Illinois Weddings

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

After all the presents have been opened and the holiday meals and irresistible sweets have been eaten and our bellies are finally full, now is the time we get to relish in all the holiday majesty that just happened. Take in all of the memories and laughter and glittery goodness that just made these holidays so spectacular. And Sarah Postma Photography has captured some of the sweetest of memories from these two of their Christmas engagement in these images along the Chicago Riverwalk and in the beautifully decorated Trump Hotel Chicago. You can see it all right here in the gallery.

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From Sarah Postma Photography… With the last few bits of fall color overlapping the twinkling lights of holiday decor, we strolled through downtown Chicago for Ellie and Jack’s engagement session. I just loved their calm, cool demeanor and their comfort level with each other in front of the camera! Not to mention the combination of Ellie’s stylish winter boots, pink Burberry scarf, and Jack’s effortless smile that just showed his admiration for her oh so well. What began as a typical engagement session turned out to become one of my favorite Christmas-themed shoots!

Photography: Sarah Postma Photography / Locations: Trump Hotel Chicago + Chicago Riverwalk, Both in Chicago, Illinois / Scarf: Burberry

In the season where everything seems to twinkle and shine with the glimmer of hope and love and peace, engagement sessions like this one from Cristina G Photography come across our paths and light up our souls with glee. In the brisk air of winter and beautifully set among the shimmering lights of Chicago, these two adorable sweethearts show us how true love can really warm your heart. And you can see the whole session right here in the gallery.

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From Cristina G Photography… City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style… In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas. Sound familiar? :) This time of year is always so magical, and I honestly cannot think of a better time to get engaged than right before Christmas. Just imagine it… it’s the start of many, many holidays to come that you will spend together as one. And a whole lot of sparkle and bling coming from your left hand to wow family and friends with!

The best way to celebrate your new engagement is with a photo session to forever remember this moment by. And if you are in Chicago, there is no better place to capture the holiday spirit than the Magnificent Mile. I met Mallory and Matt late in the afternoon and spent a few hours enjoying the mild December weather and taking in the beauty of all the lights. They talked, laughed, kissed and walked hand-in-hand, beaming with excitement until nightfall. The twinkling lights made for the most amazing nighttime images.

Photography: Cristina G Photography / Location: Chicago, Illinois

I can’t think of a more romantic way to spend the evening of your wedding than at a planetarium. I’m so in love with this idea of dining, drinking, and dancing under a screen of stars and planets. It seriously has me all giddy. Not to mention that gorgeous Vera Wang gown and those sparkly Jimmy Choos. J. Winter Photography captured all the gorgeous details of this amazing wedding and you can see it all right here.

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From J. Winter Photography… Shortly after Brooke said “yes” to her long-time beau’s proposal, the couple learned that John had landed a job with the Foreign Service at USAID. His first assigned position? Cairo, Egypt! Brooke had always loved travel and was thrilled at the chance to accompany John on his trot across the globe. This exciting opportunity inspired their stunning, travel-themed wedding at the Adler Planetarium.

The wedding morning was relaxed and began with hair styling by Gina Scalpone of Beauty on Call and makeup by Andie Cumber in Brooke’s suite at Hyatt McCormick Place. With the help of her best friends, Brooke slipped into her stunning Vera Wang gown and her crystal-coated Jimmy Choos while Jenn Winter photographed. The weather had been beautiful all day, however just as the pre-ceremony photos were about to begin, the wind picked up.  The outdoor ceremony plans changed quickly as the ceremony décor toppled and began to roll down the lakeshore! Luckily, Brooke and John’s coordinator, Shannon Gonzalez of Five Grain Events, along with the talented Food for Thought and Event Creative teams, were able to execute Plan B without issue. Event Creative brought the outdoors in with topiaries framing the ceremony space. The room glowed amber as Brooke and John said “I Do!” in a sweet ceremony officiated by John’s aunt.

The cocktail hour was held in the Welcome Gallery, which glowed with dynamic lighting patterns and a photo slideshow of the happy couple. As guests made their way into the reception, they found their luggage tag escort cards waiting for them next to the map-covered luminaries. The beautiful view of the lake and the city welcomed the guests into the reception. Jesse at Event Creative brainstormed with Brooke and her mother to come up with the mono-floral arrangements with map and globe accents to go along with the world travel theme. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner by Food for Thought and heartfelt toasts by friends and family. Instead of a guest book, Brooke and John asked each guest to fill out predictions and place them in a time capsule to be opened and read upon the occasion of their 10-year anniversary. As the sun set over the lake, the subtle glow of the hanging candles created an enchanted scene. The dance floor filled as the Underwater People played all the hit dance tunes and some fun ’80s songs as well.  ShutterBooth Chicago provided copious numbers of hats, glasses and masks to enhance the photo booth experience Brooke and John had arranged for their guests. The fairytale ending of fireworks over the lake was the cherry on top of this decadent event!

Wedding Photography: J. Winter Photography / Wedding Venue: Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design + Decor: Event Creative / Event Coordination: Five Grain Events / Catering: Food for Thought / Wedding Cake: Bittersweet Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Magnificent Milestones / Band: Underwater People / Photo Booth: ShutterBooth / Accommodations: Hyatt McCormick Place / Transportation: Swift Shuttle / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Gina Scalpone of Beauty on Call / Makeup: Andie Cumber / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid

We’re super excited this morning because we’ve got a seriously stunning and super romantic wedding to share with you. Sent into us by the talented Delack Media Group, this Trump International beauty is what modern wedding dreams are made of. If you love twinkling candlelights and gorgeous flowers, you’re going to love these images from Life on Prints Photography. See the entire wedding right here.

Here’s the must watch, super romantic film from Delack Media Group:

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Delack Media Group… Erin and Michael’s wedding was breathtakingly beautiful and very unique. The couple got ready for their big day at Trump International Hotel before exchanging vows at St. James Chapel. The bride wore a gorgeous lace gown and carried a bouquet of blush and cream-colored roses. The look was complemented by a simple veil and champagne-colored sash. The evening continued at the Trump International Hotel for an amazingly glamorous reception room designed by Kehoe. Every detail was impeccable. The guests walked in to see a one-of-a-kind escort table with floating flowers and lights all around. Candles adorned every inch of the reception space, giving it a very romantic feeling. Guests danced the night away to the music of Greenlight.

Wedding Photography: Life on Prints Photography / Ceremony: Saint James Chapel in Chicago, Illinois / Reception: Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago in Chicago, Illinois / Coordination: Five Grain Events / Design: Kehoe Designs / Wedding Cinematography: Delack Media Group / Band: Greenlight / Transportation: Bentley Gold Coast / Wedding Dress: Christos / Hair: AJ Schulz of Your Stylist AJ + Danielle Keller of Dual Attraction / Makeup: Sheri Cox

I’m just going to go ahead and say it – I love this couple. Big time. They are obviously adorable, but it’s their let’s dance in the rain attitude that is making me grin from ear to ear this morning. I mean, how fabulous do they look even after soaked to the bone?  It’s a gallery full of happy from Allori Photography, and one you most certainly should check out. See it here.

 Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Bride… Although many people have the ability to work in the city they grew up in, we unfortunately do not. Our decision to become United States Border Patrol agents has taken us to the southern, desert region of California. As much as we have grown to love California and have made it our adopted home, it can never replace the love and memories of Chicago we created and shared together. California’s majestic views of the ocean, beach, mountains, and desert would have created beautiful backgrounds for any engagement session, but they represent new memories and not the old ones that reflect times we played, laughed, enjoyed and ran around the city. Whether we had somewhere to go or no time at all, we would hop on the Orange Line in the “L” system or grab our car and escape into the city. Nighttime or daytime, the city’s old and new creations — skyscrapers, Millennium Park, Grant Park, and Navy Pier — always instilled new life into us. We do not have the ability to enjoy Chicago as we once did, but our engagement session allowed us to once again to partake in a city we truly miss and cherish. We thank Eric for creating new memories and photos that we can add to what we already have from the early days and years of our relationship.

Photography: Allori Photography / Location: Chicago, Illinois

Now, I’m not usually one for crashing parties, but if there was ever a chance I could’ve gotten myself into this stunner, I just might have snuck my way in. I’d give my right arm to have seen the beautiful sunlight rest its rays on this super attractive wedding party all beautifully captured by Jaqueline Barkley Photography, or sat beneath the magnificent chandeliers of The Drury Lane Theatre as these lovebirds said I Do, or even danced the night away to the old school jazzy tunes with this Bride and Groom. There is so much to covet in this wedding from Elegant Event Lighting and it’s all right here in the gallery.

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From Jacqueline Barkley Photography… Shannon and Tom where married at Drury Lane Oakbrook. Tom’s grandfather was the original owner, and it has remained in the family ever since, so it makes such a lovely, personal place to be married. Shannon looked amazing in her one-shoulder gown, and of course, all of the guys were outfitted with TOMS shoes. They are such a fun couple and truly created such an easygoing, loving atmosphere for their entire day. I enjoyed being able to share in their wedding day.

Wedding Photography: Jacqueline Barkley Photography / Second Photographer: Kelly Allison Photography / Wedding Venue: Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago, Illinois / Event Design: Elegant Event Lighting / Floral Design: Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts / Wedding Invitations: Paper Source / Wedding Dress: Amsale / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade

This personal, witty + whimsical fête held at the Chicago History Museum is seriously pulling at my heartstrings this morning. Months of planning still gave way to some unplanned bumps (lots of rain and a broken down bus!) and an unexpected loss, but the bride + groom made the absolute best of the situation by focusing on celebrating their love for each other! Kristina Carter of Vrai caputred the day beautifully and you can see it all right here.

And be sure to check out the guests’ awesome dance skills and touching speeches in the hightlight video from Michelle Wodzinski Photo and Film:

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We wanted a seriously stylish wedding that didn’t take itself too seriously. Something glamorous, elegant and classy — but not without a little personality. So in contrast to a chic color scheme, fancy décor and the grandiose backdrop of the Chicago History Museum, we included personal touches like rabbit-themed cake pops for place cards, a Kleenex holder on our programs quoting Snoop Dogg (“Don’t cry. Dry your eye.”), and bride and groom chair signs with unconventional titles (“Big” and “Little”). Our first dance? A piano version of Skrillex’s “Cinema.” Even our personal vows were infused with humor; with references to Home Alone, centipedes, blackjack and Ex-Lax, they were anything but ordinary.

Though painstakingly planned, our wedding day still managed to surprise. Three days prior, my father unexpectedly passed away. Then on the day of, a months-long drought gave way to a downpour. Even the darn bus broke down a few hours before, forcing us to make quite the entrance via cab in the rain! But that’s life. And as our photographer so beautifully documented, it happened at our wedding. What we lacked in luck, we made up in love. And at the end of the big, crazy day, it was a reminder of our strength and resilience as a couple, and confirmation that our marriage would persevere long after the whirlwind of a single wedding day.

Wedding Photography: Kristina Carter of Vrai / Wedding Venue: Chicago History Museum in Chicago, Illinois / Floral Design: Ashland Addison Florist / Officiant: Rev. Anne Styx of The Rev for Whatev / Wedding Cinematography: Michelle Wodzinski Photo and Film / Catering: Jewell Events Catering / Cake Pop Place Cards: Cocomori / Wedding Invitations: Designed by the Bride + Printed by Werner Printing / Calligraphy: BPinvites / Ceremony Musicians: Bel Canto Musicians / DJ: Windy City Mix / Photo Booth: MJ Photo Booth / Guest Book: SuzyShoppe / Chair Signs: wedology / Table Numbers: APetiteFete / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier “Aspen” via Ultimate Bride / Alterations: Bridal Alterations by Ruth / Bride’s Earrings: Erickson Beamon “Duchess” / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade “Sawyer” / Bride’s Rings: Fey & Co. / Hair: The Bridal Beauty Salon / Makeup: Carley Martin / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Wtoo / Tuxedo Rental: Black Tie Formalwear / Groom’s Ring: Kay Jewelers

There’s something so peaceful and gorgeous about being out and about early in the morning before anyone else is. It’s totally magic and yet I can’t really put my finger on what exactly it is, but these amazing images from Clary Photo are helping me get a little closer to figuring it all out. The fog, the golden light, and the super-duper in love couple all add up to one fabulous e-session and you can see even more right here. 

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Clary Photo… Mary and Brandon wanted their session to be light and easy, taking place in wide open fields. We planned their engagement session early in the morning when the fog was just lifting from the night off the pond. This made everything gorgeous and unreal, reminiscent of watercolors.

Photography: Clary Photo

This is one of those weddings I wish I’d been invited to. The emotion-filled images from Stinky Feet Photography show an event full of love, laughter and plain old fun along with some serious pretty from the amazing A New Leaf. From the bride’s Melissa Sweet stunner to some of the cutest bridal party pics I ever did see, there is so much more in the full gallery! 

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… When we got engaged, we were already planning to move to Chicago for our residencies, so the hunt for venues in Chicago began online. When we saw A New Leaf, we knew it was perfect. What could be more romantic than getting married at a local flower shop!?

We tried to do as much as possible ourselves, which proved to be difficult during intern year! Fortunately, we had lots of help. My mom sewed our cake topper birds, designed and printed our invitations on our home computer and hand-drew a map of Chicago for our guests. I was busy collecting vintage milk glass cake stands for our dessert table, searching for gray paper straws and hand-punching tissue paper confetti in our colors. To incorporate our family history in the wedding, we used my mother-in-law’s family candelabra for our unity candles and displayed family wedding photos on our welcome table in little silver frames. For our guests, we put together welcome bags with Chicago paraphernalia including metro maps, brochures for key activities, Chicago popcorn and, of course, local beer. Driving around Chicago with my parents delivering the bags to local hotels turned out to be one of my favorite memories as the wedding approached. For the cocktails, we chose drinks we had enjoyed during our year in Chicago. We were allowed to provide our own alcohol to the venue, so we decided to make all the mixers ourselves — a decision that could have been a mistake in retrospect, as my husband spent the morning of our wedding squeezing 25 pounds of limes and making liters of strawberry and blackberry puree. My husband was also in charge of constructing a homemade photo booth. After many trips to the Home Depot plumbing department, he made a photo-booth pipe structure and a photo-taking system using his Mac, Apple monitor and Canon camera. My mom sewed a surrounding enclosure, and it turned out to be the most fun part of the whole wedding!

Julie, our photographer, was such an amazing sport, hunting down balloons for our first look, squatting on stools to get the perfect shots and, most of all, bringing a fun and creative energy to the whole day! In the end, it was our perfect wedding, filled with exactly the people and details we imagined!

Wedding Photography: Julie Montgomery of Stinky Feet Photography / Wedding Venue + Floral Design: A New Leaf in Chicago, Illinois / Catering + Bartending: Connie’s Catering / Cake Topper: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / DJ: Gibson Speech / Signs, Photo Booth Props + Fingerprint Guest Book: Etsy / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bride’s Ring: The Bride’s Grandmother’s Wedding Ring / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew