Chicago Athletic Association Hotel Wedding: A Historic Chicago Wedding Venue
Elegant wedding venue in Chicago perfect for any season, where floral design shines against elegant classic venue
A Classic Wedding Venue We Love: Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
Chicago has no shortage of beautiful, elegant and historical wedding venues, and the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel stands out for reasons seen and unseen.
We love the rich historical design details in all the venue’s spaces as well as the guest rooms, giving our clients many photo options throughout the beautiful and elegant hotel.
The Madison Ballroom is a perfect location for ceremonies, with its elegant rich wood details, natural light and beautiful stairs leading up to it providing an opportunity for beautiful decor.
The White City Ballroom is an amazing location for reception where natural light pours in overlooking Grant Park and Lake Michigan. The design details in the room stand out as well, beautiful wood details, fireplaces, an ornate ceiling, marble floors, perfect background for elegant designs in any season.
Location! Not sure if there’s a better view of Chicago than that from the White City Ballroom at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel! Tourists line up for access at Cindy’s Rooftop, and the ballroom has the same view minus the lines. The hotel is within minutes walk from many beautiful wedding photo locations like the Art Institute of Chicago, which is helpful with logistics saving you time and eliminating the need for transportation.
But above all, hospitality is key, the service and attention to detail in menu and guest attention is among the best in Chicago. Friendly staff. amazing food, are elements that are not just seen but definitely felt by our clients and their guests.
Best 1st look locations in Chicago
Best locations for wedding first look and photos in Chicago
Chicago is known for its striking architecture and has no shortage of locations that can make the perfect backdrop for your 1st look. BUT it’s also known for large events that affect traffic, large crowds and tourist-heavy areas. And spoiler alert, yours is not the only wedding that weekend, if picking a spot that’s in high demand you’ll likely have to compete with other couples waiting for the same spot adding unnecessary frustration and likely messing with your timeline, not to mention your photos will look like everyone else’s.
A great first look location (or portrait location), is a unique location: you want a spot that’s quiet, calm, private, less known, and photographs well and maybe one that is special to you as a couple. We have compiled a list of spots that strike a perfect balance, they take you away from the crowds without sacrificing the quintessential Chicago settings.
1. Maggie Daley Park Gazebo and Cancer Survivors’ Garden
We love this spot because it is a striking structure in the middle of the city that’s less known than the typical photo spots ( looking at you Wrigley Building & Riverwalk), it makes a perfect setting visually, and it is easily accessible from the street where you don’t have to walk a long way from your drop off point. Another big plus is its proximity to some of the best hotels in the city.
Photos by The Bold Americana
2. Lincoln Park Lilly Pond
You’ll love Lincoln Park as a setting but specifically the Lilly Pond because it’s an area mostly known to locals and one that isn’t swarming with tourists. This is a serene beautiful backdrop that can even be used for intimate ceremonies. One of the main reasons this area is not overpacked with wedding parties waiting for their photo moments, is that it requires a permit, which is easily obtained making the spot exclusively yours for the time you reserve, your timeline thanks you. Check out the park’s info page for all the details and availability.
Photos by: Shanti Knight Photography
3. Chicago Bridges
Yes, you read that right, Chicago is known for it’s iconic bridges that arch over the river, and if your timeline allows you to venture away from the downtown area, you’ll find other unique spots that give you the skyline in the background — ask your photographer to scope out some unique bridge spots (like the Division ave or Chicago Ave bridges) for a more unique vibe
Speaking of bridges, the bridge leading to the Honey Comb/ People’s Gas Pavilion at Lincoln Park Zoo, has one of the best skyline views away from the lakefront. And even though it may be a busy spot for wedding parties, it’s a large area that can accommodate a few parties at a time; if you are getting married on Zoo grounds this is even more of a must! Convenient AND stunning is our fave combo.
Photos by Ed & Aileen Photography and Layla Eloa Photography
4. Striking Architectural Elements
Find yourself a beautiful doorway or building front in the city — ideally in the business district where it’s less busy during the weekend. Walking around the city and finding gilded doors, grand staircases and arched entryways that can make a beautiful backdrop can be a fun activity you do as a couple and you can enlist friends or your photographer to help discover unique hidden gems.
photos by Studio Finch Photography
5. Hotel Private or Semi Private Spaces
Chicago hotels are full of hidden gems perfect for a 1st look. Ask your hotel contact if they have any areas that are used for photos and ask if they’re private or semi- private or can be blocked off, and even if they aren’t, usually guests are accommodating and respectful as long as you stay away from busy lobby areas or tight spaces. We love a beautiful elevator door, a rooftop bar during off peak times, or a striking staircase. A pro tip: don’t assume you’re ok to take photos in a specific space in a hotel just because you have a room block there, often hotels reserve certain times for guests and those hosting their wedding reception there have priority even in common areas, so always ask. When making your hotel selection we can advise on the ones that are accommodating and have great spots to offer.
Photos by: Once Like a Spark// Nakai Photography // The Bold Americana // Studio This Is
Photo by Jill Tiongco Photography
Speaking of pro tips, here are a few that we see more as GOLDEN RULES, they will save you time and anxiety, and if you’re one of our clients we will take care of all of the legwork and work closely with your photographer to make sure you have the perfect experience, this is a moment' that’s charged with emotions on it’s own, location drama should not add any stress.
The perfect 1st look location is one that is perfect for YOU and your specific scenario, but here are a few things to consider when making your decision:
Your timeline is the Bible, so make sure you choose a location that makes sense in order to maximize your time. You want to spend the bulk of time actually enjoying each other, taking photos not driving around the city in high traffic and likely contending with street closures.
Run your ideas by your photographer, they’ll likely be able to give you feedback on lighting at that time of day and season, ideal setting for your vibe and timing.
No matter how much you love an outdoor location, always make sure you have an indoor backup in mind ( even if it’s as simple as your hotel suite) — scrambling to find a backup and communicating all the details to everyone involved last minute is never a good idea !
Check city events during your wedding weekend, besides the obvious large scale events there might be others that you’re not aware of, and avoiding those spots will save you time and frustration.
Elegant Fall Wedding at Cafe Brauer
Chicago Fall wedding at Cafe Brauer and ceremony at Honeycomb
Looking for a quintessential Chicago wedding venue? Look no further! Cafe Brauer is iconic and historic without being overly ornate or stuffy, and has unique features that attract locals to its charm.
Its perfect location in the heart of Lincoln Park, adjacent to The Lincoln Park Zoo and minutes from the Downtown and the lake makes this venue highly desirable every season but in the fall the magic of the turning leaves and golden hour magic in the brisk air are hard to compete with . The photo opportunities within minutes from the venue are endless and some of the best views of the skyline are seen from the balconies flanking the venue, a perfect location for outdoor cocktail hour.
Wedding clients have the option to rent out the Honeycomb structure which provides a stunning Chicago backdrop to ceremonies. We love that it is fully covered in case Chicago weather makes its typical good luck appearance.
Beyond the location, Cafe Brauer has one of the most beautiful architectural elements that are iconic, yet warm and inviting and that work in perfect synergy with floral decor. The Great Hall at cafe Brauer features artistic representations of the park surrounding it and we love bringing in floral elements that complement these beautiful subtle design elements.
The Tigerlily team that manages the venue and offers catering services will wow you with their knowledge of the space and expertise on event production, and they are one of our favorite teams to work with in the city!
The large skylight is a favorite element that we love featuring in our design. Whether adding dangling glass orbs with twinkling lights or large installations to feature this wow moment, the options are endless and we love coming up with unique ideas that enhance the space.
venue: Cafe Brauer at Lincoln Park Zoo // photo & video: Ed and Aileen Photography catering: Tigelily Events // Entertainment: The DJ Firm // hair and makeup: Beauty by Tassi // Cake: Vanille // Lighting, Floral Design and Planning : Elena’s Garden Events
Chicago wedding planner tips: defining your wedding style and making it your own
Wedding trends, they can sweep you up and take you down the deepest Pinterest and Instagram rabbit hole. And while we love a theme or a vibe an event can be inspired by or centered around, there’s a danger that wrapping your entire design around a trend too tightly can date your wedding and create regrets later down the line. After all, weddings are not just another party ( Monica in Friends reminded us of that) and the payout for all your energy and resources spent should be fresh, beautiful, and uniquely you.
Embracing certain trends (we see you bows) and sprinkling them around is perfectly fine, but trying to force a theme for the sake of a theme can come off awkward, messy and dare we say it? basic. Instead, we suggest leaning on classic inspiration and blending it with current trends or unique style elements to create mashups that are unique and purposefully woven into your day.
Are you an anti-wedding cool girl who would never opt for a classic gown or a green and white “timeless” design trend!? Challenge accepted! We’re here for creating a design plan that embraces fresh, cool elements to bring to life a celebration so YOU that others will want to copy it!
Your wedding might be one of the few times you’ll be willing to spend tons of cash and time in planning an elaborate event (we hope not but odds are you’re doing it this big only once), why not create something new and truly special that you’ll love reliving later? Our Advice? Give your designer latitude to get to know you, what you like, where you met, where you love to travel, what your event priorities are, what your comfort level for “fun” is and the result will probably shock you in the best way possible.
yellow floral installation photo wow moment at Wildman BT // Photo by Serena Bonphotage
Chicago Venue Selection -- the second most important "I DO"
There’s no such thing as a perfect venue, but there’s a perfect venue for you!
Much like being in that drunk with love euphoria phase of new love, being newly engaged and on cloud nine means you will see what you want to see in a venue often ignoring important questions and logistics that will surface later and prove to be a challenge, often an expensive one. Our approach and advice when diving into venue selection is simple but important: Know your numbers, know your priorities and non-negotiables, be as flexible as possible, have a wedding planner along for the ride.
Compare this process to buying a house, when choosing a venue, having a guide in your corner to navigate the process is priceless. Though your rose-colored glasses might be on as you hop around venues, your planner will be able to stay objective and negotiate on your behalf; We vet options that are not a good fit even before you even step foot in a place based on expertise and your needs, thus saving you time, money, avoiding falling in love with a space that is not a good fit for you and your celebration. Today’s “market” is very competitive so a little flexibility (we advise clients to be flexible on dates and even days of the week in order to get their dream venue) creativity (let us paint a picture of what your venue will look like when it’s show time), clear expectations (having those hard conversations about budget and priorities in the beginning rather than along the way when emotions run high) are just some of the tools we bring to the table to make the process as stress free and swift as possible. So grab a glass of wine, or several, and let’s dive in and find the perfect venue for you.
Intimate weddings, what we love about them, and you will too
Don’t get us wrong, we love a large celebration, a lush, elegant, elaborate wedding, the longer the to do list the more satisfying it is when we help pull it all together. But one of our MOST FAVORITE weddings of 2019 was an intimate destination I Do at Emerald Lake Lodge near Banff Canada. And yes, the bucket list setting is of course a big reason why Kristine and Bo chose to have their wedding there, and why it makes our own event bucket list, but beyond the breathtaking backdrop, this intimate wedding checks all the boxes for a unforgettable event.
If you’re in the beginning stages of wedding planning, and you’ve ever considered a small scale wedding, current circumstances are perhaps guiding you in that direction, since small gatherings and mini celebrations are our only option for the foreseeable future. Though you might have to compromise on your guest list, the rest of the choices will be made easier than if you were contending with a larger guest count. Below are just a few of the reasons why a smaller affair may mean a higher quality, more intentional and beautiful event.
Venues — often times the size of a guest list dictates your choice of venue, but without that daunting max capacity in mind, there are almost no limits to the creativity and venue options for your big day. Maybe an off the beaten path B&B where guests can stay overnight was never an option because of guest count, maybe your favorite neighborhood restaurant that can only fit a cozy 50 in it’s private room was a far fetched hope, or an intimate hotel outdoor terrace with the city as your backdrop. With a smaller guest count, there are a lot of options to choose from.
Emerald Lake Banff Canada wedding photos by Orange Girl Photography
Quality time with guests — for Kristine and Bo, spending a weekend with their closest friends and immediate family was key. Their attention was not divided in too many directions, and the intimacy of their event allowed them to be present, to customize activities and elements of their day that would have been impossible to do with a larger group. An 8am post wedding hike with your entire wedding posey is not for the faint of heart, but the memories created could be priceless! If a choose-your-own-adventure event or brunch is more your speed, creating multiple options that all your guests will enjoy is a fun option and doable with a smaller group.
Enhanced guest experience — when asked what the number one priority when putting together plans for their big day, by far most of our clients state that the guest experience is the most important for them. Now more than ever, wowing your guests and ensuring that they are safe, taken care of, and are having an amazing time ranks high on the priority list. With much of your budget freed up because of a reduced guest count, you will be able to splurge on higher end photography, decor, rentals, and menu options, not to mention entertainment! For Kristine and Bo, exquisite details like handwritten handmade paper menus, elegant lush floral decor and a room bathed in candle light, in addition to a decadent menu, personalize guest gifts were the perfect complement to their amazing location. Putting together personalized notes and gifts for their guests, was a task that was not just “doable” but fun and intimate because every person on their guest list was someone they knew closely.
We’d love to help you take the lemons handed out by the current restrictions and turn them into some amazingly delicious lemonade. We’ve curated a list of venue that are perfect for intimate events and would love to help put together a compromise-free intimate event.
Chicago venues perfect for intimate events, many of them featuring outdoor spaces:
Chicago’s First Lady River Cruise
Planning & Floral Decor Elena's Garden Events //Ceremony & Reception Venue: Cilantro on the Lake- Emerald Lake // Photo Orange Girl Photos // DJ: Class Act DJ/Jeremy Pettet // Hotel: Emerald Lake Lodge// Hair Glamaway Beauty // Makeup Glamaway Beauty // Linen BBJ Linens // Tuxedos Indochino // Bride's Dress: Anomelie
Personalized wedding details
Personalizing your wedding vs. DIYing your way through it
YOUR day, your way is something we are big proponents of, BUT the road to a DYI overwhelming Pinterest-full bonanza is a slippery one. When initially talking to our planning clients ( or even our decor only clients) we make sure we find every little way we can to incorporate their style and unique elements that represent their story while melding that within the overall design direction. We also make sure the projects the clients want to execute themselves are doable and won't be an extra burden that will overwhelm them during an already stressful time … some things should just be left to the pros. As always, it’s all about communication and setting expectations and ( just ask our brides) we do build a mean planning timeline, and also do not hold back from telling our clients when their plate is a little too full.
Mollie and Alex’s beautiful fall wedding is a perfect example where the synergy between personalizing their wedding and the design direction we created was perfectly balanced. It was very important for Mollie and Alex that their families played a big role in their day, and also wanted to contribute with personal elements that represented their personality and relationship as well. Because we were part of the planning process we were able to help them navigate the logistics and aesthetic so that the end result was beautiful, fun and personal.
When mom makes your and your bridesmaids attire, dad performs the ceremony, your sister makes an epic 5 tear cake, your puppy is your ring bearer, and you design your stationery …. the stakes are high, and things can get overwhelming fast, but a well constructed timeline and a supportive team of vendors leads to a beautifully personalized day, that is anything but DIY.
In addition, Mollie & Alex also peppered some of their favorite places and vendors into their celebration, they took their bridal party to some of their favorite date spots for photos and ordered cookies and beer from their favorite neighborhood local Chicago vendors and also made sure the rehearsal dinner and day after family brunch sports had special meaning to them as well.
Venue: The Joinery // Photo: Kina Wicks Photography // DJ: Toast & Jam // Getting ready Spot: The Robey // Catering: Food For Thought // Cake: sister of bride // Hair and Makeup: Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists // Bar: Binnies & Pipeworks // Cookies: Bake // Groom’s Attire: Black Tux // Bride’s Dress & BMDs skirt: Mother of the Bride // Planning & Decor: Elena’s Garden Events
garden wedding inspiration in peach and coral
CHICAGO GARDEN WEDDING INSPIRATION IN PEACH AND CORAL
SET at Loyola Cuneo Mansion and Gardens, the inspiration behind this lush summer wedding design was a modern day romantic garden love story merging together traditional elements and modern touches, channeling a current Romeo and Juliet. And what better setting than a historic Italianate mansion on a 100-acre estate? Blending a pallet of bold warm colors centered around citrus hues and living coral, stunning timeless architectural elements and decor, and dramatic elegant fashion, hair and makeup, resulting in an elegant summer dream wedding featuring a lineup of stellar Chicago vendors. All the details were also a nod to the elegant garden ambiance we were creating: the iron gate draped in garden roses, the brie stacked ‘cake adorned with fruit, the lush floral custom paper details, the apricot place cards, the colorful light and airy glassware, rich textured linens, and romantic lighting.
VENUE: LOYOLA AT CUNEO MANSION AND GARDENS // PHOTOGRAPHY: COLIN PIERSON PHOTOGRAPHY// PLANNING & FLORAL DESIGN: ELENA’S GARDEN EVENTS// RENTALS: THE FESTIVE FROG; BBJ LINENS// HAIR: KORENA ROBINSON// MAKEUP: ASHLEY BARBER OF MANIFEST MAKEUP// BRIDAL BOUTIQUE AND GOWNS: ULTIMATE BRIDE CHICAGO; MIRA ZWILLINGER; LEE PETRA GREBENAU; // GROOM ATTIRE: THE GROOMSMAN SUIT; STATIONERY SUITE: EMILY ROSE INK ; MODEL: JAMAICA CACYRIS
5 Reasons Why Hiring a Wedding Planner Is a Need, Not a Want
Let’s start with the premise that you want to enjoy your wedding day and aren’t looking to worry and stress over all the things that need to go smoothly and happen on time. If that’s the case, here are just a few of the zillion things a planner or coordinator can and will do for you on your wedding day so that you, your family, that friend that’s really good at planing DIY parties for her office, and your fiancé can do your job : look amazing and enjoy the most elaborate party you’ve ever thrown.
5 Reasons Why Hiring a Wedding Planner Is a Need, Not a Want
Photo: sallyodonnellphoto
Let’s start with the premise that you want to enjoy your wedding day and aren’t looking to worry and stress over all the things that need to go smoothly and happen on time. If that’s the case, here are just a few of the zillion things a planner or coordinator can and will do for you on your wedding day so that you, your family, that friend that’s really good at planing DIY parties for her office, and your fiancé can do your job : look amazing and enjoy the most elaborate party you’ve ever thrown.
Photo: carascophoto linens and styling : BBJ Linens
1. Setting expectations: Whether our clients hire us to plan and design their whole event and spend 9 months to a year with us, for 6 months of partial planning, or month-of coordination, we set them up with a planning timeline that will map out their planning process and ensure they are staying on track throughout the whole process. Like every excited newly engaged couple, you probably start off with a to do list and have great intentions of knocking things off as you start planning, but things get overwhelming, life needs to be lived, and things fall through the cracks, which eventually ens up costing you more time, money and avoidable drama.
2. Avoiding pit-falls: Speaking of drama, we often play the role of therapist, mediator, and even bad guy when it comes to our clients. We negotiate on your behalf, help flag potential problems with logistics, contracts, family dynamics, and help come up with a plan A, B and C for each potential issue.
3. Wrangling all the loose ends and small details: Because we handle both the design and logistics for our planning clients, we are able to seamlessly merge together the beautiful design elements, and the logistics. This is our expertise, and our clients’ favorite part of the process. With our clients, we put together a timeline, a.k.a wedding planning bible, and plan all the moving parts in a well organized, well thought out forever-tweaked guide that beautifully ties together the whole planning process, and is wonderfully padded for all the “just in case” scenarios.
4. It’s all about the money honey: In an ideal world there would be no wedding budgets, but in real life, even a high budget is a budget, and we pride ourselves in helping our clients navigate them. We help find vendors, services and make decisions that fit your style, budget and timing — this is no small feat and sometimes we have to break the bad news that something is not doable, but our goal is to get to know you ( and your needs) early in the process and avoid presenting you ideas that you can’t have.
Photo: mikaelahamilton
5. Peace of Mind: Your day, and really the few weeks leading up to your wedding should be all fun and no worries, and we do everything we can to ensure that’s the case for our clients. If we’ve all done our homework and checked things off the planning list throughout the process, the goal is to kick back, have fun, have ALL THE COCKTAILS AND BRUNCHES, and to leave all the what ifs to us. Throughout the process, we build trust and you will know that even if things go wrong (and they do), someone other than you in your gorgeous-way-too -expensive-gown, or your uber emotional mom, is taking care of things. Consider us your Olivia Pope (minus the murder and White House intrigue), and trust that we have the tools and that “it’s handled”!
photo: ericfloberg
Cover Photo: angelagarbot
Timeless Romantic Chicago Wedding at The Joinery Chicago
On your wedding day, having a plan B in case the weather is not ideal, is as important as having a great plan A, especially in a city like Chicago where we can experience four seasons in the span of one week. For this chilly fall day, we brought the outside in to recreate an oasis of green and twinkling lights in the middle of the city!
On your wedding day, having a plan B in case the weather is not ideal is as important as having a great plan A, especially in a city like Chicago where we can experience four seasons in the span of one week. For this chilly fall day, we brought the outside in to recreate an oasis of green and twinkling lights in the middle of the city! Using an installation of hanging Eucalyptus, Edison lights, a sea of candles, a large branch installation and garland draping on all the wooden guest tables, we created the illusion of being outdoors in the open space of The Joinery. We love transforming this gorgeous industrial space in a different way every time, a space that lends itself perfectly to turning a gloomy fall day into a romantic setting, the perfect backdrop for Danielle and Cameron’s September Chicago wedding.
VENDOR LIST
Venue: The Joinery Chicago // Photo: Girl with the Tattoos Fine Art Photography // Floral Design: Elena's Garden Events // Music: Toast & Jam // Catering: Jordan’s Food of Distinction // Bride’s Dress: Alyssa Kristin // Boutique: Honey Bridal // Alterations: ETTE
Krysta and Garrett's Effortless, Romantic Wedding at Artifact Events
We loved using the bounty of spring flowers like peonies, garden roses, and anemones in soft colors, with lush greens, paired with an industrial space with a vast courtyard, to bring Krysta’s vision to life.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the preparation, design, planning, though VERY important, are just details that surround a commitment that’s being publicly professed and celebrated. This was not the case with Garrett and Krysta’s spring wedding! Getting to work with the bride, her parents, and the groom’s mother on the design of this event made us feel like we were part of an intimate gathering, a tribe that was all working together to support this new young couple. Their wedding centered around two families truly uniting to support and celebrate the beginning of their life together and blending together as one large family, spanning a few generations, that gathered from different parts of the country.
We loved using the bounty of spring flowers like peonies, garden roses, and anemones in soft colors, with lush greens, paired with an industrial space with a vast courtyard, to bring Krysta’s vision to life.
Krysta and Garrett’s wedding day video captured by Eric Floberg https://vimeo.com/292857634
VENDOR LIST
Venue: Artifact events // Photo & Video Eric Floberg // Floral Design and Coordination : Elena's Garden Events // Music: Toast & Jam // Catering: Big Star // Rentals: Tablescapes
Classic Spring Wedding at W Chicago City Center
Classic Spring Wedding at W Chicago City Center with Chicago as it's backdrop celebrating, love, family and traditions new and old
Love in the air in the heart of the city
Lacey and Sean's spring wedding had the city as it's backdrop at W City Center Chicago, and was a celebration of their love. With their family and friends by their side, the day blended their fun personalities, love of music, and traditions new and old. We used a bold color scheme that stood out in the warm elegant venue, and created a classic backdrop for dancing the night away.
Vendor List
Venue: W Chicago City Center // Photo & Video Jolie Images // Floral Design and Coordination : Elena's Garden Events // Hair: Korena Robinson // Makeup: Joey Claeyssen // Music: Howl 2 Go Dueling Pianos // Wedding Cake: Alliance Bakery
Andreea and Benjamin's Romantic Summer Wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club
On a perfect breezy June day, Andreea and Benjamin tied the knot in Northbrook and celebrated with lots of friends and family at the beautiful Chevy Chase Country Club.
Andreea and Benjamin's Romantic Summer Wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club
Their is a love story my husband and I would get monthly updates on over dinner, and as we saw Benjamin's heart and life fill with love, we knew we'd love Andreea even before we met her. On a perfect breezy June day, Andreea and Benjamin tied the knot in Northbrook and celebrated with lots of friends and family at the beautiful Chevy Chase Country Club.
It's not often that I find myself straddling the line between wedding designer and guest (and for good reason), but this time around I am glad I got to experience this beautiful day fully by adding decor and celebrating with two amazing friends. It also helps when the bride has beautiful taste, tying together romantic elements and a classic design.
Photo Credit: Codrean Photography
Things I wish I knew ... Advice from Real Brides
Valuable lessons and tips as you are planning your wedding
Things I wish I knew ... Advice from Real Brides
With my own 10th year anniversary around the corner, I got a bit nostalgic looking back at all the things I loved about the day and all the things I would do differently. My situation is different because what I know now is gleaned from many, many weddings, so instead of just sharing my thoughts and lessons learned, I reached out to a few brides (friends and past clients) to get a few nuggets of wisdom from them. Though there was some overlap between all of their answers, their experience covers a lot of ground and provides a lot of good insights.
These first two are of course favorites of mine because I preach them ALL THE TIME:
"I wish I could have budgeted for a planner or at least a coordinator to help me manage all the little details at the end of the process and during the wedding day, there were things that went wrong and I wish we didn't have to deal with them ourselves" J.T The truth is, no matter how precise you are with your planning, your job on your wedding day is be the bride or groom, not the person with the clipboard that makes sure the timeline is sent out to all the vendors and everyone delivers their services as promised, that is my job. Also from J.T "This might sound simple and basic but set up a timeline that's realistic right away and stick to it or else the planning is messy and stressful"
When it comes to your wedding day, there will be no shortage of opinions, and hearing from a lot of people, many of them important to you, can get overwhelming, so take A.S's advice: "Listen to your heart and not to everyone's opinion. It is your day, make it personal and be creative" If you take everyone else's opinion into account, what you end up with is their wedding, not your own.
And similar to the above, people's feelings are important of course but they should not cloud your decision-making: "It's ok to say no to people's offers of assistance. Much easier to say no, set boundaries, state needs, and evaluate a vendor's performance than it is your mom or BFF. If stated kindly, people will understand (and often quietly appreciate being let off the hook!)" A.L
When it comes to vendors:"It's ok to maintain high expectations in relation to vendors performance, just don't be a jerk when asking for what you want and don't hold grudges after you get exactly that. The fastest route to a happy day is letting go of the blips and recognizing everyone is human." A.L. and equally important: "If you have even a hint of reservation about your day of coordinator, run far and fast. They're there to make life easier; if they're not for ANY reason (trust your gut on this), the process becomes exponentially harder and you'll likely wind up feeling taken advantage of." I tell brides all the time, they're better off not having a service than paying for one and then having to work around it, so I fully agree with A.L., if you have reservations, stay away. The vendors you choose are your team and the services they are providing are supposed to elevate your experience not make it difficult. In addition to your gut, you should trust referrals and ask for samples of anything that's available to help you make your decisions.
And once all the decisions are made, and the checks are written, the anxiety is creeping in and the big day is upon you, plan something relaxing: "I wish I did some self-care, something relaxing with my bridesmaids like a 2 day spa right before the wedding" --J.T I think this is a great idea be it with your bridesmaids, your mom or your fiancee, but remember no harsh treatments right before the wedding, and no wedding related work! My husband and I took the Thursday before our wedding and got pampered together, and if you know him you know that is NOT his thing, but it was nice to drive away from the buzz and be in a bubble of our own for a day. In addition to getting rubbed down and slathered up, it gave us a chance to pause and take things in, which is a luxury you have to make time for or else the whole experience zooms by.
Photo Credit: Heather Decamp Photography
The Case for Color
You don't have to sacrifice elegance, romance or sophistication in order to add color to your event, more than ever, event vendors are incorporating rich patterns and colors into everything from floral, attire, cake, linens, and pretty much every element you can think of. Go beyond the blush box that is often Pinterest and elevate your event with bold vibrant yet elegant vibes that will make your big day stand out.
The Case for Color
The last few years have taken a softer tone in terms of color, and I loved the romantic ethereal feel that came with it, but as a planner and and as a designer I'm so excited to see brides and event planners merge these softer tones with bolder, splashier palettes. You don't have to sacrifice elegance, romance or sophistication in order to add color to your event, more than ever, event vendors are incorporating rich patterns and colors into everything from floral, attire, cake, linens, and pretty much every element you can think of. Go beyond the blush box that is often Pinterest and elevate your event with bold vibrant yet elegant vibes that will make your big day stand out. And here's a little secret, your vendors will be excited to stretch their creative muscles, create something truly special for you, and might event thank you for going against the grain.
Here are a few ideas on how to make a splash ... of color that is ... on your big day.
1. Your Dress is probably the most photographed element of your wedding, along with your bouquet, and bridal designers are leading the color movement. If you are not brave enough to rock a fully colored gown (I know I wouldn't be), how gorgeous is this sophisticated floral gown paired together with equally breathtaking blooms? Full disclosure, Kiana Underwood, who is behind this styled shoot, is my floral hero and a color wizard! Though the watercolors are subtle, the statement is anything but, and the look oozes romance and elegance.
Design:
tulipina.com/ Kinana Underwood
| Photography: /
2. Don't forget the groom. He's likely to be in almost as many pictures as you will be in, and though no one should try to compete with your look on your wedding day, nothing is more dapper than a groom who feels comfortable stepping a little bit out of his comfort zone. Navy is a great solid, elegant color that is sure to complement a floral print, or soft hues of gray, pink, and of course a classic ivory gown. Remember, the goal is not to pull off an avant-garde look, but rather to bring out your personality into each element of your wedding, so make sure he's comfortable rocking that suit!
3. What is sweeter than a show-stopping cake!? Instead of going into your cake design appointment with an arsenal of designs, give your baker/designer an opportunity to shine by asking them to wow you with a design featuring your bold color choices. Have them incorporate texture, floral, jewel tones or shapes, and the result will probably go way beyond your imagination.
4. The details tie a wedding, or any great event, together. And they are also a great opportunity to breathe color and personality into your event. Start setting the tone for a great party the minute your guests open their invitations.
5. Decor is everything! The idea of creating a theme for your wedding is overwhelming and can come off as forced or dated. Instead, use color as a thread, and strive to create a mood, or feeling by incorporating things you love into a party that reflects your style. Florals, linens, glassware, tableware, candles and other decor pieces, are not just elements that you check off the list when planning your wedding, but rather puzzle pieces that come together beautifully. Whether modern or vintage, bright or moody, or a mix of the two, these elements create the ultimate backdrop for whatever ambiance you are trying to set for your guests.
6. Your Squad. Long gone are the days of burn-worthy bridesmaids dresses, and boring bouquets. Your girls (and guys) are probably in your wedding party because they are the people in your life you have the most fun with. So show it in the way you style their dresses, suits and flowers, you'll smile back every time you look at your wedding pictures.
Weather you love bold colors, soft tones or lush greens, there's always room to feature these throughout your event and treat your guests to elements of your personality, because after all they came to celebrate YOU.
Pretty in Pink
It’s a myth that pink is a color that’s only appropriate for Spring months. Elegant dark pink hues, and soft blushes can be used to set a romantic or modern mood in any season. In fact here is a throwback to an event we did for a holiday party where we paired different shades of
Pretty in Pink
It's a myth that pink is a color that's only appropriate for Spring months. Elegant dark pink hues, and soft blushes can be used to set a romantic or modern mood in any season. In fact here is a throwback to an event we did for a holiday party where we paired different shades of pink with deep wine shades and greens to set a whimsical and organic scene without being too literal.
Pinterest Overload?
Full disclosure: I’m a fan of Pinterest. I like how accessible it is, how I’m able to neurotically organize all my pins and boards, how I get to see what my creative spirit animals post and pin, I love that I can have a mood board at my fingertips in minutes, and that I’m even
Pinterest Overload?
Full disclosure: I'm a fan of Pinterest. I like how accessible it is, how I'm able to neurotically organize all my pins and boards, how I get to see what my creative spirit animals post and pin, I love that I can have a mood board at my fingertips in minutes, and that I'm even able to create secret boards that I'm not yet ready to share with the world. I most like using it when talking to brides to be to get an idea of their aesthetic, and theirs of mine, and to see what level of detail they've already decided on or are still working through.
I see many brides falling into the trap of over-pinning or not editing their boards. Like all amazing things, think chocolate or expensive stationery, Pinterest is most useful when enjoyed in moderation and should not be replaced by hands-on research, or else it can actually become a compulsion that slows you down and overwhelms you more than helps you. So before you fall down the rabbit hole of spending a week's worth of work hours pinning ideas you'll never revisit, I've come up with a fun little list that I hope will help you in your planning and scavenging endeavors. Again, these are just guidelines that are meant to make you think while you're planing your wedding, or party, and even beyond (master suite remodel? amazing pantry organization project? oh and what is the best chocolate fudge brownie recipe?!)
- Organize your thoughts: to avoid a jumbled mess while you're trying to come up with color schemes and party favors, start off with an old-fashioned pen and paper check-list. Rather than having one massive board for all things wedding ( or whichever event you are planning) make a list of all the different categories you'll need inspiration or ideas for. The more detailed your initial list, the easier it will be to navigate when you need to pull up specific pins on the fly. After creating your master list make a board for each category and pin away!
- Be a follower: During this journey (that can be as much daunting as it is fun) you'll find yourself on many websites for vendors, designers, or bloggers, and instead of committing to pinning ideas before you get to investigate what they're really about, it sometimes helps to first follow them on Instagram or Pinterest to get a better sense of who they are and what they would bring to your party planning table. They'll show up in your feeds and if they're not up to snuff, or your design direction has shifted, you don't have to go back and get rid of old pins.
- Be realistic: It's easy to forget that many pins that go viral are often a product of elaborate photo-shoots that have been styled and often feature many custom designs that come with an equally high-end price-tag. Your wedding, or fancy affair should be as elaborate and special as you have always dreamed, but pinning beyond your means can sometimes lead to disappointment or a chase for that unicorn of an element that doesn't really exist. Instead, I suggest always having a plan B and C in case that gown you adore ends up being a one of a kind Marchesa. Also, you may not be able to fully duplicate a theme featured in your favorite pin, but there are always elements you can be inspired by and tweak to make your own. Often, tweaking and combining different ideas leads to a more unique and fresh result that you can then call your own!
- Descriptions are key: The more detailed you are in your descriptions, the more you'll thank yourself, and me, later. I may pin a centerpiece that has colors completely different from what you're looking for, but it may have the type of flowers and textures you love. WRITE THAT DOWN! When you're later looking through 100 pins with your florist, you'll want to be able to remember why you pinned certain things and what stood out to you at first glance. Also, Pinterest is only as good as its content, so the more people pin without descriptions or tags, the more generic the content is.
- Trust the experts: Think of Pinterest as the webmd of social media, you'd trust yourself to self diagnose some simple non-life threatening symptoms, but you wouldn't expect an online resource to interpret an Xray for you or prescribe antibiotics. Why then would you be willing to take a chance with one of the most important days of your life? It's easy to believe that everything you see on Pinterest can be diyed, and to envision yourself to be the do-it-all-bride that puts together the wedding of the century on a next to nothing budget. The closer you'll get to your wedding, the more you'll realize how exhausting and naive that assumption is. There are tons of wedding details you can take care of if you give yourself time and in return you will save a ton of money and come up with unique ideas that give your event a personal touch. And I strongly encourage doing as many of those as you can! However, remember that your friends and family are not your little wedding elves that will pull allnighters to finish your never-ending list of projects, and that your main job is to be the bride, not to coordinate your own wedding on the day of ... or deliver your own flowers or be your own DJ for that matter. A good wedding planner, a florist, photographer and caterer will be investments worth making if you want your special day to be the stress free bliss you've been pinning for months.
Love Is in the Air
“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you…I could walk through my garden forever.” ― Alfred Tennyson This week we share some beautiful blooms we worked on for Valentine’s day. It’s no wonder flowers are the most common gift one gives to show affection, sympathy, and love. A bouquet of flowers
Love Is in the Air
“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever.”― Alfred Tennyson
This week we share some beautiful blooms we worked on for Valentine's day. It's no wonder flowers are the most common gift one gives to show affection, sympathy, and love. A bouquet of flowers is like a snapshot of God's endless creativity, not many man-made things can compete with that!
Kristen & Jeff's Winter Wonderland Wedding
What better way to close out the year than with a beautiful wedding at Pazzo’s 311? Kristen and Jeff lit up this beautiful atrium space with their constant smiles and the vibrant energy of their bridal party. We hoped to further brighten the space with tons of candles, flowers and gold branches for the reception.
Kristen & Jeff's Winter Wonderland Wedding
What better way to close out the year than with a beautiful wedding at Pazzo's? Kristen and Jeff lit up this beautiful atrium space with their constant smiles and the vibrant energy of their bridal party. We hoped to further brighten the space with tons of candles, flowers and gold branches for the reception. The bride wanted a warm atmosphere that would make guests forget the bitter-cold Chicago day. We used pink blooms, submerged orchids and tons of candles to achieve this goal; and the beautiful backdrop at Pazzo's only enhanced the elegant atmosphere. Some of the images used in the gallery are my own and the rest are the wonderful work of Matt Mason. Kristen and Jeff thanks for allowing us to be part of your special day!
Christa and Dave's Fun Family Affair at Carnivale Chicago
We had the pleasure of doing the decor for Christa and Dave’s big day this past September. The weather was gloomy but that didn’t put a damper on this fun intimate event. The bride is one of the most chill people you’ll ever meet and wanted a ceremony and reception to match her laid
Christa and Dave's Fun Family Affair at Carnivale Chicago
We had the pleasure of creating the decor for Christa and Dave's big day this past September. The weather was gloomy but that didn't put a damper on this fun intimate event. The bride is one of the most chill people you'll ever meet and wanted a ceremony and reception to match her laid back disposition ... we achieved this with lots of warm glow candles, beautiful rich purple tones and subdued white centerpieces that would not clash with the vibrant atmosphere of the reception venue. The happy ( and gorgeous) couple got to enjoy their big day with an intimate group, in an intimate setting with a big city as their backdrop! Photo credit goes to Jamie Vester Photography and Design
