The First Monday In May has come and gone and we are still in awe of all the jaw-dropping looks that graced the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual gala. While we are still sifting who was perfectly on theme and who missed the mark, we did see a whole lot of wedding attire inspiration.
These looks could go down the aisle as-is and we’d love them just as much. Here are our top Met Gala not-bridal-but-sure-could-be looks.
International bridal fashion weeks are back! These spring 2023 collections offer a rejuvenated lens on bridal fashion. As weddings as we know them return to the scene, modern and traditional elements play with each other to create a new era of aisle style.
Here are a few of our favorite trends we saw this season:
Written by Alexandra Dillard | Cover Photo by Bradley Moss
Due to their historical and cultural significance, weddings themselves are time-honored traditions. Throughout history, weddings have been celebrated as a ceremonial union between two individuals, often accompanied by rituals, customs and traditions that have been passed down through generations. One of these enduring formalities is for the couple not to see one another before the ceremony. In fact, it used to be unheard of — and even bad luck — for couples to see each other before their wedding ceremony.
There is a romanticism inherent in this suspense. But within the last 20 years, this beloved custom has been upstaged by a modern addition to the wedding ritual arsenal: the first look. Once considered a wedding taboo, the first look allows couples to share an intimate moment together before saying “I do,” as well as an opportunity for some sweet photos before the rush of the day. With a perfect blend of efficiency and romance, you might consider skipping old-school conventions to embrace this new tradition.
Seeing your fiancé(e) for the very first time on your wedding day will no doubt stir up some powerful emotions. While some couples cherish the idea of that sentimental first glance happening at the end of the aisle, others are more comfortable with a private moment before the ceremony.
Having a private first look with just you, your future spouse and your photographer allows you to express your genuine emotions without the pressure or stage fright that may come from being in front of all your loved ones. It’s an intimate setting where you can shed tears, laugh and truly be yourselves. A skilled photographer will capture these magical and tender moments authentically, creating lasting memories for you to revisit.
After the ceremony, the whirlwind of the reception festivities will sweep you away (in the best way possible!). In the midst of all the celebrating, you might not be able to find a moment to candidly speak with your new spouse until much later. That’s where the first look comes in — it provides a precious opportunity to truly connect with your beloved before getting caught up in the revelries.
The pre-ceremony first look is a moment where couples can break away from prying eyes and be vulnerable with each other. So often weddings can feel like performances. However, during the first look, you can set aside the performance and simply be yourselves. It’s a chance to be real, raw and deeply connected with each other. It’s also a time to regroup and reaffirm your love before the ceremony. During this time, some couples choose to read letters to each other, exchange special gifts, pray together or simply just express their excitement and expectations for the day ahead.
A first look offers the opportunity to capture the reactions of both you and your partner, which can be more challenging when you’re separated by an aisle during the ceremony. Furthermore, a first look allows photographers to take advantage of ideal lighting and picturesque backdrops that the wedding venue may offer. While nighttime portraits are romantic in their own right, natural morning light is oh-so-dreamy.
The ultimate time-efficiency, a first look allows you to complete most of your posed photos and couple portraits before the ceremony. Couples who wait until after the ceremony often find themselves missing out on parts of their cocktail hour as they’re busy taking all the must-have photos. By opting for a first look, you free up time to ensure that you capture all the pictures you want, leaving you more relaxed and fully able to enjoy the reception.
It’s no wonder why first looks have become increasingly popular — considering the benefits they offer from both a logistical and romantic standpoint.
Logistically, this practice allows for a smoother wedding timeline, ensuring there is ample time to capture beautiful photos without feeling rushed. However, the romantic aspects of a first look are equally compelling. The intimate nature of this moment can help settle nerves and create the right emotional headspace for the rest of the day.
Whether you prefer the thrill of waiting until the ceremony to see your betrothed or you opt for the efficient first look, there’s no wrong decision. With a skilled photographer, you can rest assured that you’ll have wonderful photos capturing the essence of your special day.
…
To see more beautiful first look images, check out our curated gallery here!
If you’ve already made the decision to entertain your guests with a DJ rather than a live band – congratulations! You’ve made the first big step in determining the environment and mood for your wedding festivities. But now comes the hard part of narrowing down which DJ to hire. Like every wedding, every DJ is different. It’s up to you to find a DJ that suits you and your soon-to-be spouse and what type of scene you want to set for your reception.
Netflix‘s reality dating show Love Is Blind puts into practice an age-old question: Is love blind? Unfortunately, that’s one query we here at Chicago Style Weddings can’t answer for you. But we can show you how to host a wedding inspired by the ones that took place on the show’s season 2 finale. In fact, you can even book the very venue this season’s couples said “I do,” at.
Brought to you by Visit South Walton
If you’re looking for the perfect beach wedding destination, look no further than South Walton, Florida. From hosting your ceremony on sugar-white sands or admiring it as the backdrop to your whole romantic wedding weekend, South Walton is a perfect place for your once-in-a-lifetime moment. With 16 unique beach neighborhoods to choose from, South Walton offers a variety of options, no matter your style. Whether you envision saying “I do” on the beach itself, in a historic chapel, at a renowned country club or on a yacht, South Walton can bring it all to life.
To ease the process of planning your perfect South Walton wedding, we’re here to get the ideas flowing. Even if you’re planning your wedding from afar, the Visit South Walton team is ready to guide you in multiple arenas. Ready to get started? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Your love is a work of art. Some say it deserves to be in a museum, documented for all to see! So what better location for your wedding and/or reception than an art gallery or museum? Your guests will love being emerged in culture and beautiful creations, plus you’ll end up with some unique wedding photos! Here are seven museum and art gallery wedding venues in Chicago that will establish your love story as a masterpiece.
The year of the Pantone Very Peri wedding is here! Each year, color experts at the Pantone Color Institute™ select a much-awaited Color of the Year. Through trend analysis and consideration of the cultural zeitgeist, these trend forecasters study fashion, film, travel, new technologies, home design, socio-economic conditions, and more to coin a color to set the pace of the next year’s visuals.
LOCATION: South Shore Cultural Center; The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton
PHOTOGRAPHY: Rachael Schirano Photography; Cherise Richards Photography
STYLING: Styled by Ariana; Simiraj Styling & Consulting, LLC
HAIR Every Kind of Beautiful Beauty & Bridal; Rowe Jones
MAKEUP Impressions by Laura; Ebone Tarver;
VIDEOGRAPHY Phillip Christopher Filmmaker & Photographer; Eric Blanks Media
GOWNS: Elite Pour La Vie – Muse by Berta; LBR Bridal – Eva Lendel; Bella Bianca Bridal Couture – Savin London, Rivini; Camellia Bridal – Sophia Thomas
ACCESSORIES: Ai & Eva Bridal Jewelry and Accessories; Bella Bianca Bridal Couture – Maria Elena; Camellia Bridal – Exclusive; Bird & Bumble
Chicago’s culinary scene is unmatched and attracts some of the world’s top chefs. By pairing a sincere passion for food with pure talent, these Chicago culinary artists are sure to elevate your wedding day meal. Not only will you be served a work of art, but your guests will also talk about the delectable meal for years to come.
By Shelby Deering | Photography by Clay for Lyons Photography
When you first get engaged, there’s excitement, exhilaration and all-around happiness. And if these sound a lot like the emotions that you and your fiancé experience when you travel or take a much-needed vacation, then a destination wedding may be right up your alley.
As we head into the winter months, we can’t help but picture snow softly falling down, as a bride and groom kiss under twinkly lights. Or crimson and green floral pieces for the perfect Christmas ceremony. Or an extravagant display of silver and gold decorations at a glamorous winter wonderland reception.
There are so many ways to incorporate this frosty season, but we’ve rounded up six of our favorite weddings. Visit their galleries for more winter wedding inspiration and start planning your own snowy ceremony today!
Lead Photo by Kristina Lorraine Photography
When you picture your perfect wedding venue, what do you see? Crystal clear waters? A gorgeous waterscape? A free-flowing river? Water is such a beautiful backdrop for your wedding day, and these eight Chicago area venues have taken full advantage of their stunning settings to create the ultimate landscape for your event.
We all know the saying, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” If you’re covering that ‘something blue’ with a blue color scheme for your big day, you’ll want to check out these six gorgeous invitations featuring everything from a light sky blue to deep navy.
