Illinois Weddings

Craving some fabulous boho inspiration to jump start your weekend?  Well, this darling photo shoot captured by Evan Hunt Photo is bursting with just the dose of whimsy you are looking for – including a pretty woodland setting, a bundle of sweet vintage details and a whole lot of vibrant pink hues.  All designed by the talented duo of Visions Event Studio and Natural Beauties Floral – and featuring a literal dream team of Illinois vendors – you’ll spend your ENTIRE weekend swooning over every last beautiful moment.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

Oh, and we’re not done yet.  We have one seriously amazing film from One Fine Day Productions to take you into the weekend… Enjoy!

From Natural Beauties Floral Inc.… The Bohemian Woodland Romance wedding style truly captures the free spirit and charm of a unique bride and groom. The open range of nature’s wilderness provided the perfect backdrop for this whimsical celebration. From feminine details of ruffled blush peonies and antique lace to masculine adornments of rustic antlers, pheasant feathers and deer pelts, the couple’s nomadic treasures define the essence of their eclectic style. The metallic embellishments of candles and chargers provided a hint of enchanting romance. However, in a heartbeat the couple would leave behind their trinkets because it’s their true love they cherish on this journey. The lovely bride wore a bohemian style gown made of a lace bodice and a sheer fly train. Her hair was adorned with a metallic halo made from beads and wire showing off her subtle, long, wavy locks. Her lips were stained a ravishing burgundy.

Photography: Evan Hunt Photo / Location: Busse Woods in Schaumburg, Illinois / Floral Design: Natural Beauties Floral Inc. / Event Planning: Visions Event Studio / Event Design: Visions Event Studio + Natural Beauties Floral Inc. / Cinematography: One Fine Day Productions / Invitations: Julie Hanan Design / Wedding Dress: KT Jean Designs / Fur Coat: Vintage / Bridesmaid’s Attire: KT Jean Designs / Dinnerware: Plate / Baked Goods: Bleeding Heart Bakery / Stemware, Silverware, + Chairs: Classic Party Rentals / Chargers: Ravisloe Country Club

J. Nelson Photography is making our morning this fine Wednesday with this seriously stylish engagement session dreamt up by the beautiful Bride to be. We absolutely LOVE when we hear SMP Brides using our board builder to make their inspiration a reality, and this lovely lady did just that – creating a vintage aviation engagement session that will make your heart soar. See it all here!

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Jenny of J. Nelson Photography… Randy is a pilot, and Brittany is his fun, creative and gorgeous bride-to-be. We were able to take out a vintage Yak-52 Russian plane as a giant “prop” for their travel-themed engagement portraits. We also took portraits on the campus of Northwestern University, right down the street from their home. Brittany sent us inspiration boards she put together on SMP for her engagement and would be beside herself if her own photos ended up as someone else’s inspiration!

Photography: Jenny Nelson and Nate Agnini of J. Nelson Photography / Locations: Waukegan Regional Airfield in Waukegan, Illinois + Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois

Sweet Illinois, you are in for a burst of goodness with this chic cultural weekend of festivities by Christy Tyler Photography. Goodness, I tell you, in the prettiest of fashions -two fêtes that couldn’t be more gorgeous all for one couple so completely in love it seeps through the screen. A weekend of love, perfectly curated details and full gallery to keep it all in one pretty place – it just doesn’t get better, does it?

Click here for the FULL wedding!

Let’s top it all off with their gorgeous film by I Do Films, shall we?

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From the bride… When my then-fiancé and I set out to plan our wedding, we wanted it reflect us. We wanted an intercultural, interfaith weekend that celebrated the fusion of our differences and commemorated all that we already shared – a fitting and uncanny juxtaposition to the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The wedding weekend was kicked off Friday night, September 9, 2011, by the Mehndi (henna party): a lively, colorful affair that gave my friends and family a taste of Pakistani culture while still demonstrating that two cultures, separated by thousands of miles, could find commonality in music, dance and alcohol. The event started with Shaan and I making separate grand entrances. After we took our place in front of a large and beautiful backdrop, our siblings and close friends performed a Bollywood dance for the crowd that was choreographed by Shaan’s sister. I wore a teal dress with a lot of embellishment that was made in Pakistan. We also participated in some cultural rituals, including feeding each another chocolate, being garlanded by our sisters and having henna placed on our hands. Henna artists painted henna designs on our guests’ hands, and ladies were invited to wear colorful bangles that were provided. The remainder of the night was a fun dance party where Bollywood music segued to R&B.

Saturday, September 10, 2011, was the day of the interfaith wedding. Our motif for the day was inspired by a beautiful brooch that we found in a shop in Indonesia. We decided to use the lotus-like flower on the brooch on our paper goods, cake and even the henna on my hands and feet. (To honor my Irish heritage, I also had shamrocks painted into my henna design.) My wedding dress was handmade in Chicago with the help of Shaan’s aunts in Pakistan. They sent us samples of different fabric from Pakistan, one of which I picked to use as my sash fabric. My dressmaker sewed the flower brooch from Indonesia into my sash. One of my favorite parts of having a customized dress is that I got to request that pockets be put in! Also, my mom sewed a piece of fabric, which had “9/10/11” in blue thread (for my “something blue”) hidden in the inside of the skirt. On the morning of our wedding day, Shaan and I snuck away from everyone else and went for breakfast together near our hotel. It was surreal to be sitting together like any other day, knowing that later in the day we’d be married. Before the ceremony, Shaan and I did a First Look and photo safari of just the two of us around Chicago. The wedding ceremony included two string musicians (violin and cello) who collaborated with a sitar and tabla player, traditional South Asian musicians. I walked up the aisle to Canon in D, but it was a unique, fusion version utilizing all four musicians, unlike anything anyone had heard before. We crafted our ceremony with the help of the officiant and used readings from the Bible, the Qur’an and contemporary writers. Shaan and I also wrote our own vows. I carried a family rosary that my grandmother, mother, aunts and cousins also held in their wedding bouquet.

On Sunday, September 11, 2011, Shaan’s family hosted a brunch reception called a Valima at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The brunch was followed by an interfaith blessing at the University of Chicago’s Bond Chapel, performed by a Catholic priest and a Muslim imam.  Overall, it was a perfectly intercultural wedding weekend celebrating everything that’s important to us as a couple!

Mehndi Vendors:
Photography: Christy Tyler Photography / Venue: Harold Washington Library in Chicago, Illinois / Cinematography: I Do Films / Event Design: Event Creative / Event Planning: Laura of The Ideal Day / Catering: Food for Thought / Henna: Aurora Mehndi + Crescent Moon Henna / DJ: DJ Chicago / Bride’s Dress: Nasreen Shaikh Design House

Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Photography: Christy Tyler Photography / Wedding Venue: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, Illinois / Event Planning: Laura of The Ideal Day / Wedding Flowers: Barbara Devlin / Wedding Cinematography: I Do Films / Catering: Food for Thought / Wedding Cake: Amy Beck Cake Designs / Wedding Invitations: Magnificent Milestones / Favors: Katherine Anne Confections / Officiant: Reverend Marian Hale / Wedding Dress: MJ Ernst / Groom’s Tuxedo: Munib Nawaz / Groom’s Bow Tie: Stefano Ricci / Groom’s Accessories: Paul Stuart / Graphics: Sandra Rogers / Ceremony Music: Caprice Music Ensembles + Alexander Duvel /  DJ: Toast & Jam / Menu Cards, Escort Cards, Table Cards: DIY by the Bride and Groom / Wedding Guestbook: Quote Ya

I think orange and blue just might be my new favorite color combo, because these vibrant hues are SERIOUSLY warming my heart this morning.  In fact, this ENTIRE affair is making me feel all nice and cozy – from the darling bridesmaid frocks to the fabulous florals by Larkspur to the uber-stunning bride and groom, there isn’t a sweet, sweet moment captured Jenna Cole Photography that isn’t absolute PERFECTION.  Yep, I think I’ll spend my Friday soaking in every last ounce of lovely… and, trust me, you should, too.  Join me in the gallery for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… After almost five years together, we were married in the Chicago suburbs, at Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer, surrounded by huge willow trees and next to a beautiful lake. We had been worrying about the weather for the days leading up to the wedding since the forecast was showing a fairly decent chance of rain. As we had planned an outdoor ceremony, we were a bit concerned… The morning of the wedding, we did wake up to rain, but by early afternoon when we were scheduled to start pictures, it luckily stopped and was dry enough that everything could proceed as planned. Our wedding guests told us that the sun came out from behind the clouds right as we were saying our vows.

I would never have been able to pull this wedding off without my mom. She helped me in so many ways, from making trips to Michael’s and Joann Fabrics to helping me spray paint picture frames and letting me vent about whatever silly planning crisis I was going through that week. We DIYed the table numbers, escort cards, labels for the donut favors, programs, menus, bathroom baskets, lots of signage, tags for the flip flops and other things I’m probably forgetting! We tried to incorporate as many personal touches as we could. We had the florist wrap my bouquet with lace from my mom’s wedding dress, and also attached a locket that contained photographs of my two grandparents who had passed away. We used the same cake-cutting knife that my parents had used at their wedding almost 30 years ago. As one of our readings, we had an excerpt of dialogue from the TV show “The Wonder Years.” One of our groomsmen, who is an incredibly talented graphic designer, designed our invitations. Also, during the dancing portion of the evening, we played both of the songs that our parents danced to at their weddings — it was a surprise, and it was so much fun to see their excitement when the songs came on!

There were so many amazing moments throughout the day that it’s hard to pick favorites. Seeing my soon-to-be husband during our first look and FINALLY showing off my dress to him was so exciting. Walking down the aisle, seeing the faces of everyone that we love looking at me, was something I will remember forever. And dancing together to our last song, surrounded by a circle of friends and family, was something I had envisioned since we first got engaged. Overall our wedding surpassed our expectations, and it was such a happy day. Our biggest focus throughout the planning was making sure our guests had a fantastic time, and judging by the feedback, it was a success. Our vendors were all so, so fantastic — we couldn’t have done it without them!

Wedding Photography: Jenna Cole Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer, Illinois / Florist: Larkspur / Wedding Cake: Lovin Oven Cakery / Officiant: Father Jef Johnson / DJ: Kyle Mosher of Music By Design / Wedding Videography: David Kasdan / Late-Night Mini Donuts: Jimmy’s Bag O’ Donuts / Wedding Dress: La Sposa via Weddings 826 / Dress Alterations: Mary Catomy (847-678-7226) / Bride’s Hair + Makeup: Becky + Maris of Blend Beauty Studio / Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden / Bride’s Earrings: Nadri / Bride’s Bracelet: Ann Taylor / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lord & Taylor / Bridesmaids’ Necklaces: J.Crew / Invitations: Oh Twenty One / Engagement Ring: Littman Jewelers

We don’t post too many boudoir sessions but the moment we laid our eyes on this magical shoot by Alea Lovely we knew we had to mix things up a bit.  Not only does it possess the most ethereal looking bride, a gorgeous, light-filled room and uber-romantic styling but also an intimate, tender portrait of a couple in love.  Each captured moment is so sweet and just a little bit blush-inducing (which I love!).  Click here to see it all!

Click here for the FULL session!

From Alea of Alea Lovely... This photo shoot was just a boudoir to exemplify the love in a couple’s marriage. They are very classy, fashionable people and I wanted something that represented their style and love in a romantic  session. Boudoir means room to me, not necessarily something overly sexy, so we gathered pieces of their room and life to accent their session. The wife, Rachel is a fashion blogger/photographer in Chicago, and her husband Gareth is also a fashion photographer originally from England. That is why the cameras and clothes were included in the shoot as such a key elements of their lives.

Photography: Alea Lovely / Location: Chicago, Illinois

This Bride, her Groom, her pretty maids all in a row, her flowers, her decor – it’s all enough to make you squeal with delight first thing on a Wednesday morning. And don’t worry, we fully endorse starting the day with a squeal or two. La Belle Fleur Events brought the Bride’s perfect day to life and Ashley Biess Photography was there to make sure every moment was captured, so the full gallery is FULL of even more lovely to squeal about!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

And to sign off with a bit more pretty, you just must watch this couple’s video by Sterling Wedding Cinema…

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From Ashley La Fleur of La Belle Fleur Events… Joyce & Michael married on a breezy late August day. It was very important to the couple to incorporate their cultural beliefs into their wedding, as well as have an amazing party for their friends and family who from traveled far and wide for the celebration. Joyce chose the colors of orange, yellow and soft pinks to go along with the late summer feel of their wedding.

The couple married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in front of a gorgeous stained glass window and then spent the afternoon at the Morton Arboretum exploring the paths with their bridal party. Once the party started, the dancing didn’t stop! Joyce, a native of Columbia, started off the party with a Colombian Waltz, which is a dance that the bride, groom and their parents all join in on. After that, it was straight into the La Hora Loca, which is a Colombian tradition of an hour of crazy dancing with masks, boas and props. Joyce and her two sisters later changed into traditional Colombian dresses to celebrate their heritage!

Wedding Photography: Ashley Biess of Ashley Biess Photography / Ceremony: St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois / Reception: The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois / Wedding Planning: Ashley La Fleur of La Belle Fleur Events / Florals: Fleur Couture / Wedding Cinematography: Sterling Wedding Cinema /  Catering: Classic Fare Catering at Morton Arboretum / Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani “Cincinnati” via The Dress by Nicole / Bride’s Belt: Saison Blanche Couture via The Dress by Nicole / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: RaVon Fashion Convertible Wrap Dress / Shoes: Poetic Licence

The engagement sessions is the perfect way to give your guests a little sneak peek of what’s in store when the wedding day rolls around.  From the look of this Chicago shoot and video by Kristen Lynn Photographie, this couple’s guests are in for a real treat with loads of fun and unique details.  I love that they expressed so much of their personalities through the images with the adorable vintage and comic book styling.  After you watch the sweet video below make sure you click here to see the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the bride… David and I love the city of Chicago, vintage things and comic books. (Well, at least David loves comic books.) We wanted our engagement photos to really get our guests excited for our upcoming retro-themed wedding and express our personalities. Our photographers really ran with it, and we are beyond pleased! We’re so excited for our vintage Americana/comic book wedding on 07/07/2012!

Photography + Cinematography: Kristen Lynn Photographie / Engagement Session Location: Chicago, Illinois / Hair: Jenna Baltes / Makeup: Jenny Baker FaceDesign / Dress: Clothes Optional Vintage

Chicago, you just might be the queen of classic, downtown-chic fêtes. I am constantly blown away by the Windy City’s style, and when LK Events is involved on top of everything, stylish doesn’t even begin to cover it. She put the chic in Chicago for this affair, and you can see even more of her stylings at work in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… Having both grown up in the suburbs of Chicago and meeting each other at our office on Michigan Avenue, our initial ideas for a wedding after getting engaged were anything but a downtown occasion. We were so inspired by the romantic and whimsical DIY farm weddings we saw online and hoped for something to reflect our love of low-key, outdoor camping, barbeques and snowboarding trips with friends. But ultimately we decided it was most important to us that all our family and friends be able to join our celebration so to make it accessible to everyone, downtown it was! The easiest choice was our band. My sister got married the previous summer and booked Ken Arlen’s Entourage. They made the night! We were so certain Entourage would be crucial to putting on the best possible party, that we actually picked our wedding date based off when they were open. They did not disappoint. We also had a great wedding planner, Lauren at LK Events. She is a true professional, incredibly organized and kept us positive (so important!).  I don’t know how we would have managed the final days without her!

The weekend started with a family dinner at Gibsons — they are always so good to us, and it’s a classic Chicago experience for out-of-towners. Our rehearsal dinner was along the same vein, at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in River North. That evening set the tone for the weekend, which was very Chicago and fun coming first before pomp and circumstance. Our group isn’t one to call it a night after dinner, so after Harry’s we headed to District, which we closed out the night before our big day.

You often hear people say that their wedding day was the best day of their life, and Saturday, November 19th was exactly that. We had a rather large wedding party, 19 attendants in all, and were so grateful we had each and everyone with us as we got ready and took wedding party pics before the ceremony. Eric and I did our first look on the bridge joining Millenium Park to the Art Institute of Chicago over Monroe Street — we don’t have words to describe the feeling.  Following that, we spent about 45 minutes with our amazing and super laid-back photographer Peter Wynn Thompson taking pictures with our favorite pieces in the museum. It was like a dream, all dressed up, walking through the Art Institute just hours before taking our vows. And before we knew it, the trolley filled with our best friends scooped us up to take pictures around the city. We had a ball. The venue itself was extra special because my mother has been a volunteer docent at the Art Institute of Chicago for over 25 years. Jessica, a designer at Botanicals made it extra special by incorporating rustic elements and an earthly feel to give the modern space a cozy, backyard feel. Our ceremony was officiated by a friend of the family, also a docent at the Art Institute and a Lutheran pastor. The rest is a bit of a euphoric blur. Eric and I even got to steal a moment alone towards the end of the night by Lunar, a solar-powered object on the Bluhm Family Terrace that glows to reflect the color of the moonlight. We ended the evening walking back to the Affinia from Jake Melnick’s, an Engelhart post-wedding tradition.  Thanks to my dear friend Kate for gifting me a silver pair of TOMS, allowing me to party through the wee hours!

Wedding Photography: Peter Wynn Thompson / Wedding Venue: Terzo Piano at the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Planning: Lauren of LK Events / Flowers, Decor + Lighting: Botanicals, Inc. / Catering: Bon Appetit / Wedding Cake: Mother of the Bride / Chalkboard-Painted Table Number Bottles: DIY by the Bride + Groom / Band: Entourage via Arlen Music / Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta / Hair Flower: The Left Bank / Hair: Anna Gowler of Beauty Bar by Anna (630-945-4532) / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo + TOMS / Bridal Party Getting Ready Location: Affinia Chicago / Groom + Groomsmen Getting Ready Location: The Hard Rock Hotel Chicago / Family Welcome Dinner Venue: Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse / Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse

We are going to ease you into the new work week with the loveliest of shoots designed by Events By Willow as seen through the talented lens of Matthias Photography. It’s just the perfect way to get the week off to the prettiest of starts, and we are sure you will agree. This shoot just oozes inspiration from every perfectly picked detail, and you can see every bit of it in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Cynthia and Kara of Events By Willow… Chicago is a city of history with hundreds of beautiful old homes tucked away in unassuming locations. We stumbled upon this beautiful old mansion in the south loop of Chicago that is currently being renovated by its owner. The Prairie House is an elegant, warm home with light flooding into every room. The architects were so intent on the mansion having enough light that they built a three-story, domed skylight in the center of the house, which draws light into the otherwise wall-to-ceiling paneled wood home. With a deep love for beauty and history, we found this to be the perfect setting for a vintage-themed shoot. With the deep woods and warm colors of the home, we were instantly drawn to golden tones for this shoot. The gold owls used in the shoot symbolize both the regal history of the past and the playfulness of birds. We found these owls at an amazing vintage shop in a small arts district of Dallas, Texas, and fell in love with them. They keep popping up all over our shoot! The bride’s dress is a truly spectacular work from Pronovias Barcelona — chosen because it carries an elegant and formal, yet somehow playful feel. The bride truly becomes a shining piece of art in this dress.

At Willow, we have a love of reusing things or taking old things and making them feel new. This was the thought behind our dried floral bouquets. We recycled flowers from a previous wedding. It seemed to fit seamlessly with the old home and rustic feel, as well as being a simple homage to the changing seasons and the coming of winter.

One of the most famous bakeries in Chicago is Molly’s Cupcakes. They are known for their delicious creations, and of all the bakeries in Chicago, Molly’s has the best vegan cupcakes. The pumpkin vegan cupcakes are delightful, and are the perfect treat for the fall. We incorporated golden tones in every detail, down to the groom’s tie, to permeate the entire shoot. We love the ambiance set by a warm and old-feeling atmosphere. Candles and cupcakes created a light, airy feel to the shoot and celebrated an aesthetic of joy. By using twine and a variety of fabrics, we were able to bring about a modern twist to an aged setting.

Photography: Matthias Photography / Photo Shoot Design + Floral Arrangements: Events By Willow / Venue: The Prairie House in Chicago, Illinois / Vegan Cupcakes: Molly’s Cupcakes / Calligraphy + Invitations: Emilee Cornetta / Hair + Makeup: Jess at Lucid Salon / Bride’s Shoes: Jessica Simpson / Wedding Dress: Pronovias Barcelona “Diamante” / Groom’s Attire: Banana Republic

This Chicago wedding goes out to all you modern loving brides out there!  And who doesn’t love a simple and chic yet totally glam wedding?  I, for one, am a HUGE fan and loving every inch of this colorful and contemporary celebration.  The pops of pink, yellow and orange create a striking contrast to the sleek Chicago hotel.  The result is polished and positively perfect.  It could only be made better by the sweet images by Robin Lin Photography!  See them all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… Our wedding was July 23, 2011. We met exactly 3 years prior on our first date after finding each other on eHarmony! Yes, we are an eHarmony success story. As busy professionals, we were both looking for a way to meet a quality individual who had the same relationship goals in mind. Our first date was in Chicago and we thought it was only proper have our impending nuptials there. Since the majority of our guests were from out of town, we wanted to make the day’s logistics as simple as possible. theWit Hotel provided the ideal venue where we could have the rehearsal, ceremony, reception, and accommodations all in one place! The décor blended perfectly with the modern and minimalistic mustard + charcoal gray theme of our wedding. I created a “home town” goodie bag to greet each of our out of town guests that included a local, hand-made soy candle adorned with our custom wedding label, Chicago-style mix popcorn (caramel/cheddar), locally made chocolates, and organic fruit and nut bar, water, scenic postcards, and a “to do” guide, all packaged in a sustainable and reusable canvas bag with DIY labeling. 

The simple and elegant ceremony featured a harpist playing carefully selected pieces that created a romantic mood in which we exchanged our personally written vows. Delicate orchids placed on light boxes at the altar, along with colorful rose petals on the aisle, created the perfect atmosphere. The ceremony was followed by a private screening for our guests in the SCREEN ROOM. We prepared a pre-wedding video that was shot in the vein of an eHarmony commercial so our guests could get a real flavor of us as couple. Guests were served popcorn and lemonade garnished with fruit as a theatrical refreshment. This flowed into a cocktail-style reception where heavy appetizers and food stations accompanied flowing libations. The room was scattered with high-boys, low-boys, chaise lounges, cubes, and couches to create a lounge environment. The table centerpieces alternated between warm votives and fresh orchids.

Upon completion of passed bites, my nephew, who is a poet, recited a beautiful poem written exclusively for my husband and me. My favorite line: “Love is that tingly feeling when you feel their touch; for when you hear their voice it’s what keeps you awake at night because suddenly reality is better than your dreams” still resonates with me on a daily basis as it is so true. Following bites of our delicious square three-tier cake and our first dance (“Lets Stay Together” by Al Green), guests were encouraged to take a picture (goofy or otherwise) in the photobooth while leaving a few words of goodwill in the guest book that was created on the spot by the photobooth technician. In the morning, we bid our out-of-towners a fond farewell with an assortment of fresh juices, coffee, fruit and pastries during the post-wedding breakfast.

Wedding Photography: Robin Lin of Robin Lin Photography / Flowers: Asrai Garden / Event Design + Planning: Bride + Monique Speight (monique.speight@gmail.com) / Wedding Venue: theWit Hotel in Chicago, Illinois / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Ceremony Programs: DIY / Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau via White Chicago / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo via Nordstrom Rack / Wedding Cake + Reception Favors: Luscious Layers / Ceremony Music: Faye Seeman of Kithara Trio / DJ + Lighting: Edwin “Eddie” Maldonado of Pitch Control Productions (djedlo@gmail.com) / Rentals + Lounge Furniture: Classic Party Rentals / Hair + Makeup: Montgomery Martha of Marquin Salon and M.A.C. at Macy’s on State Street / Jewelry: The Left Bank

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

Click here for the FULL wedding!

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

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

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

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

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

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

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

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

Click here for the FULL wedding!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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