Photo by Stephanie Wood Photography

Beyond all the pomp and circumstance and decor, what happens at the altar is the most meaningful part of your wedding. You’ll have an officiant to guide the ceremony, but when it comes to exchanging vows, this is your time to really focus on what matters most. You’ll enter your own bubble as you look into your loved one’s eyes and swear your best and worst days to them. Guests, musicians, officiant and wedding attendants will fade into the background as you have these few minutes to soak in what this celebration is all about. So how do you even start writing such an important collection of words? Let’s get started.

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Cocktail photography by Jasko Omerovic Photography

With help from Binny’s Beverage Depot and their party planning concierge service, we present you with a taste of some custom cocktails to personalize your wedding bar.

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Featured Vendors

PHOTO SHOOT LOCATION Wildman BT
PHOTOGRAPHY Stephanie Wood Photography
STYLING Alexandra Dillard
HAIR & MAKEUP WarPaint International
VIDEOGRAPHY Phillip Christopher Videography
JEWELRY Razny Jewelers
GOWN PROVIDERS Bella Bianca, Bri’Zan Couture, The Crystal Bride, Here Comes the Bride, Kathryn’s Bridal, Luxe Bridal Rack (LBR), Veiled By ChaCha, Volle’s Bridal & Boutique, Wedding Design Studio by 1440 Event Design
SHOES Lori’s Shoes, Bella Belle Shoes
MODELS Carmen Garcia & Alexandria Hill, 10 MGMT

Reception entertainment, a timeless keepsake and a work of art all encapsulated in one canvas. Live wedding paintings and illustrations are growing in popularity by adding flair and uniqueness to your day.

It’s fun to walk through extravagant museum halls and see portraits of important figures painted with careful detail and preserved for centuries. Most of us see the experience of a quality painted portrait as a thing of the past. But it doesn’t have to be. Likely, you’re already planning for an incredible photographer to capture your day. But add another layer to that by hiring a live wedding painter. Photography is documentarian, but a painting done in the moment can capture the full essence of the day.

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Your wedding day is a complete reflection of you and your partner. You put everything you love into this day. From including your best friends as your wedding attendants to crafting a menu of favorite dishes to marrying your favorite person in the world, your wedding is all about what you love most. So why not tie your ideals and values in as well?

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Whether you’re hosting your celebration in the heart of downtown Chicago or in the suburbs, it’s always fun to give a taste of Chicago to your guests. Try to incorporate some of these elements to make your day a Windy City experience.

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Written by Aly Heintz Raddatz, Creative Director at Elevated Events | Photo by Tim Tab Studios

You’ve got the date, the venue, the wardrobe and your hype crew — next up: the soundtrack! For most couples, choosing songs for their wedding is either super exciting or very overwhelming, but it is an important step in creating a vibe and sound that makes your wedding unique to the two of you.

A great DJ/music consultant will give you steps to guide you along the way. At Elevated Events, we have blog posts and planning questionnaires to help couples no matter where they are on the music selection spectrum, from super-involved to “please-do-it-for-me.” Here are some of our tips for making your ultimate wedding soundtrack.

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Written by Chef Lisa Shaw, Lisa’s Boutique Catering | Photography by Dayson E. Roa

We can all agree the celebration of marriage is one of the greatest milestones in life with your partner. The excitement of the engagement alone is a beautiful moment that lasts a lifetime. Many couples get married within a year or two of their engagement. Some couples have it all planned out, while others take their time to do their due diligence.

No matter how large or small your wedding is, it can be a little tricky navigating the planning process due to all the moving parts. When selecting the venue, wedding party, theme, wedding dress/attire, catering, etc., many couples are stepping outside of the box, moving away from or elevating traditional wedding themes, especially when it comes to the menu.

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Written by Rob Gorman, co-owner, The BRIX on the Fox, and Alexandra Dillard | Photography by Beth Joy Photography

Yes, you are getting married, but you are also throwing the biggest party of your lives. Weddings are a celebration of the couple, and a celebration of family and friends. How can we make sure that your family and friends have almost as amazing of a time as the couple? (Because let’s be clear, the couple should have the most amazing time!)

When The BRIX on the Fox was designed, it was based on creating a beautiful place to celebrate, and a venue that fulfilled all the needs of ensuring an entertaining and meaningful wedding.

Was this mission successful? Take a look at the owners’ very own daughter and son-in-law’s wedding at The BRIX on the Fox and see for yourself.

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With 20 years of experience working with every kind of nearlywed, Kelly Delamater of Backyard Soirée offers a sampling of her best advice. 

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A talented florist will guide you into the perfect flower choices for your budget, season, and style. But when it comes to bouquet size and structure selection, there are options to consider! 

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Flowers are one of the most magical parts of a wedding. They breathe life and energy into a space. They soften harsh lines and brighten dark spaces. Your wedding flowers communicate the style and feel you want to flow through your day. Your flowers are going to be in nearly every picture taken. The question is, where do you begin?

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Photo above by Stephanie Wood Photography

Whether you have children already, younger siblings or are a blended family, including the kids most special to you into your wedding day is important. While a full wedding day might not be thrilling to a little one, use these options to make sure all your guests — no matter their age — feel welcomed and ready to celebrate.

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Photo above by TWA Photographic Artists

Selecting your wedding photographer can feel like a daunting task. The cake will be eaten, the dress will be worn, but the photos are what will last for years to come. As you search for your wedding photographer, start the process by determining what style of photography you want. Some photographers are able to shoot and edit in a number of styles, while others have one signature look. Whatever photographer you choose, you’ll want to be able to effectively communicate to them what style you’re looking for. Here are some popular photography styles for you to consider.

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The Graceful Ordinary

3 E. Main St. | St. Charles, IL 60174 | 331.235.5803 | thegracefulordinary.com

From its riverfront location to its acclaimed chef, this newly opened restaurant and event venue in downtown St. Charles is anything but ordinary. In a sophisticated setting along the scenic Fox River, rustic fare from Executive Chef Chris Curren dazzles. Their chef-driven cuisine is centered around the kitchen’s wood-burning hearth with a menu of elevated, yet approachable tavern fare. The Graceful Ordinary is the ideal setting for all your wedding celebrations, with 4,700 square feet of interior space and 2,200 square feet of waterfront terrace space outside. Unforgettable views, chef-driven cuisine and gracious hospitality — The Graceful Ordinary is the memorable backdrop to your life’s special events.

Photo by Matthew Reeves

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