold but infused handmade touches to make sure the couple’s down home, fun personality was present. The bride’s mom designed and made all of the invitations, each complete with the Chicago skyline printed across the front and secured with stunning gold tassels. We even flew in jars of Huckleberry Jam from Idaho, where Emily grew up, as favors for guests. The highlight of the evening came during dinner, when guests enjoyed a live performance of Chicago’s “All That Jazz.” The room was dazzling with red stage lights and guests were truly “wowed.” It was such a pleasure to be a part of such an amazing day and even more amazing family.

Wedding Photography: Cristina G Photography / Ceremony: Assumption Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois / Reception: The Drake Hotel in Chicago, Illinois / Event Design + Plannning: Shannon Gail Weddings and Events / Floral Design: ZuZu’s Petals / Wedding Cinematography: I Do Films / Wedding Cake: Bittersweet / Groom’s Cake: Elysia Root Cakes / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / Ceremony + Cocktail String Quartet: Quartet Parapluie / Band: Maggie Speaks / Lighting: Frost Chicago / Photo Booth: ShutterBooth / Transportation: Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Bus / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza / Bride’s Shoes: Vintage / Hair: Rosie Scianna / Makeup: Robyn Tornabeni Productions / Bride’s Mother’s Suit: Chanel

You are about to treat your eyes to so much prettiness, adorableness, and sweetness in this engagement session from Rachel G Photography. I say from experience – and by that I mean I might have just spent the past hour getting completely lost in the gallery – that these two lovebirds are as beautiful as they come and every image is pure joy. And when that joy is shared over a love of Molly’s Cupcakes and great music? It’s too sweet to handle and makes us pleased as punch to show you the full session all right here.

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From Rachel G Photography… This engagement session brought such joy to me for so many reasons! I have known Alex and Scott both for a number of years. I have had the pleasure of watching Alex grow up and into the beautiful soul, both inside and out, that you see before you. I was thrilled when she contacted me about her wedding photography and really loved her vision for their wedding day, as well all the personal touches that will bring in both her and Scott’s independent, colorful and soulful personalities. Needless to say, I’m looking so forward to capturing their big day this coming summer. Seeing her and Scott together is perfection; they just work so well. The way he looks at Alex just melts my heart. They are two of the most thoughtful, respectful, hopeful people I know, and their friends and loved ones are treasured and held in such high esteem. Having known them both for a number of years, I really wanted their engagement session to have as unique a personality as they do, and I think we hit it out of the park! We started out at this darling bakery, Molly’s Cupcakes, complete with a swing and bar stool seats for their patrons. I loved the idea of bar stools and swings at a bakery! Alex and Scott love music — I mean LOVE music — so as we were leaving Molly’s Cupcakes, we came across Dave’s Records, a tiny, old-school vinyl record store. We asked the owner if he minded if we took a few pictures there, he obliged, and the rest was magical, to say the least! It’s such a reflection of them and their love of music; it really couldn’t have been more perfect. We also swung by Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue, the site of their proposal, as this location will always hold a special place in their hearts. We rounded out their session on the steps of the Museum of Contemporary Art just as the last bit of light was dying. Some of the last shots of Alex laughing might just be some of my favorite I have ever taken; they are effortless, classic and quintessentially her. 

Photography: Rachel G Photography / Locations: Dave’s Records + Molly’s Cupcakes, Both in Chicago, Illinois

Do I dare even attempt to put into words the beauty of this wedding? The photography by Ryan Timm Photography is to die for, the color palette is lustworthy, and the location…oh my gosh, the location! Allerton Park couldn’t have been a better or more breathtaking place for two landscape architects (hello, super cool career) to tie the knot. And with delightful details gracing every image in the gallery, this is one you will absolutely adore. See it all right here.

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From the Bride… Matt and I graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in landscape architecture, and our graduation ceremony was held in the Rose Garden at Allerton Park. Our relationship began on U of I’s campus, and we were happy to get married where we fell in love with one another!

We wanted to provide refreshments following the ceremony so that guests were encouraged to stick around, visit and explore the historic gardens on such a beautiful day. My mom made her famous homemade Chex mix — she makes it almost everytime Matt and I visit home. The cookies were from one of my favorite bakeries in Chicago – Dinkles Bakery. We also had wedding party bus snacks from The Brown Bag Deli in Monticello. Matt and I met Harlene while searching out rehearsal dinner spots. Her spunk and love for the town really touched us — she stayed late that Saturday to make sure our bus had snacks, delivered curbside, and was welcomed by a bus full of chanting friends! It’s stories like meeting Harlene, trying her homemade chicken salad, and her telling us that we should have lots of beautiful babies that made our whole wedding planning experience and day more special.

Our overall goal of our wedding day was to make it us. We are both pretty laid-back, do our own thing, like to laugh and make others laugh. I love crafting. Matt has awesome dance moves. Our theme was sophisticated fun.The garden setting helped set the relaxed feel we wanted for our friends and family. We requested comfortable attire, and asked our guests to simply come enjoy the day on us. We chose details throughout the day to make it memorable and fun — ribbon streamers, a photo booth, a party bus and a huge dance floor. Matt and I knew we wanted to make our budget stretch as far as it could. I love the challenge of making something myself, and it makes the day so much more special. I designed our invitations, ceremony programs, menus, table numbers and place cards using scanned images of watercolors I painted. Matt was in charge of making our photo booth props. We even got our family in on the fun. :) We hand-painted our photo booth backdrop at my parents’ house (it has our little dog’s footprints through the stripes!). My friend in Arizona punched paper circles for days for us to use on the reception tables. Matt’s dad helped make table number holders. Table runners were sewn by my friend Olivia and my mom. We really packed in a lot of projects into one year! And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Our family and friends mean the world to us, and having them help create the wedding of our dreams — a sophisticated but colorful and fun day — was one of the best parts.

Wedding Photography: Ryan Timm Photography / Ceremony: Allerton Park in Monticello, Illinois / Reception: Hilton Garden Inn Champaign/Urbana in Champaign, Illinois / Venue Coordination: Caitlyn of Hilton Garden Inn Champaign/Urbana / Floral Design: Stephanie Robinson, A Friend of the Couple / Wedding Cake: Jen Holhubner / DJ: Elite Entertainment / Paper Goods: Designed by the Bride / Wedding Dress: Mori Lee / Bride’s Necklace + Earrings: Ann Taylor / Bride’s Bracelet: From Her Great-Aunt / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Banana Republic / Bridesmaids’ Necklaces: DIY by the Bride / Men’s Suits: Express / Men’s Ties: The Tie Bar

We fell in love with this couple way back in July when we featured their quirky and fun e-session and we’ve been waiting ever since to get our hands on their wedding. Well today is our day my friends because Kristin La Voie Photography has delivered once again. If you love all things fun, bright and with loads of creative DIY touches, this wedding is totally up your alley. It’s almost too cute for words. Click here for so much more.

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From Kristin La Voie Photography… I am so excited to share this November wedding of the adorable Tami and Chris. Tami, owner of TamTam Designs, oozes adorability and creativity and had an amazing vision for their nuptials. Lots of paper goods (of course!), flowers, bright colors and tons of touches from Chris and Tami. Every paper good was a creation of TamTam Designs — the amazing invitation suite, escort cards, programs, ribbon table runners, and the perfect ceremony arch that doubled as their photo booth backdrop! After a picture perfect first look, and gorgeous photos during sunset in Lincoln Park, the ceremony and reception at Pazzo’s commenced. With the family bible over 200 years old, special readings and abundance of family and friends, everything was flawless.

Wedding Photography: Kristin La Voie Photography / Wedding Venue, Catering + Linens: Pazzo’s at 311 in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Planning: Yellow Diamond Events / Floral Design: Pollen / Wedding Cinematography: Vanilla Video / Wedding Cake + Groom’s Cake: Tipsy Cake / Gourmet Popcorn: Kernels / Candy Table: DIY by the Bride & Groom with Candy from Candy Warehouse / Wedding Paper Goods: TamTam Designs (Owned by the Bride) / Band: We, Unity Candle / Transportation: Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Co. / Wedding Dress: Jacquelin Exclusive via Complete Bridal Salon / Bride’s Belt: Originally BHLDN + Custom Alterations / Bride’s Shoes: J.Renee via Zappos / Bride’s Earrings, Veil + Hairpiece: The Wedding Etc. / Bride’s Engagement Ring: Custom Designed by the Groom via Lustig Jewelers / Bride’s Wedding Band: Custom via Jared / Hair + Makeup: Anita Arsova of VIP Chicago Brides / Men’s Tuxedos: Black Tie Formalwear / Groom’s Watch: Rolex Submariner / Groom’s Wedding Band: Jared

There’s something so romantic about returning to the spot where he popped the big question for your engagement session. It’s like capturing that same warm, fuzzy feeling for all eternity and when you’ve got Erica Rose Photography behind the lens, well, let’s just say you’ll be showing these beauties to your grandkids. Head to the full gallery for even more.

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From Erica Rose Photography… Brett and Diana live downtown in Chicago and wanted their engagement session to be reflective of them as a couple. We began shooting outside of Chicago’s iconic Drake hotel before grabbing a bottle of champagne and heading back to the same area where Brett proposed earlier this year. Brett popped the question on Lake Michigan, at North Avenue beach. We waited until right before sunset on this chilly fall night to pop the champagne, and then we headed down to the beach for a few more shots. The stunning sparkle of the Chicago skyline at night, a little silver glitter and the bottle of bubbly created a romantic scene for this truly classic Chicago engagement session!

Photography: Erica Rose Photography / Location: Chicago, Illinois

Weddings are amazing, wonderful things that bring people together and remind us of the absolute importance of those who love us and whom we love unconditionally. And this backyard after-wedding session from Evan Hunt Photo captures a sweet-as-can-be family and the adoration they have for one another. Simple and emotion-filled, it’s a shoot like this that gets my heart racing. See it all here!

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From Evan Hunt Photo… Katie and Michael’s wedding was beautiful, but something that may contain more life and spirit than the day they were wed is their family itself and the love they share. They wanted their togetherness, if you will, to be captured, and I was blessed with the opportunity to do so. Little Eli had just as much fun as we all did and couldn’t get enough of the camera! One month following their wedding day, we captured their story, their love and, once again, their togetherness. 

Photography: Evan Hunt Photo / Venue: The Couple’s Home / Bride’s Dress: Macy’s / Bride’s Necklace: Max & Chloe / Bride’s Hair: Ashley Alain Salon in Grayslake / Groom’s Suit: Tommy Hilfiger / Groom’s Shirt: Calvin Klein / Groom’s Belt + Shoes: Steven Madden / Boy’s Suit: Kenneth Cole / Boy’s Jacket: Gap / Boy’s Shirt: Ralph Lauren / Boy’s Shoes: Merrell

Family is such a major part of any wedding, and when a beloved family member passes away during the planning process, keeping them a part of the wedding becomes vital. This gorgeous bride lost her mother suddenly in the lead-up to her wedding, and she did a spectacularly lovely job of both honoring her mother’s memory and making the wedding the joyous event she would have wanted. Becky Hill Photography did a wonderful job of capturing the day’s smiles, and you can see the rest of this classic beauty right here!

And you can see even more of the day’s sweetness in this amazing wedding film from I Do Films:

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From the Bride… Ryan and I met shortly after I moved to Philadelphia for work. It was love at first sight, and he swept me away to a magical first date to see The Lion King in New York City. Even at the beginning, Ryan understood that I always wanted to move back to Chicago to be close to my family. A year into our relationship, I finally got that opportunity, and we packed up to move to the windy city. Ryan and I got engaged on a VERY hot Friday afternoon in September! I remember opening our apartment door, and Ryan was standing there with beautiful flowers, champagne and all of my favorite foods for a picnic. I should have realized something was up when it was only 10:30 a.m. We walked down to beautiful Dusable Harbor, and just as we were about to pop our champagne, Ryan got down on one knee and muttered those four words that every girl waits their whole life to hear. He had a hot air balloon ride planned and invited my parents down for dinner at Gibson’s Steakhouse later that night. It was the perfect day and one of the happiest moments in my life!

The person most excited about our wedding was my mom. The night of our engagement, she made us a beautiful cake, custom bride/groom shirts and she was the first to pull out the planning checklist! The last memory I have of my mom, before she unexpectedly passed away, was picking out my wedding dress; it is something I will cherish forever. After she passed, we considered not even having a wedding. How could we do it without her? My family encouraged us to move forward and that it was something that she would have wanted. To move on, we tried to incorporate her into our wedding as much as possible. One of the most heartfelt ways was having our relationship solidified by a unity candle that was lit from her memorial candle.

For our wedding venue, we decided on the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Since we were inviting so many out-of-town guests, Ryan and I thought it would be the perfect location for our guests to fly in and out easily. I also loved the idea of having one location that could host both our ceremony and reception, and the large, renovated ballroom easily allowed for that. For our colors, I fell in love with pink and champagne early on when we chose our save-the-dates and decided to incorporate those soft hues in our flowers, invitations, bridesmaids’ dresses and custom logo napkins. One of my favorite details of our wedding was our flowers. I worked at a florist throughout my high school years, and the day I got engaged, I called them to start planning. From the incredible topiary pieces to the crystal-wrapped bouquets, they truly went above and beyond and gave us a wedding better than we could have dreamed!

Wedding Photography: Becky Hill Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois / Floral Design: Celidan Creations, Inc. / Wedding Cinematography: I Do Films / Wedding Cake: The Baking Institute / Wedding Invitations + Place Cards: With Grace / Menus: hi note / DJ + Gobo Design: Al Okyne of Okyne Medialab / White Dance Floor + Draping: Yanni Design Studio / Ribbon Wands: Craft Up Your Life / Guest Book: Blurb / Wedding Dress: Martina Liana via Wolsfelt’s Bridal / Bride’s Veil: Wolsfelt’s Bridal / Bride’s Earrings + Bracelet: Anzie via Saks Fifth Avenue / Bride’s Hairpins: Bethany Lorelle / Hair: Desi Perna of Exquisite Bride Hair Design by Desi (desiperna@comcast.net) / Makeup: Morgan Marie Beauty / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lela Rose via Bella Bridesmaid / Bridesmaids’ Necklaces + Earrings: Ann Taylor / Bridesmaids’ Crystal Hair Accessories: Plume Delight / Men’s Tuxedos: Black Tie Formalwear

My own wedding was at a refurbished loft space, so it’s no secret I have a total affinity for all things industrial chic. So when I laid eyes on this Ivy Room fête from Robyn Rachel Photography I was all smiles!  The juxtaposition of rough + refined is so glam in my book, especially when that blend is brought together with personal touches + DIY goodness. See the rest of this beauty in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… Jason and I met while working in Chicago and were immediately drawn together in friendship. Jason trained the girl who started working the same day I did. I was jealous. I thought he was a little nerdy but super-cute with his blond hair and blue eyes. I found myself finding reasons to swing by her desk while they were together. Our relationship developed over the next year, and one cold night in December, I kissed him at the train station on track nine … then missed my train! Three years later we decided to take a huge leap of faith and move to Oregon. We wanted to challenge ourselves and experience something new together before we settled down and had kids. Jason was amazingly loving and supportive and quit his job to move across the country for our future. Not a week after I accepted my current position and he had told his boss that he was leaving, a job opened up with our company in the same area in Oregon. It was unbelievable and something that we both know will never happen again. We are truly blessed. I still get the tingles when I talk about it.

I am not a bride who has dreamed of my wedding since I was a little girl.  So when we got engaged and it all sunk in, it was all a little, well, overwhelming! Especially the “planning a Chicago wedding from Oregon” part. Luckily we have incredible family and friends who were more than happy to step in and do the dirty work. I knew that I wanted something unique and chic with more editorial-type fashion and photography. My dad suggested the Ivy Room … love him! Jason booked me a flight, and I flew in the following week. :) I immediately fell in love with the quaint courtyard and the old, wooden, unfinished floors in the event space. I actually shed a tear. Rustic, simple, chic became my inspiration and obsession. I loved my burlap runners on the farm tables with our low centerpieces in galvanized pails, but I knew the space would need more dimension. The hanging lanterns were the perfect touch. They added depth, warmth and a touch of whimsy to the room. Very Pottery Barn. We felt it was important to incorporate our new life in Oregon with our family and friends in Chicago. We served Oregon wines selected by our good friend and owner of our favorite wine bar that complemented our deliciously clean menu. Our vendors bent over backwards for us to make our vision a reality.

One of our favorite touches were our place card boards. We came up with the idea to hang our place cards from Oregon wine corks. The illustration on the cards was a hand drawn label of the wine we served our guests. It was a little tedious to drill the holes, string and tie the ribbon, slice the corks, write the names and assemble them, but our DIY project was totally worth it! We ended up loving that the first thing our guests saw when they arrived was something that we created and designed. One of my favorite touches was Jason’s and the groomsmen socks! I love that my man added his own touch of style!

Wedding Photography: Robyn Rachel Photography / Wedding Venue: The Ivy Room at Tree Studios in Chicago, Illinois / Catering: Limelight Catering / Wedding Cake: Tipsy Cake / Wedding Stationery: KapArt / Music: DJ Megan of Fig Media / Lighting: Frost Chicago / Accommodations: The James Chicago / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm via AniA Collection / Bride’s Shoes: L.A.M.B. / Hair: Erin Graham / Makeup: Kalee Hooghkirk / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jim Hjelm via Bella Bridesmaid / Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse + Nordstrom

Whether you’re engaged or a well-seasoned wedding lover, there are certain weddings you see that just get engrained in your mind. There’s that certain something that makes it so special and so magnificent that you can’t help comparing all other weddings to it and you continue to use it as inspiration for your big day or just for some mid-morning eye candy. For me, all of the moments captured through the lens of Emilia Jane Photography of this elegant wedding at the breathtaking Assumption Catholic Church and University Club of Chicago sit well within this category of unforgettable weddings. So prepare your inspiration boards and notebooks and dive into the gallery right here.

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From the Bride… Our wedding was everything I could have hoped for and more. They say that there is always something that goes wrong, but I was either lucky enough not to notice it or the day was as perfect as it seemed. When we started planning our wedding, it was a whirlwind. We knew we wanted it to be in Chicago, our hometown, and that we wanted all of our friends and family to know how much the city means to us. We made Chicago a focus by using antique postcards of the city as our save-the-date cards and by using different locations throughout the city as our table names. Another theme of our wedding was the fleur de lis — I have always found it a beautiful symbol, especially since I studied abroad in Florence. We carried the theme throughout our invitation suite, place cards and stationery.

One of the most special things we did in the wedding was our guest book. We enjoy wine (who doesn’t?), and I collect the corks of the bottles we have drunk at special occasions. We had our guests sign these corks as a guest book, and my husband is going to use them to make a table that will always serve as a reminder of our family and friends and our special day. Our favorite memory is our first dance. We took lessons beforehand, and while we may not have looked fantastic, we felt like professionals. It was one part of the wedding where it really just felt like the two of us alone in the room, totally soaking up the moment.

The best piece of advice I received, and what I would tell any future bride, is don’t forget to spend a moment just the two of you before you go into the reception. That is really what the day is all about, and it will fly by, so it is incredibly special to have that particular memory of just enjoying everything that has and will go on during the day.

Wedding Photography: Emilia Jane Photography / Ceremony: Assumption Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois / Reception: University Club of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Toni Lenzi of Simply Flowers Design Studio / Band: Front of House via Arlen Music Productions / Wedding Dress: Marisa via Macy’s / Hair + Makeup: Sonia Roselli / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Men’s Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse