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FEATURE PHOTO BY Joanna Nowak | STATIONERY BY LullaBelle Design

Hate to break it to you, but after all the planning, invoices and dancing are done, you’re not quite finished with wedding tasks. It might seem like a small gesture, but writing good, old-fashioned thank-you notes goes a long way. Think of it not as a chore, but as a chance to relive the joy of your wedding day and express gratitude to the people who made it oh-so unforgettable.

So, how do you write a thank-you note that feels genuine without spending hours agonizing over every word? Let’s break it down. (more…)

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY Cass Stone, C.Mae Photography

For many brides, wedding planning focuses on things like the dress, the venue, the guest list and so on. But photographer Cass Stone of C.Mae Photography believes there’s another way to prepare for your big day — one that has nothing to do with seating charts or centerpieces. Through boudoir photography, Stone has spent over a decade helping women see themselves differently: confident, powerful and worthy of celebration. Here, she shares why boudoir has become one of her most transformative offerings, especially for brides. (more…)

Within Pella Signature’s greenhouse-inspired space, natural light filtered through glass walls, creating patterns that softened the boundary between inside and outside. In this styled shoot, planner Reverie & Co. Events embraced organic minimalism, creating moments where intentional artistry and nature intertwined. Against crisp white drapery, tonal greenery by All Pure Petals spilled across the space, harmonizing botanical textures with architectural precision.

Designed for a couple who approaches their wedding day as a living canvas, every detail is as visually thoughtful as it is emotionally meaningful. The result may appear living and free, but the layered textures and sun-kissed shadows were anything but accidental.

This bride is someone who prioritizes not only design, but art in every corner. Her eye for detail is impeccable, noticing subtle textures, layering and the way each piece interacts with the environment as a whole.

– Niela Callanan, owner, Reverie & Co. Events

Vendor List

PHOTOGRAPHY Mariah Jones Photo
VIDEOGRAPHY Cineeye Wedding
VENUE Pella Signature
PLANNER Reverie & Co. Events
FLORAL All Pure Petals
GOWNS Dimitra’s Bridal Couture
HAIR Rannia Maria Hair
MAKEUP Nia Dynasty
STATIONERY Adorable Designs
CAKE Brulée Cake Boutique
CONTENT CREATOR Social Brides Collective
MODEL Alesea Fritz

FEATURE PHOTO BY by Madi Ellis Photography

Your guests will remember the food long after the wedding ends, so choosing the right chef matters. Luckily, the greater Chicago area is home to some incredible culinary professionals. Here are seven you should know.

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Wedding fashion is where tradition meets reinvention, and 2026 is already bringing some serious aisle style. Like a breath of fresh air, this season’s trends are spotlighting bold details, modern twists and a fresh dose of personality. Ready for what’s next? Here’s your preview of the year’s most buzzworthy wedding looks.

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Feature Photo of Orso’s Restaurant by Cailynn Wolfgang Photo

This winter’s New To The Scene highlights our favorite additions to the Chicagoland scene, from the recently opened businesses to sparkling new renovations. Stay in the loop and check out these fresh picks!

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In this styled scene, centuries-old craftsmanship meets modern design to create an ambiance that feels lifted from a European chapel yet grounded in Milwaukee’s vibrant heart. For this shoot, St. James 1868’s dual spaces became the canvas for two distinct interpretations of romance. In The Abbey, a striking black-and-white checkered aisle draws the eye through soaring arches and past original Tiffany stained-glass windows, while candlelight and apple-green linens add freshness.

In The Hyde, the mood softens: lace linens, beaded chandeliers and blush-toned florals shape a more delicate atmosphere. To tie it all together, real couples stepped in as models, bringing genuine emotion and demonstrating that the venue isn’t only beautifully preserved but also ready to host new love stories for generations to come.

Every detail, from the candlelit candelabras to the dramatic T-shaped dance floor, was designed to come alive in a way that only real love can inspire.

– Kate Crowle, owner, St. James 1868

Vendor List

PHOTOGRAPHY Whitney and Matsaya Photography
VIDEOGRAPHY C. Lee Creations, Films By Design
VENUE St. James 1868
PLANNING & DESIGN Events to a T
FLORAL Jane Kelly Floral
GOWNS White Dress Bridal Boutique
GROOMS’ FORMALWEAR SuitShop
HAIR & MAKEUP The Bridal Beauty Team, Black Orchid Beauty
STATIONERY & CALLIGRAPHY Lettered by Shi
CAKE Whisk Chick
COTTON CANDY Happy Joy Candy Co.
TABLETOP RENTALS Dish & Décor Vintage Rental
LINENS BBJ La Tavola
LIGHTING, DRAPE & RENTALS Sound by Design
MODELS Rema Spelman, Mark Spelman, Ly Karcher, Max Karcher

The moment Alex McCarron of McCarron Events & Design and Alexandra Euler of A.C.E. Styling laid eyes on the sculptural “Ryda” gown by Leah Da Gloria, their vision for a styled shoot snapped into focus. From there, they set out to create a scene as luxurious and high-glam as the bride herself — one that complemented the gown’s dramatic lines without competing with them. Gold Chiavari chairs framed a clean tablescape where white anthuriums sprouted like modern art and fresh pears and green grapes added an unexpected Renaissance touch. From the ethereal, light-catching veil to the gown’s train spilling across the carpet, every detail offered a feast of modern luxury with a whisper of vintage decadence.

The editorial grew from a desire to let fashion and design not merely coexist, but seamlessly elevate one another.

– Alex McCarron Events & Design, owner, McCarron Events & Design

Vendor List

PHOTOGRAPHY Yazzen Photography
VIDEOGRAPHY Enki Motions
VENUE The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop
SHOOT HOSTS McCarron Events & Design, A.C.E Styling
PLANNER McCarron Events & Design
FLORAL Sweet Pea Design Studio
GOWN Dimitra’s Bridal Couture
STYLIST A.C.E Styling
HAIR Rannia Maria Hair
MAKEUP Nia Dynasty
CAKE Brulée Cake Boutique
CONTENT CREATOR Social Brides Collective
MODELS Zandra Olczyk, Erick Zelaya

Against the neoclassical grandeur of the Chicago History Museum, Blue Llama Events reimagined South Asian wedding artistry with a design that honored heritage while embracing a fashion-forward edge. Jewel tones, luminous gold accents and petal-soft florals imbued the historic space with vibrant cultural fusion.

Details were intentionally layered to showcase the vibrancy of South Asian traditions through a contemporary lens: a ceremonial mandap washed in soft metallics, tablescapes rich in texture and ornate attire, all styled against the museum’s stately architecture. The photographs capture how ancestral rituals and modern glamor interact, each enhancing the other to create a narrative that is both timeless and current.

[This shoot] is a love letter to multicultural celebration, artistry and the beauty of unity within contrast, all set in one of Chicago’s most storied venues.

– Jean Rivers, owner and lead event planner, Blue Llama Events

Vendor List

PHOTOGRAPHY Amna Belal Photography
VENUE Chicago History Museum
PLANNER Blue Llama Events
FLORAL & DECOR Siblana Events
BRIDE’S ATTIRE Āve India Design Collective
GROOM’S FORMALWEAR SuitShop
HAIR & MAKEUP Nicki Rouge Bridal Team
HENNA Henna by Areeba
STATIONERY VS Invitations
CAKE The Purple Tulip Cakery
LINENS BBJ La Tavola
MODELS Pinki Bagchi, Faizan Seedat

– Sponsored content brought to you by CD One Price Cleaners –

Fashion trends change as fast as news headlines, so it’s no surprise that yesterday’s it-girl gown can feel outdated after just a few seasons. What feels fresh today can quickly become obsolete. But there is one powerful way to overcome the inevitable fashion cycle, and that is preservation.

Whether it’s your wedding dress, a milestone gown, or a vintage piece handed down from your grandmother to your mother and now to you, preserving the dress properly is essential. It helps protect the fabric and the memories associated with it, allowing you to pass it down through generations. What better way to keep something timeless? (more…)

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FEATURE PHOTO real Volle’s Brides Across America Bride, Mariana, by Love & Light Photography

Susanne Dershaw, owner of Volle’s Bridal & Boutique and Mr. Tux’s Formal Wear, doesn’t just believe in beautiful weddings — she believes in giving back. So when the opportunity arose to partner with Brides Across America again for their “Operation Wedding Gown” initiative, it was a natural fit.

“I have many active military personnel and veterans among my family and close friends,” Susanne shares. “I’ve seen firsthand the incredible sacrifices they make for our country and for the freedoms we all cherish. My gratitude for them and their service is something I feel every single day.” (more…)

Feature Photo by Madi Ellis Photography

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Feature Photos by Dominika Photographer, Meghan Lee Harris Photography, Derrick Parsons Weddings

Welcome back to our Venue Viewpoint series, where we spotlight exceptional wedding venues across the greater Chicagoland area. Each feature offers an insider’s look at a different location, highlighting what sets it apart and why it just might be the right fit for your wedding. Through Q&As with venue managers and a closer look at each space, our goal is to give you the insight you need to choose the perfect setting for your celebration.

This time, we spoke with Amber Showers, the Director of Events at The Carriage House at the Club at Lac La Belle — a beautifully restored event venue located on the grounds of a historic country club in Lac La Belle, Wisconsin. Just outside of Milwaukee, it offers Chicago couples the charm of a countryside escape without straying too far from the city. With its sweeping golf course views, modern-meets-classic architecture, and versatile event spaces, The Carriage House makes for an inviting backdrop on your special day.

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